Sunday afternoon live figure drawing with one (long) pose. Each one-day session is for independent study, with no instruction, for ages 18+. You are welcome to paint or draw using whichever medium you prefer. Bring your own supplies. There are easels, chairs, horses and stools available for you to borrow.

Please arrive to Figure Drawing Studio 10-15 minutes early to get set up. Doors close promptly at 1 PM. If you arrive after the doors close, please wait until the first break when the doors open again. 

A collaboration between The Drawing Studio, Raices Taller Gallery, and Roots & Roads Community Hospice, this series will commence with a lecture with renowned ofrenda-builders Antonio C. Estrada and Gloria J. Valenzuela, followed by 3 sessions of building mini-ofrendas taught by guest teaching artists. 

An ofrenda is an altar created to honor and remember deceased loved ones, featuring elements that reflect their lives, preferences, and relationships with their living relatives. 

The series will commence on September 13th with a lecture by renowned ofrenda-builders Antonio C. Estrada and Gloria J. Valenzuela, local artisans who have spent more than 3 decades creating and telling the stories behind altars/ofrendas. Utilizing their experience creating large- and small-scale Día De Los Muertos Altares, Tony and Gloria will talk about elements, symbols, and objects that go into the design and creation of an altar, followed by an opportunity to build your own mini-ofrenda.

Ofrenda series workshops can be taken individually or attend them all!

Materials provided by The Drawing Studio. Feel free to bring your own mementos for your Mini-Ofrenda. 

Each stand-alone session is for independent study, with no instruction, for ages 18+. Bring your own supplies. There are easels, chairs, horses and stools available for you to borrow. 

Please arrive to Figure Drawing Studio 10-15 minutes early to get set up. Doors close promptly at 9 AM. If you arrive after the doors close, please wait until the first break when the doors open again.

The last Monday of every month features a clothed model.

View and Discuss works by notable women painters addressing landscape as the theme of their work. Paint along to seen image. Homework explores the methods and ideas of the artist presented through unique creative work to share in next class.

Materials not provided. Please bring the following:

acrylic paint

paintable paper

brushes

water

palette

pencil

Many of us have spent years drawing the figure using monotone mediums such as pencil or charcoal. That is well and good. However, in this class I will provide guidance in using pastels to add energy and excitement to the process of drawing the human figure. These three sessions are an introduction to using pastels for drawing the figure, which will include portraits.

Materials are not provided. Please bring the following:

Pastels: We will be working primarily with a dark color and a light color. You may bring a complete set of pastels or simply a selection of individual pastels. Any brand is fine. Medium or soft pastel sticks, Conté Crayons (Conté à Paris), or colored chalk are all acceptable. I prefer medium, as soft pastels can be difficult or messier to work with. (The Drawing Studio has a fairly good collection from which you may borrow and experiment with before investing in your own.)

Paper: Bring a pad of toned pastel paper, 14” x 11” or larger. You Individual sheets are available in a wider range of colors in some of the shops in Tucson. Toned paper is important, as the color of the paper becomes integral with the drawing and enhances the pastel colors. Strathmore or Canson Mi-Teintes are good. Most pastel papers with have some tooth or texture.

Fixative: You may want to bring a can of spray fixative to “fix” you drawings (outside, please!) before leaving for the day.

No class on 10/12

Dive into mixed media textile art and learn the traditional Japanese art of Shibori resist dyeing. We will learn several fold and clamp techniques to create intricate patterns on fabric in the dye vat. Then we’ll add a hand-printed image with linoleum or wood block printing. Finally, we’ll practice stitching to add a layer of mark-making, color and texture. You can make a wearable item, a fabric collage to flow freely on or oa the wall, or to stretch over a frame.

Materials not provided. Please bring the following supplies:

pad of newsprint paper for sketching and proofing

pencil

black sharpie marker

eraser

embroidery hoop for the size you'll be working

Optional Materials:

your own 100% cellulose (cotton, linen, hemp, ramie) fabric pieces, tea towels, napkins, scarves, bandanas, totes, or small clothing items, washed in hot water and air dried.

your own embroidery floss and needles

your own pre-carved printing blocks, if you have them

Pastels are a beautiful, direct way of creating a colorful drawing.This class will focus on color theory, techniques and approaches in soft pastel. Step-by-step instruction on working with shape, creating form, choosing colors and down to the details. This class is intended for beginner to intermediate skill level. Some drawing experience recommended, but all levels of experience are welcome.

Each week we’ll work on a different image. We’ll start by looking at inspiring images from art history that demonstrate the techniques. Then I’ll demonstrate that week’s techniques and then you’ll try them out. This class is great for beginners/intermediate, but I'll work with more advanced students to help you hone your skills.

Materials not included. Please bring the following:

Pastel Paper: Assorted SENNELIER : PASTEL CARD (11"x14") or equivalent brand. If you have a favorite paper, feel free to use it. Link to article on pastel paper: https://finearttutorials.com/guide/best-pastel-paper/

Colors: We will use soft pastels for these classes. It's absolutely fine if you choose to use what you already have instead of buying a new set. In either case, you may want to buy more individual colors as you go along. Set of 24 soft pastels (Sennelier, Schminke, Art Spectrum, Holbein, Sennelier, Great American or the Dick Blick)

Detail Work: Pastel Pencils (Faber Castel Pitt Pastel pencils, Carbothello has a set of 12, Conte soft pastel pencils are also great also.) -OR- Hard/semihard pastels can also be used for finishing strokes and detail work. I recommend you purchase a small set of 24 or 36. Set of 24 hard pastels (Nupastel, CretaColor, Derwent, Holbein, Sargent or Sennelier)

Optional Materials:

Painters tape or artist tape (similar to masking tape, but with less tack)

Fixative or reworkable fixative (to set the pastels when done)

*Wet wipes

*Blending stumps or tortillons

*Small hand towel (old) or chamois cloth

*2b pencil and sketchbook

Beginner class! Great for someone just starting out with acrylic paint. I'll walk you through the basics: what to buy, using the materials, simple techniques and approaches, as well as clean-up and storage. This class will focus on mixing paints, working with layers and discovering what makes acrylic so special and versatile. Everything from how to hold the brush to how to create a sophisticated image with step-by-step instructions.

Day 1 will be more technical, with art history and techniques: We’ll start by looking at inspiring images from art history that explore the materials and basic techniques. Then I’ll demonstrate the process and then you’ll try them out. Day 2-4 will be work days, with the whole time for applying the techniques with one-on-one feedback on your artwork This class is perfect for beginners and those who want a refresher course.

Materials not provided. Please bring the following:

Canvas:

Canvas boards - 5 pack of 9”x12” or pad of canvas paper

Stretched canvas - 4 smaller 11”x14” or 16”x20”, one big 18”x24” or larger

Media:

Acrylic set of 12 (good brands: Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylic, Golden Professional Acrylic, Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Paints, Winsor Newton Galeria Acrylic, Holbein Heavy Body Acrylic)

Acrylic Glazing Medium

Graphite pencil for sketching 2B or No. 2

Tools:

Set of brushes - Rounds (Sizes 1, 6, and 12) and one each Liner 2, Angular Shader 1/2, and Wash 3/4 - or similar synthetic set with round, angle, and flat

Palette Knife

Water cup

Rags and wipes

Smock