The Waterfowl Festival is offering both beginners and accomplished artists the opportunity to learn the secrets of the masters through its Masterclasses, to be held Thursday, November 13.
Classes are presented in the fields of Painting, Photography and Carving. The instructors are all renowned masters in their media, eager to encourage new artists to broaden their talents. Limited enrollment allows for individualized instruction.
The three artists teaching the 2008 Masterclasses are Heiner Hertling, Chris Vigneri and Pat Godin. Together, they have almost 50 years experience exhibiting at the Waterfowl Festival.
Wildlife artist, Heiner Hertling, of Milford, Michigan, returns once again to teach the Painting Masterclass. Winner of seven Duck and Trout Stamp contests and featured artist for 2006 at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo, Hertling is host of the PBS series, “Your Brush With Nature.”
This year, he will focus on “The Basics of Landscape Painting.” Experienced artists as well as novices will benefit from Hertling’s guidance through the fundamentals of blocking in a landscape, designing a pleasing composition and the use of color theory to create depth. Each student will take home a completed painting.
Nature photographer, Chris Vigneri of Forest Hill, also returns as an instructor this year to provide an “Introduction to Digital Nature Photography.” This award-winning photographer’s nature images have been published in magazines and calendars. Students will discover the many facets of the latest digital camera equipment, along with techniques for capturing the best possible shots. Participants are encouraged to bring their best and worst photos to the class for critique.
The Carving Masterclass will be taught for the first time by ten-time Ward World Champion Carver Pat Godin from Ontario, Canada. Godin was awarded the 2008 Best in World title at the Ward World Championships for his pair of Bufflehead decoys. In “Painting Hen Feathers – A Carving Demonstration,” Godin will demonstrate and discuss the logical steps to painting the feathers of a Mallard hen using acrylic paints. The bird’s complex feather patterns will be developed using rich colors, translucent effects and three-dimensional illusion.
All classes will take place on Thursday, November 13, at the Academy Art Museum. Early registration is strongly recommended for these popular classes. For more information or to register, contact the Waterfowl Festival office at 410-822-4567 or visit its website, www.waterfowlfestival.org.
“The Basics of Landscape Painting” with Heiner Hertling
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fee $75. Limit 15 students.
“Introduction to Digital Nature Photography” with Chris Vigneri
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fee $50. Limit 20 students.
“Painting Hen Feathers – A Carving Demonstration” with Pat Godin
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fee $75. Limit 20 students.
The 2008 Waterfowl Festival will be held in Easton November 14, 15 & 16.