ART & PHOTOGRAPHY   

Class Overview

Acrylic painting can provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Learn how to express yourself using the vibrant colors of this delightful paint. 

Discover how to use the basic techniques of acrylic painting: blending, texturizing, brush handling, detailing, stippling, glazing, wet in wet, and alla prima. Learn about color mixing, complementary colors, warm and cool, hue, value, intensity, and proportions. 

You will be surprised how quickly your skills will improve by observing the instructor and painting along, during step-by-step class presentations. The format will make it easy to get started and build upon what you learn, gaining new techniques and putting them directly into practice. As you develop these skills, you’ll find them becoming second nature. Enjoy the satisfying ability to represent the world around you in liquid colors, as you create unique works of art.

Supplies Needed

Palette

• 1 disposable palette pad 9x12” or 12x16” (or paper plates for the first day)

Brushes

• Long-handled brushes (white nylon or brown taklon bristles) are preferable – you can use short-handled brushes if you already have them
• Rounds: #1 or #2 - (1/16" or 1/32" wide) 
• Filbert brushes: 2-3 at least
• A small and a large: 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2"
• Flat - 1" wide
• Angle brush (optional): small - 1/4" wide, or less  

Canvases

• 2-4 canvases in size like 11x14”, 12x16”, 14x18”, or 16x20” – depending on preference and availability (students often like to start with smaller canvases and then go up in canvas size as the class goes on)
• One 9x12” watercolor pad, 120 lb for practices and exercises (or 3-5 sheets of watercolor paper

Paints & Colors

• Examples of brands, student-grade: Liquitex Basics, Galeria, Grumbacher Academy, Utrecht, Pebeo
• Titanium white, any light yellow (examples: Cadmium Yellow Light Hue, Acra or Hansa Yellow Light, Light Yellow, or Lemon Yellow), any medium yellow (Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Acra or Hansa Yellow Medium, or Medium Yellow), any medium red: (cadmium red medium hue, Acra or Hansa red medium, or medium Rred), magenta, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, mars black
• Optional Colors (but very useful): any medium orange: (cadmium orange medium hue, Acra or Hansa orange medium, or medium orange), dioxazine purple, phthalo green, burnt sienna, burnt umber 

Other items:

• Water jars: (glass or plastic, such as peanut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc or large plastic cups or containers
• Paper towels
• 2b or HB pencil
• White vinyl eraser (or pink pearl)
• Sharpener (preferably with shavings catcher)
• Optional: palette knives (plastic or metal) 

Learning Objectives

• Color mixing: proportions, hue, value, intensity, complementary colors, and warm/cool
• Using color schemes to add extra interest to your paintings: monochromatic, analogous, complementary, split complementary, and triadic
• Techniques such as blending, texturizing, and detailing; might include stippling, glazing, washes, alla prima, dry brushing, impasto, swirling and dabbing, etc.
• Various painting styles such as realistic, impressionistic, abstract, etc.
• Ability to paint a variety of subject matter such as animals, plants, landscapes, still life, etc.
• Represent 3-dimensional form in painting, in both black and white and in color, by using value, contrast, light, and shadow 
• Atmospheric perspective makes entire scenes and landscapes appear more 3 dimensional, with the illusion of depth and space
• Apply proportion and perspective to your paintings

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Anyone who is interested in enriching their lives with the joy of painting
• People who would like to gain or improve their painting skills and apply those skills to paint a variety of subject matter
• Anyone who would like to learn to express themselves through the medium of painting
• Budding artists who would like to gain the foundational skills of painting to apply to any visual art medium 
• No experience is needed; everyone is welcome

Class Overview

Do you have power tools and want to learn to use them safely and effectively? In this workshop, we will learn how to use power tools properly, safely and effectively, learning which tool to use for various jobs. Learn the basics of joinery, jigs, materials, methods and project design in a woodshop. We will also discuss materials and how to select the right materials for the job you want to work on. After selecting your materials, apply everything you've learned in a project. Safely use hand and power tools to construct and assemble of a toolbox from start to finish.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to effectively use home power tools
• Work on a project guided by an expert woodworker
• Gain skills and confidence to take on small carpentry projects on your own

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Home improvement enthusiasts who would like to improve their carpentry skills
• Individuals interested in learning more about how to use specific power tools
• Please note: This class is for beginners with very minimal or no experience with woodworking and/or carpentry

Course Overview

Do you like to draw and want to take your skills to the next level? Focus on drawing and painting the fascinating world of animals in this engaging and informative class. 

Through the development of keen observational skills of the natural world, learn to realistically represent animals in drawing and acrylic painting. Gain knowledge and understanding of animal anatomy to be able to make more realistic portraits. Subjects will include a variety of amazing animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and more. 

Learn about form and function, highlights, shadows, details, proportion, three-dimensionality, value, contrast, and color. These basic principles in drawing and painting will help you learn to depict the animal world in a variety of vibrant and dynamic ways, and you will be able to use the skills gained in all other creative endeavors.

Supplies Needed

This supply list gives you the option to purchase a smaller selection of supplies, or a larger, more varied selection of supplies, depending on what you would like to use for class (and after class).  The more varied selections will be listed with the word "optional." For the drawing supplies, it will be good to have them for the first class, but for the painting supplies, you can wait until after we talk about them on the first day of class, since the first few days we will be drawing.

Drawing Supplies

• Pencils (Graphite): 2B, 4B, 6B; optional: 8B and 6B or 8B woodless pencil 
• Drawing paper pad - 70-90 lb. either 9"x12" or 11"x14"
• White vinyl eraser
• Pink eraser on the back of a pencil or (optional) a mechanical eraser (Tombow Mono Knock 3.8)
• Paper blending stomps - 3 or 4 in a variety of sizes, or paper towel/ tissues for blending for the first day
• Pencil sharpener - preferably with shaving collector

Painting Supplies

You can wait to get paint supplies after we talk about them in the first class. 

