From simplicity to complexity December 23-24 / Dubai

Workshop: From simplicity to complexity
                              December 23-24 
                           Dubai (UAE) 
Instructor: Behzad Bagheri

I look for simple ways to observe and express my surroundings and encourage others to follow this method too. This requires being be aware of, and receptive to, everything that surrounds the artist. I believe my involvement in the program might provide a novel perspective given my background. I would also hope my involvement would enhance the cultural diversity of the program and facilitate meaningful dialogue and exchanges of ideas and perspectives.

Learning goals 
Through the process of simplification, we try to approach the subjects in a free and fresh way. We begin in our mind and then externalize what we are visually attracted to. It is a quest to eliminate all the things that cause us to depart from the creations of our mind.  
Here is a post in my weblog about "How we will achieve the learning goals".

Workshop description
Step1:

This workshop begins with a demo by Behzad. First he works with charcoal and shows how he makes simple charcoal works and then shapes the forms. 

Afterwards he works on a watercolor piece with similar approach. He shows how he eliminates subjects and how he gets help from imagination and spontaneity. (this step lasts about 45 minutes)

Step 2:

We continue with an exercise with colors (mainly watercolors and ink). We learn to play with and combine colors. We start sketching and painting immediately without previously having drawn contours or imposed any structure. We try to not mix paints on our palettes. Instead, we mix them on paper as we go along. When we start work on a piece, the idea is not to have any pre-conceptions as to what the work will look like when completed nor to achieve a particular image that we have in our mind. We try to adopt a fresh approach and use new ideas based on our inspiration of the moment to see where this takes us. (this step lasts about 45 minutes)

Step 3: 
We take the three primary colors, apply them randomly on paper, and then looking around to see what subject could fit in. We try to develop the sketch accordingly. (this step lasts about 1 hour)

 Urban sketcher: Martine Kervagoret

Step 4:

The final step. We begin with choosing colors from our surroundings (We can use whatever colors we want). During this part, after making free forms with colors we look at perspectives, and like a play try to find a view which suits our shapes and forms. After that, we work on adapting our free forms to match with the chosen perspective but with minimal changes to the actual free forms. (this step is repeated two times or more and it takes about 2 hours in total)

(group 1)

Date
Friday, December 23, 2016

Location: (Dubai) / Bastakia quarter
Workshop Duration
9h30 - 12h00: morning session
12h00 - 13h30: lunch
13h30 - 15h30: afternoon session
Maximum Number of Participants
15 registrants
Minimum Number of Participants
8 registrants

Status: OPEN for registration

(group 2)

Date
Saturday, December 24, 2016

Location: (Dubai) / Creek Park (Al khor Park)
Workshop Duration
9h30 - 12h00: morning session
12h00 - 13h30: lunch
13h30 - 15h30: afternoon session
Maximum Number of Participants
15 registrants
Minimum Number of Participants
8 registrants

Status: OPEN for registration

Registration Fee
General registrations: $60
USk Dubai members: $50

To register

e-mail Behzad: behzad257@gmail.com for information and registration. (Title your email From simplicity to complexity workshop to make sure I receive it)

Any level welcome but some drawing experience is recommended.

Supply list

Watercolor  and ink are the main and the best choice. I also use a light haniwork easel.  At times I also use charcoal and conte pencil.

Optional

I often use only 2 or 3 of them (usually the bigger ones) due to their sizes, subjects and techniques.

These could be changeable according to individual facilities.