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(Un)VEILINGS OF PEDRO AND INÊS: Honoring 700 Years of Inês de Castro

In celebration of the 700th anniversary of Inês de Castro’s birth, I am delighted to be participating in the painting exhibition...

PlatiGleam in Angkor Wat: My Journey Through Light and Shadow

I have always been drawn to the silent, sacred spaces of the world—places where history, spirituality, and architecture converge. Over the years, I have painted in many UNESCO World Heritage sites, each one teaching me something new about the human spirit. But this September, I stepped into Angkor Wat  to paint for the first time there, carrying with me the vision and discoveries born from my residency at Borobudur , Indonesia. There, I had experienced the profound privilege of creating the...

PlatiGleam at Borobudur Temple: A Historic First

Standing inside the world

(Un)VEILINGS OF PEDRO AND INÊS: Honoring 700 Years of Inês de Castro

In celebration of the 700th anniversary of Inês de Castro’s birth, I am delighted to be participating in the painting exhibition (Un)VEILINGS OF PEDRO AND INÊS in Alcobaça. This remarkable show brings together an exceptional group of artists—Cristina Henriques, Gianmarco Donaggio, Joana Guerra, João Leirão, Jorge Prata, Maria De Fátima Silva, Nélia Caixinha, and Nelson Ferreira—curated by Alberto Guerreiro.This exhibition explores the legendary and tragic love story of Pedro and Inês, one of the

A MINHA PINTURA NA COLEÇÃO D’A BRASILEIRA: UMA HOMENAGEM A PESSOA E AO FRAGMENTO

É com grande honra que partilho a notícia de que a minha pintura "Vestígio e Simulacro de Mim" recebeu um prémio histórico, dado apenas duas vezes num século (1925 e 1971). Esta tela foi escolhida para integrar a coleção permanente do café A Brasileira, em Lisboa (Chiado). Este é um espaço icónico, carregado de história, onde nomes ilustres como Fernando Pessoa, Almada Negreiros, Eduardo Viana, Eduardo Nery e João Vieira deixaram a sua marca, contribuindo para a rica tapeçaria artística deste l

A MINHA PINTURA NA COLEÇÃO D’A BRASILEIRA: UMA HOMENAGEM A PESSOA E AO FRAGMENTO

É com grande honra que partilho a notícia de que a minha pintura "Vestígio e Simulacro de Mim" recebeu um prémio histórico, dado apenas...

Winter Academies Launch in Porto and Lisbon: A New Era in Academic Art Education in Portugal

I am thrilled to announce the creation of two groundbreaking Winter Academies dedicated to the teaching of academic art in Portugal. These new initiatives, based in Porto and Lisbon, aim to revive the classical art techniques of the 19th century, offering an intensive curriculum in drawing and painting to art enthusiasts of all levels.

Laying Open Hidden Layers of Art History: My Podcast Interview Experience

I recently had the chance to be interviewed for "Considering Art Podcast". Bob Chaundy and I focused on art history, and it was an exhilarating experience. As someone passionate about the field, it felt great to share my thoughts, especially on some of the more controversial aspects that often get overlooked. We covered a lot of ground, but two main topics stood out: the dismantling of classical knowledge in the arts and the need to rewrite art history to recognize overlooked movements and arti

Paisagens Noturnas de Luz e Madrugada Escura: Arte e Cinema Convergem no Mosteiro da Batalha

A exposição Paisagens Noturnas de Luz e o projeto cinematográfico Alba Nera (2024) apresentam-se no Mosteiro da Batalha, no dia 2 de junho, às 15h00, refletindo a mais recente colaboração entre o pintor Nelson Ferreira e o cineasta Gianmarco Donaggio.Apoiado num conhecimento sólido das técnicas de pintura clássicas, Nelson Ferreira propõe também novas formas de fazer pintura através da refração e difração da luz, chamando à sua técnica inovadora PlatiGleam.Por sua vez, Gianmarco Donaggio é membr

Shining Across Borders: My PlatiGleam Painting Exhibition in Nepal

EXHIBITION AT NEPAL ART COUNCIL - MARCH 22 UNTIL APRIL 2ND, 2024 After my adventures in Bangladesh, I arrived to Nepal to do a solo exhibition at the most important venue in Kathmandu. You can view the inaugural speech I delivered, alongside esteemed figures such as Pratima Rana (Director of the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust, Honorary Consul of Nepal in Italy, and a Knight of the French Order of Merit) and Prithivi Pande (Chairman of Nepal Investment Mega Bank and the most distinguished

