CLASSES
FALL 2024
BEGINNING DRAWING
Fridays, 9am - 12 noon | 9/20; 9/27; 10/4; 10/11; 10/18; 10/25
6 sessions - 18 hrs total
(adults & youth, age 12+)
This is a class for absolute beginners. We will cover the basics: one and two-point perspective, composition, proportion, values and edges, and much more. Individual feedback and (friendly and supportive) group critiques are an essential part of the learning experience. Live demos from the instructor will be frequent. We will be using pencils and charcoal for this course. All materials are included, but you are welcome to bring your own drawing supplies.
Class Limit: 15 students.
INSTRUCTOR: David Draime
CLASS FEE: $265
PAINTING IN WATERCOLOR
Tuesdays, 10am - 12:30pm | 9/17; 9/24; 10/1; 10/8; 10/15; 10/22 6 sessions - 15 hrs total (adults & youth, age 12+)
Watercolor offers a unique, spontaneous painting experience. Unlike many other mediums, which can take weeks to complete a work of art, a watercolor can be completed in a single sitting. The immediacy however, allows for a wide range of technical possibilities, with the result that it appeals to a people with various levels of experience. Through lectures, demonstrations, projects and critiques, this class is designed to introduce you to the basic tools and techniques of watercolor. A wide range of approaches to the medium will be explored, in addition to the fundamental principles of working with transparent and opaque watercolors.
CLASS LIMIT: 15 students
INSTRUCTOR: Mary Shira
CLASS FEE: $225
(Arches watercolor paper included in the class fee. A separate materials list will be sent to each student after registration).
Paddock Scene, Watercolor, by Mary Shira
Yes! Ukraine, Charcoal, 2005, by David Draime
DRAWING THE PORTRAIT
Fridays, 2 - 5pm | 9/20; 9/27; 10/4; 10/11; 10/18; 10/25
6 sessions - 18 hrs total
(adults & youth, age 12+)
This is a class for beginners as well as experienced artists who want to improve their portrait drawing skills. Join David, who has been a professional, award-winning portrait artist for over 20 years, as we explore various methods and ‘best practices’ as they relate to head construction, feature placement and proportions, the importance of proper lighting, classifying values and value massing, and much more. In the first three class sessions, we will be doing various exercises as well as drawing a ‘master copy’ in charcoal. For the last three sessions, we will working from a live model. David will be doing demos for every aspect of the process. The class fee covers the cost of the model as well as all materials, though you are welcome to bring your own drawing supplies if you wish.
CLASS LIMIT: 12 students
INSTRUCTOR: David Draime
CLASS FEE: $285
Red Halter, Colored Pencil, by Mary Shira
WORKING WITH COLORED PENCILS
Tuesdays, 10am - 12:30pm | 10/29; 11/5; 11/12; 11/19; 11/26; 12/3 6 sessions - 15 hrs total (adults & youth, age 12+)
The most singular characteristic of colored pencils is that they are not graphite pencils. Because most of us have used graphite pencils all our lives, they are familiar and we often think using colored pencils is no more than a change to color. Colored pencils are different since they are semi-opaque and, in many ways, similar to watercolor. Colored pencils are also forgiving and allow for error and recovery so you can adjust and readjust your drawing. This class will explore the unique characteristics of this medium which can be used to create a wide range of finished artwork from photorealistic to expressive and impressionistic pieces, depending on how the pencil is applied. We will learn all about the materials which are simple: a set of colored pencils, paper, eraser and a sharpener.
CLASS LIMIT: 12 students
INSTRUCTOR: Mary Shira
CLASS FEE: $200
INTERMEDIATE DRAWING
Fridays, 9am - 12noon | 11/1; 11/8; 11;15; 11/22; 11/29; 12/6
6 sessions - 18 hrs total
(adults & youth, age 12+)
For intermediate level artists as well as those who have completed our Beginning Drawing class, here we will build upon the skills you already have. This class will be focused on drawing the still-life. Take your drawing to the next level as we explore ‘best practices’ as they apply to drawing: thumbnail sketches, choosing a composition by using a viewfinder, blocking in, managing values, value-massing, the ‘visual order’ and much more. All materials are included, but you are welcome to bring your own drawing supplies.
Class Limit: 15 students
INSTRUCTOR: David Draime
CLASS FEE: $265
DRAWING THE PLASTER CAST
Thursdays, 2pm - 5pm | 9/19; 9/26; 10/3; 10/10; 10/17; 10/24
6 sessions - 18 hrs total
(adults & youth, age 12+)
Drawing from plaster casts represents an essential practice within the classical tradition. Using examples of great sculptural art, drawing the casts involves close study with insights into how the visual impression is abstracted, simplified, clarified and translated into artistic form. We will be drawing using a simplified version of the sight-size method (which will be covered), with charcoal and white pastel as our medium. David will do many short demos and a great deal of one-on-one instruction with each student. For intermediate to advanced students.
Class Limit: 12 students
INSTRUCTOR: David Draime
CLASS FEE: $265
PAINTING THE PLASTER CAST
Thursdays, 2pm - 5pm | 10/31; 11/7; 11/14; 11/21; 11/28; 12/5
6 sessions - 18 hrs total
(adults & youth, age 12+)
Same methods and procedures as the DRAWING THE PLASTER CAST class, but painting with oils monochromatically. Special attention will be given to the visual order, value relationships, value massing, the importance of ‘lost and found’ edges, and keeping a sense of unity throughout the painting’s evolution. This class is a great way for artists to hone their skills in rendering form with oils on canvas. For intermediate to advanced students, as well as those who have taken the DRAWING THE PLASTER CLASS course. A materials list will be emailed to you once you have registered for the class.
Class limit: 12 students
INSTRUCTOR: David Draime
CLASS FEE: $265
BEGINNING OIL PAINTING
Fridays, 2 - 5pm | 11/1; 11/8; 11/15; 11/22; 11/29; 12/6 6 sessions - 18 hrs total (adults & youth, age 12+)
This is a class for absolute beginners. Students will learn about the amazing versatility and richness of oil paint and how it differs from acrylic or water-based paints. We will be going over different types of “supports’ - i.e. stretched canvas, canvas panels (linen vs. cotton), wood panels; color mixing and the organization and management of the palette; working from thin washes to thicker paint, up to heavy impasto; the use of various mediums and additives to achieve certain effects; varnishing the completed painting; cleanup and much more. Students will do a number of specific exercises to get the feel of painting with oils, and then moving on to painting small still lifes. A materials list will be sent to each student soon after registration.
Class limit: 12 students
INSTRUCTOR: David Draime