Course Descriptions

Here are sample curricula for classes I have taught in the past, which can be modified according to skill level. Unless otherwise noted, each class is available for groups of adults or children.

DRAWING

Rediscover what makes drawing fun and learn new skills at the same time! In this class we will use charcoal, a versatile material that lends itself equally well to creation of broad shaded areas, subtle gradients, and bold lines. Students will hone their analytical viewing and observational drawing skills. Each lesson will begin with a brief 5-10 minute introduction to works of art that exemplify unique interpretations of the techniques we will cover that day.

LANDSCAPE DRAWING

Students will learn the basics of using shading and line to create the illusion of space. We will examine the evolution of various manners of depicting landscapes in different cultures and periods of history. We will work from photographs as well as from life. As part of this class we have the option of venturing out of the classroom to draw nearby buildings from observation.

PORTRAITURE DRAWING

Students will learn the basics of using shading and line to create the illusion of space. We will examine the evolution of various manners of depicting landscapes in different cultures and periods of history. We will work from photographs as well as from life. As part of this class we have the option of venturing out of the classroom to draw nearby buildings from observation.

DRAWING THE HUMAN FORM

Class will begin with the study the anatomy of the human muscles and skeleton through copying illustrations and drawing a model of a skeleton. We will also draw studies of figure drawings from art history. Later, we will visit the Rodin Museum and draw the sculptures. The last three days of class there will be a live model.  (For younger students, the model will pose in a leotard to make things age-appropriate). For this class, there is an added cost of $20/hour to hire a model, which will be split amongst the students.

DRAWING ANIMALS

Everyone loves animals. Learn how to capture their characteristic poses and textures to create livelier drawings. This class combines drawing techniques with fun facts about the animal kingdom. This class includes the option of making our own sketchbooks and bringing them with us to the Academy of Natural Sciences to draw the dioramas.

OIL PAINTING FOR ADULTS

Learn contemporary uses for painting techniques used by the Old Masters. We will cover uses of mediums and glazes, layering colors, and creating different textures. The first classes of the session will focus on monochromatic observational painting. Gradually, we will add more advanced techniques and expand our color palettes. Final projects will be determined by individual interest and will be painted on canvases that students stretch and prime themselves. Though this class is appropriate for people who have no experience painting with oils, curriculum can be modified for more advanced students.

ACRYLIC PAINTING

This class covers some of the same basic principles, but applies them to a faster-drying, less-toxic kind of paint.  We will also cover various media that can change the texture, viscosity, and drying time of the paint.

WATERCOLOR PAINTING

This class is recommended for adults because it requires a lot of patience and planning to create complex and subtle layering of colors and is not particularly forgiving.

PAINTING ABSTRACTION

This is an intermediate to advanced level class designed for people who already have a basic knowledge of drawing and painting techniques. We will study the evolution of abstraction from approximately 1900-1950. Class will start each day with a discussion of artists whose work pioneered explorations into new ways of depicting the world around them, as well as their emotional states.  We will start with more representational abstraction, such as Impressionism, Cubisim, and early American Modernism, then explore more pure forms of abstraction which focus on color, geometry, motion, and the material qualities of the paintings.