• Acrylic paints - you have the option of getting either:
  - an “Entry-level collection” of at least 5-6 colors: at least white, yellow, green, blue, red, black (i.e. Liquitex Basics is one brand); either 60ml/2 oz or 118 ml/4oz
  - or a more varied collection including titanium white, light yellow, medium yellow, medium orange, medium red, magenta, dioxazine purple, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, phthalo green, and black; either in 118ml tubes, 250 ml tubes, or 400 ml jars.
• Watercolor paper pad - 8.5x11", 9x12", 11x14" or 12x16", and/ or canvases, stretched or canvas panel - 8.5x11", 9x12", 11x14" or 12x16"
• Brushes - small #1 round, a ¼" filbert brush, and a 3/8" filbert brush
• Optional brushes: ½" filbert, ¼" angle brush
• Jar or large plastic cup or container (like for yogurt or peanut butter) for water
• Paper towels
• Disposable paper palette pad (i.e., Strathmore, Canson, etc.) - 9x 12" or 12x16" (12x16" is better because it has more room)

Optional:

• 12 x 16" “stay wet” palette (to keep paints wet between sessions) or Hipiwe a4 file box (recommended) 
• Paper plates for additional paint mixing
• Acrylic matte medium 
• Spray bottle for keeping paints wet
• Small table easel or small drawing table (depending on preference for drawing/ painting on a table or upright)

Learning Objectives

• Depict a variety of animals in pencil drawing and acrylic painting
• Draw or paint 3D forms in animals through light, shadow
• Gain skills to represent proportions and details of subjects
• Develop and use observational skills to represent animals accurately 
• Draw and paint a wide variety of animal life

Who Should Take This Class

• Anyone who is interested in enriching their lives by drawing and painting animals
• People who draw and/or paint who would like to gain or improve their skills
• Scientists, naturalists, nature lovers, or anyone who is fascinated by animal life, and would like to become more acquainted with drawing and painting the natural world
• No experience is necessary; everyone is welcome

Class Overview

Have you always wanted to learn how to draw, or do you have you some drawing experience that you'd like to build upon? Join us!

This class is excellent for both beginning and intermediate students who want to improve their fundamental drawing and observation skills. Learn how to draw using a simple graphite pencil. Explore line, value, space, perspective and composition. Enjoy guidance of a professional artist and learn approaches to drawing that will help you get better with just a bit of practice.

Join a community of fellow art students and give yourself time to learn, practice and develop these rewarding skills that can give you endless hours of fun and satisfaction. No previous art experience is needed.

Supplies Needed

• Graphite pencil (HB or 2B)
• Sketchbook (no smaller 9 x 12", no larger 11 x 15")

Learning Objectives

• Explore fundamental drawing techniques
• Learn about different style approaches
• Practice and improve upon your skills under the guidance of an expert

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Budding artists
• Working artists that would like to practice their drawing skills
• Designers who would like to improve their ability to sketch
• No previous art experience required

Class Overview

Drawing is the basis of all visual art, and it can provide a lifetime of enjoyment. In this class for beginners, increase your imagination, creativity, and perception through the practice of drawing!

Learn the fundamentals of drawing: light, shadow, proportions, details, perspective, and three-dimensionality. Practice drawing many subjects including animals, nature, people, and still life.

You’ll be surprised how quickly your skills will improve by observing and drawing along with a step-by-step class presentation! This process will make it easy to understand and put these techniques into practice.

Once you learn these skills, you’ll find them becoming second nature. This practice will greatly increase your ability to represent the world around you with a pencil or pen.

This class will be presented as a live, interactive video (Zoom), which is more similar to an "in-person" class because you get the benefit of seeing the art demos live, up-close, in real-time just like in an "in-person" class and ask questions along the way. You can also paint along with the instructor!

Supplies Needed

• Pencils (graphite):
  • 2B pencil
  • 4B pencil
  • 6B pencil
  • 8B (Optional)
  • Woodless Pencil (6B or 8B) optional
• Drawing paper pad - either 9"x12" or 11"x14"
• White vinyl eraser
• Mechanical eraser, or pink eraser on the back of pencil (for detail erasing and drawing white lines on gray areas)
• 3-4 (variety sizes) Paper blending stomps (or paper towel/ tissues for blending, if you can't find these for first day)
• Pencil sharpener (preferably with shaving collector)
• Set of colored pencils (24 to 48)

Learning Outcomes

• Learn the various uses for the tools and supplies for drawing
• Draw representational objects and scenes
• Represent 3-dimensional space through the use of light, shadow, and detail
• Learn various blending techniques
• Draw 3-dimensional objects -- the building blocks of all other drawings
• Combine three-dimensional objects to make more complex drawings
• Expand your use and understanding of form and line
• Gain a good understanding and ability to use proportions
• Represent three-dimensional objects and scenes using a simple perspective
• Utilize light and dark details
• Maximize the use of value, contrast, line, mark making, and details to draw with expression

Who Should Take this Class?

• Anyone interested in learning the joy of drawing
• People who would like to improve their drawing skills
• Anyone who would like to learn to express themselves through drawing
• Everyone who would like to gain the foundational skills of drawing to apply to any visual art medium in the future

Class Overview

Increase your imagination, creativity, and perception through the practice of drawing! Drawing is the fundamental basis of all visual art, and it can provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Get started drawing in this engaging class geared for seniors, but open to all ages.

Discover the fundamental concepts of drawing such as light, shadow, proportions, details, and perspective. Learn how to draw many subjects including animals, nature, people, and “still life” objects. Explore how you can use a pencil to create an image that looks like it has three dimensions.

You’ll be surprised how quickly your skills will improve by observing the instructor and drawing along in a step-by-step method. Class presentations make it easy to learn and put the techniques into practice. Once you learn these skills, you will find they start to become second nature. Increase your ability to represent the world around you!

