Learn basic machine and hand-sewing techniques, then create a lined tote bag or small beginner project and a project of your choice with instructor guidance. You’ll learn how to take measurements, choose and follow a pattern, select and prep fabric, sew zippers, create buttonholes and make some simple adjustments to get a better fit.
read morePut some life (and death) into your figure studies with models dressed in sci-fi and fantasy costumes. You’ll get excellent instruction with Thomas Van Auken and bang your head to heavy metal music. If we made this class any more awesome it would be illegal.
read moreDevelop skills that will allow you to convey accurate proportions of the human figure. Begin by drawing in graphite and charcoal, then move into oil painting, which is great for exploring volume and fluidity. We’ll discuss paint and color mixing, media and application techniques.
read moreComplete creative design challenges in the first half of class each week to discover your personal visual style and expressive language in watercolor. The challenges will cover plein air, oversized still life, speed painting, rendering from a clothed model, trompe l’oeil exercises and more. During the second half of class each week, you’ll work on […]
read moreLimit your time and complete a representational oil painting alla prima—in a single session. Two sketches painted from life will be completed each week, with increasingly complex and colorful arrangements of still life and clothed figure models . With practice, students will create looser paintings filled with light, vivid color and energetic brushwork. “Painted from […]
read moreLimit your time and complete a representational oil painting alla prima—in a single session. Two sketches painted from life will be completed each week, with increasingly complex and colorful arrangements of still life and clothed figure models . With practice, students will create looser paintings filled with light, vivid color and energetic brushwork. “Painted from […]
read moreStudy experimental comics of the past and present. We’ll explore different artistic mediums and methods of storytelling to make our own comics.
read moreLearn 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 […]
read moreBuild on your basic knowledge of soft pastels and work on your own projects with one-on-one guidance from the instructor. We’ll also explore drawing from a photograph.
read moreA clear understanding of the relationship between value and color is essential in using color effectively. The exercises in this class will work with translations between color and gray scale values to help you see value in color and use it more effectively.
read moreBring along your oil pastels or oil paint sticks for this plein air class that meets in different locations around our fabulous River City. We’ll visit some of Richmond’s favorite sites – such as Pony Pasture and Maymont – and discover some new ones too! This course will meet off-site and instruction will happen in […]
read moreIf 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 […]
read moreCreate compelling landscapes in a series of paintings. Each week, we’ll focus on a painting technique and color. We’ll also follow themes like autumn, winter, water scenes, architecture and regional scenes. You’ll practice layout and composition, then learn to use light and color to create depth. We’ll use photo references and thumbnail sketches. Students will […]
read moreEver feel stuck while you’re painting? This class is designed to help push you past your comfort zone and be spontaneous! We’ll mix it up by combining painting from life and painting from your imagination. You’ll be given challenges that will sharpen your ability to improvise and help unleash your true, expressive voice. We’ll learn […]
read moreExplore encaustic for the first time or expand your skills. The layering of encaustic paint produces luminous and textured surfaces. Learn to apply transparent layers, imprint botanical materials, use transfers and work with stencils and paper.
read moreExplore encaustic for the first time or expand your skills. The layering of encaustic paint produces luminous and textured surfaces. Learn to apply transparent layers, imprint botanical materials, use transfers and work with stencils and paper.
read moreLearn to create a well-composed cityscape or landscape, set it on canvas and create a wonderful painting in acrylic.
read moreDo you want to introduce abstraction to your paintings? Learn new ways to approach composition, color and process while finding new modes of painterly expression. We’ll work on new paintings in a self-directed manner, leaving plenty of time for one-on-one discussion and in-class critiques.
read moreLearn 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.
read moreLearn 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.
read moreLearn 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.
read moreLearn 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.
read moreLearn collage: the art of collecting, creating and combining images. You’ll collect images that inspire you, then assemble them into dynamic compositions. We’ll explore visual thinking by browsing through a variety of materials and choosing the elements that, when assembled together, represent a designated concept. We’ll also explore techniques for building and layering complex collages, […]
read moreExplore 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.
read moreDo you like drawing monsters, demons, and all things creepy? Bring your scary ideas to life this fall! We will look at some of the best artists of horror, studying the techniques used to make the most gripping and disturbing drawings. Then we’ll developed your own ideas into finished pieces.
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