Studio Art

This class will focus on the process of drawing accurate portraits. Working from live models as well as photo reference materials, students will learn about the head and facial structural proportions that we share, as well as pinpointing that which makes us unique. Students will learn proper facial feature placement through measuring techniques to create a likeness of the model. This class will prepare students for The Painted Portrait as well.

Immerse yourself in an intensive afternoon-long figure drawing experience offered in the “open-studio” tradition. The Arts Center faculty will be available for discussion, but no instruction will be provided unless requested. Draw from live nude models posing for quick, action-oriented gesture drawings, as well as longer poses ranging from 20 minutes to one hour. Improve your figurative drawing skills, build your portfolio, or simply have some fun! This draw-a-thon is open to all levels. Bring your own paper and pencils or other dry media. Drawing boards and easels will be provided. Students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Students under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian sign a release form. Pre-registration is mandatory for this class.

This is a structured oil painting course for the beginning or returning student emphasizing individual instruction and guidance appropriate with each students’ skill level. Discussions regarding materials and tools of oil painting will be combined with technique demonstrations for working with oil on canvas. Topics will include color mixing, composition, light, and rendering techniques. No experience is necessary.

In this one day workshop, students will learn several different approaches to drawing buildings, interiors, and objects in perspective, including linear perspective, sighting, free-hand sketching.

Relief printing is a great introduction to printmaking. It provides students with a good basis for other printmaking mediums, painting, and an introduction to basic design principles. Students will be introduced to a variety of relief print practices while designing multiple series of images. Much like stamping, relief printmaking will allow students to create multiples of each image which can be used as greeting cards or personal works of art. The class will end with a print exchange where everyone will go home with a copy of each other’s final piece.

Explore the fun of pure color on wet paper! In this class, you’ll discover your own approach to painting with transparent watercolors. Learn how to use the materials, practice different techniques and apply color theory while creating vibrant watercolor paintings of various subject matter.

This is a next-level class for the ”slightly less terrified.” Students will be guided through some of the basics, and then explore further topics including studies in line, value, composition, subject matter and more. Great for students wishing to continue their study of drawing.

Come and draw your own line (without a ruler)! Learn to see in new ways. Explore gesture, contour, perspective, composition, and value drawing, while observing still life and flowers.

The art of storytelling is the key to creating quality comics. The goal of this class is to develop your unique storytelling voice. Approach your own work with a new perspective through a better understanding of the mechanics behind sequential art. Learn to develop your ideas into realistic projects and find the motivation to keep them going. Critiques and general discussions will follow weekly assignments. Community can be a big part of helping an artist develop their skills. The class will also address the realms of digital and traditional publishing. Advanced drawing and writing skills are not necessary. Being comfortable and flexible with your current abilities is required.

Immerse yourself in an intensive afternoon-long figure drawing experience offered in the “open-studio” tradition. The Arts Center faculty will be available for discussion, but no instruction will be provided unless requested. Draw from live nude models posing for quick, action-oriented gesture drawings, as well as longer poses ranging from 20 minutes to one hour. Improve your figurative drawing skills, build your portfolio, or simply have some fun! This draw-a-thon is open to all levels. Bring your own paper and pencils or other dry media. Drawing boards and easels will be provided. Students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Students under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian sign a release form.

This class will cover a variety of painting exercises designed to further students’ knowledge of color, tone, paint mixing, and drawing with paint. Working with gouache, ink, watercolor and acrylics, students will paint from their own choice of still life objects. The instructor will offer technical assistance and highlight significant artists and works that will cater to students individual interests in developing their work.

Painting intuitively connects us to our source of creativity, often bringing about transformative changes. Come have fun with brushes of flowing tempera color on large sheets of white paper, discovering your own unique imagery. By focusing on the painting process, without observing a subject or even having anything in mind, we can explore color, form, and gesture, guided by an inner sense of direction, free from expectations. Guided visualization summons a body-centered, nonverbal approach. Marks suggest shapes, and images begin to emerge. A nurturing environment supports taking risks, opening to possibilities, and staying present through creative blocks. Coming together in a circle offers opportunities for sharing, non-judgementally, and for learning ways to continue painting at home.