Supplies Needed

• Pencils (graphite): 2B, 4B, 6B; optional: 8B; optional: woodless pencil (6B or 8B) 
• Drawing paper pad - either 9"x12" or 11"x14"
• White vinyl eraser
• Mechanical eraser, or pink eraser on the back of common pencils (for detail erasing and drawing white lines on gray areas)
• Paper blending stomps, 3-4 in a variety of sizes;  (or you can use paper towel or tissues if you can't find these for the first day)
• Pencil sharpener (preferably with shaving collector)
• Set of colored pencils (24 to 48)

Learning Objectives

• Explore the various uses for drawing tools and supplies 
• Draw representational objects and scenes
• Represent 3-dimensional space through the use of light, shadow, and detail
• Become familiar with blending techniques
• Accurately draw 3-dimensional objects, the building blocks of all other drawings
• Combine 3-dimensional objects to make more complex drawings
• Expand your use and understanding of form and line
• Be able to draw proportions accurately 
• Represent 3-dimensional objects and scenes using simple perspective
• Utilize light and dark details
• Maximize the use of value, contrast, line, marks, and details to draw with expression

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Anyone who is interested in enriching their lives with the joy of drawing
• People who would like to gain or improve their drawing skills and apply those skills to draw a variety of subjects
• Anyone wanting to develop new skills to express themselves
• People who would like to gain foundational drawing skills to support any other visual art medium

Class Overview 

Fantasy fiction and science fiction are fascinating genres for art. You’ve undoubtedly seen this imaginative art form captivate audiences in books, comic books, animations, games, and movies. In this class, learn to draw, paint and create magical fictitious fantasy creatures and characters with no limit to the creative possibilities.

Explore the rules of anatomy and how to realistically illustrate the proportions of fantasy creatures. Then learn how to bring them to life through movement, action, and three-dimensionality. Learn how to illustrate light, shadow, detail, and color in your fantasy creatures. 

Combine these skills to portray a variety of creatures, such as dragons, dinosaurs, robots, trolls, shape-shifters, cyborgs, mutants, insectoids, animal and multi-creature hybrids, and mecha. Learn how to illustrate all of the amazing actions they do such as running, flying, battling foes, rescuing heroes, breathing fire, etc. 

You will develop skills to use your mind to create entirely new species and worlds and bring them to life with your own hands!

Supplies Needed

This Supply List gives you the option to purchase a smaller selection of supplies, or a larger, more varied selection of supplies, depending on what you would like to use for class (and after class)!  The more varied selections will be listed with the word (optional). For the Drawing supplies, it will be good to have them for the first class, but for the painting supplies, you can wait until after we talk about them on the first day of class (as in the first few days we will be doing drawing).

Drawing Supplies:

• Pencils (Graphite): 2B pencil, 4B pencil, 6B pencil (Optional), 8B (Optional), Woodless Pencil (6B or 8B) (optional)
• 70-90 lb. Drawing Paper Pad - either 9"x12" or 11"x14"
• White vinyl eraser
• Pink eraser on the back of a pencil (for detail erasing and drawing white lines on gray areas) or a Mechanical Eraser (Tombow Mono Knock 3.8, optional)
• 3-4 Paper Blending Stumps (in a variety of sizes), (or paper towel/ tissues for blending, if you can't find blending stomps for the first day)
• Pencil Sharpener (preferably with shaving collector)

Painting Supplies:

For the Painting Supplies, you don’t need to get the Paints or Paint Supplies until after we talk about them in the 1st class, (We will be drawing the first few class sessions), so you won’t need the paint supplies at the beginning, and in class, we can talk about what collection of paint supplies would work best for you!)

• You have the option of getting either an “Entry level collection”: i.e., a small selection of Acrylic Paints (either 60ml/ 2 oz or 118 ml/ 4oz) of at least 5-6 Colors: (at least White, Yellow, Green, Blue, Red, Black)- (i.e. Liquitex Basics), or a more varied collection (optional), (in 118ml tubes, 250 ml tubes, or 400 ml jars), including Titanium White, Light Yellow, Medium Yellow, Medium Orange, Medium Red, Magenta, Dioxazine Purple, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Green, & Black.
• Watercolor Paper Pad (8.5x11, 9x12, 11x14 or 12x16) and/ or Canvases (Stretched or Canvas Panel) (8.5x11, 9x12, 11x14 or 12x16)
• A small collection of Brushes - A small #1 round, a ¼ inch filbert brush, and a 3/8-inch filbert brush
• (Optional brushes): ½ inch filbert, ¼ inch “angle” brush
• Jar or large plastic cup or container (like Yogurt or Peanut Butter Jar) for water
• Paper Towels
• Disposable paper palette pad (i.e., Strathmore, Canson, etc.)- 9x 12 or 12x16 (12x16 is better because it has more room)
• (Optional): If you'd like a palette that keeps the paints wet between sessions, (optional), you can get a 12 x 16 “stay wet” palette, or another good option that you can find online which is cheaper/ better is the: "Hipiwe a4 file box (recommended)" (i.e. on Amazon) (If you get either "stay- wet" type palette, you'd still need a "disposable paper palette" (above) to put the paints on, inside of the "stay wet palette")
• (Optional) Paper plates for additional paint mixing
• (Optional) Acrylic Matte Medium 
• (Optional) Spray bottle for keeping paints wet
• (Optional) Small table easel or small drawing table (optional, depending on if you like drawing/ painting on the table or drawing/painting upright)

Learning Objectives 

• Depict a variety of fantasy creatures and characters
• Illustrate dynamic poses, motion, action, and facial expressions
• Gain knowledge and skills in the depiction of anatomy and proportions
• Utilize light, shadow, and geometric objects to depict 3 dimensionality
• Use color mixing, hue, value, intensity, and complementary colors to depict fantasy creatures in color
• Explore and develop your own fantasy creatures from scratch 

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone who is interested in enriching their lives with the joy of fantasy creature drawing and painting
• People who would like to gain or improve their drawing and painting skills 
• Anyone who would like to explore the world of fantasy creatures and create their own from scratch
• Anyone who would like to bring more realism, movement, and personality to their fantasy creatures

Class Overview

The camera does not make the photograph, it takes the photograph. Only the person behind the camera makes the photograph -- deciding where to point the camera, what to include and what not to, and when to press the shutter button.

Knowing the many principles of design in all visual art, from painting to photography, makes the difference between simply a technically sound photograph and one that is compelling and evocative.

