Develop a portrait in watercolor on one of two papers: cold press or hot press. Learn how each paper influences the medium and the finished look. The traditional cold-press method will start with a careful drawing, an underpainting, and then the base levels of color. The hot-press method will be more loose and spontaneous. Color will be a focus, using a limited palette of colors and transparent washes. Students will not finish a portrait but rather will be introduced to a technical process on how to start the painting. With more experience the finish will come naturally. Stuart will demonstrate each morning on his own painting. Afternoons will be for students to work from a live portrait model. Careful drawing will be a big part of this class.

This workshop will be a process and preliminary work focused class that will take place over the course of two weekends. The objective of the workshop will be the creation of preliminary work needed to execute a finished outdoor composition involving a clothed figure. Two Saturday afternoons will be spent out “in the field” working from a live model to create sketches, develop color studies, and gather reference images (photographs). Two Sunday afternoons will be spent working in-studio from the created reference materials to develop a well thought out, smaller scale, full-color composition. The goal by the end of the workshop will be for students to have on-hand the necessary preliminary work and knowledge to create a finished outdoor figurative composition back in their own studios.

Andy will contact the students closer to the time of the workshop to briefly go over the supply list and location for the outdoor portion of the workshop.

Dates: Saturday–Sunday, May 24–25 and Saturday–Sunday, May 31 – June 1
Length: 4 days
Time: 1:00pm–5:00pm

If you'd like to learn more about the convenience and possibilities of digital tools like Photoshop, then this workshop is for you. Christine will teach you some of the essential digital skills she uses for her digital and traditional art making. Learn about different color modes for making art for print or on screen, “frankensteining” your reference, using a pencil drawing as a base for a digital painting, altering your sketch digitally to explore composition and value design, and drawing and painting digitally. We will not be using any AI/ML image generation tools. You will also be given suggestions to continue to practice on your own. About a week before the workshop, registrants will receive access to the workshop files.

The majority of our projects will be done using Photoshop. I recommend using the 7-day free trial of Photoshop for this workshop. If you choose to purchase a Photoshop plan, be sure you understand the subscription agreement (some are monthly and some are an annual commitment with fees for canceling early). We'll also look at alternatives to Photoshop that cost less.

Please direct questions to Christine.Mitzuk@TheAtelier.org

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

Requirements: You must:

Strongly recommended: If using Photoshop on a laptop, a Wacom drawing tablet or similar is strongly recommended. Christine uses a Wacom Intuos (small size, price starts around $70.00). Some local resources include: Best Buy, Micro Center, Device Pitstop.

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

Experience our full-time program in a week-long workshop.

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.

Experience our full-time program in a week-long workshop.

Life drawing is at the core of any serious program of fine arts. In the class, students draw from the figure in pencil. Each drawing is created over a period of several sessions, developing the student's eye for accurate proportions, gesture and anatomy.

Let your imagination fly! Get a taste of illustration during this week long workshop. We’ll work to develop a strong drawing for an imaginative piece based upon an existing story or your own idea. Topics covered will include composition, brainstorming, thumbnails, research, sketch development, and studies for value and color. Emphasis will be placed on composition, and storytelling. For the first class please bring a sketchbook, and your preferred drawing tools. If you have a laptop or other device with internet access, bring that too for reference research. If you have a specific project in mind, please contact Christine (chistine.mitzuk@theatelier.org).

Ages 11+

This workshop is for older kids who want to begin painting in watercolor or improve their skills. We will start out copying simple studies and end the week painting real objects. Learn how to layer paint, mix paint, and do some cool effects, too! Parents: You are welcome to register and learn alongside your child. Bring a Prang Oval 8 Watercolor set (please get this brand), 140-lb. watercolor pad, synthetic watercolor brushes: #4, #6, and #8 rounds.

Additional Information for Parents:

1. There are no exceptions on age limits.
2. It is warm in our studio, so please have your child dress to be comfortable.
3. Have your kids bring a water bottle and a small snack.
4. Just like a museum, The Atelier has artistic nude paintings on display.

For ages 15+

This one-week intensive workshop introduces students to basic concepts of drawing from direct observation, rather than from a photograph. Students will draw a plaster cast in charcoal, developing their ability to render accurate proportions and value relationships. As students progress, more complex concepts and techniques will be introduced. Instruction will consist of individualized, one-on-one instruction tailored to each student's level and needs. By the end of the course, students will have an increased understanding and confidence in drawing from life.