Blog

Pen + Ink Drawing (A)

October 02, 2019

Learn how to draw using black India ink, a dip pen and brush. We’ll cover techniques such as cross-hatching and stippling. You’ll learn the ins and outs of using a dip pen and brush, then we’ll go over drawing fundamentals such as value, perspective and line. We’ll also study the history of ink drawing by […]

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The Expressive Figure

October 02, 2019

Draw inspiration from the philosophies of Cubism and contemporary illustration, then give your drawn figures expression. Learn how exaggerated and distorted gesture drawings can give your subject depth and meaning. We’ll explore ways to use context and shape to change the composition of your drawings.

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Introduction to the Figure

October 02, 2019

Conducting figure studies can improve your representation of the human body, as well as the way it interacts with light. We’ll use various media, including graphite, charcoal, sanguine and conté chalk, as we work through a series of quick-gesture and long-pose drawings. Enjoy demonstrations and discussions about anatomy and drawing technique.

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Intermediate Drawing

October 02, 2019

If you’ve taken a beginner drawing class, this intermediate class is a great opportunity to practice your observation skills, experiment with personal mark making style and apply them to various subject areas with drawing media. Explore and get guidance as you develop your own individual style and subject matter interests. We’ll focus on the development […]

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Acrylic Collage Workshop

October 02, 2019

Create paintings using collage techniques. We’ll begin by creating a series of small media experiments with acrylic paint. Then we’ll incorporate those experiments into a larger collage on panel.

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Introduction to Acrylic Painting (B)

October 02, 2019

Learn the fundamentals of working with acrylic paint, including essential color theory and brushwork techniques. We’ll look at historical references and contemporary examples. Students will come away with a deeper understanding of this medium and its expressive possibilities.

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Introduction to Acrylic Painting (A)

October 02, 2019

Learn the fundamentals of working with acrylic paint, including essential color theory and brushwork techniques. We’ll look at historical references and contemporary examples. Students will come away with a deeper understanding of this medium and its expressive possibilities.

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Watercolor + Gravity: The Art of Letting Go – NEW!

October 02, 2019

Free yourself from expectations and control in this relaxing watercolor class. We will practice “going with the flow” as we drip, wash, tilt, pool and splash alongside breathing and movement exercises. We’ll experiment with the wonderful material of watercolor along with salt, soap, oil and bubbles. You’ll practice experimental watercolor techniques such as tilting and […]

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Sampling Ink, Watercolor + Gouache

October 02, 2019

Expand your painting practice by studying water-based techniques of the past as well as modern methods. We’ll learn how ink, gouache and watercolor have been used over the centuries to create preparatory studies and finished paintings on paper. You’ll create small studies in each medium to better understand technique and use of water media for […]

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The Sewn Line: Experiments in Slow Drawing – NEW!

October 02, 2019

Expand your drawing practice into the field of fiber through needle and thread. Develop compositions and translate contours and value through a variety of embroidery techniques. Embroidery is a slow, thoughtful process. In my own studio practice, I first started incorporating sewing as a way to slow down my drawing and painting. Approaching mark-making in […]

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Scientific Illustration

October 02, 2019

Explore innovative and technical approaches to scientific illustration through pen and ink. Students will learn different types of line-making techniques and ink washes and will create their own scientific illustration with botanical and animal specimens.

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Drawing with Colored Pencils

October 02, 2019

Learn techniques of colored pencil drawing including: blending and layering of colors, burnishing through dense saturate of color and composition of color schemes. We’ll also explore other techniques using underpainting and solvents. Expect demonstrations all of these processes as well as time to practice them. You’ll complete a colored pencil drawing of your own subject.

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Drawing in Color with Oil Pastels + Oil Sticks (B)

October 02, 2019

Learn to work with either oil pastels or oil paint sticks, or try the two together, to create rich, colorful drawings. Both are highly portable and easy to clean up, making them a good choice for travel, plein air, or small work spaces. We’ll focus on experimenting with the materials and you’ll discover a personal […]

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Drawing in Color with Oil Pastels + Oil Sticks (A)

October 02, 2019

Learn to work with either oil pastels or oil paint sticks, or try the two together, to create rich, colorful drawings. Both are highly portable and easy to clean up, making them a good choice for travel, plein air, or small work spaces. We’ll focus on experimenting with the materials and you’ll discover a personal […]

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Watercolor + Landscapes

October 02, 2019

Explore landscape painting with watercolor while learning basic skills, materials and techniques. Watercolor can be both fun and frustrating, dynamic and meditative. We’ll cover the history, materials, and tricks for capturing light and colors as you paint and sketch using this versatile media. We’ll paint using work by the masters, still life scenes, reference photos […]

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Introduction to Watercolor

October 02, 2019

Get introduced to watercolors or refresh your knowledge of the medium. We’ll explore our materials, then cover application methods like wet–on–wet, glazes, blocks, resists and lifts. We’ll also cover work area set–up, composition set–up, lost and found edges, transferring imagery and methods for controlling the paint. With an emphasis on value as a way to […]

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Sketchbook Diaries

October 02, 2019

Elevate small daily moments in sketchbook diaries. We often go through the day igrnoring all the little things that make our lives what they are. In this class, we will change all that by reflecting and creating a journal that brings those instants to life. We will go over the basic supplies used (and how […]

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The Traveling Sketchbook

October 02, 2019

Want to capture that wonderful moment or special place where you like to hang out? Make your own sketchbook from hand and learn several easy strategies for drawing, painting, collage and writing. You’ll turn your adventures into hand-held works of art. Mini-field trips inside and outside VisArts will offer source material and inspiration.

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Dip Pen Calligraphy

October 01, 2019

Explore the art of dip pen calligraphy. We’ll start by discussing the differences between traditional calligraphy, lettering, brush and dip pen techniques. You’ll learn about basic calligraphy tools. Then we’ll use a dip pen to practice basic strokes and letters. Finally, we’ll cover difficult connections and unique flourishes to develop your own style.

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Introduction to Modern Calligraphy

October 01, 2019

Explore the art of calligraphy. We’ll start by discussing the differences between traditional calligraphy, lettering, brush lettering and dip pen techniques. You’ll learn about basic tools, from traditional ink-nib pens to modern brush pens, and we’ll use them to practice pen strokes and eventually create letters from these strokes. Finally, we’ll cover difficult connections and […]

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Introduction to Pastel

October 01, 2019

Because pastels are so versatile, they’re the perfect medium for students looking to bridge drawing and painting. Learn how pastels are made, explore masters of the medium and learn how to use pastels with exercises in color, value, form and composition.

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Drawing Fundamentals (C)

October 01, 2019

Learn the basic tenets of drawing and composition. We’ll cover line, shape, space and value. Hone your observation skills and use charcoal to translate what you see to paper.

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Drawing Fundamentals (B)

October 01, 2019

Learn the basic tenets of drawing and composition. We’ll cover line, shape, space and value. Hone your observation skills and use charcoal to translate what you see to paper.

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Drawing Fundamentals (A)

October 01, 2019

Learn the basic tenets of drawing and composition. We’ll cover line, shape, space and value. Hone your observation skills and use charcoal to translate what you see to paper.

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Drawing in Black + White

October 01, 2019

Learn the basics of observational drawing. Drawing is mostly seeing, and in this introductory workshop, we will use a few basic concepts, along with a few simple materials to help us translate what we see directly onto the page.

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