Visual Arts Classes

Painting the Portrait

Julie Williams

Students with basic skills in drawing and painting will expand their techniques in this class focusing on painting the portrait. Working in oils or pastels, students will learn how to capture the essence of a subject and bring it to life. The instructor will assist with color, value, modeling, composition and introduce new techniques to achieve the student’s objective. Class supply list.

Everybody in the Water(colors)

Roz Berlin

This course is open to beginner through advanced students. Lessons will be provided on various topics of painting and include open painting for personal exploration. Materials provided by student based off provided list. Materials fee covers in-class basics only. $25 materials fee for returning students (call to register)

Advanced Watercolors

Roz Berlin

This course will progress the advanced student’s painting knowledge. Group lessons are provided, but personal exploration is encouraged. Focus on a wide range of topics such as: landscape, still life, composition, perspective, lighting and more! Students will provide their own supplies; materials fee covers in-class basics only.

Intermediate Watercolors

Roz Berlin

This course will increase the student’s overall painting knowledge. Exploration of old and new techniques are studied each week, using both still life and photographs. Study a wide range of topics such as: landscape, still life, composition, perspective, lighting, experimentation, and more. For intermediate to advanced artists. Students will provide their own supplies; materials fee covers in-class basics only.

Beginning Watercolors*

Roz Berlin

An introduction to the basics of watercolor painting, students will learn color-mixing, values, and brush techniques. Experimentation with assorted tools other than paint brushes will also be explored. Students will be able to complete full paintings using the techniques learned. Basic supplies are provided for use in class only. *Beginner’s looking for an evening class should see “Everybody in the Water(Colors)”

Encaustic Painting (all levels)

Lynda Ray

Encaustic painting is a process that produces impressive results with luminous and jewel-like surfaces and textures. Artists come to encaustic painting from many other mediums which creates a dynamic and rich experience. Areas covered include: safe studio practices; encaustic medium and surface preparation. Various demonstrations will be scheduled with plenty of experimentation built in. Students will learn techniques such as melting through, line and edge, transfers, collage, and texture. Each person can choose to practice all these methods or pick and choose. At the end of the workshop artists will be familiar with a range of techniques which they can use in their work. Paint, equipment, tools and small practice panels will be supplied for each demonstration. Bring 6"x8" to 9"x12” braced or unbraced wood panels (not clayboard) if you’d like to make larger, more resolved work or just use the practice panels provided. Suggestions of optional materials or tools will be given prior to the workshop.

Prismacolor Pencil Technique

Nancy Jacey

Students learn how to transfer an image of their choice onto illustration board using graphite pencils and a grid. Students will then learn Prismacolor pencil techniques to bring their drawings to life. Proportion, light and shadow, and color theory will be discussed to create successful compositions. Students should bring in a reference picture from a book, the internet, a photograph or even an example of a piece of artwork created by an artist that inspires them. Subject matter that is bright, vivid, and realistic is preferred for this course (i.e. A butterfly, bird, flower, fish, seashell, a still-life full of color, etc.) Supply list.

Chinese Brushstroke Painting

Hsi-Mei Yates

Chinese philosophy encourages the use of your Chi, the power that comes from inside the artist and flows onto the rice paper. The goal is to achieve inner peace with oneself through the act of creating. The artist draws energy from this inner tranquility and translates it to the paper. Brush strokes are very important in the development of the image Learn how to combine different brush strokes to achieve the shading and dimensional quality that brings Chinese brush painting subjects to life on the paper.

Pastel Painting & Drawing

Linda Wolitz

Indulge your inner artist with this vibrant and beautiful medium! Beginner and experienced painters alike will enjoy drawing and painting with pastels from photographs or still life. Pastels are a dry form of pure pigment mixed with a binder to hold the color together. They offer the same bold color as oil paints minus the liquid and the mess! Weekly demonstrations include discussion of the medium as well as individual painting and instruction. Supply list.

Intermediate Acrylics

Roz Berlin

A course designed for students that have had former acrylic instruction who desire to advance in their acrylic painting skills. There is exploration in the wide range of acrylic techniques and mediums. Focus will be on developing the individual style of the student. Subjects will include both photographic and still life set ups. Beginners will not be accepted. Returning students materials fee: $35 (call to register)

Experimental Acrylics

Ichshe Sandler

There is nothing like painting with acrylics…the colors jump right off the canvas! Learn to paint using this colorful, easy to work with medium, whether you’re a beginner or intermediate artist. In the end, you’ll have several beautiful works of art to enjoy at home.

Introduction to Acrylic Painting

Roz Berlin

This class is designed for the beginner who desires to learn traditional style acrylic painting. Lessons include: color mixing, material information, canvas choices, mediums, finishing & framing, and theory & design. Subjects will include both photographic and live still life setups.

NEW! Drawing II: The Next Step

Jane Payne

Continue fundamental drawing studio techniques and take your skills to the next level. Learn to observe the shapes around you; learn to draw shadows, faces and figures. Instructor will demonstrate techniques with graphite, charcoal, and pen & ink.

Basic Drawing I

Jane Payne

Have you always wished you could draw but never really had success? Start at the beginning in a non-threatening studio environment. Instructor will demonstrate basic techniques of line drawing and shading using various materials such as graphite, charcoal, and pen & ink.