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.

with David Ginsberg and Christine Mitzuk

In imaginative art (be it a posthumous portrait or fantasy art) a photo reference is incredibly useful. Your limitations may be funds, space, or having someone to pose for your project. For example, you need to paint an historical picture but only have static head reference, you need to have someone flying but you can't defy the laws of physics, or maybe you need to paint a special effect.

In this workshop we will design pictures by sketching, exploring what's possible through imagination, and then work with a professional photographer to get excellent photo reference based on those plans. The focus will be on visual storytelling, working through compositions, exploring ways to evoke emotion, a sense of time and place or special effects through light/value design in sketches, and character. We will discuss props and costuming. Working with a professional photographer, we will translate the sketches to get excellent photo reference that you can use to complete your picture in your own time.

You'll gain tips and tricks about how to know what kind and how much reference you need. We will cover pictorial as well as legal considerations, what kind of reference is available to artists, and ways to shoot your own reference by either working with a photographer who has the ideal gear, or using what you have available if you have budget and/or time constraints. Questions welcomed!

The first 3 days we will be at The Atelier for the lecture and sketching/planning the pictures. Students will then have 5 days to gather props, costume pieces, and someone to pose (or they can pose themselves).

The following weekend, we will be at David's photo studio for photoshoots based on students' sketches.

• Lecture at The Atelier: Friday, June 5, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Workshop sketch and planning phase: Friday, June 5, 1:00pm-4:00pm, and Saturday–Sunday, 9:00am–4:00pm
• Photo studio phase: Saturday–Sunday, June 13–14, 9:00am–4:00pm.

with David Ginsberg and Christine Mitzuk

Lecture and demonstration only. See full workshop here.

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.

This is a wonderful class to learn the basics of watercolor and drawing and advance to more complicated watercolors. Gain knowledge of the richness of warm and cool colors, understand the nature of their relationship, and learn how opaque and transparent colors work together.

Begin with simple studies and advance to still life, landscape, and portrait. Instruction includes lots of individual help.

The goal of this 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.