Visual Arts Center of Richmond

All Levels

Join us for this 8 week study in acrylics!  We will start with mastery of the gray scale and the sphere, then more to color theory, paint mixing, draw-downs, glazing and using mediums.  We will paint from still-life set-ups and learn how to paint beautiful landscape paintings from photos.  We will also incorporate several mixed media techniques!

Instructor: Lisa Fisher Johnson

8 Tuesdays
April 17 - June 5
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Beginners

Color is one of the principal tools of expression available to any kind of painter. In Color Theory, we will seek to understand what color is, and how the different relationships between hues affect the way that we see them. Students will do exercises using oil paint.

Instructor: Thomas van Auken

5 days
January 16 – January 20
1:00 – 3:30 PM, each day

All Levels

Participants will explore new ways to think about drawing, painting and mark-making with ink, pen and brush during this two-day workshop. We will examine the classical and contemporary use of ink wash and pen and ink drawing. Exercises will play with gesture, observation, texture, and contour. A materials list is available on our website or you can visit Oliver's course blog at http://artisawayofseeing.blogspot.com

Instructor: Amie Oliver

Section A - Canceled
2 Days
Saturday, March 3 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, March 4 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Section B
2 days
Saturday, April 14 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, April 15 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Intermediate
Co-Sponsored by the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

Spend the morning studying and drawing from the lines, layers, and spaces of Patrick Dougherty’s Diamond in the Rough, a recent installation at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Students will make a group of graphite studies on site. After a lunch break the class will reconvene at the Visual Arts Center for an afternoon session in the studio to develop the morning studies as trace monotypes. This class will focus on the abstract elements of Dougherty’s piece and offers students an opportunity to explore the possibilities of line and abstraction within a loosely structured project. A day to play, experiment, and let go! More information and a materials list will be sent upon confirmation.

Instructor: Sarah Masters

Saturday, April 21
9:30 – 4:00 PM (includes a 1 hour lunch break)
Rain Date: Saturday, April 28

Beginners

For anyone who is interested in drawing or painting, or other media for that matter, fundamental drawing is a great place to start. Focus will be on the basic tenants of drawing; learning the skills to get what we see onto a page. Before spending money on oil paints, etc., developing a good understanding of things like line, shape and form with inexpensive charcoal and paper will put you ahead of the game when learning just about any other medium.

Section A - Full
Lisa Fisher Johnson
6 Mondays
January 9 – February 13
9:00 – 11:30 AM

Section B- Full
Thomas van Auken
6 Mondays
January 9 – February 13
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Section C - Full
Thomas van Auken
6 Mondays
February 27 – April 2
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Section D - Full
Lisa Fisher Johnson
6 Mondays
March 12 – April 23 (No class April 9)
9:00 – 11:30 AM

Section E - Full
Thomas van Auken
6 Mondays
April 16 – May 21
6:30 – 9:00 PM

If you would like to be placed on the waiting list for a full section of this course, please e-mail us at frontdesk@visarts.org.

Other suggested classes:
Linear Perspective: Drawing from Life
Introduction to the Figure
Drawing & Painting with Ink

Beginning to Intermediate

Explore the possibilities of working with either oil pastels or oil paint sticks. Or try these compatible materials together! Both tools are highly portable and easy to clean up, making them a good choice for travel or plein air. These materials are also great for mixed media applications. A materials list will be sent upon confirmation and is available on our web site.

Instructor: Sarah Masters

Section A - Full
8 Tuesdays
January 17 – March 6
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Section B
8 Tuesdays
January 17 – March 6
6:30 – 9:00 PM

If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for a full section of this course, please contact us at frontdesk@visarts.org

Beginners

Encaustic is a luminous medium that is made up of molten beeswax, pigment and resin. It can be smooth and shiny, textured and three-dimensional all on the same painting. We will explore melting and fusing, line and edge, working with paper, texture and collage. It is ideal for working abstractly or in a more representational style. Encaustic, once an ancient process, is now updated with new tools and equipment. The participants will be supplied with a small wooden panels 4x5 inches on which to practice each of the techniques. Bring your own 9x12 inch pieces for larger work. This is a solvent free medium. Equipment, paint, medium, brushes and tools will be provided by the instructor. No prior experience necessary.

