Inner development

COLOUR is intimately connected with our life of feeling. We live in the active, courageous or noble red; in the inward, peaceful or modest blue. We can deepen ourselves in the serious, mediative tones of violet – and so on.

Painting strengthens our feeling for colour. When we paint from a feeling of balance, we aim to create a state of harmony between the colours, and this works back on ourselves. We can find, having emersed ourselves in colour for a time, that our feelings have changed –
they have become deeper and have taken on new unexpected nuances. We can feel more in harmony with ourselves, strengthened and more confident.

With this in mind, it is clear that painting can be therapeutic, initially in a general way but with the possibility of being effective in specific curative situations.

Our Approach

Our approach to painting is based on a meeting of art and therapy. We work in the technique of watercolour and favour plant-based pigments which have a particular light quality and vivifying action on the soul.

We search for the essential life of colour through a particular approach to painting exercises. This methodical way of working helps to develop a finer perception for colour, and can strengthen awareness of our feelings in relation to colour. As such it is also a good foundation for therapeutic work.

The training is based on the ‘training sketches’ for painters executed by Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) and given as work material to the painter Henni Geck (1884-1951) in answer to a request to help her with her teaching curriculum.

Curriculum

The curriculum is intended to develop insight into the interrelation of colour and form; the aim is to reach an individual living experience of how form comes out of colour.

The following aspects are integrated into our study conception:

• Colour balance as principle of unity and harmony: warm and cool colours; image and lustre colours; light and dark.

• Composition: ‘measuring’ the colours into the picture-space;

• The inwardly-felt balance of the human being as ‘measuring’ instrument.

• Enhancing a capacity for experiencing colour: measure, number and weight as qualitative experience; weightless colour.

• Colour processes – Nature processes: rhythms; the cycle of the year; growing and fading; rising and setting.

• Motif transformation leading to metamorphosis.

• Self- development: painting as a path of meditation.

• Painting therapy: inner balance and health.

• Plant colours: production of plant-based pigments and their use.

Qualifications

The degree of interest and involvement of each individual student determines the length of study needed to reach a personal goal or qualification. Certificates are given as confirmation of study periods. A diploma is given after completion of a longer period of study.