Brianna Lee attended the UC Santa Cruz and later moved to Los Angeles to study contemporary and traditional painting techniques through the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, where she studied with many prominent artists such as Ignat Ignatov, Aaron Westerberg, Richard Morris, Michael Siegel and Ron Lemen, among many others. She later studied the techniques of Verdaccio under master painter Adrian Gottlieb in his Atelier.

Part I: Introduction to the "Zorn" limited Palette
Students begin the series with a guided color mixing exercise and the creation of a Zorn color chart. This chart will assist students through the remainder of the courses. Students will then select a master portrait or figure painting and may choose from a from a selection of artists such as Anders Zorn, John Singer Sargent, Ingres and more. Students will create a color chart analyzing the color mixtures and begin a value study and "poster" color study using the "tiling" technique.
Week 1: Color mixing & Color Charts
Week 2: Color mixing & Color Charts (complete)
Week 3: Color Analysis Chart (from a Master Painting)
Week 4: Value Study (master copy, figure)
Week 5: Poster Study (master copy, figure)

Part II: Master Copy Painting- Applying the "Zorn" Palette
In part II of the series, students will use the Color Charts, Value and Poster study to aid them in the completion of a full-scale master copy painting. Students will also focus on paint application techniques, composition and texture.
Week 1: Toning/Prepping Canvas, Begin Drawing
Week 2: Establish tonal relationships/color relationships
Week 3-5: Color & Technique

Part III: Working from the Figure
In part III of the series, students will now apply what they have learned to a figure study from life. Students will complete a color analysis chart and poster study and then proceed to the figure painting.
Week 1: Color Analysis & Poster Study
Week 2: Drawing/Tonal Block-In
Week 3-5: Color & Technique

Part IV: Conceptual Painting- Applying Technique to Ideas
In the final segment of this course, students integrate theory previously learned and compose a final portfolio piece. The session begins with color/mood exercises and composition and value studies. The following weeks are spent developing the paintings.
Week 1: Composition/Value study & Color/Mood Exercise
Week 2-5: Develop Color layer and technique

Summary:
This painting course is designed to walk students through the various stages of figure painting including color analysis, poster studies, paint application techniques and much more. The entire course is presented in a series of 5-week sessions, each component progressively permitting students more independence with technique and experimentation.
Enrolling in all 4 sessions is not required but highly recommended because each segment directly leads into the other. Please read the syllabus for details on each Session and the material that will be covered.