PlatiGleam Paintings Embark on Asian Tour

BANGLADESHMy PlatiGleam paintings have begun their journey across Asia. The tour commenced with a notable exhibition at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University (Charukola), where these artworks were unveiled to an eager, young, and artistic audience. Click here to read a newspaper article about this exhibition. As minhas pinturas PlatiGleam iniciaram a sua viagem pela Ásia. A digressão começou com uma notável exposição na Faculdade de Belas Artes da Universidade de Dhaka (Charukola), onde

Exploring Artistic Collaboration: The Intersection of Film and Painting with Gianmarco Donaggio and Nelson Ferreira

This is a literal translation of the article published today by the Batalha Monastery. In this article, the official number of visitors to my two solo exhibitions there was revealed (hint: it

A Literary Journey Through the Intriguing Lives I Encountered in Saudi Arabia"

I - STREETS OF DAMMAM: YOUSEF As I hopped into the taxi, Yousef the driver greeted me with a warm smile. Eager to engage in conversation, I decided to bring up a topic that had been on my mind. "You know," I began, "Western media often portrays Saudis in a certain way, focusing on the negative aspects." The taxi driver chuckled heartily, his eyes twinkling so much with amusement that I could clearly see them shining through the dark night. "We get as much bad publicity about our culture as o

Unveiling Cinematic Brilliance: Our Films

🎬 🎞️ 🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 🎥 🍿Renowned filmmaker Gianmarco Donaggio has earned a coveted spot at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival, joining the ranks of the cinematic elite at the "Big Three" festivals alongside Venice and Cannes. The Berlinale is arguably the leading festival for artistic and experimental film and the world

BIALE International Biennial in Portugal

Documentary about BIALE - International Biennial of the Alentejo, which took place in March 2023. This was the first ever international biennial in the Alentejo region. Nelson Ferreira was the chief curator. We were honored to represent artists such as: 1:18 Anna Steinhouse-Kandelaki 3:43 Francisco Ortigão 4:07 Charlie Pickard 4:27 Francesca Arcidiaco 6:00 Christopher Lane 6:37 Lucille Dweck 7:44 Jordi Diaz Alamà 8:14 Karen Wood 9:15 Temsuyanger Longkumer 10:00 Marc Dalessio 11:33 Cristina Trouf

EGYPTIAN ART - A VERY SHORT INTRO

This is an article that I wrote in 2010, and it was published in Portugal: At the same time that Mesopotamian civilizations were developing on the plains of Sumer (present-day Iraq), a civilization developed in Egypt that has gone down in history as one of the most stable ever. The Egyptian civilization reached such a degree of perfection that it lasted approximately 3000 years, from 3150 BC to 31 BC, without feeling the need to change significantly. A civilization that tried to be "eternal"...

Alchemy of Creative Flow

Introduction:In the world of art, there exists a mystical realm where the boundaries between the artist and the image blur, giving rise to a state of profound creativity. For many artists, myself included, this state of trance is the space where the best paintings come to life. After years of dedicated technical training and honing the craft, the artist becomes a conduit for inspiration, tapping into a flow that transcends the ordinary. In this blog post, we will delve into the alchemy of creati

In the Deepest Noir, Radiance Finds Its Reflection

Please maximise your screen brightness, so that you can see the different shades of black.As a resident artist at two of Portugal

The Crucial Role of the Bargue Course in Training Visual Artists, Animators, and Designers

Mastering the CraftIn the ever-evolving realm of visual arts, animation, and design, the pursuit of excellence is a constant. Aspiring artists, animators, and designers are always on the lookout for methodologies that not only enhance their skills but also provide a solid foundation for their creative journey. One such time-tested and revered method is the Bargue Course, a comprehensive and meticulous approach to drawing that has been a cornerstone in the training of artists for over a century.

