Painting   

Class Overview

Do you admire the paintings of the Impressionists? Learn their unique brushstrokes and methods to make your own beautiful paintings with step-by-step guidance from a professional artist. 

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. 

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

Create your own unique painting masterpieces. No painting experience or formal art training is needed, just a willingness to learn.

Your painting instructor is a professional teacher and working artist in both the US and Italy, who has exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide.

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

Would you love to paint but don’t know where to begin? Or have you dabbled in painting and you’d like to get good at it? Gain an introduction to basic painting skills, using both acrylic and/or watercolor paints, in this rewarding class.

In this class, you will learn about paints and materials, and how to use them. Explore the rich topic of color, look at the color wheel, discuss color theory, and experiment with mixing colors to get the results you want.  Learn how to use brushes, palette knives, and other tools and supplies. 

Explore a wide variety of painting topics, including textures, shadows, light, hue, and value. Learn about perspective and proportions.  Explore techniques such as blending, scumbling, alla prima, impasto, chiaroscuro, and sfumato. Learn how to make your own gesso and paints. 

Enjoy exercises that will help you build your skills. We will explore subjects such as landscapes (rural and city), still lives, animals, portraits, and styles such as realism, abstraction, pointillism, expressionism, impressionism, and cubism. 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

See the supply list.

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, texture, blending, scumbling, alla prima, impasto, chiaroscuro, sfumato, monochromatic, analogous, complementary, triadic, neutrals and chroma.
• Develop techniques such as blending, glazing, color mixing
• Learn to use materials effectively and safely
• Express different ways to experience art by developing an art vocabulary
• Understand art as a form of personal expression.

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone wanting to learn how to paint
• People who have experience painting but want to improve
• Anyone seeking a creative outlet
• Everyone is welcome; no experience necessary

Optional Textbook

Painting for Everyone, Acrylics, Oils and Watercolors, written by the instructor.

Class Overview 

Immerse yourself in the exhilarating practice of painting outdoors in this special two-session workshop. Create your own unique painting and gain skills so you can continue to paint “plein air” on your own in the future.

Learn about tools, materials and techniques for plein air painting. Explore the landscape color wheel and practices for mixing colors for the outdoors. The first class will be indoors and include a look at art history to appreciate techniques used in plein air painting. The second class will meet at a location outdoors that will be inspiring for painting.

No experience needed, just a willingness to learn. Be sure to dress so you will be comfortable outdoors.

Learning Objectives

• Techniques for plein air painting.
• Materials for painting plein air and how to use them
• Light, shadow, composition, observation, color, style, format and presentation 
• Appreciation of plein air painting by looking at examples in art history 
• Connection to art in an outdoor environment

Who Might Enjoy This Class? 

• Anyone interested in learning the techniques for plein air painting
• Painters interested in focusing on the specific techniques of plein air
• Anyone seeking a new experience to make winter more interesting

Supplies Needed

Paints: acrylics, oils or watercolors – your choice

For Acrylic or Oil

Students must bring canvas, (recommended size 9" x 12"). One new canvas for each session.

Oil painters, will also need Gamsol, and Linseed Oil, or Zest it, and Linseed Oil.

For Watercolor 

Watercolor paper, or a small watercolor pad. One sheet of watercolor paper for each class.

Everyone must bring:

Paints, palette, two cups, a small bottle of water, paint brushes, and a rag. 

A lightweight, aluminum, tripod, foldable, Plein Air easel is recommended. 

Paint Colors:

• Titanium White
• Hansa Yellow, Cadmium, or Lemon Yellow
• Napthol Red
• Phthalo Green, or a Dark Green
• Ultramarine Blue or Prussian Blue
• Raw Sienna
• Mars or Ivory Black
• Optional but recommended, a bright Cerulean Blue

Summer 2024 Meeting Locations:

1. Rose Garden at Woodland Park - Entrance to Rose Garden.
2. In Madison Park - Near Park Bathrooms. Across the street from McGilvra 's restaurant.
3. Volunteer Park - On steps of the Asian Art Museum.
4. South Lake Union - Outside entrance to MOHAI Museum. 
5. Arboretum - At bus stop #11 on East Madison Street and Lake Washington Blvd.
6. Madrona Park -  Lake Washington at the T-Dock.
7. University of Washington - At the Drumheller Fountain.
8. On the steps of the Fremont Google campus, on the WATERFRONT - In Fremont Park, directly facing the canal. 
    

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

• 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

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.

If you'd like to continue your watercolor practice, check out Watercolor Painting - Intermediate.

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!