Learn the basics techniques of painting while exploring the unique characteristics of acrylic paint. Students will put concepts like value, color mixing, texture, and composition to action as they work on creating their very own still-life, portrait, and landscape paintings. No previous experience necessary.

The main goal is to enhance familiarity and comfort with the acrylic medium by exploring its fundamental techniques and concepts (and to have fun!). This will be achieved through the completion of three distinct projects, each designed to build skills incrementally. The projects will focus on various aspects of acrylic painting, such as color mixing, layering techniques, and texture creation, allowing for a comprehensive investigation of the medium. By the end of these projects, participants will have a deeper understanding of acrylics and increased confidence in their ability to utilize this versatile medium effectively. This session is divided into three projects with two classes to work on each project. Each project will focus on several or a combination of these fundamentals:

Line (your starting point. Thick, thin, expressive, controlled)

Shape (giving weight and dimension to objects)Space (perspective, depth)

Color (Color wheel! Color relationships!)

Texture (fun with additives and using the right brush/tool for the desired effect)

Value (lightness/darkness of color, not what the painting is worth at a Sotheby’s auction)

Master draughtsman Sean Fitzgibbon will help you develop your eye and your hand as you learn fundamental figure drawing techniques such as expressive line, form and anatomy based on a live model. A undraped Male or Female model will be present in each class. Learn to loosen up and see the figure in all new ways!

COURSE DESCRIPTION

We will explore figure-drawing techniques utilizing various methods.

COURSE OBJECTIVE

1. Gain a fuller understanding of the basic fundamentals of figure drawing.

2. Develop technical proficiency.

3. Gain a deeper insight into the forms and interrelationships of the various partsof the figure.

4. Render the figure in a variety of poses using foreshortening.

POINTS TO DISCUSS

Introduction to Figure Drawing and discussion of the course. Understanding the proportions of the human figure. Gesture drawings of the figure from imagination and from model. Introduction to artistic anatomy and rendering the skeleton. Measuring and sighting angles. Brief study of the muscles. Gesture and contour exercises from the live model. Rendering the figure in value. Explore chiaroscuro rendering the figure with single light source.

COURSE OUTLINE

WEEK ONE• Introduction to Figure Drawing and discussion of the course. Introduction to artistic anatomy and rendering the skeleton. Begin gesture drawings of the figure from the model.

WEEK TWO• Measuring and sighting angles while drawing from the figure. Understanding the proportions of the human figure.

WEEK THREE• Anatomy continued with brief study of the muscles. Gesture and contour exercises continued from the live model. Understanding foreshortening.

WEEK FOUR• Rendering the skull and proportions of the face. Gesture and contour exercises from the live model continued. Understanding negative space while rendering the figure. Rendering the figure in value. Explore chiaroscuro rendering the figure with single light source.

WEEK FIVE• Gesture and contour exercises from the live model continued. Mapping shapes within the figure. Reductive drawing / explore chiaroscuro rendering of the figure with singlelight source continued.

WEEK SIX• Gesture and contour exercises from the live model continued. Reductive drawing continued / explore chiaroscuro rendering of the figure with limited light source continued.

SUGGESTED READING

Figure Drawing for All It's Worth by Andrew Loomis

Figure Drawing: Design and Invention by Michael Hampton

Complete Guide to Drawing From Life by George Bridgman Hogarth

Dynamic Figure Drawing. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 1970

Atlas of Human Anatomy For the Artist. New York: Oxford University Press, 1951

Visualizing Muscles: A New Ecorche Approach. University Press of KS, 1990Sale, Betti

Drawing: A Contemporary Approach. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2004. Goldstein

The Art of Responsive Drawing. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc, 1973 Dodson

Keys to Drawing. Cincinnati, Ohio: North Light, 1985.Wakeham, Mendelowitz

Mendelowitz’s Guied to Drawing. NY: CBS College Publishing, 1976

Using principles learned from the Fundamentals, Figure/Head, and Painting classes, we’ll apply our knowledge and skills to Great Master artworks. We’ll learn watercolor basics (wet on wet,wet on dry, color mixing). Each week we’ll look at various artists such as Rubens, Rembrandt, Winslow Homer and more. From each, we’ll cover the human figure, landscapes, and abstracts.

Course Outline

Week 1: Overview/ Review, Wet on Wet, Wet on Dry/Damp, Water Control Brushes, Strokes Pencils, paint, ink

Week 2: Simple Volumes, Visualizing simple masses Value

Week 3: Monochrome, Using Black and Earth-tones, Rubens and Rembrandt

Week 4: Warm and Cools

Week 5: Color, Working with Primaries, Color Mixing, Winslow Homer scenes, Georgia O’ Keefe abstracts, Sargent

Week 6: Long-Form Master Study, Applying our skills to a single study

Suggested Reading:

1) Figure Drawing For Artists by Steve Huston

2) Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters & Master Class In Figure Drawing by Robert Beverly Hale

Dive deeper into painting techniques by studying the work of Claude Monet. In this class, you'll analyze his approach to light, color, and brushwork while creating your own impressionist-inspired pieces. Perfect for those with some painting experience who want to refine their skills and explore the methods of a master.

