Class Overview

Acrylic painting is an amazing medium which can provide a lifetime of enjoyment! In this intermediate class, you’ll learn how to express yourself and you’ll gain more advanced practice in the use color, proportions, composition, color, layering and glazing.

More experimental acrylic painting techniques will be presented as well, including palette knife, texture application, adding your own elements, and changing color schemes and composition of the painting. You’ll be surprised
how quickly your skills will improve by observing and painting along with step-by-step class presentations. Gain a new level of enjoyment in the medium by bringing even more variety and spontaneity to your art, and you’ll bring your paintings to the next expressive level!

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

Please see the supply list for this class.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Better understand color mixing and be able to mix a wider variety of colors to add more interest to your paintings
• Use more “exotic” color schemes and the juxtaposition between warm/ cool, light/ dark, and pure/ neutral colors and how that can give you more variety in your paintings
• Utilize more experimental painting techniques such as palette knife, paint spraying, and texture application
• Practice glazing skills to add more layering and atmospheric effects to your paintings
• Understand how to use acrylic mediums to enhance the layered effect
• Combine and compose various objects and ideas into one painting
• Paint a variety of subject matter
• Increase the use of value, contrast, light and shadow to represent 3 dimensional form in painting (in black and white and in color)
• Incorporate drawing skills to enhance the composition of your paintings

Who Should Take this Class?

• Anyone who is interested in enriching their lives with the joy of painting!
• People who would like to 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
• Artists who would like to gain the foundational skills of painting to apply to any visual art medium in the future

Class Overview

Have you ever had a friend or family member say you should do more with your art? Have you ever imagined doing business with your art? Explore one of the simplest, least expensive, safest ways to make some return on your investment of time and money in your art: turning your art into greeting cards. 

Learn about what types of art makes the best greeting cards and how to assemble a greeting card - what you need and where to buy it. Discuss how to photograph your artwork, if it is not photography, to prepare it and duplicate it.

In this class we will explore pricing, selling online, working with stores and even licensing your art to third parties. The emphasis will be on removing hurdles so you can be making your own cards by the second session. This class is timed to prepare you in plenty of time for the best time of year for greeting cards, the holiday season. Greeting cards can work well for all art mediums, in two dimensions and three, from photography to painting, ceramics to wood working. Please bring 10 examples of your art to share for the first session.

Supplies Needed

1. At least 10 small copies (not original art, but photographs or photocopies) of your art - 5x7 inches or smaller
2. 10 scored, blank sheets of card stock
3. 10 matching envelopes (get them when you shop for the paper)
4. 2-sided tape applicator
5. Internet access for uploading photos to Flickr and joining class by Zoom videoconferencing
6. A device with webcam and microphone for joining Zoom sessions 
7. Optional materials (not required for attending the class): plastic enclosures, 10 adhesive labels with © copyright notice

Learning Outcomes

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

• Select the pieces of your art that are the most suitable for greeting cards
• Make a finished greeting card with your art
• Set an appropriate price for your greeting cards
• Contact a store to have them sell your greeting cards
• Approach

Who Should Take This Class?

• Anyone making art in any medium
• Artists who want to make some return on your investment of time and money in your art
• Anyone who wants to share their art with friends or loved ones
• Artists who love seeing their art out in the world, being enjoyed by and having an impact on others

Class Overview

Explore your creativity and develop your artistic skills by learning to paint with acrylics in this class for beginners.

During this introductory class, enjoy the experience of putting paint on paper and discover the fundamental properties and techniques specific to painting with acrylics.

Study the fascinating field of color theory and how you can utilize the potent colors available in acrylic paint for a powerful effect.

Enjoy the ease of using acrylic paints, including fast and easy clean-up. In addition to guided instruction by the teacher, you will have the opportunity to explore your interests.

Supplies Needed

Please see the supply list for this class.

Learning Outcomes

• Gain an understanding of the characteristics of acrylic paints
• Become familiar with painting techniques specific to acrylic paint
• Develop painting technique and ability
• Expand your knowledge of color theory
• Create original paintings

Who Should Take this Class?

• Anyone interested in exploring their creativity and developing their artistic skills - no experience necessary!
• People interested in painting
• Artists who would like to learn to use acrylic paint

Class Overview

Learn all the essentials in painting! This inspiring class is designed for the beginner to intermediate art student to develop all the basic techniques to become a proficient painter. Enjoy the guidance and instruction of a professional teacher and artist. You'll have the opportunity to:

• Explore color mixing
• Learn about the color wheel and basic color theory
• Discover materials (acrylic, oil and watercolor paints and brushes) and learn how to use them
• Learn about perspective, light and shadow, volume and texture, landscapes, and still life
• Experiment with originality in art
• Explore art history and styles in art such as studio and plein air, realism, impressionism, expressionism to modern styles
• Enjoy an introduction to photo transfers, encaustic and palette knife painting

Paint from photographs, memory or imagination, and possibly have the chance to exhibit your work in a gallery in downtown Seattle (circumstances permitting).

The instructor has written and published books on painting and will share some of her material so support your learning.

Supplies Needed

Please see the supply list.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn basic color theory
• Gain an understanding of the different painting mediums and tools
• Discover basic painting theory and techniques
• Create a painting under the direction of a professional artist
• Exhibit your work in a gallery

Who Should Take this Class?

• Beginning art students.
• Intermediate art students who would like continued guidance from a professional artist.Anyone who would enjoy learning from a variety of media including real-time videoconferencing, written material, colorful photos and videos.
• Art students who would like individual critique via email.

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

Please see the supply list. 

Learning Outcomes

• 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

Class Overview

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

Learn the basics of traditional watercolor techniques, while exploring how to combine watercolor with other media and materials such as ink and graphite. You will be guided in analyzing and exploring color.

In this class you will have the chance to work with subject matters ranging from still life, to examples by master artists, to abstraction, and your own imagination.

The class will evolve as we go to meet the individual interests and expression of the students in the class.

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

Learning Outcomes

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

Who Should Take this Class?

• Beginning artists
• More experienced artists who seek to expand their creative expression

Class Overview

Have you taken the 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 Outcomes

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

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

Who Should Take 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