Painting   

Class Overview

Do you admire the paintings of the Impressionists? Learn their unique brushstrokes and methods to make your own beautiful paintings. For the summer class, we will be painting in the beautiful Pacific NW outdoors, plein air!

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

Learn how to use colors in your painting! Understanding color and how to use it is a fascinating subject to explore, and one that will benefit your painting immeasurably.

In this class, you will learn how to use colors comfortably step-by-step. We will explore color theory using the color wheel. Then we will apply knowledge about color to various aspects of painting. We will explore using color for:

• focal points
• perspectives
• light, shadows and highlights
• form, depth, contrast and volume
• expressions and enhancements
• landscapes, figures and still lives

Make the transition from painting what you see to actually putting it on the canvas the way you want. By learning how to use color, your paintings will look closer to what you see in your imagination. You can use these techniques for years to come.

Supplies Needed

Click here to see the supply list.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Be familiar with the color wheel, color theory and how to use it for your painting.
• Understand where to place colors for focal points, lights, shadows, highlights, form, depth, contrast, volume, expression and enhancement.

Who  Might Enjoy This Class?

• Anyone interested in understanding color and how to use it
• Beginning painters who would like to build new skills
• More experienced painters who want to explore color more
• All levels welcome!

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 oil 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

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

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