Hilary Harkness Master Class, Scenes from the Academy and More Progress

By Ian Factor (MFA 2014)

Hilary Harkness Master Class, Vincent Desiderio Master Class, more gallery openings, visits with some second year students in studio, and the start of a large, 80″ x 96″ History Painting based on the ritualistic Samurai tradition of Seppuku. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku)

The schedule is intense and getting more so by the day, so I hope you enjoy this blog and gain some insight into the amount of amazing stuff going on this semester…

Hilary Harkness at her solo show with the students from the Master Class
Hilary Harkness Master Class 
(Hilary on the left with white sweater)

Hilary Harkness Master Class 


 Vincent Desiderio Master Class
 Vincent Desiderio Master Class
Gallery Walk with Steve Mumford’s History Painting Class
Aleah Chapin builds a ‘little’ canvas


Second Year Student’s Studios




Last one to leave the classroom – My painting all alone from Painting II




My painting from Painting II – In Progress – 40″ x 30″


My painting from Painting II – In Progress – 40″ x 30″ (Detail)


Anatomy notes


Anatomical Drawing Class with Roberto Osti


Anatomical Drawing Class with Roberto Osti


Anatomical Drawings in class by Roberto Osti


Steve Mumford’s History Painting Class 
looking at some of Steve’s Drawings and Sketches

Working Charcoal Sketch in studio for History Painting Class.
This piece is based on the Samurai Ritual of “Seppuku”, Hara-Kiri, or
the Samurai Suicide. 


Stretching the canvas for History Painting.
80″ x 96″ oil Primed Canvas.


Sketching in the under painting for “Seppuku” using the Dead Color Palette. 
80″ x 96″ – Night #1

The Painting after the first night of work in front of my studio

Working on the under painting for “Seppuku” using the Dead Color Palette. 
80″ x 96″ – Night #2
Detail of main character, “Seppuku”.
In Progress


Studio Shot with new painting on easel, Portrait for Painting II, 36″ x 48″



Small oil sketch, 16″ x 12″ from the Hilary Harkness Master Class in my studio…with skull!
Ian Factor (MFA 2014) will be blogging here throughout the academic year about his first year at the Academy and moving to New York City.  Check the label “First Year Experience” or “Ian Factor” for more posts about his first year at the Academy.