"There's nothing like an Arizona winter sky, clouds billowing and flashing against a jet blue sky." - RoseAnn V. Shawiak

This class will focus on expression and textures. In this class you will learn different techniques and approaches for capturing our famous southwestern skies. Pastel is the perfect medium to create the illusion of clouds and sky. Step-by-step I’ll walk you through pastel techniques and approaches. The goal is to capture the dynamic nature and whimsy of Arizona skies. We’ll cover the basics of working with pastels, mark making, and a bit of art history. 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 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 and feedback on your projects. 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

Create a unique image using specific abstract drawing techniques. Following the abstract art creation, follow a series of creating writing activities that will serve to explore the creative process, merging creativity with awareness. The session will complete with art showcasing and an open mic.

Materials provided by The Drawing Studio. 

When we write, we visualize our stories whether we know it or not. Likewise, our drawings and paintings can bring to mind words and phrases that in their own way illuminate our art. In this course, we’ll first compose a story, poem, or verse. Then we’ll sketch what the words bring to mind, and finally, develop a painting that captures the spirit of our written piece. The visual interpretation could be abstract, figurative, or a fusion of the two.

Materials not provided. Supply list coming soon!

Create a unique, hand-dyed and printed scarf as a bespoke gift for a loved one! In this fun, experimental workshop, we’ll explore how to manipulate the fabric in the dye process to create beautiful organic and geometric patterns with natural dye. We’ll make personalized designs into stamps to add imagery to the scarf as a border, on the short ends, or as an all-over repeat-pattern with textile ink. This will be a fun way to create a personalized gift for the holidays.

Materials not provided. Supply list coming soon!

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)

This class will focus on form and depth. In this class you will learn different techniques and approaches for creating simple cityscapes. Pastel is a wonderful medium for quickly adding color to buildings and capturing the scene. Step-by-step I’ll walk you through pastel techniques and approaches. The goal is to create a believable urban space. We’ll cover the basics of working with pastels, layering to create depth, and a bit of art history. 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 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 and feedback on your projects. 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 follow:

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

No Class On 11/25

This DF3 Sharpie drawing class will focus to capture a still life and en plein air using sharpies with thick and thin lines. We will start by using cross hatching and hatching for shading and learning the value scale, as well as composition and texture. We will be working from still lives as well as the outdoors (if the weather cooperates). Prior knowledge of drawing will help (Line, value, texture, composition) but check with the instructor if you're not sure. There will be an Art History component added to the class. 

Supplies are not included. Please bring the following materials: 

 - Make sure you have a variety of black sharpie thickness, chisel tip, fine, very fine 

- sketch book (approx. 5 x 7 or 9 x 12)

-thick drawing paper (smooth) 12 x 18 or larger (10)