Painting Therapy Training Australia [Enrolment Form]
 
According to the method of Liane Collot d’Herbois.
 
The Painting Therapy Training is taught over a four year period. There are two blocks of 5 weeks each year. The therapeutic training will deepen the work already begun in the Foundation Course. The 12 basic light and darkness exercises will be studied in greater depth, together with the corresponding colour world. Emphasis will be placed on bringing the students into a living relationship with the archetypal colour movements. They will experience the colour movements through their own artistic work, and through observing other examples where the archetypal colour movements manifest both in a healthy and not so healthy way. The student will learn how to build up a picture of the human being out of light, darkness and colour. Application of this knowledge will form the foundation for learning how to diagnose a client’s pictures and how to project a possible path of healing.

The background research for the course is taken mainly from the work of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), Johann W. von Goethe (1749-1832), and Liane Collot d’Herbois (1907-1999).

Liane Collot d’Herbois (1907-1999)
Liane was born in Tintagel in England; a special place where sea spray and sunlight continually intermingle at the cliff’s edge, and where the mystery and presence of King Arthur’s castle and Merlin’s cave are still to be felt and experienced.* Liane’s senses were nurtured in a special way in those early years, fostering her ability to perceive the spiritual nature of colour. She was already a fully trained artist, when she came into contact with Rudolf Steiner’s ideas on light, darkness and colour. As a result of this meeting she changed her whole approach to painting. The rest of her life was selflessly given over to serving the being of colour itself. She had a strong interest in the healing aspect of colour and worked in a home for children with special needs. Her unique ability to look at a child’s paintings and understand the nature of the illness and the necessary healing path was recognised by Dr Ita Wegman (1876-1943) who had worked closely with Rudolf Steiner. She invited Liane to work in her clinic in Arlesheim, Switzerland, so that she could develop her insights further.

Liane writes:
“ Traditionally the rainbow and the rainbow-colours have always played an important part in anthroposophical painting therapy. But one must remember that the rainbow always comes into manifestation between the light and the darkness: There is a dome of lightness on the inside of every rainbow and darkness on its outside, the darkness of the clouds against which it appears. The rainbow is a beautiful image of the human being: Its seven colours can be looked upon as the purified human soul, the light and darkness on either side of it stand for the spiritual creative polarity that calls it into being. In the human being the polarity can be found in the light of consciousness and the darkness of the living organism in which creative and destructive processes are continuously at work”. (Liane Collot d’Herbois, 2000, p45).

The light and darkness aspect of Liane’s approach to painting therapy, addresses the incarnating path of the higher ego or higher self. It is related to mankind’s spiritual development. Working with colour, is related more to the soul realm.

Liane gave freely of her knowledge and insights to many visiting artists, doctors and therapists, who wanted to know more about the health giving and enlivening potential that colour can offer. From these inspired meetings, a number of trainings have developed in different parts of the world.

*The legends of King Arthur, encapsulate a much deeper esoteric sun mystery, relating to the Sun Being Christ. It is significant that Liane grew up in this surrounding atmosphere, as if it prepared the ground for what she later received from Rudolf Steiner, in connection with profound insights into the significance of the Christ Being. The Sun space of the Christ Being lives strongly at the centre of her work.
 

 
Sally Martin, who is a recognised teacher of this method of painting, will teach the main content of the course. There will be visiting doctors to teach the medical component, and specialist teachers for other subjects.

Practical subjects:
• 12 basic light and darkness exercises explored through the medium of charcoal.
• 12 corresponding colour worlds experienced though moist on moist water colour painting and veil painting.
• Observation exercises using pencils, coloured pencils and wax crayons.

In addition:
• Projective geometry.
• Modelling the Platonic solids.
• Eurythmy.

Initial training of observation in relationship to diagnostic work:
• Training the 12 senses.
• Observational approaches to health and illness.
• Observation and analysis of client’s pictures.
• Practise in sharing observations.

Throughout the training there will be individual support, guidance and assessment.



Structure of The Therapy Course.

4 years part time:
2 Painting Therapy modules a year; each of 5 weeks duration.
2 Foundation course modules a year; each of 5 days duration.
8 combined modules in all.
The daily timetable will be from 9.00am – 4.00 pm,
(This includes appropriate breaks for morning tea and lunch)

Independent work at home includes:
• Completing the exercises begun on the course, or in some instances re-doing them.
• Keeping and regularly updating a portfolio of notes taken during the course.
• Further research on course content.
• Observation exercises and reading to prepare for each subsequent module.
• Individual exercises.
• Practising and developing therapeutic skills.

Practicals:
During the course 4 placements in anthroposophic centres have to be completed.

Presentations:
One presentation on a theme arising from the course chosen by the student.
An exhibition of work completed during the course.
For those working with clients, a presentation of a client case study.

Written work:
Two in depth client case studies fully illustrated and documented.
Reports and references from practicals.

Hours of study:
During the modules, students have a daily timetable from 9.00am to 4.00pm with a half- day on the Wednesday. In between modules work at home should include 3 days a week, for 30 weeks of the year.
 

Entrance requirements
•	A good general understanding of the light, colour and darkness approach of Liane Collot d’Herbois.
•	A degree of familiarity with, or an openness to learn more about the anthroposophic background.
•	NB. Those who are new to this area will have to undertake an extra course to introduce them to the anthroposophic background, alongside the training.
•	A background or experience in therapy, nursing, work with people with special needs, palliative care, eurythmy or teaching.
•	Some degree of art training.
•	Maturity and life experience.

 

Application process
•	An enrolment form needs to be completed to include a short biography and a letter stating the motivation for doing the training.
•	A personal interview, or where circumstances do not permit, a telephone interview.
•	Payment of initial registration fee. (non-refundable)

Affiliation
The Sienna Academy is affiliated to the Emerald Foundation in The Netherlands (See appendix) This will give the possibility to have a diploma at the end that is recognised by the Medical section of the Goetheanum.

Appendix

The Emerald Foundation
The training began in the spring of 1986. It came into being as a direct response to the wishes of Liane Collot d’Herbois. She realised that her insights, experience and research needed to be taken further, and made available to a much wider group of people. Josine Hutchison was the motivating force behind the school, together with Dr L.P. Walburgh Schmidt and later Dr P.T. Hutchison.

A growing number of students came towards the school and in 1988 a Foundation was set up which was given the name ‘Emerald’ by Liane herself. The training is four years long and takes place in The Hague, twice a year, in the spring and autumn. The modules are from 6 – 8 weeks long, and there are additional placements and assignments that have to be completed in between the modules. The training course is recognised by the Medical Section of the Goetheanum.
(For more details see the Emerald Foundation course manual)

Course Fee:
One week $350
Five week module $1,750
 
Entrance Requirements [Click here]
Course Outline [Click here]
Program Outline-1st module [Click here]
Practical details [Click here]

For more information contact Sally Martin [click here].

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