Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University

Imagine More

Youth & Adults

Download Schedule of Classes

For more information on courses, schedules, tuition and registration, download the current Schedule of Classes brochure.

Youth and Adult Work

Check out all the great Youth Work, or Adult Work that our students have done.

Adult Class Descriptions

Following is a list of classes Kendall offers for adults. Check schedule of classes to confirm date, time, and availability.

Art History Classes

HOW TO UNDERSTAND MODERN ART

A crash course in art history, from the late 1880’s to the present. Through lecture, discussion, and slide presentation, students will learn how fine art painting has evolved into the art we call “modern.”

Computer Classes

ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS

You will be introduced to the Adobe After Effects software, and become familiar with compositing video, animation, Adobe Photoshop graphics, text and sound elements into a unified visual product for broadcast video or web delivery. Due to the collaborative nature of motion graphics, you will also explore the beginning-to-end workflow using other software tools, such as Final Cut Pro 5, Motion 2, and 3rd party plug-in’s.

ADOBE INDESIGN

Adobe InDesign is a powerful page layout program useful for producing files for everything from business cards, letterhead, and brochures to magazines, books, and catalogs. As part of the Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign can use Photoshop and Illustrator files in their native states, which makes editing graphics quick and easy.

CLEANING UP FILES TO PRINT

What every print shop would like designers to know. This one-day seminar will address issues that arise once your files are given to an outsource, whether a printer or service bureau. Learn how to reduce costs by cleaning up your files, troubleshooting, and setting up the job accurately. Any one who sends electronic files to be printed should attend.

CSS FOR WEB DOCUMENTS

Learn how to use CSS and XHTML to separate a website’s content from its design. Once a style sheet has been created with CSS and applied to all the pages in a website, changing the entire look of the site becomes quite easy because only the style sheet needs to be edited. You will also learn about CSS syntax, and how to create external style sheets to control fonts, colors, and the layout of the web pages. Students must have prior knowledge of web page design and a basic understanding of HTML.

DIGITAL MIXED MEDIA

Use a scanner and a variety of electronic software to create original works of art. Starting from simple black and white original line drawings or large photographs, scan and import your concept. Concentrate on one piece or make a short series, and print. Students should be familiar with computers.

ELECTRONIC RECORDING STUDIO

Create electronic music on your own CD using some of today’s best software. It’s fun and easy, and no previous experience is required.

FINAL CUT PRO

Learn digital video editing on Final Cut Pro. You will learn how to follow a workflow, work with projects, bins, the timeline and canvas, magnify timeline tracks, and more.

HYBRID ART

Using drawings, photographs, paintings, or any other piece of art, transfer it to the computer to create original and interesting new digital compositions. You’ll explore different directions and learn visual language and invention in the creation of professional works of digital mixed media.

INTERACTIVE WEB DESIGN

Learn the aesthetics of interactive computer design and create simple games, websites, and home DVD menus based on your own ideas and interests.

INTERMEDIATE ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

Experience the next steps in the practical application of image manipulation. Learn to apply the basic skills along with new ones in real world uses and solutions. Continue to explore scanning and resolution considerations, exporting images for printing, colorization and channel adjustment, practical filter uses, shadow creation, and much more. Previous experience with the Macintosh required.

INTERMEDIATE ADOBE DREAMWEAVER

Continue working with Dreamweaver to build websites with frames, create and use simple libraries, use templates, layers, and style sheets. Finally, add animation using Dreamweaver and Flash. Completion of Introduction to Macromedia Dreamweaver required for this course.

INTRODUCTION TO ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

Explore illustration and graphic design applications with this object oriented Macintosh program. Learn the techniques of electronic imagery that can be used in design. The information learned can easily be used on your p.c.

INTRODUCTION TO ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

Work with enhancement and manipulation techniques of color and digital photography on the Mac.

INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL ART

Learn about a variety of electronic art programs, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and QuarkXPress, when to use each of them, and why. Explore the processes of scanning, drawing, and image manipulation. Learn to layout images and illustrations for printing. Projects may include: a company logo, business card, letterhead, corporate CD interface, and more.

INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL ART WITH ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR

Learn how to use vector software to make creative artwork. Starting from simple black and white original line drawings or large photographs, you will scan and import your concept. In Adobe Illustrator you will use different drawing tools to re-master your scanned images into original digital compositions. You may concentrate on one piece or make a short series, and print. No previous experience with Adobe Illustrator is required, but students should be familiar with computers.

INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL ART WITH ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

Learn to use bitmap software to change your original drawings or photographs into digital works of art. Scanning changes your images into pixels, allowing you to manipulate them in amazing ways. Using Adobe Photoshop, you will apply filters and effects to make creative new pictures. One or more images may be created, and then printed. No previous experience with Photoshop required, but students should be familiar with computers.

INTRODUCTION TO LIGHTWAVE 3-D ANIMATION

LightWave 3-D has been use in movies such as the Star Trek Series, Black Hawk Down, Blade, and Final Fantasy, as well as in commercial television, marketing, and 3-D games. This course introduces landscape creation and animation.

ADOBE DREAMWEAVER

Learn the basics of web design and site management on Dreamweaver. Working knowledge of computers required for this course.

ADOBE FLASH

Have you ever wanted to make impressive animations? This class will break Flash down into its essential components. Buttons, animation shortcuts, scene management, and simple scripting will be the focus. Learn each tool in depth while creating short animations, websites and buttons.

MOVIE EDITING

Ever wonder how movies art put together after the film is shot? Learn the basics of film editing on Final Cut Pro from a VHS home video. You’ll also create your own movie trailer for your favorite movie. Home video camera required for this course.

PHOTOSHOP BASICS

Learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop. Work with enhancement and manipulation techniques of color digital photography on the Macintosh. The information learned can easily be used on your own p.c.

PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS

Just about every digital camera and scanner comes bundled with some type of image editing software, but those software programs often have limited features which make them difficult to learn. Photoshop Elements is an affordable, modified version of the Photoshop software used by professional photographers. It is easy and fun to work with, and includes all the features you need to capture, modify, organize, print, or email your pictures.

PRINT PRODUCTION FOR THE GRAPHIC DESIGNER

For graphic designers and buyers who want to become more efficient with print projects. You will learn about the technical aspects of print production, and how to plan successful projects that can be produced economically. Sizes, formats, page counts, selecting paper, and types of binding will all be discussed. Prepress concerns, types of contract proofs, and press approvals will also be covered. You’ll learn how to make sense of all the data in swatch books, and what terms like bleed, low folio lap, skive, job, rich black, and dot gain mean.

QUARKXPRESS PUBLICATION DESIGN

Create page layouts for mockups and print production and utilize the advanced features of Quark. Before sending your files to a printer, learn what print shops require for a clean copy. Basic computer knowledge required for this course.

Creativity Classes

FREEING THE CREATIVE SPIRIT

Connect to your creativity in this class using Expressive Arts techniques that employ a variety of arts in different sequences including visual art, movement, drama, sounding, music, journaling, and dialogue. Methods are offered to work on well-being, empowerment, creativity, self-esteem, understanding, and insight. These techniques also help you to explore where you are, and where you want to go on your life’s journey. Come, experience, have fun, and explore your inner knowing!

FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVITY

Find out how the mind works and where ideas come from. Learn how to express your creativity more effectively through lecture and in-class exercises. Use a variety of writing and drawing materials to get your ideas onto paper.

KICKSTART YOUR CREATIVITY

Re-ignite your passion for art making! Learn to ask thought-provoking questions, make time for yourself, and put “yourself” back into your artwork. This class is appropriate for both beginners and more experienced artists. A variety of media will be explored, including pastels, chalk, ink, watercolor, paper, and paint.