Italian Press on first Lucca exhibition

Article in the Italian press, which once again analyses the paintings I made and exhibited at Portugal

The Society of the Spectacle: Populism, Low-Quality Art, and Consumerism in the 21st Century

In today

Unveiling the Mystical Bond: Art, Psychoanalysis, and Shamanism

Art, psychoanalysis, and shamanism may seem like vastly different realms of human experience and expression, but upon closer examination, their connection becomes apparent. These three domains, rooted in the exploration of the human psyche and the transcendence of ordinary consciousness, share intriguing similarities that reveal their profound interconnectedness. In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating connections between art, psychoanalysis, and shamanism and explore how they coll

Dadaism vs. Incoherents: A Playful Plagiarism?

Art history is often marked by artistic movements that challenge conventions and norms, pushing the boundaries of creativity and expression. One such case is the comparison between Dadaism and the Incoherents of the 19th century. While Dadaism is renowned for its provocative and avant-garde approach, some critics have argued that it borrowed heavily from the whimsical and absurd spirit of the Incoherents. In this blog post, we will explore this intriguing connection. Dadaism emerged in the ear

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EXHIBITIONS AND COURSES IN LUCCA (ITALY)

Dear friends, you are most welcome to come to the Italian city of Lucca to see my next two exhibitions, this time in Lucca - organised by Anima Mundi Pax and the Comune di Lucca. I will be giving a course in Mediaeval painting (Byzantine style), which will be immediately followed by a course in Japanese painting given by artist Francesca Arcidiaco. You are invited to join us in Tuscany this November:EXHIBITION 1: VIVERE IN BLU 9 to 14 November - Church of Santa Caterina. OPENING OF EXHIBITION:

16th Century Flemish Painting Technique – Mixed Egg and Oil Methods

Detail from the polyptyc of St. Vincent, painted by Nuno Gonçalves. Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon, Portugal.I would like to thank the Friends of the National Gallery of Lisbon (Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga), who organised the course I gave in that museum in 2016. I am also grateful to artist Alexandre Caetano, who compiled the notes for the course, notes that formed the basis for this text. 15th century Primitive Flemish painting was based on the much older Byzantine technique, which wa

University Lecture | History of Academic Art: part 2 - Painting | Universitas Negeri Jakarta

II of II - ACADEMIC PAINTING I was a guest lecturer for the fine arts department of Universitas Negeri Jakarta - UNJ - the state university of Indonesia. This is the second part, dedicated to academic painting. Thanks to the Head of Visual Art Education Department: Dr. Indro Moerdisuroso M.Sn. and to Visual Art Education Lecturers: Dr. Rizki Taufik Rakhman M.Si and Agam Akbar Pahala M.Sn., and Christophera R. Lucius M.A. for the invite. LIST OF IMAGES: - Albert Bierstadt:

THE FIRST REALISTIC NIGHT PAINTING COURSE IN THE WORLD

Images of the students painting and the pop-up exhibition we did at Castelo do Queijo, in Porto. Students from the NIGHT PAINTING COURSE at Utopia Art School (Aug 1-4, 2023). For the final show, I brought one of the paintings that I am still exhibiting at the Monastery of Batalha (the exhibition that reacts to the light of mobile phones). As far as we know, it was THE FIRST REALISTIC NIGHT PAINTING COURSE IN THE WORLD. Recently, there was a course in the USA but not realistic. To the beautiful

Exhibition

Location: The 14th century UNESCO world heritage site of Batalha Monastery (central Portugal). Opening: June 3rd 2023, at 4pm.Meeting the artist: July 22nd at 4pm - to unveil the latest polyptych. Closing: September 7th 2023, at 6pm. IS AI REPLACING ART CRITICS? This is the invite ChatGPT wrote to you, for the closing party of the exhibition: Join us for an Extraordinary Encounter with Artist Nelson Ferreira at Batalha Monastery We cordially invite you to an exclusive event at Batalha Monaste

Drawing Course in Indonesia | Bargue Technique in East Java | Malang State University

The fifth day of teaching 30 students at the state university in Malang, East Java. I

Opening of my exhibition at Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis

University Lecture | History of Academic Art: part 1 - Drawing | State University of Jakarta

