Drawing + Painting is a very popular area of study and has the most offerings – over thirty each semester. Beginning students are encouraged to start with a Basic Drawing class then graduate to more advanced classes such as Drawing in Color: Pastel, Watercolor Studio, Introduction to Painting or many other courses or workshops.
Instructors Sally Bowring, Merenda Cecelia, Joan Elliott, Dawn Flores, Amy Smith, Marie Reardon, Catherine Southall, and Martha Prideaux teach most of the weekly classes.
Class Schedule
Plein Air Painting [14]
Wed, Jul 9 -- 30, 9 am – noon (4 Sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
MARIA REARDON
Explore drawing and painting the landscape from direct observation. With guidance from the instructor, students will develop a more fluid response to painting on location. Students need to provide their own plein air painting easel, stool and painting supplies. Prerequisite: basic drawing and painting skills.
$145 (VMFA members $125)
Introductory & Intermediate Oil Painting [17]
Wed, Jul 9– 30, 7–10 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
JOAN ELLIOTT
This is a good painting class for beginning or intermediate level oil painters who want to develop their own personal painting style and approach to imagery. Through individual guidance, students explore painting strategies and working methods. Prerequisites: basic drawing skills.
$145 (VMFA members $125)
Oil Painting Studio [18]
Mondays, July 7–28, 7–10 pm (4 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
JOAN ELLIOTT
Explore drawing and painting from direct observation, photos, or sketches and depict various subjects including the still life, human figure, and landscape. Students develop a more personal approach to imagery, drawing, and painting styles by examining the formal and expressive aspects in their work and that of classical to contemporary artists.
$145 (VMFA members $125)
Painting on Photographs: The Extended Image [26]
Sat & Sun, Jul 12 & 13, 10 am–4 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 1st floor
PAM FOX
This workshop explores the use of photography with mixed-media applications. Students combine photographic materials (digital or traditional prints, photocopies, found imagery or old photographs) with oil paint to produce new and exciting imagery. The instructor demonstrates a variety of approaches, including surface supports and preparation, gluing techniques, surface alterations, paint application, varnishing, cold wax, and other surface treatments. Open to all levels of experience.
$145 (VMFA members $130)
A Crash Course in Watercolor [27]
Sat & Sun, Jul 12 & 13, 10 am–4 pm (2 Sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
DAWN FLORES
This workshop provides step-by-step instruction on a variety of watercolor techniques, including special effects, glazing, wet on wet, washes, and more. Working from colorful photographs or still lifes of flora and fauna, students explore the full range of watercolor painting. Prerequisite: basic drawing skills.
$145 (VMFA members $130)
Introduction to Collage [28]
Sat, Jul 19, 10 am–4 pm (1 session) | Studio School, 2nd floor
MARTHA PRIDEAUX
Experiment with new techniques, materials, and more to make innovative collages. The teacher will demonstrate ways to design, mount, and present your artwork in this workshop designed for all levels of experience.
$90 (VMFA members $75)
Portrait Drawing Workshop with Soft Pastels NEW! [29]
Sat & Sun, Jul 19 & 20, 10 am–4 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
MARIA REARDON
This is a great workshop for intermediate drawing students to practice their portrait drawing skills. Working from a live model, students will learn how to capture a likeness and expression in their portrait drawing. The workshop will include demonstrations and one on one guidance. Pastel techniques and materials will be discussed. Prerequisite: intermediate drawing skills
using soft pastels
$140 (VMFA members $125)
Finding Frida NEW! [30]
Sat & Sun, Jul 26 & 27, 10 am–4 pm (2 sessions) | Studio School, 2nd floor
DAWN FLORES
Draw, paint, or collage artwork in response to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. This workshop will include a slide lecture and visit to the exhibition Frida: Beyond the Myth at VMFA. Students should bring the medium of their choice, one they feel proficient in. Participants will have access to a library of books and photographs to use as reference material. The instructor will provide guidance on creative choices. There will be group discussions and critiques. Appropriate subjects to focus on in the workshop could be the still life, botanical imagery, portraits of animals and/or people, symbolism, or social commentary. Intermediate and advanced students are required to supply the artmaking materials of their choice. Prerequisite: intermediate and advanced
level students
$145 (VMFA members $130)