Instructor: Lynda Ray

Section A
8 Tuesdays
January 10 – February 28
6:00 – 8:30 PM

Section B
8 Tuesdays
March 20 – May 8
6:00 – 8:30 PM

All Levels

Encaustic is a luminous medium that is made up of molten beeswax, pigment and resin. It can be smooth and shiny, textured and three-dimensional all on the same painting. We will explore melting and fusing, line and edge, working with paper, texture, scraping and incising. Encaustic, once an ancient process, is now updated with new tools and equipment. The participant will be supplied with a small piece of board (4x6”) on which to practice a new technique. The equipment, paint, medium, brushes and tools will be provided by the instructor. No prior art experience necessary. Enrollment is limited to 6 students. For students who have taken a workshop or classes from Ms. Ray in the past, you may enroll as an independent study that will take place during the workshop. Contact the instructor for more information at lyndarayart@gmail.com.

Instructor: Lynda Ray

Section A - Full
Saturday, February 4
11:00 – 4:00 PM

Section B - Full
Saturday, March 24
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Section C
Saturday, April 21
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

If you are interested in a full section of this course, please contact us at frontdesk@visarts.org.

Other suggested courses:
Encaustic Painting
Taking Encaustic to the Third Dimension
Acrylic & Mixed Media Intensive

Intermediate to Advanced

This course allows students to observe the figure and learn how to achieve accurate proportions, values, line quality, and gesture. We will work in drawing (graphite and charcoal) and oil paint mediums. The instructor will provide guidance for the students as they experiment with various techniques and materials to hone their skills.

Instructor: Thomas van Auken

10 Thursdays
January 19 – March 22
6:30 – 9:00 PM

All Levels

Join us for a 5 week fast-paced, anatomy-based introduction to figure structure and sculpture!  No experience needed—just a willingness to learn the basics of the academic tradition!  Figure structure is learning how to group and interpret bones, muscles, and tendons into geometric forms that have a definite direction in space.  We will be building our own armatures in class, studying anatomy, drawing and sculpting from a live model.  We will be working in plastilene , an oil based clay.  Instructor will purchase the plastilene clay and the materials for the armatures.

Instructor: Lisa Fisher Johnson

5 Wednesdays
April 25 - May 30 (No class May 16)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Intermediate to Advanced

ALL WATER-BASED MEDIA WELCOME: Artists who work in acrylic, watercolor, gouache or any combination of water-based media (such as collage) are encouraged to participate in this new, three-week open studio. Participants will explore new ways to think about painting, and feedback and direction regarding personal creative projects will be given. Materials used will be based on each student’s individual, creative goals. Visit Oliver’s course blog for more info: http://artisawayofseeing.blogspot.com.

Instructor: Amie Oliver

Section A - Canceled
3 Thursdays
February 2 – 16
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Section B
3 Thursdays
March 29 – April 12
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Intermediate

This class will extend and expand the focus of Drawing Fundamentals. We will continue to expand our mastery of drawing media—graphite, charcoal, sanguine and conte, as well as india ink (or watercolor pigments), and pastels. Students will continue to develop their observational skills and drawing expertise as they develop their own personal style. Each class features instructor demonstrations and individual help. Materials list to be provided upon confirmation of class.

Instructor: Lisa Fisher Johnson

12 Tuesdays
January 10 – April 3 (No class March 6)
9:00 – 11:30 AM

Intermediate to Advanced

Increase your passion for watercolor through observation and application in still life, landscape, and the figure by using five essential elements for painting. Students will learn to successfully paint from both photos and life. Organize and implement your approach by carefully considering each painting element: drawing, value, color, composition and line. Determine the effective use of photographic references and build a journal of resources for creating pleasing painting experiences. Students will complete 1-3 paintings with a lot of individual instruction and encouragement. Group critique will be held during the final class session. Further instruction in all the basics of watercolor will facilitated by the instructor. Discussions will include topics including tools, supplies, your workspace, a simple approach to color theory and color mixing, brush techniques for controlling the paint, and a few tips for getting the image onto the painting surface. A list of supplies will be provided upon class confirmation.