Drawing Classes

ADVANCED DRAWING

Improve the skills you gained in Intermediate Drawing through critique, discussion, and in-class exercises. Projects will strengthen expressive drawing as well as teach new methods of using and controlling media.

BOTANICAL DRAWING

Explore both botany and drawing in this course, from the classification of flowering plants to their structures. Learn how floral images have been portrayed in art and create your own drawings.

CARICATURES

Learn to see and draw the face in an exaggerated style in pencil and ink with line and half tones. Incorporate humor and personal style into your drawings. Draw yourself, work from photos, and a live model.

CARS AND CYCLES: VIVID REFLECTIVE SURFACES I

Capture the likeness of reflective surfaces on cars and cycles in colored pencil. This class will enhance your understanding of this versatile, underutilized medium. You will learn how to achieve smooth, undulating shapes and sparking reflections. Photographic subject matter will be provided.

CARS AND CYCLES: VIVID REFLECTIVE SURFACES II

Apply your knowledge of colored pencil to complete full compositions including a car or cycle. Learn to transfer subjects from one setting into another. Create textures for application in landscape, portrait, and botanical scenes as well. You will learn to achieve luxurious volume and realistic reflections by building and blending the medium. Works will be adapted from photo references.

CARTOONING FOR BEGINNERS

In this cartooning class, you will be introduced to the origins and tools of cartooning with an emphasis on the meaning of the work of well-known artists. Working with pencil, pens, and watercolor, you will have the opportunity to develop characters that could be used for children’s books or greeting cards.

CARTOONING FOR FUN AND PROFIT

In this cartooning class for grown-ups, you will work on developing your own comic strip or single frame cartoon product. You will learn to develop a body of work, find a personal style, and how to market and sell your cartoons.

CLASSICAL PROPORTIONS

An overview of the proportions of the human body throughout the history of art. Apply this knowledge in learning to draw the human head and body from photographs and imagination.

CREATING CARICATURES

Learn to see and draw the face in an exaggerated way. Discover expressions and moods with a simple twist of the pen or pencil. Work from models, photos of yourself, or photos of famous people.

DRAWING FROM PHOTOGRAPHS

Drawing from your own photos or those found in books, you will explore the pencil as a primary tool, and find out how to choose your strongest subjects. Crosshatching, smudging, scrubbing, and subtractive drawing techniques will be learned.

DRAWING FROM WITHIN

Discover how art can benefit you both visually and psychologically. This course will teach you to assess your own personal growth, well-being, communication and self-expression through art-making. Utilize your creativity in guided projects using materials such as acrylic paint, watercolor, charcoal, pencils, pens, markers, and paper collage.

DRAWING IN CHARCOAL

Capture line and tonal information into charcoal drawings that can later be used as sources for paintings. Drawing in charcoal is a tremendous tool in assisting one in painting, helping you to save time and maintain integrity in your works. This class will primarily focus on still life and the figure. No previous drawing experience required for this course.

DRAWING IN GRAPHITE

This class is designed for the artist who wants to expand his or her knowledge of easily acquired drawing mediums. Working primarily from photographs, the artist will learn to thoughtfully choose imagery, prepare it, and render it in graphite.

DRAWING IN PASTELS

Focus on the fundamentals of pastel drawing, methods of starting drawings, and making corrections with soft pastel, to achieve the effects of light and form on a rich surface. Create several drawings using still life and landscape as sources. No previous drawing experience required for this course.

DRAWING IN PEN AND INK

Discover the art of black and white illustration through the use of relatively simple tools. This introductory course will assist the growing, learning artist in the use of the basic neutrals, white, and black, in the preparation of easily published artwork. Among other techniques, students will be introduced to crosshatching, stippling, implied, and articulated line.

DRAWING IN PERSPECTIVE

Explore one and two point perspective for use in outdoor and streetscape paintings and drawings. Learn how to make arches, ellipses, doors, windows, stairways, and more. This course is appropriate for beginning and more advanced drawing students.