Explore the vibrant color, expressive brushwork, and luminous light of Claude Monet through three guided painting projects. Over six weeks, you’ll study some of Monet’s lesser-known works, breaking down composition and technique to deepen your understanding of Impressionism and strengthen your own expressive mark-making in paint.

Week 1-2 Study of "Sunset on the Seine" (1873)

Focus: Capturing atmosphere at dusk, reflections on water, and warm/cool color contrasts.

Skills: Layering translucent color, using expressive brushwork for water movement, simplifying forms while emphasizing light.

Project: A study of Monet’s sunset palette and brush handling to portray mood and shifting light.

Weeks 3-4 Study of "Cliffs and Sailboats at Pourville" (1882)

Focus: Bright seaside palette, strong compositional diagonals, and balance of sky, sea, and boats.

Skills: Loose handling of water and sky, suggesting movement in sails, using limited detail for figures and structures.

Project: A coastal study that emphasizes vibrant color harmony and the liveliness of outdoor scenes.

Weeks 5-6 Study of "Glacons, Environs de Bennecourt" (1893)

Focus: Cool winter palette, broken brushwork for ice and water, and expressive light effects.

Skills: Subtle color mixing of blues, grays, and violets; layering to suggest texture and atmosphere; balancing land, water, and sky.

Project: A winter landscape that conveys stillness and fragility through Impressionist color and brushstroke.

Students will learn basic rules of artistic landscape design in the impressionist style to unlock the power of the their own independent artistic expression, translating from landscape images. They will learn composition, blocking in shapes, color, and value to create visual interest. In addition, they will learn the beginnings of how to develop their own artistic process and intuition. In addition, they will have the opportunity to learn problem solving and expand their capacity to work on multiple pieces at once. This is a beginner friendly course.

Course Breakdown

Week 1: Composition and Blocking in Shapes (thumbnails)

Week 2: Color and Tone (thumbnails)

Week 3: Larger sketches combining first two weeks of learning

Week 4: Warm up with larger sketches combining first two weeks of learning. Begin work on final project. 

Week 5: Continue work on final project. 

Week 6: Complete final work. 

All supplies and materials provided.

This landscape painting course centers on the sky as a powerful source of mood and emotion. Through studies of clouds, color, and composition, you’ll learn to create expressive watercolors that capture the shifting atmosphere above.

Explore the vibrant world of watercolor, learning key techniques like wet-on-wet, dry brushing, and expert color mixing. Perfect for beginners and those looking to refine their skills, this class provides hands-on guidance to help you build confidence with every brushstroke. Dive into the medium and create stunning effects while gaining a deeper understanding of watercolor's unique qualities.

Weeks 1-2

Focus: Color harmony, compositional balance, and capturing fleeting light at day’s end.

Skills: Layering warm and cool tones, blending gradients, and using color as a focal point.

Project: A luminous sunset landscape with rich transitions

Weeks 3-4

Focus: Expressive brushwork, strong value contrasts, and the emotional impact of turbulent skies.

Skills: Negative painting for cloud forms, glazing for depth, and bold, gestural strokes.

Project: A moody landscape beneath storm clouds, emphasizing energy and movement.

Weeks 5-6

Focus: Cool palettes, muted tones, and the quiet atmosphere of winter landscapes.

Skills: Layering pale washes, creating soft edges for clouds, balancing grays and blues for depth.

Project: A serene winter landscape under an expansive sky, capturing the stillness of the season.

Papier Mache isn't just for kids! It can be an exciting way to make sculpture, decorations, costumes and more!

Explore the art of sculpting with our 6-week Paper Mâché class! Learn fundamental techniques to build, shape, and finish unique creations as you transform simple materials into imaginative three-dimensional works of art. Perfect for beginners and experienced makers alike.

All supplies and materials provided.

Focus on the art of drawing faces with accuracy and character. This class explores the structure and proportions of the head, how to capture expression, and techniques for rendering features realistically. Ideal for those who want to build confidence specifically in portrait work.

Learn basic principles of drawing a human fact. This class will cover basic skeletal anatomy, simplified construction of the head, planes of head, and facial features. Students will learn how to visualize and measure proportion using the Loomis method, render volume with planar head, as well as capture likeness using a variety of dry media.

Week 1: Placements. Tonal Value Mass study

Week 2: Skull Anatomy/Loomis/Planar Head 

Week 3: Planar Head Continued

Week 4: Gesture Drawing/Continuous Contour/Facial Features

Week 5: Final Project: Life Portrait Study

Week 6: Final Project: Contd.

All supplies and materilas provided.