Learn to improve your photography experience and results by practicing with guidance from a professional. You'll have the opportunity to explore what makes compelling composition and great design in images.

Gain experience through photography assignments and experience a session shooting photo out "on location," when possible. You'll benefit from sharing your results with the class and receiving new perspectives on your images through group feedback.

We'll also look at how to adjust your camera settings to get the results you want or to experiment with creative techniques.

To start, please bring five of your own photographs on a flash drive or as small prints to the first class to share as part of your introduction.

Supplies Needed

• Any digital camera, ideally a point and shoot, digital SLR or mirrorless camera. A smart phone can work, too, either as a supplemental or primary camera.
• You will also need a flash drive for bringing photographs to class for in-person classes -- or the ability to share your photos for online classes, such as Flickr.

Learning Objectives

• The principles of evocative design from painting and photography
• Basic camera handling and settings
• Creative camera settings and techniques
• A higher visual literacy
• Composing images

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Anyone with a passion for photography, young and old
• People who use photography to capture travel or local experiences for sharing, showing, or selling
• Everyone who uses photography as an artistic reference to render later in the medium of their choice, from painting to drawing to printmaking, or for elements in collage and mixed media

Class Overview

Do you admire the paintings of the Impressionists? Learn their unique brushstroke method to make your own beautiful paintings! 

Discover how lines of color can make a complete and memorable painting. Explore textures, color theory, the impressionist color wheel, composition, space, light and shadow, texture and movement. 

Learn about tools, materials and techniques. Enjoy class discussions about art history and impressionist artists. Immerse yourself in landscapes, figures and still life. 

We will paint landscapes, still lives and figures, and explore originality. Enjoy using what you learn to make your own unique painting masterpiece. A museum trip will be incorporated into the course, if possible. 

Your painting instructor is a professional teacher and working artist in both the US and Italy, who has exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide. No painting experience or formal art training is needed, just a willingness to learn.

Supplies Needed

Click here to see the supply list.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the tools and techniques to paint in the style of the Impressionist painters. 
• Apply texture and impressionist colors to your paintings for personal expression. 
• Use observation, linear perspective, and originality to explore composition, color, space, light and shadow in textures. 
• Express different ways to observe and document art by developing an art vocabulary. 
• Understand art as a form of personal expression.
• Create a unique finished painting using the impressionist style.

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone who wants to learn how to paint.
• Painting students or painters who would like to improve their painting skills. 
• People interested in Impressionist painting and would like to learn to paint in this style. 
   

Class Overview

Cartooning is a joyful art form that delights viewers and tells stories with minimal lines. Learn how to draw in the dynamic and expressive style of cartooning in this class.  

Discover and practice the skills to draw engaging cartoon characters. We will explore the importance of anatomy and proportions, and key cartooning techniques such as simplification, squash and stretch, movement, line of action, gestures, and facial expressions. Follow along in an engaging series of step-by-step demos, making it easy and fun to build your skills quickly. 

You will also learn to draw caricatures, in which the exaggeration of characteristics brings out the personality and expression of that person, animal, or cartoon character. The focus of this class is on how to create cartoon characters and characters and develop your drawing skills to be able to draw in this style more confidently and successfully. Narrative and storytelling are not the focus, though you will be well-equipped to combine those elements.

Get ready for a fun and informative hands-on drawing class!

Supplies Needed

• Pencils (graphite): 2B, 4B, 6B pencil; optional: 8B and woodless pencil (6B or 8B) 
• Set of pens (like Pigma Microns) - .01,.02,.03.,05,.08
• Drawing paper pad, 70-90lb  - either 9"x12" or 11"x14"
• White vinyl eraser
• Mechanical eraser, or pink eraser on the back of pencil (for detail erasing and drawing white lines on gray areas)
• Paper blending stomps, 3-4 (variety sizes) 
• Pencil sharpener (preferably with shaving collector)

Learning Objectives

• Draw cartoon characters
• Understand how to simplify and exaggerate your character to amplify the comic effect
• Depict characters in action through the use of gesture and dynamic anatomy
• Draw cartoon characters in their natural environments, with props or other elements, and interact with each other
• Be able to produce caricatures of famous people or people you know through comic exaggeration
• Utilize believable yet exaggerated forms and proportions

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Anyone interested in learning to draw and interested in enriching their lives with the joy of cartooning
• People who already like to draw with an interest in gaining or improving cartooning abilities
• Anyone who would like to learn more about creating cartoons from scratch
• People who like to draw cartoons and would like to bring more expressiveness to their cartoon characters through action, movement, dynamic poses, and facial expressions
• Anyone who would like to gain cartooning skills to tell a story or narrative in the future

Class Overview

Are you perplexed by your digital camera and all the settings and buttons? Do you wish your photographs looked better? Learn how to get much more out of your camera in this rewarding hands-on class.

Explore what the automatic settings can do for your photographs - and what they can’t. Learn how to go far beyond “automatic” and make your photographs more memorable and evocative. We will explore the different settings, giving you time to practice and share your results.

This hybrid (online and in person) class will meet in person to photograph together, and to allow one-on-one tutorials on location with your own camera. If you are beginning your photography journey with a digital camera, get ready for a fun learning experience with your camera.

Supplies Needed

• A digital camera, anything from point-and-shoot to digital SLR, to mirrorless.
• A computer so you can attend online classes via Zoom, and post your photographs to the internet using flickr.com for sharing and feedback.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the foundation of photography
• Demystify most of the settings on your camera, including Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual Exposure
• Know when to use automatic, and when not to
• Have a comfort level working with a variety of the settings on your camera
• Understand white balance and histograms and why they matter
• Adopt a primary setting for the bulk of your future photography
• Create better photographs
• Better capture the photo opportunities in front of your lens

Who Might Enjoy This Class

Anyone who wants to get more out of their digital camera - whether a brand-new camera or one that you have owned but don’t understand well

Class Overview

Would you like to move from drawing stick figures to actual figures? In this class, you will get personalized guidance and help to hone your observation skills.
Improve your drawing and sketching skills by drawing live models under the guidance of a skilled artist.
If you'd like to work on drawing proportions, structure, and movement of the human figure, this class is for you!

