Art Classes

FALL TERM: starting September until December 2008
WINTER TERM: starting January until March 2009
SPRING TERM: starting March until June 2009

• Re-registration is required for each term.
• Payment Plans are available for 3 term classes
• Prices include applicable taxes and materials unless noted
• Classes are one on one, with exception at Artistic Touch (T.V.C.C)

Drawing 1  (1 Term)

This intensive program is designed for beginners, as well as those who wish to improve their drawing skills and refine their understanding of visual language. Using pencils, conté, charcoal and pastels, fundamental techniques such as line weights, shading and highlighting will be explored. Students will develop their drawing skills and become confident with the tools of visual expression.

Drawing II  (1 Term)

This program is designed for students with some previous drawing experience who want to continue to create works with a variety of subject matter. Exploring line, tone, texture and colour, students will improve their drawing skills by dealing with the issues surrounding still life and the figure using a variety of mediums. Through both classical drawing techniques and personal expression students will develop a better understanding of the discipline.

Advanced Drawing (1 Term)

This program is designed for students with drawing experience who want to continue to create "free" works with a variety of subject matter. Using lines, tones, texture and colour, participants will move their drawing abilities to a more complex field where they will explore the classical taste for harmony without losing personal style. Addressing the complexities surrounding still life and portrait, students will improve drawing skills and develop a better understanding of the discipline.

Drawing and Composition  (1 Term)

In this course, for students with some or little previous drawing experience, participants will learn to create with more confidence. Working from the human figure and from other sources and subject matter, the class will explore both drawing for its own sake, or as a first step toward painting. Subjects covered include line as contour, light and shadow, the silhouette, perspective, proportion and how they affect composition.

Advanced Drawing and Composition  (1Term)

Recommended for students with previous drawing experience, this course combines hands on drawing experience with an improved theoretical understanding to create dynamic works on paper. When you understand how to structure a drawing, you are free to be more expressive because less energy is spent fixing problems. By using a process that breaks down the drawing into practical stages, students better understand how to create a successful drawing. The course uses both the live model and drawing exercises to create an understanding of proportion, placement, contour and shading, as well as edge work. Students will explore a variety of tools and paper to find compatible materials to different working styles.

Intro To Figure Drawing  (1 Term)

Drawing the human form accurately and expressively, conveying the power of life, is the benchmark of an artist's education and forms the focal point of this course. The objectives are unflinching accuracy, to capture the rhythmic action of the pose, and to make an insightful study of the model's character. Working on a single drawing throughout the term, we will employ proven, no-nonsense methods, focusing on creating a strong block-in, understanding the gesture, separating the shadow from the light, and then concentrating on understanding and rendering form, for a well-rounded knowledge of the figure. This is a course for serious-minded students of all levels.

Introduction to Portrait Drawing  (1Term)

This course is a rare opportunity for beginners, serious students and emerging artists to study portrait drawing. Working on a single, long pose drawing for the duration of the course, students will be introduced to a contemporary-classical vocabulary, and will examine the visual and natural design concepts that define portraiture, likeness and character. It will push students toward a greater awareness of their own visual actions, and a refinement of their conceptual understanding, technique and sense of form. Teaching will consist of lecture/ demonstrations on the complex actions of light, the organic design and features of the head, neck, and shoulders, group demonstrations, and one-on-one critique at the easel. A proven, logical and sequential approach, the only pre-requisites are an open mind and a willingness to be pushed to a higher level.

Acrylic Painting I (1 Term)

An introduction to acrylic painting, this course is suitable for beginners, or as a refresher for those who have not painted for some time. Students will concentrate on developing their perceptual skills through a series of exercises, which will gradually increase in range and complexity. The class will have the opportunity to work from a variety of photo images and still life objects. Several canvases will be completed over the duration of the course. Topics covered include the fundamentals of colour theory, the study of light and shadow, composition, visual perspective and paint handling and application.

Acrylic Painting II  (1Term)

This course is suitable for those who have some understanding of acrylic painting. Students will work from a live model, still life and photos, while concentrating on developing perceptual skills. Specific lessons include advanced colour theory, paint handling, and paint application.

Advanced Acrylic Studies (3 Terms- each separate fee)

This studio course is designed for students who wish to develop a body of work with the possibility of exhibiting pieces in the future. The three terms build successively on each other. It is therefore recommended that students attend all three terms. Students who wish to attend only the winter or spring term should have strong painting skills.

TERM I
Over the course of this term, a number of paintings will be completed with emphasis on the pace and finishing skills to develop an art piece. Students will look at how to successfully compose, build and finish a painting. Much individual attention will be given to each student in order to further his/her painting goals. The subject matter for this term focuses on still life.

TERM II
Painting projects will continue on an individual basis, addressing the artistic direction that the student is moving towards. The subject of study will primarily be the human figure, both nude and clothed. Time will be spent on setting up the subject matter and developing an individualized approach to the work.

TERM III
The subject of study this term will vary according to the students' interests, with the objective being the continuation of developing one's own individual style and conceptualizing and producing a number of works for exhibition purposes. The class will focus on problem-solving techniques for painting issues that arise. Time will be spent on positive and supportive group critique.