Instructor: Donna Allen

6 Thursdays
April 19 – May 24
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Beginning to Intermediate

This course introduces the fundamentals of working with acrylic paint, basic color theory and techniques. Students are encouraged to examine art history as well as the contemporary art around them as they begin to define a personal artistic vision. Check out the instructor’s blog for more information http://artisawayofseeing.blogspot.com/. Course may be repeated. Materials list is available upon confirmation or on our website.

Instructor: Amie Oliver

Section A
6 Mondays
January 16 – February 20
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Section B - Full
6 Mondays
February 27 – April 9 (No class March 12)
6:30 – 9:00 PM

All Levels

In this class students will work on composition, basic anatomy, shading, proportions and improving their tonal range using graphite. In the first half of the course, students will explore the use of reference photography. Using an image of a family member, friend or themselves we will deconstruct the image and recreate the portrait using various drawing techniques. These techniques will then be applied to a live model who will sit during the second half of the sessions, during which conversations about composition and lighting will be had.

Instructor: Emerald Grippa

6 Thursdays
January 19 – February 23
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Beginners

Open to all individuals interested in exploring painting with oil, this course covers painting materials, techniques, and approaches to working in one of the oldest art materials still in use. Through weekly painting exercises, students learn how to properly mix paint, sketch a drawing on canvas and develop their ideas in color. Class will explore brushes and painting techniques, color theory, and composition. A materials list is available on our web site.

Instructor: Thomas van Auken

10 Wednesdays
March 14 – May 16
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Beginners to Intermediate

Spend a day exploring the possibilities offered by oil pastels. Class will meet all day with a break for lunch. A good choice for beginners or for more advanced students who want to try a new medium. Students will work from still life on at least two drawings. Materials will be provided.

Instructor: Sarah Masters

Saturday, February 25
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Beginners

Are you ready to try a new medium? How about one that is direct, forgiving, simple and luscious? Come learn all about color, composition, value, line, and marks, not to mention pastels and pastel papers! This class is ideal for beginners to art, as well as experienced artists wanting to learn a new material. It is taught with an analytical approach which will allow even the utter newbie to create better art than he ever thought possible! Materials will be provided for the first night of class and a list will be given out then for the other class meetings.

Instructor: Susan Singer

8 Wednesdays
January 11 – February 29
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Beginners

Emphasis of this class is on learning the anatomy, proportions, and structure of the figure and ways in which light reveals form, as well as the exploration of various media and techniques such as pencil, pastel on mid-tone paper, and charcoal. Each session begins with quick gesture drawings of the nude model after which we will move into a long pose for the remainder of the class. Lots of demonstrations from each student’s point of view are offered as the teacher helps students build their knowledge of the human figure. Materials list will be sent upon confirmation or is available on our website.

Section A
Lisa Fisher Johnson
12 Wednesdays
January 11 – April 18 (No class January 18, February 22 or March 7)
9:00 – 11:30 AM

Section B - Full
Thomas van Auken
8 Wednesdays
March 21 – May 9
6:30 – 9:00 PM

If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for a full section of this course, please e-mail us at frontdesk@visarts.org. We will be offering this class in our summer 2012 term - please check the summer drawing & painting listing for dates and more information on this course.

Beginners

Learn the fundamentals of watercolor painting, from selecting paper and brush control to mixing opaque and transparent colors. The instructor guides students in color relations and values, composition, glazing, and methods for controlling paint. Drawing skills are not required. A material list to be sent upon confirmation or is available on our website.

Instructor: Susan Quinnild

Section A
10 Wednesdays
January 11 – March 14
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Section B - Canceled
10 Wednesdays
January 11 – March 14
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Section C
8 Wednesdays
March 28 – May 16
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Section D - Canceled
8 Wednesdays
March 28 – May 16
6:30 – 9:00 PM

All Levels

Capture your impressions of the garden in this week-long class at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Student will explore the possibilities of working with oil pastel on paper. The course will focus on materials, composition, perspective, and color relationships. Experienced students may work with media other than oil pastel. A materials list will be sent upon class confirmation or is available on our web site.

