Quatero Cento, the four great centuries of art,
known as the “Classical Academic Period”
There were eight years of apprenticeship, during this
period of academic art. The first two years were spent learning to draw
and to paint by copying the MASTERS. During those two years students
painted using monochromatic under-paintings. The remaining years the
students learned to paint over the under-paintings using layers of colored
oils. These are called colored glazes. Solid paint was used only in the
illuminated areas of their paintings.
Once the students gained expertise by copying the
Masters, they were allowed to compose their own paintings. At this point
they had the knowledge and skill to create significant art of their own.
Following the eight years of apprenticeship, they
received a degree of Mastery and were written up in the RED BOOK. The
students were now considered MASTERS. They could get their own commissions
and conduct their own classes.
Frank Covino has dedicated the last 40 years of his
life to revive this classical academic approach to painting. He has taught
over 20,000 students across the United States. “I believe that artists
of this century can be as successful as our Renaissance ancestors. You
do need patience, perseverance and a desire to succeed. But most importantly
you need proper training, which means scientific, or academic training.
This is the basis for all creative endeavor.” — Frank Covino
Sherry Huntting Academy of Classical Realism has been
perpetuating this revival of Classical Academic Art since May of 2000.
