Historic Composition Grids, Demystified: Practical Tools for Stronger Art with Cynthia Inson (Thursdays)

Ready to stretch your skills, discover something new, and tap into techniques used by artists and architects since ancient times? This hands-on class is a journey through time-tested compositional tools made approachable, practical, and fun. You’ll explore four powerful historical grids: Harmonic Armature, Square Grid, Dynamic Symmetry, and Whirling Squares (also known as the Fibonacci Sequence). These design systems have shaped works from ancient Greece to the Renaissance, Impressionism, and beyond and they’re still relevant today. Through guided instruction and painting exercises (in gouache, watercolor, or oil), you'll learn how to build and apply each grid in your own work no complicated math required. The ratios are built in, and I'll share everything you need to recreate and expand these tools on your own. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter looking for a creative challenge, this class is accessible, thought-provoking, and sure to deepen your understanding of visual design. Come ready to experiment, practice, and grow your art!

Materials List

Cynthia Inson uses paint and composition to capture the luminous light, expansive atmosphere, and subtle sense of distance found in the natural world. Deeply inspired by the early California Plein Air painters, she draws continual influence from the works of Marion Kavanaugh Wachtel, Sam Hyde Harris, William Wendt, and Guy Rose. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Art History, as well as a Master’s degree in Anthropology and Archaeology, both from Wichita State University. Cynthia is a member of several professional organizations, including Oil Painters of America, Plein Air Artists of Colorado, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, and the California Art Club. Her work is represented by Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico.