Drawing and Painting
We believe that no matter what their area of emphasis, every emerging artist needs a strong foundation in Drawing and Painting. It is a learned skill that relies heavily upon on hand-eye coordination and which is an ability that, in time, can be mastered by just about everyone. We build upon the basic foundation by further encouraging students to experiment with style, form, and structure.
Materials List
Classes not listed here will either have required materials in the class description, discuss needed materials during the first class, or the materials will be supplied.
Class details (meeting times, tuition, etc.) are listed below.
View Materials List Class Guidelines
Drawing & Painting Class Notes
Current Studio Practices: Separate open studio times for Drawing and Painting classes are not available but students may arrive 30 minutes prior to their class time to begin working. Students should plan on transporting their work and supplies with them following their class.
Registration Information
Classes are open-enrollment to the community. Class registration is a simple process. Read 'How to Register' below to get started. Click here to view all registration policies and guidelines, including information on payments, class withdraws and cancellations, refunds, and more.
- Click the 'Register Now' button below to begin the registration process. If registration is open and you do not see a 'Register Now' button, please refresh your browser.
- Click onto 'Sign In' at the top right side of the page.
- To sign in, enter your user name and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one quickly by specifying a user name, password, and email address.
- Navigate to your desired course. Click the 'Add to Cart' button associated with the course.
- After completing the registration process and remitting payment, you will receive an email containing your registration confirmation.
Drawing Classes - Summer 2025
Course Description
Have you always wanted to draw? Get a step-by-step, hands-on guided tour of line drawing with charcoal and pencil—all supplies provided! Grasp an understanding of observational drawing, translating what the eye sees on to the page, as well as the design and composition principles that lie beneath all art: line, color, texture, and values. Let this non-judgmental introductory class be the stepping-stone to future art classes.
Course Description
Drawing is a learned skill based on hand-eye coordination. Through free-hand drawing, you will develop skills to render three-dimensional objects—using drawing principles of line, shape, value, texture, perspective, and composition.
Course Description
This multi-level class is for beginners with some drawing background or for experienced student-artists who would like to refresh their drawing skills or learn about different drawing styles and materials. Students will move beyond using drawing merely to render objects accurately and will come to view drawing as a challenging vehicle for expression of both form and narrative. Prerequisite: Basic Drawing or equivalent prior experience.
Course Description
This drawing course offers a combination of traditional and alternative approaches to the body in art. Students will explore how to draw the gesture clearly and breaking down forms that make up the human body into basic volumes and will explore various interpretations of the human form, from representation to abstraction. To develop their personal style, students will work from live models and personal images, using a variety of drawing materials.
Course Description
Cartooning, or visual storytelling, is more than just an enjoyable indulgence of the imagination; it speaks to interests such as editorial illustration, children’s book illustration, comic strips, comic books, and storyboarding. Its various forms combine caricature, figure drawing, and illustration through the medium of ink and watercolor on paper. Instruction will focus on character development, illusions of movement, sequential staging, setting management, inking, and coloring―all aimed towards the refinement of narratives and ideas.
Course Description
Learn the skill of quick gestural drawing for sketching on the go, whether for jotting down travel memories or ideas for later exploration. Quick gestural drawing and the use of perspective will be covered. Class will convene outdoors on SW Campus grounds and the Riverwalk. A variety of media suitable for quick, on-the-go drawing will be explored from ink, markers, gouache, and watercolor pencils.
Painting Classes - Summer 2025
Course Description
This class offers a non-traditional, fresh approach to an old traditional medium. Learn how to create vivid pastel paintings by exploring basic techniques and a variety of underpainting formulas. Students will learn the versatility of using soft pastels by pushing the medium using various art mediums, tools, and supports. Prerequisite: Some drawing experience is helpful.
Course Description
This course is geared to empower artists with the many possible creative approaches used in abstract expression from narrative, figurative or landscape. Working with acrylic medium on paper or canvas, as well as mixed media applications, the course will concentrate on color relationships and gradations to provide a foundation for abstract exploration.
Course Description
Painting is an ideal class for the beginning student who wants a structured approach to painting with acrylic paints. The all-levels class will cover color mixing, paint application, selection and use of brushes, and other painting tools, as well as painting composition for the beginning student. Students with prior experience can work independently with guidance from the instructor. A limited color palette is encouraged to learn how to mix a variety of colors. See website for materials list. There are no prerequisites; however, Basic Drawing is recommended.
Course Description
Designed for beginners or for those that have minimal painting experience. Oil paints—known for their flexibility, slower drying and working time, opacity, and depth of color—offer the painter a variety of application methods from thin glazes to thick impasto painting. Students will learn the basics while exploring a variety of techniques (glazing, layering, alla prima, and more) and foundations. Prior drawing and painting experience helpful but not required.
Course Description
This class is for both the first-time painters, as well as the student who would like to learn more about the various approaches to painting in this very direct water-based medium. Demonstrations will be given on how to paint wet-on-wet washes, dry-on-wet washes, and with a dry brush. Color theory as it relates to watercolor will be discussed. Intermediate level students, while developing an independent vision, will learn ways to improve their painting skills through advanced demonstration, practice, and critique.
Course Description
Dive into water-based media for use in daily sketching, direct painting, collage, and printmaking. Weekly demos range from wet-on-wet washes, wet-on-dry washes, use of various grounds, and ways to create glowing color using watercolor, gouache, and other mixed media approaches. Work from still-life’s, the outdoors, photographs, and personal forms of self-expression. Perfect for beginners as well as experienced students.
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