The GRAND CENTRAL ACADEMY OF ART ANNOUNCES
Ten draftsmen will compete for 40 hours over
five days to draw one figure from life.
New York, NY, March 22, 2013 - The Grand Central Academy of Art (GCA) will be holding its second figure drawing competition, June 3 - 7, 2013. Applications are due by April 15. The draftsman who executes the most beautiful drawing will be awarded the $10,000 grand prize accompanied by the title Apelles. The $3,000 second place prize includes the title Protogenes, and an additional competitor will be awarded a $2,000 third place prize. This competition will take place at the Grand Central Academy, 6th Floor, 20 W. 44th St, New York, NY, 10036.
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| From L to R: 2010 Competition 1st place drawing by Darren Kingsley, 3rd place drawing by Carla Crawford, 2nd place drawing by Will St. John |
This Figure Drawing
Competition hopes to gather together the greatest draftsmen to work on a single
figure drawing over the course of five days. Drawings will be done from one
model and one pose.
Drawing skills are the
bedrock of good painting, and the foundation on which form and color can most
truthfully be expressed. It is incumbent on the artist to routinely sharpen and
develop these skills from life. The intent of this competition is to bring
greater prestige and honor to those artists who have devoted time and energy to
honing these abilities. It will be a pure test of drawing skills.
The Grand Central Academy of Art Classical
Figure Drawing Competition
Monday – Friday, June 3 – 7,
2013
Grand Central Academy of Art
20 W 44th Street,
6th floor
New York, NY 10002
How to Apply:
Participants will be selected
on the basis of an online portfolio submission consisting of five images,
including at least three figure drawings. All artists, from students to
professionals, young and old, are encouraged to apply. There is a $25 entrance
fee, and a $75 finalist fee. Applications are due April 15.
To request an application, click here.
Materials:
The GCA will provide easels and tabourets. Finalists are asked to bring their own drawing materials: drawing board, white paper (required), graphite, charcoal or carbon pencils. Tones and graphite/charcoal washes are not allowed. Scale is 18 x 24.
Judging Criteria:
The judging will take place in 2 rounds:
The first round of judging is based on a point system (1-5) with the following criteria:
1. correct proportion based on the model
2. correct or natural gesture again based on the model
3. correct understanding of anatomy
4. the modeling of a consistent finish
5. correct observation of the light effect
The second round of judging is based on artistic strength:
Those 4 or 5 drawings exhibiting the greatest strength in these areas will move to a final round wherein the judges will decide the winners based on what they consider to be the greatest overall success considering artistic strength.
Join Us For Public Viewings:
The competition room will be
open daily, 1-2pm, for viewings of
the drawings-in-progress. An Awards Gala will be held on Friday evening, 7-9pm. Refreshments will be served. These
events are free and open to the public.
The Story of Apelles and Protogenes
Apelles and Protogenes were
renowned painters of Ancient Greece during the time of Alexander the Great (4th
Century BC). They were rivals and also advocates of each other’s work. Stories
tell of their daily precise practice of outlining, and the laborious fine
finish they brought to their work, whether drawings or paintings.
Their rivalry tested who
could draw the finest, steadiest line and has famously been recorded in an
anecdote in Pliny’s Natural History.
Apelles travelled to
Protogenes’ home in Rhodes to make the acquaintance of this painter he had
heard so much about. Arriving at Protogenes’ studio, he encountered an old
woman who told him that Protogenes was out and asked for his name so she could
report who had enquired after him.
Observing in the studio a
panel Protogenes had prepared for a painting, Apelles walked over to the easel,
and taking up a brush told the servant to tell Protogenes “this came from me”
and drew in color an extremely fine line across the panel.
When Protogenes returned, and
the old woman explained what had taken place, he examined the line and
pronounced that only Apelles could have done so perfect of work; Protogenes
then dipped a brush into another color and drew a finer line above the first
one, and asked his servant to show this to the visitor should he return.
When Apelles returned, and
was shown Protogenes’ response, ashamed that he might be bettered, he drew in
third color an even finer line between the first two, leaving no room for
another display of craftsmanship.
On seeing this, Protogenes
admitted defeat, and went out to seek Apelles and meet him face-to-face.
(Retold by Guillaume Apollinaire)
About the Grand Central Academy of Art:
Founded by Jacob Collins, the Grand Central Academy of Art provides
rigorous instruction to students seeking a traditional art education. The
academy models itself on the progressive methodology of historic ateliers. Each
stage of drawing, painting, and sculpture fits into a larger curriculum built
to give students the skills necessary to create classically inspired works. Students can absorb this information in the four year, full-time Water
Street Atelier, and through a variety of weekly classes and summer programs,
all geared toward those who are dedicated to realist art. The academy also
sponsors lectures, competitions, exhibitions and public discussions, adding
another dynamic to this vibrant community. Its location in New York City makes
the Grand Central Academy a natural center for today's classical arts
renaissance.
The Grand Central Academy is part of the Institute of ClassicalArchitecture and Art.
About GCA Competitions:
Each year in early June, GCA will hold one of
three competitions on a rotating basis, either Figure Drawing, Still-Life Painting or Figure
Sculpture. A jury will award first, second and third place prizes of $10,000,
$3,000 and $2,000. At the end of each August, GCA will host a more informal
competition for Portrait Sketch. A jury will award first and second place
awards of $1,000 and $500.
To learn more about The Grand Central Academy
of Art, visit
