The Sienna Academy is the name of an anthroposophic training initiative in Australia, which offers many different courses in accordance with the painting method of Liane Collot d’Herbois.
It is affiliated to The Emerald Foundation in The Hague. Pioneers of this approach to working with colour include:
Rudolf Steiner, a highly developed seer, who spoke out of his direct perception of the spiritual world and who initiated a modern and universal ‘science of the spirit,’ which he presented to the world in numerous books and lectures. ‘Anthroposophy’ is the word that Rudolf Steiner used to describe the spiritual insights that he shared with people during his lifetime. It means ‘wisdom relating to mankind’. Rudolf Steiner’s interest in colour was stimulated by the research of:
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a scientist and renowned author who developed a theory of colour that was based on years of personal observation. Of particular interest to Steiner was Goethe’s observation that colours arise between the meeting of light and darkness.
 
Liane Collot d’Herbois, a talented and well trained artist in her own right, was inspired by the colour research of these great pioneers to change her whole approach to painting. Liane could perceive the living essence of colours, free from matter, arising and dying away between the dynamic interplay of light and darkness, and she discovered that each colour has its archetypal movement and calls up a corresponding inner soul movement. 'Throughout her life she continued to refine her sensitivity to the spiritual nature of colour, developing her own method of veil painting, teaching others and giving profound insights into the background of colour.
 
Sally Martin, who will be teaching most of the classes, first came into contact with Liane in 1994. She had already been practising a painting method based on the colour research of Goethe and Rudolf Steiner. For many years she had been seeking to understand how painting could become a healing form of art in the world. Meeting Liane’s approach was an answer to that question.
 
The Classes are designed to give students a living relationship to colour. Different exercises build up the student’s sensitivity towards colour perception and help develop the necessary skills to translate this into an ability to paint in this method. Each course has a different focus depending on whether it is designed to teach the method as an art form or for developing the necessary skills to become an art therapist. In every class, colour and its great archetypal spiritual background bring healing and new life forces to those that participate.
 
The Individual Therapeutic Art Sessions are very different to classes. The client has come for healing and help and the therapist is there to support and assist. It begins with a conversation about relevant biographical or medical details, followed by a diagnostic process based on the client’s first ‘free’ paintings and charcoal works. No aptitude or previous painting experience is necessary, as the therapist will be guiding each step of the way. It is important that the client is actually doing the painting or the charcoal work, as this activates the will to become healed.
 
Veil Paintings, which are available as cards and prints, testify to the shimmering quality of subtle colour nuances that arise out of this painting method.