This class is perfect for those who have prior experience with colored pencils. Broaden your skills or explore new ways to use pencils with other media: solvents, watercolor, ink, etc., or try working on black or colored papers! Students will work independently on existing drawings or start new ones using new or practiced techniques.
Ellen VanderMyde / Studio 6 Tue 9/22-11/24 6-8:30pm / 10 weeks $315 / Members: $295
Come learn the basics of painting with acrylics. This course will cover concepts such as composition and color mixing as well as what tools are available and how to use them. Learn how to stretch and prepare a canvas, use acrylic mediums, and how to give your work good bones by starting off with an underpainting. No painting experience necessary. Please bring materials and reference images to class.
In this class, students will create an original oil painting from start to finish. Through a guided process, students will learn to prime, compose, paint, glaze, varnish, and leave the class with the basic skills needed to paint at home! Safe practices for continuing to paint in a home studio will also be covered. Students may start an additional painting if time permits.
David Yeider / Studio 6 Tue 1/5-3/23 10am-12:30pm / 12 weeks $370 / Members: $350
This class introduces watercolor painting techniques with an emphasis on realism and artistic expression. Students will be guided to ensure individual aesthetic objectives are met. Please bring images or objects to class.
Susan Badger / Locations to be announced Mon 9/14-9/28 12:30-3:30pm / 3 weeks $140 / Members: $120
Students will work en plein-air (outdoors!) in watercolor and a variety of drawing media. We’ll create loose and expressive studies at a variety of local sites, learning to focus our composition and yet freely interpret our subjects.
Dave Jones / Studio 6 Thu 10/15-11/19 1-4pm / 6 weeks $240 / Members: $220
This class is aimed at both experienced and novice painters who are interested in developing a “looser” approach to their work. Classes will cover a range of subject matter using many of the basic techniques with an emphasis on creating work that is inspired by Edward Wesson, Edward Seago, John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, and early Andrew Wyeth to name but a few; all noted practitioners of this style.
Learn beginning matting and framing skills for paintings, prints, and drawings using accessible materials and methods that can be replicated at home! Participants will also learn tips and tricks for upcycling thrifted frames.
Hank Mattson / Studio 6 Thu 1/7-3/25 6:30-9pm / 12 weeks Prerequisite: Students must be 18+ $390 / Members: $370
This class is for both those who are new to life drawing and those more experienced. Study and draw the figure from a live model. Brief lessons include gesture drawing and figure structure. Poses will range from short quick sketches to longer sessions with varied poses.
Expand your drawing abilities by pursuing the subject matter of your choice using graphite or colored pencils, with individual attention and guidance given. Projects will be self-driven and exercises in technique and method will be offered for practice. This class will serve as an environment to focus on your personal artistic growth.
Learn to utilize a variety of toned drawing surfaces with colored pencil to create vibrant pieces. Exercises and projects are designed for new or advanced drawing enthusiasts alike to explore strategic methods to illustrate diverse subject matter, with time included for personally chosen projects.
Strengthen your art practice and enhance your creativity in this class! Learn drawing essentials, try new mediums, investigate interesting techniques, and explore creative prompts. Easy enough to be a daily habit and engaging enough to keep you coming back to the page. Never neglect a sketchbook again!
Explore oil or acrylic painting from ala prima painting to layered techniques involving underpainting and overpainting. All styles, directions, and content encouraged. Bring whatever painting materials you have.
Focus on the foundations of watercolor painting and learn about the qualities of watercolor paint, materials, tools, and methodologies used. Gain the confidence to proceed that comes with a firm start.
Develop and express your creativity with watercolor techniques including wet into wet, color mingling, and layered transparent washes. Composition, simplification of shape, color, and value will also be explored.
Mary Kenney / Studio 4 Wed 1/6-3/24 1-3:30pm / 12 weeks $370 / Members: $350
Learn the basics of this classic technique that dates back to antiquity and was a primary painting medium prior to the Renaissance. This class will introduce you to traditional methods of underpainting, including preparing and layering paint to achieve luminous results. Pigments, gesso panels, and eggs are provided.
Mary Kenney
Jordan Szala / Studio 2 Wed 1/6-3/24 6:30-9pm / 12 weeks Prerequisite: Drawing Basics or equivalent $360 / Members: $340
Learn to draw the natural world with chalk pastels. Students will create their own pastel landscape drawings from start to finish, learning color, composition, and chalk pastel techniques.