*** Course fee includes model fees for all sessions.

Supplies Needed

• 18” x 24” sketch pad
• Mechanical pencil (0.7 or 0.5mm) with B or 2B graphite

Learning Objectives

• Learn the basics of proportion and structure
• Practice techniques for capturing movement
• Work on drawings under the guidance of an expert

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Students interested in improving their human figure drawing skills
• Those seeking an enhancement of their ability to accurately draw proportion, structure, and movement

Class Overview

Do you want to improve how you edit, organize, store, and share your photos? Many people are overwhelmed by managing their images, spend too much time, or don’t make full use of their image collection as a result. In this class, learn how to use Lightroom software, and manage your photos quickly and efficiently. 

Lightroom is the industry standard for post-production workflow and digital asset management (DAM). If you take a lot of photos and feel unsure about the best way to manage them optimally so you can easily put them to use, this class is for you. We will explore every module in Lightroom, from organizing and cataloging images, to editing, creating a useful workflow, and creating images for various uses, such as social media and printing.

Handouts and videos will be shared for your ongoing reference. This class is not affiliated in any way with the software; this class is intended simply to share knowledge as an educational opportunity from a user standpoint only. 

Get started using Lightroom as a tool to manage your photos, free yourself from frustration and inefficiency, and make better use of your images. 

Supplies Needed

• Computer (PC or Mac) with Lightroom Classic installed or have a Lightroom Classic subscription or Photography Plan. 
• External HD for backing up your library of images; a minimum of 1 GB is recommended.

Learning Objectives

• Managing your photos from editing to storing and end use
• Using every module in Lightroom software
• Organizing and cataloging images 
• Creating folders and collections 
• Editing fundamentals 
• Creating a workflow 
• Destination outputs, such as social media, printing, sharing, and awards

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Anyone who is interested in editing, organizing, and cataloging their images better 
• People interested in learning how to use Lightroom software or improving their use of it
• Photographers who would like to learn a workflow to maximize time and effort in editing images 
• People who have photos they’d like to access better and get ready for diverse types of use

Class Overview

Would you like to learn how to paint? Learn painting fundamentals in a fun interactive class! Enjoy individual instruction and supportive feedback while learning to create beautiful works of art. 

Learn about paints, brushes, and other materials, and how to use them. Discover color theory and how to mix colors to get the results you want. Explore perspective, shadows, light, and form, and how to use them to create a realistic effect in your painting. 

Enjoy exercises that will help you build your skills. Topics include painting landscapes, still lives, animals, portraits, and abstraction. You will also be able to explore originality in art and paint from photographs, memory, and imagination. Learn new techniques or further develop skills you already have to get to the next level. 

The instructor is a professional artist with international experience and works in museums. 

Supplies Needed

PAINT TYPE & COLORS

• Choose ONE type of paint: either acrylics or oils (not both). You will need six colors of 2 oz. tubes. 
• Titanium White  (bright white, the color of typing paper)
• Primary or Lemon Yellow (yellow, the color of a lemon)
• Naphthol Red  (red, the color of a fire engine)
• Phthalo Green  (dark green, the color of a cucumber) 
• Ultramarine Blue  (dark blue, the color of night sky)
• Mars or Ivory Black

BRUSHES

Brushes are made from natural hair and synthetic fibers. Synthetics are popular. Natural hair adds more texture. Brushes can be purchased individually or in sets. Sets often have better prices and include a range from small to medium to large. Select a good range of brushes:

• One small round brush (comes to a point)
• One filbert brush (great for blending)
• One large wash brush
• One medium flat brush (square top)

OTHER ITEMS NEEDED

• 4 canvases, either boards or panels; the average size is 9x12”
• A standard-size palette knife  
• A roll of wax paper 
• Painters tape
• Two plastic or paper cups
• A roll of paper towels

ONLY FOR OIL PAINTS

• A small bottle of linseed oil
• A small bottle of Turpenoid (for online students only) 
• Non-toxic option: can substitute vegetable oil for cleaning brush 

Learning Objectives

• Be familiar with the tools and techniques to develop a work of art
• Use observation, linear perspective, volume, and originality 
• Explore composition, form, color, tints, tones, gradations, values,  space, light, shadow, and texture.
• Develop techniques such as blending, glazing, color mixing
• Learn to use materials effectively and safely
• Express different ways to document art by developing an art vocabulary.
• Understand art as a form of personal expression.

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• People who want to paint and learn painting fundamentals
• Anyone interested in learning about color, delving into art, and having a creative outlet
• Beginner to advanced artists and art students
• Artists or art students interested in learning how to use materials and techniques for painting
• Anyone interested in participating in a painting community, receiving critiques of their works
• No experience is needed; everyone is welcome!

Class Overview

Acrylic painting can provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Learn how to express yourself using the vibrant colors of this delightful paint. 

Discover how to use the basic techniques of acrylic painting: blending, texturizing, brush handling, detailing, stippling, glazing, wet in wet, and alla prima. Learn about color mixing, complementary colors, warm and cool, hue, value, intensity, and proportions. 

You will be surprised how quickly your skills will improve by observing the instructor and painting along, during step-by-step class presentations. The format will make it easy to get started and build upon what you learn, gaining new techniques and putting them directly into practice. As you develop these skills, you’ll find them becoming second nature. Enjoy the satisfying ability to represent the world around you in liquid colors, as you create unique works of art. 

