Arts & Crafts   

This is a foundation figure drawing class featuring drawing mechanics from the fundamentals to the most advanced techniques. We will emphasize and cover key drawing concepts such as the description of form, gesture, line of action, structure, anatomy dynamics and the figure as story. We’ll discuss observing and organizing form, procedures and approaches, the understanding and description of difficult poses with basic theories of modeling form, and analysis of the old masters – composition, design and drawing techniques Emphasis on: description of form, gesture, structure, anatomy dynamics, and the figure as story. Students should purchase vine charcoal, pressed charcoal, conte and smooth newsprint paper.

Explore the beauty of flowers using watercolors. We will paint unique and stunning flowers each week, using the delicate and sensitive media of watercolor painting. Each session students will paint gorgeous flowers, some exotic, some more common, but all beautiful. Students should have a basic understanding of watercolor painting, including materials, and application techniques.

In this class, students will become familiar with basic materials and equipment and develop an understanding of basic acrylic techniques. Each week will bring a new lesson, where students will learn increasingly advanced techniques, building on previous lessons. Lessons will include the use of mixing colors, arranging the pallette, prepping the canvas, and starting the painting with a sketch. The class will learn about the materials, including brushes, brush care, and canvas versus other surfaces. There will be discussions around composition, what makes a piece compelling, and what makes a piece boring. The class will do sketching, foucusing on composition, and values to create a foundation for a great painting. Students will purchase own materials. A supply list will be provided by the instructor.

Be the next Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants), Chris Giarrusso (G-Man), or Stan Lee (X-Men) in your neighborhood! In this immersive class, students will work with Arizona Cartoonist Jan Marc “The Janimal” Quisumbing in creating their own characters and comic books. Learn about story structure, and character design. All drawing skills and writing skills welcome. Bring your own supplies or follow along with the course syllabus. Class will be taught traditionally without the aid of computers.

Begin your drawing journey here. This course will take you through the process of drawing. Building forms, using shapes, shadows, and highlights. We will use various drawing media, from pencils, chalk, and ink.  Students purchase their own materials for approximately $40.

In Watercolor Landscape Painting with Art Gecko, students will become familiar with basic materials and equipment, understand basic watercolor techniques, execute key topics into basic landscape designs, find joy in painting, and share knowledge with one another. Each week will bring a new lesson as students learn increasingly advanced techniques, building on previous lessons, including the use of mixed media, pens, pencils, etc. The class will also go over washes, glazing and layering, lifting, using frisket, and more. Students will learn about the materials, including brushes, brush care, paper, paints, (tubes vs. pans), color choices, and wet/dry techniques. The class will discuss composition as well as what makes a piece compelling, and what makes a piece boring. The class will do sketching, focusing on composition, and values to create a foundation for a great painting. See why students find classes with Art Gecko fun and informative. 

Students purchase their own materials. A supply list will be provided upon registration.