If you are serious about orchestrating the visual content of your art, this course is for you. All two-dimensional designers need to understand the language of deep space, flat space and ambiguous space. This project is very special, and was developed in the crucifix of the Mid-Century era.

We will be using the classic designer’s tool: Gouache, which is a water based, opaque, non-toxic medium that will enhance your painting skills in oil. Acrylic and watercolor.

Materials not provided. Please bring the following:

Basic set of gouache paints. Preferred black, white and primaries only. However, if you prefer the full color set that is acceptable.

Soft FILBERT shaped brushes, ¼ inch, ½ inch. Other sizes as you prefer.

Bristol board pad, 11 x 14.

Designers tape.

This class is taught jointly with Ryan Hill. 

Color Theory helps create visually appealing and harmonious designs. It guides the use of colors to evoke emotion and communicate messages. Understanding concepts like the color wheel, contrasts, complementary colors, temperature and lightness and darkness of hue ensures effective design. Students will work from life as well as their imagination to sharpen their skills mixing, matching, and telling a story with their use of color.

Materials not provided. Supply list coming soon!

Join Russell for this NEW Gesture Drawing series! This series will begin with instruction at The Drawing Studio with a Ballet Tucson model to learn the basics and vocabulary of figure drawing. In the following weeks, this class will meet throughout town at different locations to capture life in motion! As field trip options and community partnerships continue to expand, information will be given to attendees with opportunities for gesture drawing at The Century Room, Reid Park Zoo, and Equinimity!

Acceptable mediums include vine charcoal, sharpie, varieties of pencils and graphite.

Supply list coming soon!

Combine your love of art and science with the practice of scientific illustration in this engaging Zoom/Online class taught by Trenton Jung. You’ll be introduced to essential techniques such as observational drawing, nature journaling, and accurate measurement. Through guided exercises and supportive instruction, you’ll learn how to translate real-world subjects into clear and compelling visual forms. This class is perfect for anyone curious about exploring the intersection of creativity and scientific discovery.

Materials not provided. Please bring the following:

Drawing Pencils (2B, 6B, Ebony Pencil)

Pencil Sharpener

White Click Eraser

Bristol Paper, Vellum

Sketchbook for note-taking

Micron Pen (001, 03, 08)

Ball-point pen

Watercolor set 

Watercolor brush

Watercolor or multimedia paper

Natural objects (plant/botanical specimens, shells, bones, etc.)

1 centimeter graph paper 

Optional:

Toned drawing paper

Magnifying Glass

Ruler

Colored Pencils

LED Light

Acrylic Painting Studio has been a staple for several years. Painters explore independent goals, or work from studio still life, or create acrylic painted transcriptions of past artworks from reproductions and collected images. Explore color mixing, value painting, composition and intentions through the use of this water-based medium on paintable paper or canvas. Lively group discussion of works in progress, foster fun and support. Learning to SEE like an artist comes with the territory.

Snacks welcome!

Materials are not included; please bring your choice of the following supply list:

Acrylic Paints: Liquitex Basics recommended for economy. Phthalo blue, naphthol red, medium hue, hansa or AZO yellow, white gesso, and mars black.

Brushes: Acrylic vinyl brushes, medium and small, 2" gesso brush.

- Some chalk pastels are helpful.

- Strathmore Mixed Media Paper, 18" x 24" or other paintable paper

- Pencil, eraser, apron, palette. Cynthia suggests white styrofoam plates ad Viva signature paper towels.

If you feel intimidated by the thought of painting in oils, this class is for you. You will learn how to approach your painting with more confidence and ease by learning the fundamentals techniques to oil painting; how to organize a palette, how to mix color, how to achieve color harmony, how to create form and manipulate values effectively.

Participation in DF I and DF II highly recommended first.

Materials not included. Please bring the following supplies:

Oil paints: Cadmium Red, Quinacridone rose, Cadmium Lemon Yellow, Yellow ochre, Ultramarine Blue, phthalo blue, Burnt Umber, titanium White (required)

Painting Palette (required)

Turpenoid jar (required)

Brushes and a palette knife (required)

Several Canvas boards or oil paper of various sizes (required)

Linseed or another painting medium (required)

Paper towels (required)

Open Print Lab is designed to be a creative exploration space! Open Print Lab is where our intergenerational printmakers, with an established practice, meet with others, share work, tips, and life's journeys! Enjoy access to 3 manual roll-top etching/relief presses for your self-directed projects! This studio session is not a regular instructional class, so we recommend beginners start with one of our various printmaking classes.

Folks are welcome to bring in anything that they wish, just so long as it goes back home with you! A Studio Monitor is available to answer questions and orient you on materials. Some materials are available at cost, so bring cash for additional supplies.

In this class, students will approach collage as political & cultural commentary, exploring how collage can transform source media and materials to have different visual impact and narrative meaning. Students will go through the process of thoughtfully sourcing materials, composing a series of collages, then exploring and discussing how the use of source material both guides and impacts the message of the final pieces. We will look at examples of collage artists that use collage to make political and cultural commentary and examine how they use source material to build their narratives. Depending on the format & length of the class, I may also bring in guest artists/could split series with others who work in collage in this manner.

Materials not provided. Please bring the following supplies:

Scissors

Exacto knife

Glue sticks (3-4)

Any magazines or periodicals you might like to work with