Supplies Needed

PALETTE

• 1 disposable palette pad 9x12” or 12x16” (or paper plates for the first day)

BRUSHES

• Long-handled brushes are preferable – you can use short-handled brushes if you already have them - white nylon or brown taklon bristles
• Round brushes: #1 or #2 - (1/16" or 1/32" wide) 
• Filbert brushes: 2-3 at least
• A small and a large: 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2"
• Flat: 1" wide
• Angle brush (optional): small - 1/4" wide, or less  

CANVASES

• 2-4 canvases in a size like 11x14”, 12x16”, 14x18”, or 16x20” – depending on preference and availability (students often like to start with smaller canvases and then go up in canvas size as the class goes on)
• One 9x12” watercolor pad, 120 lb for practices and exercises (or 3-5 sheets of watercolor paper)

PAINTS

Examples of brands, student-grade: Liquitex Basics, Galeria, Grumbacher Academy, Utrecht, Pebeo

Colors:

Titanium white, any light yellow (examples: cadmium yellow light hue, Acra or Hansa yellow light, light yellow, or lemon yellow), any medium yellow: (cadmium yellow medium hue, Acra or Hansa yellow medium, or medium yellow), any medium red: (cadmium red medium hue, Acra or Hansa red medium, or medium red), magenta, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, Mars black

Optional Colors (but very useful):

Any medium orange: (cadmium orange medium hue, Acra or Hansa orange medium, or medium orange), dioxazine purple, phthalo green, burnt sienna, burnt umber 

Miscellaneous:

• Water jars, glass or plastic (such as peanut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc or large plastic cups or containers)
• Paper towels
• Pencil: 2B or HB 
• White vinyl eraser (or pink pearl)
• Sharpener (preferably with shavings catcher)
• Optional: palette knives (plastic or metal) 

Learning Objectives

• Color mixing: proportions, hue, value, intensity, complementary colors, and warm/cool
• Using color schemes to add extra interest to your paintings: monochromatic, analogous, complementary, split complementary, and triadic
• Techniques such as blending, texturizing, and detailing; might include stippling, glazing, washes, alla prima, dry brushing, impasto, swirling and dabbing, etc.
• Various painting styles such as realistic, impressionistic, abstract, etc.
• Ability to paint a variety of subject matter such as animals, plants, landscapes, still life, etc.
• Represent 3-dimensional form in painting, in both black and white and in color, by using value, contrast, light, and shadow 
• Atmospheric perspective makes entire scenes and landscapes appear more 3 dimensional, with the illusion of depth and space
• Apply proportion and perspective to your paintings

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Anyone who is interested in enriching their lives with the joy of painting
• People who would like to gain or improve their painting skills and apply those skills to paint a variety of subject matter
• Anyone who would like to learn to express themselves through the medium of painting
• Budding artists who would like to gain the foundational skills of painting to apply to any visual art medium 
• No experience is necessary; everyone is welcome!

Class Overview

Learn how to make beautiful paintings with a palette knife! Explore new ways to express yourself in painting, using an assortment of textural mediums. Without a brush, discover a variety of techniques to create picturesque landscapes, figures, wildlife, and modern art. Explore abstract and realistic styles and experiment with techniques as you create works of art.

Using new tools and techniques can free your imagination to discover new ways of creating art. If you are an experienced painter, explore new approaches in this class.

Your instructor for this class, Georgetta Gancarz, is a professional teacher and artist, who has exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide. If you haven't painted before, this is a great way to get started.

Supplies Needed

Click here to see the supply list. 

Learning Objectives

• Learn the tools and techniques to develop a work of art
• Application of texture in painting for personal expression and creating a finished work
• Use observation, linear perspective, volume and originality to explore composition, form, color, space, light, shadow in texture
• Express different ways to document art by developing an art vocabulary
• Understand art as a form of personal expression

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Budding artists interested in this unique style of expression.
• Experienced artists seeking a new element to their visual art.
• Anyone who wants to create original paintings under the guidance of a professional artist.
• People who would enjoy learning from a variety of media including real-time videoconferencing, written material, colorful photos and videos.
• Students who would like individual critique via email.

Class Overview

Pen and ink have been used for millennia and are still a favorite medium of artists today. These tools have their own personality and can add a unique flair to your drawing style. Learn how to use pen and ink in this fun hands-on class for all levels.

Even though pen and ink are simple tools, controlling the ink, and its permanence of it can be intimidating. In this class, learn the basic steps to get good results from your materials. Explore a variety of pen techniques and practice them to incorporate them into your drawings. Learn about technical pens and brush pens, and practice using dip pens.

We will look at some examples of pen and ink drawings for inspiration. Get ready to “go with the flow” and get creative with ink! 

Supplies Needed

• Pad of paper – Bristol smooth or mixed media
• During the first class, the instructor will bring several dip pens and inks to try; there will be a discussion regarding the other supplies needed to purchase for the class at that time.

Learning Objectives

• Be introduced to basic steps and a variety of pen techniques.
• Practice basic steps and a variety of pen techniques

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Anyone interested in learning how to use pen and ink
• People with drawing experience who would like to try a variety of new pens and techniques
• No experience needed; everyone is welcome

Class Overview

You can stop apologizing that your photos are just from your phone camera. The key to good photography is mostly due to rather straightforward principles of composition, and you can easily learn them! It’s also important to know how to apply these principles, when to apply them, and, believe it or not, when not to.  

In this class, explore the powerful principles of composition while looking at many photographs, including your own, with the guidance of a professional photographer.  

By the time the class is over, we assure you that your phone photographs will be more compelling, evocative, and memorable. Whether your subjects are family and friends, pets and wildlife, nearby or far away, you will be able to capture better images of what you see in front of your lens.

The class will meet online via Zoom. Everyone will complete three photo assignments of subjects we all agree on, shooting new images and/or harvesting from existing work. Then we will share our results on flickr.com for feedback in and outside of our Zooms.  

This course is part of our Senior Series, classes designed for older students, offered during the daytime on diverse topics, though students of all ages are welcome.

Learning Objectives

• Know and understand the core principles of composition used in all visual art mediums, including photography with any camera, as well as painting
• Decide when to apply those principles, but also when not to
• Better evaluate any photograph for what makes it compelling
• Make photographs like you never have before 
• Compose your own photographs that will turn your friends and family’s heads

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Anyone using a phone camera for photos
• Everyone who likes photographing family, friends, grandkids, and more
• Practiced photographers or a complete newbie, everyone is welcome

Class Overview

Do you enjoy taking photos of people, but wish you had better techniques to get great results? Learn how to capture the emotion and stories of the people you love by learning the art of photo portraits to create unique and beautiful images that they and you will cherish.

