One-day figure studies

Students will paint a new study each week working from the figure. Working from a new pose each week will give students many opportunities to study gesture, anatomy, proportion, value and color! Instructors will guide the student to achieve a complete figure, starting by drawing and progressing to blocking in with paint while striving for accuracy in proportion. All students will begin in black-and-white value for the first two classes progressing to color based on skill level and student preference. Throughout the class topics to be discussed will include value structure/form, some anatomy, color mixing/relativity, and understanding temperature. Different exercises will be presented throughout the class to focus on these topics.

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.

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.

Are you confused by color? Do you work hard to mix a color only to get a color you didn't want? My goal is to teach you how to make color mixing less frustrating and help you gain confidence in color mixing. Bring questions and a curious mind. Using the colors of The Atelier's Paxton Palette, students will create color boards (based on the color boards shown in “Alla Prima” by Richard Schmid), as well as some free-form color exploration. Through these projects students will explore color and practice ways to think about what we see when mixing colors. Topics include how we see color, color wheels, color space, gamut, the attributes of color (hue, value, chroma), temperature, color bias, why a 50/50 mix does not make a middle color, mixing “mud”, and more. Each class is mostly work time, part presentation and discussion. Most students find they need additional time outside of class to complete the boards. We will work in oil paint. Class will be in-person at The Atelier. 

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.

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

In this class Christine will coach you through the imaginative art-making process she and many other professional artists use for imaginative art. You will build skills, confidence, and further develop your unique creative abilities, therefore we avoid generative AI programs.

In Level 1, the first four classes start with lectures on brainstorming, composition, value, color design and more, followed by feedback on student projects (which can be assigned by the teacher if needed). The remaining classes start with a sketch warmup, followed by project feedback. You may work using traditional or digital media (Photoshop, Procreate, or similar). During class, critiques and discussion are done in a supportive group atmosphere. Students work on their projects between classes. We use Google Classroom to share information and review projects (Gmail account required). Email Christine with questions or concerns: christine.mitzuk@theatelier.org.

Imaginative Art and Illustration 2: A modified version of the class will be offered in the spring and summer sessions. The full lectures will not be included in those sessions. The goal of this class is similar to Illustration 1 in that we will work to build confidence in and further develop your unique personal creative abilities and skills, therefore students will not use generative AI programs.

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.