FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3, 5-8PM
“From Dark to Light, Then Color”

Mary Martin Art Gallery is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of Ron Di Scenza’s art exhibit showcasing his paintings and his perfected Verdaccio or Monochromatic underpainting technique, which originates from the Italian fresco painters of the early Renaissance. Ron Di Scenza, who resides in Italy, will be in attendance for the exhibit opening and an artist meet and greet on Friday, February 3rd from 5-8 PM.

Di Scenza achieves an optical effect that cannot be achieved by direct painting with color. An underpainting is a monochrome version of the final painting intended to initially fix the composition, give volume and substance to the forms, and distribute darks and lights in order to create the effect of illumination. His process begins with preliminary drawing transferred to the canvas and he works "from dark to light." Once Di Scenza established his monochromatic design, he then adds color.

Especially exciting, Di Scenza's detailed realism is on par with Flemish painter Johannes Vermeer's, while the soulfulness of his subjects brings to mind Italian artist Michelangelo Caravaggio. “When I paint, I try to continue the great painting methods that came before me," explains Di Scenza. "At the same time, I seek to create the immediacy of the here and now through the unique spirit of the person I'm painting.

“From Dark, to Light, then Color” will be on display through February 28, 2017.
Ron Di Scenza is represented byMary Martin Gallery, 103 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401