In this class, explore your camera and accessories, and gain recommendations on using camera lenses, and focal lengths, to highlight the best emotions of your subject. Discover how to pose people individually, and in groups, to get results that bring out the personality of your subjects. Learn how to use light to create different effects, using ambient light and controlled light. We will also explore approaches to editing your portraits for great results. 

You will be able to use the techniques in this class to document future events with technique and style, capture images of people on the street, or create special images of loved ones that capture the moment. If you’re eager to get rich and descriptive portraits, get ready for an exciting learning experience in this class. 

Supplies Needed

• Digital single-lens reflex (SLR) mirrorless camera.
• An external flash and reflector are recommended but not required 

Learning Objectives

• Understand how to use your camera settings and accessories 
• Gain recommendations for how to use your camera lens and focal length to highlight the emotions of your subject
• Become familiar with guidelines to pose people, individually and in groups, to bring out their personalities 
• Use ambient light as well as controlled light for your portraits

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Preferred experience: This class is designed for people who have an understanding of basic understanding of light, aperture, ISO, shutter speed and who have used different modes on their camera like M / aperture priority, and shutter priority
• Anyone who is interested in capturing better images of people with their SLR mirrorless camera
• People who want to be better prepared technically to respond to the moment with their camera 
• Anyone who would like to document events of any type 
• People who enjoy street photography

Class Overview

Are you interested in learning how to write a book, but need more information and support to get it done and make it a success? Learn the art of publishing your book, from writing to editing, design, and final publication.

In this course, we will focus on writing your book and consider all of the questions needed to create excellent content. What is the story you want to tell and how do you tell it? Who is your audience and how do you approach your audience and readers?

Learn about storytelling, refining your topics, the editing process, and all of the steps and considerations for writing your book. How do you want the final product to look and feel when it is complete and being held and read? Consider the visual aspects of your book, including layout, illustration, design, and your book's cover. We will offer a course in the next quarter that will focus on working towards final publication, including choosing a publishing house, book promotion, and online retail selling. 

You can publish your book in your native language, whether it is English or another language. Instructor Georgetta Gancarz, explains, "I want students to express themselves in their identity and culture. For me as an artist, freedom of self-expression, including cultural, is necessary to be true and creative."  She has written and published 20 books to date and also teaches multiple art classes for Continuing Education.

What You Will Need

Students must have access to a laptop or computer and internet access for this class. You will need to install some free writing programs on your device.  

Learning Objectives

• Understand the steps needed to write a book
• Gain skills in thinking about your audience and future readers
• Acquire knowledge in executing your book, including topics such as storyline, creating chapters, choosing a title, referencing and documenting sources, and editing
• Gain knowledge in creating the visual aspect of a book, including design, layout, illustrations

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone interested in publishing a book

Class Overview

Have you ever been moved by the beauty of Chinese art? Learn about the unique philosophy and aesthetics of Chinese art while you experience the elegance of sumi-style watercolor painting and calligraphy. 

In the Chinese style, you will learn to not just paint what you see, but paint what you feel. Painting with soul is the fundamental idea of Sumi painting and calligraphy. Learn skills and techniques of Sumi floral and landscape paintings and calligraphy through demos and hands-on individual instruction.

We will focus on live flowers, photos of landscapes, and other interesting subjects to inspire us during class. Students are encouraged to bring their own subjects for study to class, as well. Discover the relationship between painting and calligraphy. Learn about the supplies used in this ancient art form, such as the different rice papers and use, bruises, and the special Chinese Hanko, or stamp. 

Beginners and longtime continuing students are encouraged to take this engaging hands-on class and learn from a well-known Chinese calligrapher and painter. 

Supplies Needed

Brushes (Paragon brand)

• Best Combination Brush - a must-have; the one brush you need most (ABF-3FB03)
• Jade Bamboo - versatile combination large brush; also known as Magic Brush (ABF-3FB01)
• Rattail Fine Line – a fabulous brush for smooth, fine, long, and delicate lines (ABF-3FB04)
• Northern Wolf - excellent quality but an economical substitute (ABW-4WB02)
• Happy Dot - detail brush (ABD-6DLB2)

Ink & Ink Stone

• Yi De liquid Sumi ink - one bottle (AIB-YD250)
• Jade Purple (AIS-28114) - one dry ink stick; or China Premium - best quality ink stick (AIS-CP101) 
• Paragon - 5” round ink grinding stone with lid (AIS-2ST05)

Papers (PIA Brand)

• Green Line - 10 sheet paper roll 13.5”x 54” each sheet (APS-57P6R)
• 1 Fancy Tracing Paper Pack (APP-25P01)

Accessories

• 12 colors with 12 ml each (ACS-90C12)
• Oriental Fan Shape Palette - porcelain (ABA-PLTF6)
• Ivy wool felt - - beige/white color, 20” x 30” (AFT-FLT01)
• Well brush washer - 3, with blue flower pattern (ABA-BW304)
• Steel paper weight - 2 pieces (ABA-SPWT1)

FOR THE FIRST CLASS

If you don’t have any materials, these are the minimal supplies you will need for the first class:

Sumi Starter Kit (Paragon) 

• 3 brushes (one combination, one student wolf hair brush, and one detail brush)
• One 3.5” x 5” rectangular Ink grinding stone (PIA brand)
• One good quality ink stick (by Paragon) 
• One 10-sheet Green Line paper roll (13.75” x 57” each sheet)
• One Tracing Study Paper Pack
• One 2-well brush washer
• One steel paperweight

RECOMMENDATION FOR ART SUPPLY STORES

• An Artful Touch - (425-823-2336) 12437 116th Ave NE, Kirkland, Washington
• Paragon Art - www.ParagonArt.com, email: ask@paragonart.com

Learning Objectives

• Gain sumi watercolor skills
• Understand Asian art and philosophy
• Learn a bit about Chinese Hanko (stamp) use and function in paintings

Who Might Enjoy This Class 

• Perfect for beginners as well as ongoing student artists practicing Sumi art
• Artists who want to expand their horizons
• Anyone who wants to practice focus/discipline and relaxation at the same time
• Chinese language students who want to explore Chinese culture, aesthetics, and art

Class Overview

Expand your creative expression by learning how to paint with watercolors! During this beginning-level hands-on class, you'll tap into your own inherent creativity through lectures and guided exploration, as well as gain inspiration from great works of art.