Explore oil or acrylic painting from ala prima painting to layered techniques involving underpainting and overpainting. All styles, directions, and content encouraged. Bring whatever painting materials you have.
Focus on the foundations of watercolor painting and learn about the qualities of watercolor paint, materials, tools, and methodologies used. Gain the confidence to proceed that comes with a firm start.
Develop and express your creativity with watercolor techniques including wet into wet, color mingling, and layered transparent washes. Composition, simplification of shape, color, and value will also be explored.
Dan Selvidge / Photo Studio Sat 1/23 1-4pm / 1-Day $70 / Members: $50
A one-day hands-on workshop for artists who need better images of their work.
Learn how to make clean, accurate photographs of paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, and other artwork using simple, affordable equipment. We’ll cover lighting, camera and smartphone setup, controlling glare and reflections, color accuracy, basic editing, and preparing files for juried exhibitions, grants, websites, and portfolios.
No photography experience is required. Students are encouraged to bring one or two pieces of artwork to photograph during the workshop.
Study natural subjects including plants, insects, animals, and anatomy and learn to observe, analyze, and illustrate work that combines thoughtful accuracy with personal artistry using a variety of mediums.
Alla prima oil painting is to paint “all at once.” This low-stakes approach is great for exploring new techniques and developing confidence in your painting. A variety of stylistic and technical lessons will be covered as students are guided through a new painting sketch each class. All skill levels are welcome and supplies provided.
Mary Jo Asmus / Lighting Studio Mon 3/1-3/22 1-3pm / 4 weeks Prerequisite: Camera that is capable of manual exposure and a tripod is helpful $120 / Members: $100
The Dutch Master painters of a foregone era created beautiful moody pictures using composition and light which we’ll use as inspiration for our image making, learning how to adjust lighting and camera settings for best results. Students will bring personal subject matter and objects to class and will design compositions that visually communicate personal meaning. Each week, students will have the option to review and discuss the images they’ve created. This class supports photographers but is also an ideal class for painters looking to create reference images for their works.
Laurie Pruitt / Studio 6 Sat 2/13-3/20 1-4pm / 6 weeks Prerequisite: Introduction to Encaustics or previous experience $260 / Members: $240
Using mixed media, photographs, decorative papers, collage, and encaustic we will transform a wooden block/multi sided object and a cigar box into a personal treasure box. The possibilities are endless. You’ll have a functional work of art made from recycled materials. Blocks and boxes will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Collage meets creative writing, found object art, and interactive pop-up techniques in this unique journaling class. Learn creative ways to make the page your playground and elevate your journals beyond convention!
TBA & Mary Jo Asmus / River Street Flowerland Sat 2/27 1-4pm / 1-Day $70 / Members: $50
Spend a winter afternoon in the warm atmosphere of a greenhouse bursting with inspiring vegetation, flowering and potted plants, greens, ornamental garden sculptures, and the general ongoing and curious growth in one of Kalamazoo’s outstanding greenhouses. You’ll find inspiration for drawing, painting and/or photographing at River Street Flowerland! Individual instruction will be provided. Bring materials of your choice to work with.
(A) David Yeider / Studio 6 Tue 1/5-3/23 1-3:30pm / 12 weeks $360 / Members: $340
Learn basic drawing techniques including observational line drawing, composition, and value with a focus on black and white media. Students will receive feedback, including at-home assignments and discussions on draftsmanship, style, and visual literacy. Please bring a newsprint pad, 18” x 24” drawing pad, and pencil types 2H, HB, 2B, 6B.
Learn basic drawing techniques including observational line drawing, composition, and value with a focus on black and white media. Students will receive feedback, including at-home assignments and discussions on draftsmanship, style, and visual literacy. Please bring a newsprint pad, 18” x 24” drawing pad, and pencil types 2H, HB, 2B, 6B.
Learn basic drawing techniques including observational line drawing, composition, and value with a focus on black and white media. Students will receive feedback, including at-home assignments and discussions on draftsmanship, style, and visual literacy. Please bring a newsprint pad, 18” x 24” drawing pad, and pencil types 2H, HB, 2B, 6B.
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