Students begin by drawing a plaster cast in charcoal, developing their ability to render accurate proportions and value relationships. After students finish a charcoal cast drawing, they are introduced to the fundamentals of oil techniques in grisaille, paint handling, and modeling form. Once this has been achieved, students may progress to still-life painting in oil, working on values, color relationships and composition.

Learn practical, essential digital skills for traditional and digital art making. We will not use any generative AI programs. In this class Christine will teach you essential skills she uses for her digital and traditional art making. You will learn the important difference between color modes for art made for print and screen, dimensions and resolution, “frankensteining” your reference, how to use a pencil drawing for digital painting, digitally alter a drawing to explore composition, how to enlarge and prep a pencil drawing to use to transfer for a painting, digital brushes, and more. About a week before the class, registrants will receive access to download the class files.

We will use Adobe Photoshop (the Photography plan should be sufficient. Be sure you understand their billing and cancellation terms) and AffinityPhoto (which is free through Canva).

Some technical assistance will be available. The class does not include any software or hardware.

Requirements:

• some drawing experience
• must be familiar with navigating and using your device
• must have your own laptop that can handle Photoshop (an iPad or similar may be used but please note, only assistance with Photoshop or AffinityPhoto will be available, not device tech help. Christine does not use iPad.)
• have a touchscreen laptop with a pen OR laptop with an external pressure sensitive tablet with pen like a Wacom Intuos or Intuos Pro. A mouse is NOT recommended.
• be able to connect to the internet using The Atelier's Wi-Fi

Christine Mitzuk has been using Photoshop since the mid 90s, first as a student at the U of MN, then through her graphic design career. She continues to use it as a professional artist and illustrator as part of her traditional painting process and for digital paintings.

This nine-week evening class is designed for slightly advanced artists interested in sustained portrait study. Students will work from a live model, focusing on comparative drawing to strengthen proportion, structure, and likeness.

Participants will develop one drawing or painting over the full nine weeks, working with the same model throughout the session. Emphasis is placed on careful observation, disciplined studio practice, and individual growth.

Prior drawing or painting experience recommended.

Students begin by drawing a plaster cast in charcoal, developing their ability to render accurate proportions and value relationships. After students finish a charcoal cast drawing, they are introduced to the fundamentals of oil techniques in grisaille, paint handling, and modeling form. Once this has been achieved, students may progress to still-life painting in oil, working on values, color relationships and composition.

Students begin by drawing a plaster cast in charcoal, developing their ability to render accurate proportions and value relationships. After students finish a charcoal cast drawing, they are introduced to the fundamentals of oil techniques in grisaille, paint handling, and modeling form. Once this has been achieved, students may progress to still-life painting in oil, working on values, color relationships and composition.

Life drawing is at the core of any serious program of fine arts. In these classes, students draw from the figure in pencil, charcoal, including an option of painting. Each drawing or painting is created over a period of sessions, developing the student’s eye for accurate gesture, proportions, and anatomy. With a single sustained pose, students will have the option of either taking one drawing/painting to a high degree of finish or completing several drawings from different positions around the model.

This course follows the Atelier curriculum and is designed to help students further develop both technical and creative skills. Introduction to Still Life builds upon the foundations established in Basic Drawing and Painting, guiding participants through the process of creating a still life in oil.

Students may choose to paint a still life arranged on a flat platform or a trompe l'oeil displayed on a stand. Working through a structured sequence, including a color study, a value study, and a final painting, students will gain practical experience and confidence in bringing a still life to completion. Instruction will emphasize process, composition, lighting, and the effective use of color.

This class provides supportive guidance for painters at all stages, offering step-by-step direction for those new to still life and opportunities for more experienced students to refine their technique and expand their artistic range.

Life drawing is at the core of any serious program of fine arts. In these classes, students draw from the figure in pencil, charcoal, including an option of painting. Each drawing or painting is created over a period of sessions, developing the student’s eye for accurate gesture, proportions, and anatomy. With a single sustained pose, students will have the option of either taking one drawing/painting to a high degree of finish or completing several drawings from different positions around the model.