Learn the basics of traditional watercolor techniques, through lectures, discussion, and experience. You will be guided in developing skills and techniques with the paint and materials. Explore the use of colors. Discover how to combine watercolor with other media and materials such as ink and graphite.  

In this class, enjoy an introduction to some art history. You will have the chance to work with a variety of subject matters ranging from still life, to examples by master artists, to abstraction, as well as your own imagination. The class will evolve as we go, to meet the individual interests of the students in the class.

Supplies Needed

Please bring any watercolor supplies you already have, but do not buy anything before the first class. The instructor will review materials on the first day of class.

Learning Objectives

• Learn basic watercolor theory
• Discover how to pair watercolors with other mediums
• Practice painting under the direction of a skilled artist

Who Might Enjoy this Class

• Beginning artists
• More experienced artists who seek to expand their creative expression
• No experience needed; everyone is welcome!

Class Overview

Have you taken watercolor classes or have a basic understanding of watercolor methods?

Continue to develop watercolor techniques and take your painting to the next level in this intermediate class. Explore textural possibilities, colors, and compositional challenges while learning to create a body of artwork. Work with new subject matters and experiment with different watercolor effects. We will examine a variety of techniques used by different artists to find new approaches.

Practice all of the techniques and explore your personal direction in watercolor in this hands-on class.

Supplies Needed

You are welcome to use any watercolor supplies you already have. The instructor can give recommendations if needed.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this class, you will be able to:

• Use a variety of watercolor techniques 
• Work with various subject matters
• Be familiar with a variety of watercolor artists and effects
• Have developed skills using and mixing colors
• Get started creating a personal direction in watercolor

Who Might Enjoy this Class

• Previous experience with watercolor painting is useful such as our Watercolor Painting - Beginning class
• Watercolor painters interested in practicing their art with the guidance of an instructor and developing a body of artwork
• Anyone interested in continuing to develop their watercolor techniques and skills

Class Overview

Create a beautiful wooden spoon in one sitting! In this workshop, learn the basics of carving a simple kitchen spoon. You will also acquire basic knowledge and techniques of wood carving such as wood selection, carving characteristics, preparing blanks, basic carving techniques, and traditional oil finish. These skills will help you become prepared for future word carving projects. Stir up your creativity and curiosity with carving your own one of a kind wooden spoon! No previous wood carving experience required.

Supplies Needed

• Sweep gouge No. 7 or any carving straight or bent gouge No. 7 between 10 – 12 mm width with a short or long handle (recommended: PFEIL Swiss Made 10 mm Gouge No 7)
• Whittler’s detail knife / sharpen carving knife (recommended: KN13 Flexcut knife)
• Thumb guard and/or cut resistant gloves
• F-Clamp (recommended: Yost Tools F112 12”FClamp)
• Blank wood (recommended: Basswood Carving Spoon Blank 2-pack for Whittling Craft)
• Pencil

Learning Objectives

• Know how to select wood depending on your wood carving project
• Be confident to handle wood carving knives for a small project
• Know the basic knowledge of wood carving
• Be familiar with how to design and carve a spoon

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone curious and interested in trying wood carving and whittling
• People who love hand crafting, especially craft with wood
• Anyone who would like to do a small project with like-minded people

Class Overview

Learn all about the basics of woodworking in this rewarding hands-on class!

You will learn how to use the main hand tools and power tools in the shop, as well as the important safety rules when using the equipment. Then you will practice on the equipment and make a three-legged stool while being guided at each step of designing, building and finishing your project.

Discover joinery techniques, the importance of sharp tools, when to use different kinds of fasteners and adhesives, and basic methods of wood finishing.

The goal of the class is for students to gain confidence on the equipment so that they can work independently in the shop. This class is a prerequisite for Woodworking II. 

In this class, you will learn:

• shop safety, including personal protection in the wood shop
• the properties of wood and how that informs the selection and milling of lumber
• how to properly use hand tools (hand saw, block plane, chisel and hammer) and power tools (hand drill, router, drill press jointer, planer, and table, miter and band saws).
• We'll also focus on joinery techniques, the importance of sharp tools, when to use different kinds of fasteners and adhesives, and basic methods of wood finishing.

Week 1: Please bring a notebook and pencil to first class. 

Weeks 2-10:  Students will be required to bring their own Personal Protection Equipment (safety glasses, hearing protection) for all remaining classes.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about the basics of woodworking
• Explore the different tools used and learn how to use them safely
• Create a class project 

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Students who would like to learn the basics of woodworking
• Anyone interested in gaining experience with woodworking tools

Class Overview

Continue learning about woodworking and improving your techniques and skills in Woodoworking II. This class is a follow up to Woodworking I, and offers an emphasis on fine woodworking. 
 
Enjoy a review and refinement of the skills learned in Woodworking I, and apply what you’ve learned by doing the class project and building a beautiful side table.
 
In this class, you will:

• Review woodshop safe practices with an emphasis on the jointer, planer, and table saw
• Learn intermediate milling techniques
• Explore intermediate joinery techniques
• Get an introduction to new power tools
• Learn about power tool maintenance

Week 1: Please bring a notebook and pencil to first class.  
Weeks 1-10: Students will be required to bring their own Personal Protection Equipment (safety glasses and hearing protection) for all remaining classes.

Learning Objectives

• Further develop your fine woodworking skills
• Gain more time and skills using the larger woodworking machines
• Create a class project

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Woodworking I, or Woodworking for Women, offered by Seattle Central College Continuing Education.

• Woodworking students who wish to continue learning in a very interactive and fun learning environment