First Year of Painting Course
The first year of the painting course introduces students to the fundamental basic concepts of fine arts. In general, the studies are focused on learning and improving techniques for portraiture in both painting and drawing. For this reason, throughout the year, we had artistic anatomy classes that covered the study of the bone and muscle structure of the head.
The tables below show the classes taught during the second semester of 2024 and the first semester of 2025. Drawing and painting classes take place daily. Theoretical classes are held during the first period or immediately after the drawing class. In addition, anatomy classes are held twice a week, with the concepts being explained by the professor once a month. Next, I will explain the main subjects in more detail.
Painting and Composition Classes
The first-year painting classes are divided into 6 groups. As a rule, each class has two teachers: one responsible for painting and composition classes, and the other for drawing classes.
In my case, my painting and composition teacher was Mr. Andrian Bersenev (Адриан Барсенев). Painting classes were held from Monday to Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., considered the most suitable time to take advantage of natural light. Composition classes were held on Saturdays at the same time.
The first year of the course aims to deepen knowledge in creating portraits, compositions, and still life painting. For portraits, two or three models were usually positioned in the studio, allowing students to choose their vantage points to paint the portrait. The teacher always chose the model's position, background colors, and the clothing to be worn. In some cases, especially at the end of the second semester, portraits including the model's hands were requested to prepare students for the second year of the course.
The still life was also chosen by the teacher. The objects to be painted were arranged according to the teacher’s perception and experience, allowing students to learn more from the comparison methods taught at the academy.
Finally, the compositions had to follow specific themes suggested by the teacher, which could include "path," "war," "old houses," or even different themes for foreign students.
The methodology used in project execution is the same for portraits, still lifes, and compositions. First, we make a sketch to be painted on a small piece of canvas. This process is repeated several times to create variations, from which we choose the version to be executed on the final canvas. For compositions, the number of sketches should be greater and cover various themes.
Then, we present them to the teacher, who helps select the best versions. At this time, he explains concepts and corrects the students' mistakes. It is also when the canvas size is determined.
Usually, the models repeated their poses for two weeks, and during this period the teacher would come to the studio several times to check each student's progress and assist in improving the paintings. In some cases, the teacher only provided verbal guidance; in others, he could take the brushes and demonstrate painting techniques.
Our teacher even painted a canvas together with the students. This experience allowed us to visualize the step-by-step process that a master adopts when creating a portrait. Even while painting, he observed the other paintings and assisted the students, indicating what they should do to improve their technique.
At the end of each semester, the best portraits and compositions are selected to comprise the semester exhibitions at the Repin Academy.
After the works are chosen, we have about a week to prepare the paintings and the studio to receive visitors. The paintings are framed and organized by the teacher and subsequently hung on the walls by the students.
Subsequently, all the academy’s teachers, before opening the exhibition to the general public, visit all the studios and evaluate the students' works, assigning grades and selecting the best paintings to become part of the institution’s collection.
At the end of the exhibition, which usually lasts three days, the non-selected works can be collected by the students.
About the Master Painter and Professor Andrian Bersenev (Андриан Берсенев).
Bersenev was born in Perm, Russia, in 1963.
He attended the Perm Art School from 1987 to 1991 and was accepted into the prestigious Repin Institute in St. Petersburg upon his graduation. He studied at the Institute from 1991 to 1997, receiving his diploma from the studio of Professor Oleg Arkadievich Eremeev (Олег Аркадьевич Еремеев). He was invited to take post-graduate classes at the Institute and became a highly respected associate professor. He finished his post-graduate studies in 2001 and is currently a professor.
Bersenev paints and teaches in St. Petersburg. He has emerged as one of Russia's elite masters.
Here are some paintings and compositions created during the first year of the painting course at the Repin Academy.
Drawing Classes
Drawing classes in the first year take place right after lunch, starting at 3:00 PM and ending at 5:00 PM. Similar to painting classes, live models are used as references for academic activities. However, artificial lighting is occasionally employed to facilitate the study of shadows.
As mentioned, the focus of the first-year studies is on portraits and the neck. In this regard, the drawing professor Evgueni Khliunev (Евгений Хлюнев) guided us during this period. He positioned the models in a way that allowed us to understand the volume, proportions, and elements that constitute the human head, and he explained the necessary details to develop academic drawing skills.
The choice of materials was left to the students, though drawings of the skull and portraits featuring different model positions were required to be done in graphite pencil.
In addition to drawings from live models, copy drawings were also mandatory. For this activity, students must choose two masters and replicate drawings they created. The goal is to understand the techniques and methods the artist used to solve challenges in those drawings.
Evgueni Aleksandrovich Khliunev (Хлюнев Евгений Александрович) was born on September 30, 1983, becoming one of the exponents of contemporary Russian realist painting. His artistic journey began with distinction when he graduated with honors from the Nizhny Novgorod Art School in 2005. The following year, he enrolled in the prestigious Repin Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, where he studied until 2012 under the guidance of the renowned master Vitaly Pesikov, People's Artist of Russia and full member of the Academy of Arts.
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His diploma thesis, titled "Adoration of the Magi," was recognized with an Honorable Mention from the Academic Council, marking the beginning of his promising career.
Between 2013 and 2016, Khliunev deepened his knowledge at the Creative Studio of Easel Painting, remaining under the tutelage of Professor Pesikov. Since 2016, he has consolidated his role as an educator, teaching drawing at the Repin Academy, where he contributes to the training of new generations of artists.
Here are some of the drawings made during the first year of the painting course at the Repin Academy.