Instructor: Sarah Masters

5 days
May 14 – May 18
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

All Levels

Linear perspective is simply a method for understanding the way we see and draw things the way that they appear to us from whatever point of view we have. In this class, we will observe and and draw objects and spaces the way that we see them, and learn how to apply the theory of 1, 2, and 3-point perspective in order to be able to do so accurately.

Instructor: Thomas van Auken

4 Tuesdays
February 21 – March 13
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Drawing experience recommended

Linear perspective and foreshortening are two methods for seeing the same thing; the way we see things from any particular point of view. While linear perspective is a tool for drawing geometric forms, foreshortening is the way that we explain the same thing, but with subjects like the human figure. Learn both, and how to use them together in this class. (Uses nude figure models)

Instructor: Thomas van Auken

6 Thursdays
April 12 – May 17
6:30 – 9:00 PM

All Levels

Students in this course will be encouraged to explore the unconventional mixing of media to develop new and different ways of image making. By being exposed to a full range of material processes and experimental techniques, students will develop the ability to express themselves as artists in ways never thought possible. Class sessions will consist of mixed media demos, artist discussions, assignments and critiques of student work. Class participants will use hardware stores, thrift shops and junk yards as their source of supplies. The search for materials will be endlessly fascinating. Spontaneous field trips may even be arranged!

Instructor: Josh George

8 Thursdays
January 12 – March 8 (No class January 26)
6:30 – 9:00 PM

All Levels
No instruction

Need an opportunity to draw from a live model, but don’t want to commit to a full 6, 8 or 10 week class? There is no need to pre-register for our Open Figure Drawing class. Come as you can, as often or infrequently as you please, and gain experience drawing from a live, nude model. Please note that students under the age of 18 must have written permission from a parent or guardian, and that this class provides no instruction, only the opportunity to draw from a model.

Models vary each session, and are chosen at the discretion of the instructor moderating the drawing session. The instructors will provide students with male and female models of all shapes and sizes, but please understand that as the Visual Arts Center does not take responsibility for the booking of the models, and out of respect for our model’s privacy, we will be unable to provide students with the names of the model prior to the start of each session.

$6 per session

Thursdays
January 19 - April 5 (February 2 will be a long pose session)
1:00 - 3:30 PM

Fridays
January 6 – May 18 (No Open Figure on April 6)
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Beginner to Intermediate

For the student with competent drawing-from-life skills, explore the world of color through oils, and create a single-session oil painting each class. Limited to twelve (12) beginning to advanced students, this class provides demonstrations and instruction on “seeing” the world through a painter’s eyes. Our eyes are our most important tool, so as representational painters, learning how “to paint” is really just learning how “to see”. Using direct observation when painting from life, we will emphasize color and value. Observation-based painting projects provided each week to strengthen ability to see color and value relationships, and mix colors accordingly. Learn to simplify anything you see by reducing it into simple color masses, with the goal of developing realistic oil paintings. Extensive, live painting demonstrations by the instructor, and well as individual, specific critiques for each student, make this class beneficial to all levels. The beginning student can use the class as an introduction to oil, while the more advanced painter can strengthen their existing skills. All painting levels are welcome but again, please note, before taking this or any class in painting from life, it is important to have experience drawing from life. Previous classroom experience in drawing is required. Make sure you receive a materials list, or find it on the website before the first class! Course may be repeated.

Instructor: David Tanner

Section A - Full
12 Mondays
January 9 – March 26
1:00 – 4:00 PM

Section B - Full
12 Mondays
January 9 – March 26
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Section C - Full
6 Mondays
April 9 - May 14
1:00 - 4:00 PM

All sections of this are currently full. If you would like to be placed on the waiting list for this class, please e-mail us at frontdesk@visarts.org.

