“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8
Practice in Seeing
Life Drawing is about learning to observe and transfer to the picture plane the created order before your eyes. It has been the foundation of the visual arts since the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Practice in Seeing is a series of 3-hour art studios for adults and interested teenagers one Sunday afternoon a month beginning in September. These sessions will explore techniques and materials used in drawing from life to build confidence and skills toward more finished works of art. During these sessions you will become familiar with traditional drawing media and learn a little art history.
Beginning with paper and charcoal, the sessions will also introduce you to further possibilities in the use of color and painting media. Students will take home a sketchbook and art supplies with exercises to practice and discover independently. Be prepared to get messy. There are no mistakes. This is the practice in seeing.
Sessions:
- Session 1: “Carbon and Life” – Using mostly charcoal, this “icebreaker” session will involve a series of exercises to build confidence, explore the pictorial space,
work from an easel, and learn techniques to develop a composition. - Session 2: “Adding Color” – Pastels are an excellent way to begin experimenting with the use of color with an eye toward painting. For those confident in basic drawing skills or who attended the September session, this session will involve longer periods of attention to a specific composition.
- Session 3: “Adding Water” Brushes on Paper – This session will introduce you to wet media on paper, the use of brushes, how to approach a painting strategically, mix colors, and build up a surface. It will build on the past drawing sessions, working from still life, but not be limited to previous students.
- Session 4: “The Work of Art” – This session will involve longer periods working on a particular still life subject. Participants may choose the medium they wish to explore from their experience – charcoal, pastels, pencil, or wet media such as ink and/or watercolor. The session will also provide a brief introduction to the materials needed for those interested in pursuing acrylic and oil painting.
Parameters
:
- Minimum age – 14 years
- Maximum of eight (8) students
- Term length – one time per month for four months
- Class length – three hours (total of 12 hours of instruction)
Class Schedule – Sunday, 1– 4pm
- September 24
- October 22
- November 26
- December 17
Instructor – Steve Schwolert
Tuition/Fees:
- By semester: $260 (includes $100 in supplies)
- Four monthly installments: $70 (Sept 5, October 5, November 5, December 5) – TOTAL = $280
- If you have a concern about the fees (multiple registrations, financial hardship, etc.) please contact Jonathan Mueller directly to discuss your situation.
- Online Registration Form and Payment click here
- If you are unable to register/pay online, download this form, SPFAA REGISTRATION FORM 2023