Jean-Maxime RELANGE : 2012 August 19-24

Oil or acrylics : landscape, flowers and still lifes in full freedom

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If you're not sure in which class you should register, then just choose Jean-Maxime RELANGE. In tis class, open to all levels, from beginners to professionals, he will teach you what the act of painting really means. He says : "We will begin this workshop with a general survey of the current state of art, going over the traditional concepts, principles, rules and ending up with a landscape demonstrations. When it's your turn to paint you will have to get past the stage of cold theory. I want to pass on to you the fever that guides me to prevail over obstacles. I will show you how to express your feelings and instincts in the most authentic way, giving free way to your personality. You will be constructing a perfectly composed painting from the viewpoint of composition, values, colors, quality of brushstrokes and edges. For each painting you will make preliminary sketches or color drawings. I will help you to choose the project so you can begin to paint knowing exactly where you are going to with every chance of success. I will see everyone numerous times during the day and, in the evening, a general group critique will turn out as a painting class."

Jean-Maxime RELANGE studied essentially in Paris at the famous Academie Julian and is a founder-member of the Group of the 109, president of the Salon du Dessin et de la Peinture à l'Eau, cofounder with Claude Schurr of the Academie de Port-Royal, that succeeded the Académie Julian, where he teaches painting since 40 years. Galleries : Espace Valeurs d'Arts in Paris, Sengawa in Tokyo, de l'Isle in Montreal. Salons : Groupe des 109, Automne, Comparaisons, Dessin et Peinture à l'Eau, Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Major prizes : Grand Prix Jullian, Prix de la Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Prix de la Fondation Taylor, Prix de la Fondation de France. Murals : Ford, Crédit Lyonnais, Saint-Martin Market in Paris, Amsterdam-Rotterdam Bank (a 900 square feet oil painting on canvas). Relange was appointed Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and he certainly is the French painter that has the most paintings in museums or other public and private institutions in France or abroad. Bibliography : Bénézit, Akoun, Univers des Arts n°85 p.86-87 Dec-Jan 2004, n°126 p.30-31 Nov 2007, n°136 Nov 2008, n°141 front page and p.26-29 May 2009, n°10 p.100-108 (2004), "Oil painting : from inspiration to the finished art work" a great book written and illustrated by J-M Relange (Ulysse 2006).

The work of Relange, all in poetry and softness, reflects a restrained violence and ordered energy subjected to rigorous drawing and caracterized by color which is pure, intense and sometimes violent. In his paintings, Relange takes care of the light and organizes rhythms which are constantly renewed. Conscious that freedom results from basic knowledge, lines and curves take shape, intertwine and unwind in a rhythm which resembles the music of Bach.