Students begin by drawing a plaster cast or still life in charcoal, developing their ability to render accurate proportions and value relationships. As students progress, they are introduced to the fundamentals of oil and/or pastel techniques, composition and color.

Hybrid Class (Students may attend either in-person or via Zoom.)

Explore your imagination! In this class you will be coached through the imaginative art making process used by many artists for personal and professional commission work: idea generation, preparatory work (sketches and value design, reference, and color studies), and on to a final picture. Emphasis is placed on intent, and visual narrative. Christine’s teaching is tailored to the needs of each student, be it exploring personal themes or creating work for an illustration portfolio. Assignments can be provided or self-generated by students. Students may choose to work in the medium with which they are comfortable (digital or traditional). The first several classes will include lectures on the imaginative art process, composition, and color. During each class, work will be reviewed through Google Classroom or in-person as needed. Critiques and discussion will be done in a supportive group atmosphere. To use Google Classroom, you will need a Gmail account. This system is for class review of projects only. Limit 8 students.

Students will work from a live model in order to produce finished drawings and/or paintings. Students will work in pencil, charcoal, pastels or oils. Capturing a likeness is emphasized. Color and techniques in oil and pastel are covered.

Ages 9 and Up

Start your child drawing at The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts where they will learn methods for seeing and drawing with information our adult students learn! This program, specially designed for children, moves them through steps to learn how to draw realistically, starting with cartoon characters and progressing to more complex illustrations. This course can be continued just as our adult classes, with students working at their own pace to improve their skills. The use of markers, colored pencils, and paint will be introduced as well as working from a still life. LIMIT 6 children.

Materials: Please bring a sketchpad (printer paper will do), and HB or 2B drawing pencil, and a rectractable mechanical eraser pencil to each class.

Two-week portrait studies

This six-week course will have one model for every two weeks giving students the opportunity to work on studies or alla prima paintings. Demonstrations by the instructor will show various ways to start a block-in. Topics such as accurate proportions, perspective, values, and capturing a likeness will be addressed. Students can draw or paint. Color and technique in oil will be covered for those who choose to paint. This is appropriate for all skill levels. Beginners can practice, and those who are advanced can create finished alla prima portraits. This class may be taken by students age 13 and up.

Materials: medium vine charcoal, kneaded eraser, sandpaper block, 11" x 14" charcoal paper, and a drawing board. Painters: we will discuss what is needed, but bring the essentials (Gamsol, paper towels, brushes, palette, etc.) and at the minimum ultramarine blue and a neutral (raw umber, burnt sienna, transparent oxide red or brown). Supplies can be purchased in the school's store.

 Class meets 11/4, 11/18, 11/25, 12/2, 12/9, and 12/16 (no class 11/11).

Students begin by drawing a plaster cast or still life in charcoal, developing their ability to render accurate proportions and value relationships. As students progress, they are introduced to the fundamentals of oil and/or pastel techniques, composition and color.

The goal of this 10-week course is to sharpen drawing ability and technique. Students will be guided through completing a single drawing from a reproduction in the Charles Bargue Drawing Course. The process will take students from the straight line block in to the end stages and subtle finishing. Occasional class exercises will allow students to practice using a variety of tools and techniques. This course is an excellent precursor to sight-size cast drawing and appropriate for all skill levels. Copies will be completed in pencil. Please bring a large 18" x 24" drawing board, HB pencil, and kneaded eraser to first class.

Bridget is excited to offer this workshop again. This workshop will prepare students to begin to tackle the fun challenge of painting outdoor landscapes on location. Get ready for a lot of information and learning. Day 1 is all about the value structure of the landscape with a focus on creating strong starts. Day 2 will focus on color. Bridget will discuss seeing color as value and organizing color temperatures to achieve various light effects. This workshop is a prerequisite to Bridget's landscape continuing study classes.