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

Choose from morning basic drawing, afternoon life drawing, or both.

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

Choose from morning basic drawing, afternoon life drawing, or both.

With Christine Mitzuk & David Ginsberg

Learn how to create character art that tells a story. In this 5-day workshop, Christine will share the skills and process she uses to create character art for various tabletop games, including Ultimate Werewolf Extreme by Bezier Games. We'll explore ways to develop the visual "story" of a character. The art needs to communicate a lot: who the character is, what their role is in the game, and the context of the game. To achieve this, we have several visual tools to use, including gesture. We will work through the process from idea generation to rough sketches, photo reference, and on to final art. Students will come away with a basic understanding of how to develop visual narrative and, at the very least, a start on their final character art. Most of the workshop will take place at The Atelier. At least one day will be spent at David Ginsberg's photo studio to learn how to get a good reference. Students may work digitally or traditionally, but will need to have a digital device to view and access the photo reference. Email Christine with questions or concerns: cmitzuk@gmail.com Limit 8 students.

Registering for both weeks 1 & 2 is recommended, but you may also choose to register for either week alone.

This two-week painting workshop is designed to teach artists of all levels the foundations of oil painting in greyscale, or “grisaille.” Mornings will be spent painting from the plaster cast and in the afternoons students will work on a figure painting from life. There will be one extended pose over the course of the two weeks. Both projects will move through a traditional painting process that involves a preparatory drawing (block-in), transferring to linen, and a final oil painting pass in greyscale. The painting process we will be using is the “window shading” method — painting one section at a time to completion.

Working in grisaille gives artists an opportunity to practice of using values to create a believable light effect and convincing, organic volumes without the complications of color. Form theory, anatomy, and specific painting techniques will be addressed and discussed throughout the process. Individual critiques, informational handouts, and demonstrations by the instructor will guide artists to increase their skill and understanding. This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in an environment where you will rapidly improve your paint-handling and draftsmanship, no matter what your current level of painting is! **Please note, students who don’t feel comfortable painting may opt to render their drawings instead. A materials list will be sent once you have prepaid for the class. Limit 10 students.

Registering for both weeks 1 & 2 is recommended, but you may also choose to register for either week alone.

This two-week painting workshop is designed to teach artists of all levels the foundations of oil painting in greyscale, or “grisaille.” Mornings will be spent painting from the plaster cast and in the afternoons students will work on a figure painting from life. There will be one extended pose over the course of the two weeks. Both projects will move through a traditional painting process that involves a preparatory drawing (block-in), transferring to linen, and a final oil painting pass in greyscale. The painting process we will be using is the “window shading” method — painting one section at a time to completion.

Working in grisaille gives artists an opportunity to practice of using values to create a believable light effect and convincing, organic volumes without the complications of color. Form theory, anatomy, and specific painting techniques will be addressed and discussed throughout the process. Individual critiques, informational handouts, and demonstrations by the instructor will guide artists to increase their skill and understanding. This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in an environment where you will rapidly improve your paint-handling and draftsmanship, no matter what your current level of painting is! **Please note, students who don’t feel comfortable painting may opt to render their drawings instead. A materials list will be sent once you have prepaid for the class. Limit 10 students.

John F. Carlson, in his groundbreaking 1929 book, Elementary Principles of Landscape Painting, urges us to study the expressive properties of line, mass, and color. He states that it is a delusion to think that if a painter can merely “copy nature” well enough, he is creating a work of art, that he has to merely get a certain “likeness” of the things before him. He states that, rather, a painter must see through his motif, into its significance, and then choose his means accordingly. But how does one do that?

This workshop is designed to answer that question. We will plant the seeds of creative expression; we will impart a solid means to analyze and consider the quality of interest that a motif holds for us: the IDEA!

We will learn how to single out that transmittable, personal impression of some ONE QUALITY in the quantity before us, and get closer in our quest to understand and create true works of art! Each day of the 3-day workshop begins with a lecture and/or demo. Afternoons we paint outdoors.

All levels welcome.

Full lecture and workshop
Length: 3 days
Tuition: $500
Limit: 17 students

First morning lecture only
Length: 1 day
Tuition: $75
Limit: 40 students

A 3-day workshop in which participants will have the opportunity to explore planning pictures that hold the viewer's attention.

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

Choose from morning basic drawing, afternoon life drawing, or both.