Friday 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.

Membership with The Drawing Studio is required for Print Lab participation. Membership dues allow us to keep cost low. 

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.

Create a black and white print using both wood and linoleum blocks, through a whirlwind of printmaking techniques. Become familiar with two of the most common color printing techniques used in relief printmaking; 1) reduction, and 2) multiblock using linoleum. Class covers some art history in order to consider exemplary uses of block printing skills. 

Most of class time is focused on creating, both collaboratively and independently, in a supportive studio environment. Instruction is bespoke to your personal skill level (beginner- advanced), as well as your own interests and curiosity surrounding printmaking. 

Materials provided by The Drawing Studio for the first session. At your first class, your instructor will indicate what supplies you will need for your particular project. 

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. 

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.

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

A great class for nature lovers! In this class you will learn different techniques and approaches for making beautiful pastel landscape painting. Pastel is the perfect medium to create a vibrant, colorful landscape image. Step-by-step I’ll walk you through pastel techniques and approaches. The goal is to capture both the feeling, form and colors found in nature. We’ll cover the basics of working with pastels, color theory, and a bit of art history. 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 provided. Please bring the following supplies:

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

Friday 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.

Membership with The Drawing Studio is required for Print Lab participation. Membership dues allow us to keep cost low. 

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.

Friday 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.

Membership with The Drawing Studio is required for Print Lab participation. Membership dues allow us to keep cost low. 

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.