Class Descriptions
Here you will find the descriptions of my art classes with recommendation for student levels.

Drawing 1 - Foundation Drawing
(All levels with an emphasis on beginning skills)
Learn to understand the essential foundation to every good work of art. Strong emphasis will be on classic and basic skills. Students will work to develop a strong drawing foundation and “SEE” with an artist’s eye. Learn how to reflect with expression, line, value, gesture, form and depth using the basic fundamentals of drawing.

Drawing 2 - Advancing the Foundation
(Intermediate to Advanced drawing students)
This class is designed to further build the essential foundation of STRONG drawing skills. Composition, its purpose further enlightened, along with perspective, value, form and expression will be explored in greater depth. We will also explore “drawing” as the finished medium, along with how to use it for all of your works of art. Graphite/pencil, Conté crayon, charcoal and ink washes are used. Classic techniques will be explored as we take lessons from the “Masters” giving us an eye for our own works.

Finding Perspective Workshop
(Intermediate to Advanced students)
This class is designed to help develop the technique of perspective drawing that allows the artist to show objects in three dimensions. Artists invented linear perspective in the 1500’s and helped begin the Renaissance period of art history. In this class you will learn from the historical examples of perspective development, how one and two point perspective drawing techniques are used. Then learn to apply them yourself, just as the Renaissance artists brought new life to art, your artwork will be transformed to a greater level too, when these new dimensions are added.

Spring Into Drawing Workshop
(Intermediate to Advanced students)
This workshop is designed to freshen up your drawing skills. Emphasis will be on classic and basic skills. Refresh your ability to “SEE” with an artist’ eye. Learn how to reflect with expression, line, value, gesture, form and depth: using the Classic techniques of drawing. Graphite, Charcoal, Conte, Pastels may be used.

Basics in Figure Drawing Workshop
(Intermediate to Advanced students)
A workshop designed to give a roadmap of the human figure basics to the student, showing them how to approach, and then give their figure drawings proper proportions from head to toe. Skeletal structures and muscle forms will be noted to better understand the cause and effect of surface changes on the human form too and how light effects them. Students will work from live models, photographic reference and “Masters” works. No pun intended... this will be a full day of the full figured indeed.

Capturing Children Portraits Workshop
(Intermediate to Advanced students)
How do you capture that little face you love? Children’s expressions are geniuine... and a great joy to capture in art. Though the fundamental of all portraits will be discussed... advancing in how to achieve beyond an accurate depiction of the color of the eyes and hair will be explored; matched with learning how to add greater expression and personality to all of your portrait work. This workshop is open to all media.

Start to Finish - From Drawing to Painting
(Intermediate to Advanced students)
Using all media including acrylics, oils, watercolors and pastels. This class is designed to take the essential foundation of strong drawing skills, composition, value, capturing light, color theory and expression to a finished work of art. All of these will be explored in depth, to take your creative ideas from start to finish. This is an ongoing study divided into three week sessions.

Regular still-life and/or a live portrait model on occasion will be set-up, or you can work on the subject of your choice. Demonstrations will also be done by Karen to accompany current student’s works. A strong emphasis will be on classic techniques, while exploring and learning from the “Masters” works of art. This four hour class time, in the three week format gives the students greater time to stay on task with their projects at hand to completion.

Painting 1 - Building a Foundation in Acrylics
(Beginner painters)
This course provides instruction in acrylics for the beginner and helps build a strong foundation in this versatile painting medium. Classic Renaissance, palette and techniques will be explored, discovering as the Masters did where to begin with design, composition, palette, color theory, transferring and surface selection to buil a strong working base in acrylic painting.

Painting 2 - Advancing the Foundation in Acrylics
(Intermediate to Advanced acrylic painters)
This class is designed to further build and enhance the methods and techniques of the student who has had exposure to acrylic painting. Students will be assisted individually in the development of their skills and execution of this very versatile medium. Demonstrations will be given by the instructor to aid students in their understanding of the processes of composition selection, color theory, advanced design elements and execution. Classic Renaissance palette and techniques will be explored, discovering and taking examples from the Masters.

Painting - All Media
(Intermediate to Advanced painters)
Concentrated studies with individual assistance coupled with demonstrations by the instructor to aid students in their understanding of the processes of composition selection, color theory, advanced design elements and execution. Classic Renaissance palette and techniques will be explored, discovering and taking examples from the Masters.

Paint-Paint-Paint Workshop
(Intermediate to Advanced acrylic painters)
Studio atmosphere for continued and concentrated studies for the intermediate to advanced painting student. Individual assistance will be given coupled with demonstrations by the instructor to aid students in their understanding of the processes of composition selection, color theory, advanced design elements and execution. Classic Renaissance palette and techniques will be explored, discovering and taking examples from the Masters. All painting mediums are welcomed.

Painting Workshop - All Media
(Intermediate to Advanced painters)
Ongoing studio atmosphere for continued and concentrated studies. Individual assistance will be given coupled with demonstrations by the instructor to aid students in their understanding of the processes of composition selection, color theory, advanced design elements and execution. Classic Renaissance palette and techniques will be explored, discovering and taking examples from the Masters.

Out and About - Open Air Equals Plein Air
(Intermediate to Advanced painters)
Sometimes the classroom is just too small, and can not truly simulate the effects of natural light or scale found in nature. This class takes your drawing and painting to this next degree: full scale to scaled down and how to get there with composition, value, and color. Instructor will mainly work in oils, but students are welcome to work in the medium of their choice. Weather permitting, classes will be held outdoors. First class will meet at the VAC, then we will go out and about, and close the day session with a group critique.

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