In the open painting studio, you will create your own project (or further develop existing work), taking your art to the next level in a supportive class environment.

Combining one-on-one instruction and class demos, the open studio is an ideal format for self-directed painters of all levels, seeking technical instruction, creative direction, and conceptual mentoring.

Whether drawing or painting in any genre (landscape, figure, still life, abstract), this is an opportunity for you to learn how to translate ideas into finished works, and develop these into more expansive projects.

Note: This is an ongoing course that runs in 4-week cycles. Next cycle is scheduled for July 28–August 18.

In this essential course, you will learn how to create realistic still life paintings in watercolour that convey convincing 3-dimensional form, light & texture. 

Learn how to break this notoriously difficult medium down into manageable steps, applying clean washes and confident brushstrokes. Using a photo reference as a starting point you will form your strategy to translate your vision into a convincing watercolour interpretation. Emphasis will be on developing your observational and compositional skills to achieve an effective arrangement of dark and light values.

The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class, then spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one. Attendees of this course will leave with a set of new skills that will add strength and realism to their paintings.

In the open painting studio, you will create your own project (or further develop existing work), taking your art to the next level in a supportive class environment.

Combining one-on-one instruction and class demos, the open studio is an ideal format for self-directed painters of all levels, seeking technical instruction, creative direction, and conceptual mentoring.

Whether drawing or painting in any genre (landscape, figure, still life, abstract), this is an opportunity for you to learn how to translate ideas into finished works, and develop these into more expansive projects.

Note: This is an ongoing course that runs in 4-week cycles. Next cycle is scheduled for August 25–September 1.

In this exciting course, you’ll learn how to simplify the complex elements within various  landscapes, and create beautifully harmonious painting with efficient brushwork. 

Working from photos, you’ll develop strong compositional drawings and translate them into paintings filled with rich colour and glowing light. Learn some general rules for painting all kinds of natural elements, such as trees, mountains, water, clouds, rocks and more. Emphasis will be placed on the effects of light and atmospheric perspective on a landscape. 
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By the end of the course you’ll have increased confidence to paint the most inspiring scenes from nature!

Whether you are a beginner or professional artist, mastery of the fundamentals is a lifelong pursuit. In this course, you will learn how to create convincing realism in charcoal, step-by-step.
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Whether working from simple objects, still life arrangements, or photo references, emphasis will be placed upon solidifying structure and proportion, achieving a likeness, and utilizing shading techniques to create convincing, 3-dimensional drawings.
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The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class, then spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one. Attendees of this course will be able to confidently take on any subject matter with their new set of skills.

Are you ready to bring more force, feeling, and simplicity into your figure drawings? In this exciting course, you will draw from the live model exploring how gesture and structure come together to create powerful, dynamic and realistic drawings.
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Each class begins with a focus on fast gestural drawings, utilizing line-of-action, simplified shapes, and expressive line to capture the essence of the pose. In the longer poses, emphasis shifts toward accuracy, structure and proportion using sighting & measuring techniques, basic anatomy, and planar construction. Further exploration of compositional framing, linear perspective, and the tonal scale will bring a unique aesthetic appeal to your drawings.
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While improving speed and accuracy, you will experience a heightened sense of confidence, ease, and flow in your drawing.

In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of oil painting from the ground up! Learn how to prepare surfaces, maintain your brushes, use mediums, handle paint and more.
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Topics include drawing, value, edges, colour and composition. In carefully observing the interplay of light and shadow, you will create a series of realistic paintings based on simple objects, still life arrangements, and photo references.
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This course is ideal for total beginners, as well as for experienced painters looking to revisit the fundamentals and refine their skill sets. The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class, then spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one. In the end, you will experience a heightened sense of confidence, flow and ease, setting the stage for years of painting to come.

In the open painting studio, you will create your own project (or further develop existing work), taking your art to the next level in a supportive class environment.
‍
Combining one-on-one instruction and class demos, the open studio is an ideal format for self-directed painters of all levels, seeking technical instruction, creative direction, and conceptual mentoring.
‍
Whether drawing or painting in any genre (landscape, figure, still life, abstract), this is an opportunity for you to learn how to translate your ideas into finished works, and develop these into more expansive projects.

Note: This is an ongoing course that runs in 5-week cycles. Next cycle is scheduled for August 31–September 28.

Learn how to paint the portrait with a unique and effective method called ‘tiling’, using distinct, mosaic-like shapes of skin tones to describe the form of the face. 
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Learn to accurately obtain the correct hue, value and chroma with each mixture on the palette. This contemporary approach to painting will allow for more creative colour, distinctive brushwork, and 3-dimensional form.
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You’ll begin by learning how to draw the head with a brush, using a variety of measuring techniques, then moving on to simple methods for painting shadows, half tones and light. In working from both the live model and reference materials, you will create finished portrait paintings in the ‘alla prima’ technique, using imprimatura, ‘tiling’ colour, and glazing techniques.

Emphasis will be placed upon accuracy, and capturing the subtle nuances of skin by adjusting colour, edges, value and temperature. Attendees of this course will experience heightened confidence, ease and flow in their painting!

