Surrealist Exploration is an immersive creative class designed to help students step beyond traditional art-making and into the world of intuition, symbolism, and imagination. Through a different technique each session, students will explore both the visible world around them and the hidden landscapes within themselves. Inspired by surrealist artists and creative practices, this class encourages curiosity, play, and personal expression while helping participants develop new artistic tools and ways of thinking. No prior experience is needed. only a willingness to experiment and explore the unexpected.

Materials not provided. Supply list coming soon!

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. 

No class on 10/12.

These classes will explore non-standard techniques that can shift one's perception and loosen a persistent need to "get it right" when drawing. In the first two sessions we will work from a live model; the third session we will work from selfies taken on our own phones or tablets.

Materials are not provided. Please bring the following supplies:

Pastel or charcoal sticks

Sketch pad, 80 lb paper, preferably 14"x17" (no smaller than 11"x14")

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.

Draw exciting images with less rigidity by utilizing contour drawing! Contour drawing can mean looking only at the subject, and without lifting the pen, or looking at the paper, outlining the shapes of the composition. In this introduction class, we will learn about both blind and observational continuous contour. At any skill level, hone your drawing and enhance your observation, as we create images with extraordinary energy and fluidity. 

Materials provided by The Drawing Studio. 

Composition 1 introduces the basics of visual design elements (line, shape, texture, and space) and principles (balance, harmony, contrast). Students focus on developing their composition skills through drawing exercises, personal projects, class feedback, along with expansive examples from art and design history. 

Supply List:

1 ea 9x12 Strathmore Drawing Pad

1 ea 8.5x11 Newsprint1 ea Graphite Pencil Set (6B, 2B, HB)

1 ea General’s Eraser Set

1 ea Glue Stick

1 ea Micron .03

1 ea Plastic Ruler

1 ea 9x12 Pack Construction Paper

1 ea Dual Tipped Sharpie 

1 ea Xacto Knife

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.

We will explore colored pencils as a medium using color theory to guide us through how to layer for different effects! Learn about application of pencils for color, texture, and contrast. Each class will use a different set of color exercises and still life compositions to reach comfort and confidence in colored pencils

Materials not provided. Please bring the following:

basic Prismacolor 24 color pencil set

eraser

color wheel

sketchbook