Other suggested courses:
Introduction to Oil Painting, starting March 14
Who Am I? Self Exploration through Self Portraiture, starting March 20
Drawing & Painting With Ink, March 3 & 4 or April 14 & 15

All Levels

As a medium that goes from liquid to solid in the blink of an eye, encaustic is particularly suitable for building sculptural and relief forms quickly by embedding or combining it with materials such as wood, stone, metal, ceramics, and found objects. Using encaustic, these forms can be glued, carved, layered and painted with luminous color. Students in this class will have the opportunity to combine encaustic paint with wood and various structural materials using special heated tools to create unique relief and fully three-dimensional mixed-media works of art. All tools, equipment and encaustic will be provided. A supplemental materials list will be mailed or emailed. Repeat participants will be encouraged to create advanced projects.

Instructor: Susanne Arnold

Section A
Saturday, January 14
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Section B
Saturday, February 18
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Section C - Canceled
Saturday, March 17
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Section D - Canceled
Saturday, April 21
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Section E
Saturday, May 19
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

All Levels

Participants will explore new ways to think about drawing and mark-making during this one-day workshop. Drawing exercises will play with gesture, observation, texture, and contour. A materials list is available on our website or you can visit Oliver's course blog at http://artisawayofseeing.blogspot.com

Instructor: Amie Oliver

Section A - Canceled
Saturday, January 28
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Section B
Saturday, March 24
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Intermediate

For the intermediate student with competent drawing-from-life skills in sketching the head, and classroom oil-painting experience, this class explores observation-based alla prima painting in oil from the live model. Paint a head and shoulders along with the instructor in an informal, but informative, atmosphere. There will be a new model and different pose each week, with the goal of learning to quickly capture the basics of anatomy and expression. As the instructor works, he will describe how to simplify the face into basic color/value masses by observing light and shadow patterns on the model, followed by individual critiques of student paintings. Make sure you find the materials list on our website!

Instructor: David Tanner

Section A
10 Wednesdays
January 11 – March 14
6:30 – 9:00 PM

Section B - Full
7 Wednesdays
April 18 – May 30
1:00 – 4:00 PM

If you are interested in being placed on the wait list for a full section of this course, please e-mail us at frontdesk@visarts.org.

Intermediate

An expansion on David Tanner’s weekly class “Portrait Sketch in Oil”, this workshop lengthens the time available on a single portrait study. Our first model will hold the same pose for the first two days and then a new model will hold another pose last two days. More painting time on each canvas will allow for more refinement of the portrait. For the intermediate/advanced student with competent drawing-from-life skills in sketching the head, and classroom oil-painting experience, this workshop explores observation-based alla prima painting in oil from the live model. Paint a head and shoulders along with the instructor in an informal, but informative, atmosphere. With each model, there is the goal of learning to quickly capture the basics of anatomy and expression. As the instructor works, he will describe how to simplify the face into basic color/value masses by observing light and shadow patterns on the model, followed by individual critiques of student paintings. Make sure you find the materials list on our website!

Instructor: David Tanner

4 days
January 10 – 13
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, each day

This class is currently full. If you would like to be placed on the waiting list, please contact our Education Associates at frontdesk@visarts.org.

Intermediate to Advanced

In this course the instructor will demonstrate many of the techniques he uses to paint his watercolors of contemporary realism. Students will learn to mix the paint directly on the paper to achieve soft, organic gradients of color; transitions that are virtually impossible in media other than watercolor. Live demonstrations will also include mixing tri-color black for greater depth, effective mixing and utilization of warm and cool grays, charging techniques to enhance light in your work, and the use of masking fluid when painting. The instructor supplies lots of individual attention to student's watercolors, including both past and present works. Please have a painting scene of your choice drawn up on watercolor paper and ready to paint for the first class. Bring your usual preferred materials and paints to this initial class, and the instructor will further discuss materials he prefers, and why.

Instructor: Christopher Wynn

Section A
8 Tuesdays
January 10 – February 28
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Section B
8 Thursdays
January 12 – March 1
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Section C - Canceled
8 Tuesdays
March 27 – May 15
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Section D
8 Thursdays
March 29 – May 17
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM