11. Scenic Painter

What do you need to know to be a scenic painter?

- Painting - acrylic, oil, tempura paints

- Color mixing
- Drawing architecture, landscapes & figures

- Copying & mimicking - "Copy Art" - using a grid

COPY ART EXAMPLES

FINISHED DROP EXAMPLES (painted with a grid)

- Kaleidoscope Theatre drops painted by Laura McPherson - http://www.mcphersonscenicdesign.com

- Use of forced perspective  - art technique that creates the optical illusion that depicted objects exist in three dimensions.

- Faux finishing - Using paint to mimic the texture and appearance of other materials... stone, wood, brick, wallpaper, etc...

- Gilder, plasterer, sculptor
For example - Aden Hynes Sculpture Studio - http://www.sculpturestudios.co.uk/default.asp?textpage=Theatre&pt=port

Is there a difference when painting for the stage rather than painting for "fine art"??

- A scenic artist is usually not creating their own "art"... they are copying the designer's work on a larger scale. Though some designers due paint their own work... And some designers will give their painters room to design. For example... The drop for THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

- Larger scale, larger strokes, less detail?  This can depend on the type of venue... 

* How close will the audience be to the painting?

* How many people in the audience?

* What type of space? Proscenium, thrust, round, black box.