Today we look at the work of Katerina Savvas. Seeking to develop and build upon her artistic skills, Katerina joined Guy Noble’s Figure Oil Painting course.
I really enjoyed the opportunity to delve into a specific medium, exploring techniques that are particular to oil paints.
Discover how the course helped her face her fears of accepting mistakes in case she “ruined it”, and find a new appreciation of taking ones time.
Katerina Savvas
What is your name and where are you from?
My name is Katerina Savvas and I am a recent graduate from London.
What course did you study on and why did you choose it?
I attended Guy Noble’s Figure Oil Painting course. I have been developing my artistic skills since secondary school and have worked extensively on my sketching and acrylic painting, in my own time. At university I founded a Fine Art Society, which gave me the opportunity to host life drawing sessions and practice quick observational sketching, but I was seeking guidance from a professional working artist.
What Guy’s course offered me was the chance to explore a medium I was unfamiliar with, on a new timescale - the model assumed the same pose over a few days of the course which enabled me to work in a more detailed way than ever before, developing one single intricate painting over a longer period of time.
© Katerina Savvas
What did you enjoy most about your course?
I really enjoyed the opportunity to delve into a specific medium, exploring techniques that are particular to oil paints. With Guy's tuition and through working in the medium that most of my favourite pieces of art have been created in, I felt myself drawn closer to the artists that inspire me. I might be a million rungs below them, but for the first time I could see myself on the same ladder.
© Katerina Savvas
How has this course benefited your career and personal development?
I now have much more confidence to paint on my own after having developed my understanding of colour, texture, scale and composition. I learnt the importance of not being too precious, of not being afraid to erase or rework a detail that I am not 100% happy with! Before this course, I would often settle for something out of fear of “ruining it”, but this left me with work that I didn't truly have faith in.
On the final day we went on a group trip to The National Gallery to look at and discuss some examples of figure paintings; this experience will stay with me for a long time! Guy inspired the confidence in us to look critically at art and to understand the difference between a good rendering and a good painting. I feel like I have been set on the path of being able to explain to others why certain paintings make me feel the way they do.
© Katerina Savvas
What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking a short course at Central Saint Martins?
It was an absolutely great opportunity and I am glad that I chose this course specifically because it suited me really well - a bit of research into the tutors leading a class and the specifics of the course go a long way!
© Katerina Savvas
What do you believe is integral to the work of an artist, in any discipline?
Belief in the value of the art they're creating, be it social, cultural or otherwise. If someone is passionate about the merit of their practice, it really does come across.
What 3 words best describe your short course experience at CSM?
Intense, interesting, and inspirational.
Were you inspired by Katerina Savvas' stunning paintings created at Central Saint Martins? Elevate your skills with our Painting with Acrylics Short Course – a journey of artistic discovery awaits.
© Katerina Savvas
