1 Day Dynamic Acrylics: Making More with More - WRK056

Less is more, is a great design premise. However, if you want to create, you need tools, and that means options. This is where this workshop fills the gaps. From color, design, materials, composition and various disciplines, the focus is on options and making the very most of art materials. Here we will explore, hands on, ways to make acrylic paint achieve great color, and just what methods and materials make that happen, as well as ways to dramatically extend the life of your paint brushes and materials. Through working with acrylic paint and discussing tools and techniques with other artists, craftsmen and technicians, I have acquired some distinct techniques that can be applied to any way of working, representational, or abstract, that will add more depth, options and tools to your skill set. Irrespective of where you are, new to art, or experienced, this workshop will provide you with new tools, methods, techniques and ideas to make the most of you what you have, and how, when and where when more really is more. At the conclusion of the workshop, each person will have at least one completed canvas, see supply list, or two. One idea behind less is more is multi tasking, and working on multiple ideas. Ages 18 & up for all levels

Acrylic Painting - All Levels - At FC - PTG056

Join instructor Susan Falcon-Hargraves at the Foothills Holland Community Center for this class. Develop creative and aesthetic sensibilities through the expressive art of acrylic painting. This course is aimed not only for the beginner to learn the basics, but for a more advanced student to enjoy a "boot camp" environment where paint application, composition, and use of color will be emphasized. Instructor Susan Falcon-Hargraves will discuss a variety of subject matter through demonstrations, examples, and critiques and everyone will receive lots of personal attention aimed at their individual projects. FHCC is located at 34250 N. 60th St.,Building B, Mesquite Room, Scottsdale, AZ 85266. Take the 101 Fwy to Scottsdale Road, go north. Turn left (west) at E. Carefree Hwy. Turn left (south) at N. 60th St. Building is on west side of street.

Captivating Still Lifes in Pastel - PTG065

This workshop will be focused on the painting of still lifes in the exciting and versatile medium of soft pastel. The workshop will begin with a sharing by participants of their experience with pastel and individual goals or objectives for the workshop. Using this information the workshop will be customized to support participants in achieving their objectives for the day. In general the workshop will address: Setting up still life paintings - Nuts and bolts; Elements of a good still life painting – Composition/Values/Color Harmony/Focal Points; Tools for composition – Viewfinders/Value Scales/Thumbnails/Photoshop/Cameras/Grid/ Focal Points; Pastel specifics – Paper/Fixative/Pastels/Color Shapers/Glassine/Gloves in a Bottle; Underpaintings – Rationale/Techniques; Pastel application techniques – Strokes/Blending/Scumbling/Feathering

Colored Pencils & Mixed Media - DRW038

Students will explore colored pencil techniques and combine them with a variety of surfaces and materials. Instructor, Elliott Everson, will present new ideas using colored pencils and mixed media. Possibilities include; hand colored photos, unique papers, fabrics and collage. Combine colored pencil with graphite, charcoal or pastels. Learn to “fool the eye” (trompe l'oeil), and make your drawing seem as real as an included object. Let the mix of materials, textures, and ideas combine to create a new composition! Explore and have fun.

Colored Pencils Wet and Dry - DRW037

Colored Pencils are affordable and portable! You can take them anywhere! Learn the tools and techniques of color pencil drawing, including blending and layering colors, burnishing, and using solvents. Create textures from shiny metal, to flowers, fur and more. Working with a variety of subjects from reference photos and still life create your own colored pencil artwork. Also experience another side of colored pencils andl learn the tools and techniques of working with water-soluble colored pencils to create washes and glazes as well as opaque layers, pencil strokes and textures. Incorporate standard wax or oil based pencils with watercolor pencils and explore more possibilities.

Experimental Painting in Oil/Acrylic/Mixed Media - Limited to 8 Students - PTG001

This studio course explores the possibilities of painting using an investigative approach. It covers methods of paint application, color schemes and the development of composition. Students will have the opportunity to expand and research their own ideas in paint. The only prerequisite is that you have a desire to communicate something in your art. Not a formula “how-to”, step-by-step approach. Attention will be paid to form and content. Previous drawing experience is helpful. Students share ideas as it applies to their work. Enrollment limited to 8 students.

Oil and Acrylic: Tips and Secrets for Better Paintings - PTG063

This class is ideal for oil and acrylic painters. It is a useful and practical overview of a variety of painting tips, techniques, and secrets designed to help you create better paintings. The emphasis of this class is on the word ‘practical’. Red will discuss color mixing, lighting, composition, contrast, and clarity. Students will learn about useful painting mediums, additives, and ‘secret’ recipes both old and new. Discussion will also focus on practical working methods, tools, and techniques that will help students achieve subtle and sophisticated paintings of great beauty. We will paint from student provided reference photos. This is a nuts-and-bolts course for students of all levels.

Painting with Pastels - PTG064

This class will be focused on the painting with the exciting and versatile medium of soft pastel. The class will begin with a sharing by participants of their experience with pastel and individual goals or objectives for the workshop. Using this information the class sessions will be customized to support participants in achieving their objectives. In general the class will address: Elements of a good painting – Composition/Values/Color Harmony/Focal Points/Edges; Tools for composition – Viewfinders/Value/Scales/Thumbnails/Photoshop/Cameras/Grid/ Focal Points; Pastel specifics Paper/Fixative/Pastels/Color Shapers/Glassine/Gloves in a Bottle; Underpaintings – Rationale/Techniques; Pastel application techniques – Strokes/Blending/Scumbling/Feathering

Six Simple Steps to Better Oil & Acrylic Paintings - PTG025

Color, composition, clarity, contrast, design, and detail: Students will learn how using these Six Simple Steps will improve their understanding of the craft of oil painting and help them achieve subtle and sophisticated paintings of great beauty. Red will discuss color, composition methods, and ‘secret’ paint mixtures both old and new that can turn ordinary paintings into amazing paintings. Each class will include a painting demonstration, discussion about the Six Simple Steps, and students painting from their own photos or reference materials. This is a practical ‘nuts-and-bolts’ course for students of all levels.