In this essential course, you will learn how to paint expressive and realistic still life paintings from start-to-finish. You will develop a deep understanding of traditional techniques, as well as explore contemporary approaches in paint application. 
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Still life arrangements are set up in class, so that you may work from direct observation and capture the subtle nuances of light falling on form. Learn how to depict a variety of surfaces (drapery, glass, fruit, metal, porcelain, etc) with efficient  brushwork.
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Topics including drawing, composition, value organization, colour, edges, design and paint application will be addressed. 
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The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class, then spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one. You’ll leave the class with a new set of skills to set up and create your own still life masterpieces.

In this course, you will develop the technical skills to create acrylic landscape paintings with beautiful and convincing space. Choose to work from either urban or natural landscape photos, supplied by the teacher, or bring your own. 
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Emphasis will be placed on composition, colour mixing, drawing, and how to paint various types of light and shadow. Learn about linear and atmospheric perspective, how to mix colours to create a harmonious effect of light, and how to paint impressionistic trees, rocks, clouds and more.
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The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class, then spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one. By the end of the course, you’ll have a set of new skills to create landscape paintings filled with colour, light and depth!

In this course, take your flower paintings to the next level with a fast, fun and creative approach.

Working both from photo and from life, you will create several smaller floral paintings with a focus on colour, brushwork, and blending realism with imagination. Learn to capture the effects of light on flowers with the immediacy of expressive brushwork, and how to incorporate abstract and expressionistic elements into your work. 

Steve will spend time with each student one-on-one, while demonstrating various techniques on his own paintings. You will also analyze the works of famous floral painters to understand their approach in creating masterpieces. 

In the end, you’ll develop new creative methods for flower painting, and bring home several new paintings to hang on your wall.

Learn how to paint expressive and colourful portraits. Develop your skills in mixing life-like skin tones, creating glowing light effects, and achieving accurate proportions of the face.
‍
Begin by learning how to draw the head with a brush, using a variety of measuring techniques, then moving on to simple methods for painting shadows, half tones and light. In working from both the live model and reference materials, you will create finished portrait paintings in the all prima technique, using imprimatura,‘tiling’ colour, and glazing techniques.
‍
Emphasis will be placed upon accuracy, and capturing the subtle nuances of skin by adjusting colour, edges, value and temperature. Attendees of this course will experience heightened confidence, ease and flow in their painting!

Whether you are a beginner or professional artist, mastery of the fundamentals is a lifelong pursuit. In this course, you will learn how to create convincing realism in charcoal, step-by-step.
‍
Whether working from simple objects, still life arrangements, or photo references, emphasis will be placed upon solidifying structure and proportion, achieving a likeness, and utilizing shading techniques to create convincing, 3-dimensional drawings.
‍
The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class, then spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one. Attendees of this course will be able to confidently take on any subject matter with their new set of skills!

Learn how to paint an expressive portrait within an atmospheric space using subtle brushwork. Working step-by-step, create a fully finished painting of ‘Girl With the Pearl Earring’ by Johannes Vermeer.
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Beginning with a detailed underpainting, learn how to mix convincing skin tones using a limited palette. Develop the ability to paint folds of fabric using hard and soft edges. Emphasis will be placed on creating a convincing chiaroscuro effect by working from dark-to-light.
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By the end of the weekend, you will have a finished master copy to hang on your wall, as well as a range of new skills to take your art to the next level.

In this course, you will develop the technical skills to create landscape paintings with beautiful and convincing space. Choose to work from either urban or natural landscape photos, supplied by the teacher, or bring your own. 
‍
Emphasis will be placed on composition, colour mixing, drawing, and how to paint various types of light and shadow. Learn about linear and atmospheric perspective, how to mix colours to create a harmonious effect of light, and how to paint impressionistic trees, rocks, clouds and more.
‍
By the end of the course, you’ll have a set of new skills to create landscape paintings filled with light and depth!

In this course, you will cover the fundamentals of oil painting from the ground up! Learn how to prepare surfaces, maintain your brushes, use mediums, handle paint and more.
‍
Topics include drawing, value, edges, colour and composition. In carefully observing the interplay of light and shadow, you will create a series of realistic paintings based on simple objects, still life arrangements, and photo references.
‍
This course is ideal for total beginners, as well as for experienced painters looking to revisit the fundamentals and refine their skill sets. The instructor will demonstrate techniques throughout each class, then spend plenty of time with each student one-on-one. In the end, you will experience a heightened sense of confidence, flow and ease, setting the stage for years of painting to come.

In the open drawing studio, you will create your own project (or further develop existing work), taking your art to the next level in a supportive class environment.
‍
Combining one-on-one instruction and class demos, the open studio is an ideal format for self-directed artists of all levels, seeking technical instruction, creative direction, and conceptual mentoring.
‍
Whatever genre you’re working in (landscape, figure, still life, abstract, etc.), and whatever the medium (charcoal, conte, graphite, soft or oil pastel, etc.) this is an opportunity for you to learn how to translate your ideas into finished works, and develop these into more expansive projects.