Class description
Acrylic Painting
Techniques in acrylic painting are taught in a small class size. Instructor paints together with and in front of the students while providing individual attention and feedback. Students create artwork on quality acrylic paper or canvas to take home with them. Children learn not only painting and blending concepts but also the proper use and storage of paint brushes, how to prepare their canvas for best results (applying gesso to prime canvas, wetting canvas first to prevent paint from evaporating), and the right order in which to best work with acrylic paints.
Oil and Soft Pastels
Oil pastels resemble crayons or sticks which consist of a pigment mixed with oil or wax. The end result is usually rich in color and smooth in texture though not as blendable as soft pastels. These are fun to draw with and easily glide over paper. Kids enjoy the vibrant drawings this medium produces. Technique is taught in proper application to paper (shading in a lighter pressure is best for further layering on the different colors). Students also learn the importance of different tones (lights and darks) when working with this type of media and proper way to blend oil pastels.
Soft pastels are more dry and feel much like chalk. They blend easily and produce softer and more delicate color effects.
Graphite pencil
Students will learn how to create drawings using various lines and shading methods. They will learn that different angles of holding a pencil create different effects (various widths and highlighting effects). Kids find drawing with graphite pencil to be relaxing and fun! We use Faber Castell brand of pencils which is an easily blendable and an excellent quality brand with various softness grade pencils which produce flowy and smooth drawings.
Mixed Media and Crafts
We strive to fulfill young artists' creative spirit by offering mixed media/crafts workshop(s) upon demand. Students will learn to make origami, paper crafts, holiday-themed decorations, and other creations using various media.