David Jon Kassan
Bio
David Jon Kassan received his BFA from Syracuse University, where he studied with Jerome Witkin. After completing his studies there he continued on to The National Academy of Design and the Art Students League where he studied with William Behnkin, Harvey Dinnerstein, Burton Silverman and Steven Assael.
Among David Jon Kassan’s many honors is the Newington-Cropsey Foundation’s Travel Grant. This grant enabled him to study at the British Institute in Florence where he assembled his thoughts and sketches into a limited edition book titled “Lentamente Italia”.
David Jon Kassan is currently a faculty member at The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York. He has lectured at the Rochester Institiute of Technology, Western Illinois University, Syracuse University, the National Academy of Fine Art and the University of Alabama. David also instructs private art groups in New York, Florida and the Hamptons.
David’s work has been featured in exhibitions at The United Nations in New York, Lincoln Center, The Park Avenue Armory, The National Academy of Design Museum of Fine Art and The Museum of American Illustration.
David’s work is present in both private and public collections including the Art Students League of New York, The Bhammer Royal Family of Mumbaii, India and Seven Bridges Foundation of Greenwich, Connecticut.
Classes taught by David Jon Kassan
“Investigating the Rhythm and Emotion of the Modern Portrait”
This class has no available sessions. Please email us if you are interested.
The focus of this course will be on advanced life painting and drawing methods to investigate the underlying rhythm, expression and emotion of the modern portrait. Students will work to develop a clarity of vision that is essential to accurate observation; learning to focus on what is in front of us without being overwhelmed. Through this intensive observation students will explore the uniqueness of individual features and their relationship to each other as part of a coherent whole. An emphasis will be on understanding the structure of the model, as well as the artist’s analysis and interpretation of the model.
Students will execute preliminary drawings and small color oil studies before moving to full-scale oil paintings. Instruction will include discussion of practical technical information on different paint qualities, pigments, palette, mediums, and paint supports. There will be a survey of the anatomy of the head, neck, and shoulder girdle. The properties of light on form and how the topography of form can be visualized and represented will be discussed, as well as light temperature (natural and artificial) and placement to capture different effects and moods.
Most importantly, students will learn to transcend the materials so that there is a full concentration placed on expressing the model’s presence and emotion. This is an intensive painting practicum that will challenge students to develop a strong foundation from which to explore and evolve, for years to come.