Acrylic Painting I

An introduction to acrylic painting, this course is suitable for beginners, or as a refresher for those who have not painted for some time. Students will concentrate on developing their perceptual skills through a series of exercises, which will gradually increase in range and complexity. The class will have the opportunity to work from a variety of photo images and still life objects. Several canvases will be completed over the duration of the course. Topics covered include the fundamentals of colour theory, the study of light and shadow, composition, visual perspective and paint handling and application.

Acrylic Painting II

This course is suitable for those who have some understanding of acrylic painting. Students will work from a live model, still life and photos, while concentrating on developing perceptual skills. Specific lessons include advanced colour theory, paint handling, and paint application.

Model fee included, materials list provided

Advanced Acrylic Studies

This studio course is designed for students who wish to develop a body of work with the possibility of exhibiting pieces in the future. The three terms build successively on each other. It is therefore recommended that students attend all three terms. Students who wish to attend only the winter or spring term should have strong painting skills.

TERM I
Over the course of this term, a number of paintings will be completed with emphasis on the pace and finishing skills to develop an art piece. Students will look at how to successfully compose, build and finish a painting. Much individual attention will be given to each student in order to further his/her painting goals. The subject matter for this term focuses on still life, landscape and photo references.

Materials list provided.

TERM II
Painting projects will continue on an individual basis, addressing the artistic direction that the student is moving towards. The subject of study will primarily be the human figure, both nude and clothed. Time will be spent on setting up the subject matter and developing an individualized approach to the work.

Model fee included, materials list provided

TERM III
The subject of study this term will vary according to the students' interests, with the objective being the continuation of developing one's own individual style and conceptualizing and producing a number of works for exhibition purposes. The class will focus on problem-solving techniques for painting issues that arise. Time will be spent on positive and supportive group critique.

Acrylic Painting: Independent Studies

This class will help students further define and develop their own personal painting style under the guidance of a professional artist. Through lessons geared at refining perceptual skills, paint application and advanced colour comprehension, as well as integrating and layering images and multiple canvases, students will begin to create a body of work based on their own interests and subject matter-still life, photos and existing images. This course is suitable for those with previous acrylic painting experience.

Photo-Based Acrylic Painting

If you are serious about learning technique and want professional results, then this is the class for you. Using acrylic paint, students will learn how to go beyond the photograph to create truly original paintings. Students may choose to work from their own photos or from other photographic sources. Some painting experience is preferable. Emphasis will be placed on composition, under painting and glazing, colour theory and mixing, and how they apply to the medium.

Art 101

Designed for beginners and those who would like to explore art at a beginner level, this program introduces participants to an exciting range of media, tools and techniques and exposes the elements of art and design in art making. For the fall and winter terms, students will focus on drawing and painting and for the spring, students are encouraged to work on individualized projects, based on the student's interests. Much guidance and individual attention will be provided to allow students to develop their unique approach to creating art.

No previous experience required.

Painting 101

Designed for the novice painter and those who would like a refresher in the basics of painting varying subject matter, this program introduces participants to an exciting range of techniques, approaches and possibilities in art making. Each term, students will focus on the basics of a different painting theme and subject – Still Life, Landscape and Abstraction – using water colour, acrylic and oil paints. The elements of art and design will be addressed, including simple colour theory. Plenty of guidance and individual attention will be provided to allow the student to develop his or her unique approach to painting.

No previous experience required.

Principles of Design in Creating Art

This course is designed to develop one’s own artistic work using the elements and principles of design as the main impetus for learning. Using a variety of concepts such as brainstorming, creative problem solving and discussion, students will enhance their creativity and art making skills, exploring both 2- and 3-dimensional drawing and painting projects. Many techniques and media will be employed including graphite, conte´, chalk, pastel, ink, acrylic, collage and 3-D modeling. Using these materials, students will gain a better understanding of the application of colour, contrast, notions of perspective, manipulation of space, expression of movement and transformation in a variety of subject matter.

Drawing & Painting

This course is perfect for novice students and those who wish to further develop their drawing and painting abilities by working with varied subject matter, media and techniques over a three term span. Each term will build successively on the other. It is therefore recommended that students attend all three terms. Students wishing to attend only the winter or spring term should have some previous drawing and painting skills.

TERM I
The Still Life – Look, Describe, Analyze, Interpret-Creative projects will lead students to apply the elements of design, such as line, shape, form, colour, texture and space in strong compositions of still life. The goals are to strengthen skills, to get the most from each exercise and to develop critical thinking.

TERM II
Nature – Combining the skills acquired in the previous term, students will learn different techniques to represent natural and manmade environments using graphite, conté, chalk pastels and acrylic paint among others.

TERM III
People and their Surroundings – As a first step, students will explore the language of sketching by working from a live model to study different postures of the human figure. The class will subsequently apply these basic skills to projects based on the study of people in different contexts: at the park, at a cafe, at a train station, on a street, etc. In addition, supportive technical information will be covered, such as choice of media, shading techniques, gesture drawing, varying quality of line and composition and appropriate colour mixing and usage, in order to place the subject effectively in outdoor or indoor settings. An introduction to portraiture will be included as well