Engage in the tradition of painting the human figure. Students will study techniques for creating volume with light and shadow, and explore the power of color, producing effective and beautiful compositions. Representations of the figure in classical and contemporary art will be discussed.

In this course, students will focus on creating accurate and compelling portraits using gouache, ink and watercolor. Working from live models and photo reference materials, students will learn about the head and facial structural proportions that we share, as well as pinpointing that which makes us unique. Students will learn proper facial feature placement through measuring techniques to create a likeness of the model. This class will also look to classic and modern portrait artists for inspiration. All levels welcome.

Take your painting skills to the next level in this continuing study of painting skills and techniques. Students will complete several finished works, including still life, and their own personal projects under the instructor’s guidance. This is a great course for someone who has some experience in oil painting, or who has taken Principles of Oil Painting at The Arts Center.

In this course, students will work independently as they are guided through investigating the general language of abstract painting. Exploring direct contact with paint on canvas through different techniques and processes, the instructor will guide the student to develop their work in a different manner from a formal approach to understand effective use of color, texture, value, space, and non-representational modes of composition.

Drawing the human figure is both challenging and rewarding. Through direct observation of a model, you’ll learn methods for simplifying what you see, creating proper proportions and use of light and shadow. Examples, demonstrations and photographs of artists’ figure studies will serve to inspire and inform. More advanced students will continue to refine skills in measuring proportion, use line quality to convey depth, and learn methods for building volume. This class focuses on drawing a live, nude model. Students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Students under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian sign a release form.

In this fun one day workshop, students will create a shaded sketch, or bring in a previously completed drawing with shading, which will be turned into an etching with aquatint. The aquatint process produces toned or shaded areas within the etched print. The workshop will include a thorough demonstration and instruction of the etching/ aquatinting printmaking processes. All levels of experience welcome.

Immerse yourself in an intensive afternoon-long figure drawing experience offered in the “open-studio” tradition. The Arts Center faculty will be available for discussion, but no instruction will be provided unless requested. Draw from live nude models posing for quick, action-oriented gesture drawings, as well as longer poses ranging from 20 minutes to one hour. Improve your figurative drawing skills, build your portfolio, or simply have some fun! This draw-a-thon is open to all levels. Bring your own paper and pencils or other dry media. Drawing boards and easels will be provided. Students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Students under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian sign a release form. Pre-registration is mandatory for this class.

This class will explore the popular, inspiring genre of landscape. This class will enable the painting student to develop an attitude or “landscape sense” that will help build a confident approach to landscape painting. Students will discover the technical knowledge that will serve the painter well in his or her search for expressive creativity in landscape painting. Some drawing and painting experience will be helpful in the class.

Explore the fun of pure color on wet paper! In this class, you’ll discover your own approach to painting with transparent watercolors. Learn how to use the materials, practice different techniques and apply color theory while creating vibrant watercolor paintings of various subject matter.

Immerse yourself in an intensive afternoon-long figure drawing experience offered in the “open-studio” tradition. The Arts Center faculty will be available for discussion, but no instruction will be provided unless requested. Draw from live nude models posing for quick, action-oriented gesture drawings, as well as longer poses ranging from 20 minutes to one hour. Improve your figurative drawing skills, build your portfolio, or simply have some fun! This draw-a-thon is open to all levels. Bring your own paper and pencils or other dry media. Drawing boards and easels will be provided. Students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Students under the age of 18 must have parent or guardian sign a release form. Pre-registration is mandatory for this class.

Plein air painting (painting on location in the open-air) is a technique identified with the Impressionists and their examination of natural light. This class will meet at Peebles Island in the main parking lot, then move to paint on location. Students will develop and rely on direct personal observation to experience and paint nature as a moment of life, represented through color, value, and line. The instructor will offer demos, discussion, and guidance. Students must bring their own folding easel, canvas, paints, brushes, rags, solvents, and palette knives. This class will run rain or shine.