I of II - ACADEMIC DRAWING I was a guest lecturer for the fine arts department of Universitas Negeri Jakarta - UNJ - the state university of Indonesia. This is the first part, dedicated to academic drawing. Thanks to the Head of Visual Art Education Department: Dr. Indro Moerdisuroso M.Sn. and to Visual Art Education Lecturers: Dr. Rizki Taufik Rakhman M.Si and Agam Akbar Pahala M.Sn., and Christophera R. Lucius M.A. for the invite.LIST OF IMAGES: - Chinese Neolithic ceramic - Blombos ochre

Guest Speaker for CreativeMornings | Free Lecture

Proud to have been invited by @irenekonova to be the speaker to the CreativeMornings Lisbon event at Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea, together with @jorgemoita. A full house with over 100 booked seats. Ancient Greek artists - stories that survived thanks to the writings of Pliny. Also, a world premiere of a bite-size preview of my upcoming drawing course

Presidential Visit | Visita Presidencial

It was an honour to have had the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, visit my exhibition at MNAC - Portugal

speech-is-silver-but-silence-is-gold

I hope this video opens your appetite for the live interview I’ll be giving on January 11th at 3pm for the faculty of fine arts of Lisbon (FBAUL) over instagram @fbaul. The interview will be in Portuguese but I hope to get it translated afterwards. The theme of the interview will be ‘The artist is blind, it’s the drawing that sees’, and the interviewer is Emília Ferreira, the director of MNAC (Portugal’s National Gallery of Contemporary Art).Watch the video on my YouTube channel:This teaser is a

Free Lecture | History of Academic Drawing | 19th century Beaux-Arts de Paris

This free lecture was made possible by the law firm Macfarlanes LLP! Subscribe the channel below so you won

Painting exhibition | Dec 2nd 6-9pm | East London

Group show at Spitalfields Studios, near Aldgate East tube.I exhibited 5 portraits in oils, started in 2019 but only now completed due to the pandemic. Marvellous Boogie Woogie pianist/composer Claire Braund performed at 7pm. One of the original compositions is called

List of Materials | Bargue Drawing Course

Welcome to this page, hope you find it helpful!If you enrol on www.bargue.org , you will receive by email the Bargue plates used for this drawing course.Please choose your favourite and print it to approx. 60 by 40cm (24″ by 18″). Don

New Drawing Classes | Classical Technique

De to popular demand, new evening classes! I am really excited to present this online 19th century French Drawing Course (Bargue methods). Which is a 4K Ultra High-Definition Cinematography Production that brings to the 21st century a contemporary version referencing a classical training programme used to educate fine realist artists. Wednesdays 7pm - starts Nov. 17th Mondays 7pm - starts Nov. 22nd Bargue Drawing Course - Trailer

Artist Residency at MNAC (Portugal

Please watch this short video about the watercolours I

Collaboration with interior design office Katharine Pooley

I painted the abstract watercolour. I think it gives a touch of mathematical erudition... don

Home - 1 year later

This music video was posted 1 year ago - time flies away! I

Upcoming Bargue Drawing Course - Trailer

I am really excited to present this trailer: Online 19th century French Drawing Course (Bargue methods). Which is a 4K Ultra High-Definition Cinematography Production that brings to the 21st century a contemporary version referencing a training programme used to educate fine realist artists. Whilst we prepare the worldwide launch of this 4 hour course, that will have narration by native speakers in multiple languages; enjoy this sneak peek!Prelaunch: subscribe my mailing list now on to receive m

16th Century

Detail from the polyptyc of St. Vincent, painted by Nuno Gonçalves. Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon, Portugal. I would like to thank the Friends of the National Gallery of Lisbon (Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga), who organised the course I gave in that museum in 2016. I am also grateful to artist Alexandre Caetano, who compiled the notes for the course, notes that formed the basis for this text. Flemish painting was based on the much older Byzantine technique, which was usually painted wi

THE PRACTICE & SCIENCE OF DRAWING BY HAROLD SPEED

THE PRACTICE & SCIENCE OF DRAWINGBY HAROLD SPEEDAssocié de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris; Member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, &c.This copy was edited and commented by Nelson Ferreira, 2018. All comments are highlighted in italic. All the original images are B&W, I replaced them for the colour version when possible. Original text from The Gutenberg Project. With 93 Illustrations & DiagramPlate I. FOUR PHOTOGRAPHS OF SAME MONOCHROME PAINTING IN DIFFERENT STAGES ILLUSTRAT