DRAWING (LEVEL 1)

This class is intended for beginners. You will develop skills through still life and basic observation. Through individual instruction, you will come to an understanding of gesture, contour, shading, and overall composition. You’ll explore a variety of drawing materials such as charcoal, pencils, and ink.

DRAWING (LEVEL 2)

A continuation of exploration in drawing, you will strengthen your development in accurately observing what you see. This course will include figure studies which will further your progress in anatomy and proportion. Demonstrations and critiques will occur within the curriculum. A variety of drawing media will be explored.

DRAWING LIFELIKE PORTRAITS FROM PHOTOGRAPHS

Learn how to use measurements, sighting angles, and volumetric construction of form to help produce more lifelike drawings using your own photo references. Learn to overcome problems with two-dimensional distortion, flattening of space, and loss of contrast or value.

DRAWING ON THE TOWN

Observe and interact with your surroundings! You will be encouraged through critiques with the instructor to execute drawings that articulate your own personal vision, and make use of subject matter representing our area. Classes will take place on location at Monroe Mall, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, the Calder Plaza, and more. In the event of rain, class will be held at Kendall. Students must have completed the Drawing (Level One) course in Kendall’s Continuing Studies Program.

DRAWING PEOPLE

Use basic figure drawing techniques to render the human form in a variety of poses. The selection of nude and clothed models will include different body types and ethnic origins. Creative lighting will be utilized to express feeling and/or mood. Students will work in both charcoal and pastel.

DRAWING THE HUMAN FIGURE FOR COMICS

Improve your drawing of the human figure for comics. You will be taught male and female model proportions and parameters for drawing them completely without the use of a live model. Both illustrators and comic artists can use this style of drawing.

DYNAMIC DESIGN AND COMPOSITION

Learn the elements and principles used by artists and designers to achieve successful compositions. Analyze the work of master artists. Work with a variety of black and white media including paper, pencil, ink, and gouache. You will be able to use what you have learned to create successful paintings, drawings, graphic designs, and patterns.

FIGURE DRAWING

Learn to use line, shape, value, and texture to describe the human figure with a variety of drawing materials. Problems with composition and proportion will be explored using nude models. This course is open to both beginning and advanced students.

FIGURE DRAWING WITH PASTELS

Use the medium of oil pastel to capture light and form using the human figure as a source. Problems of composition and proportion will also be explored, using nude models.

IMPRESSIONIST PASTEL

Capture the vibrant, fresh style of the Impressionist painters in oil pastel! Picture Monet’s water lilies. Duplicate the exhilarating freshness of his Houses of Parliament series. Learn secrets of the impressionist masters: what they saw in the world around them…and learn how to interpret that spontaneity, color, and vibrancy in your work.

INK DRAWING

Explore ink drawing through instructing on oriental brush techniques in a variety of formats. View examples of Eastern notions of decorative space and aesthetics that influenced the Impressionists.

OBSERVATIONAL DRAWING: FROM PENCIL TO PAINT

Working first with drawing tools and techniques, learn how to transition into painting with either oil or acrylic paint. Subject matter will include still life, landscape, and the figure. This class is suitable for both beginners and those with painting and drawing experience.

PASTEL DRAWING

Focus on the fundamentals of pastel drawing, methods of starting drawings, and making corrections with soft pastel, to achieve the effects of light and form on a rich surface. Create several drawings using still life and landscape as sources. No previous drawing experience required for this course.

PORTFOLIO PREPARATION

This course will assist students in preparing a portfolio for admission to colleges of art and design, or university art departments. You will complete a series of drawings from observation, and design work that demonstrates creative thought and skillful handling of media. Slide making and presentation will be discussed. This is an excellent opportunity to build a portfolio suitable for use in scholarship competitions.

PORTRAITURE

Learn the art of portraiture while studying from a live model. Start with contour line, and develop shading techniques and lighting effects that will bring your drawings to life.

RIGHT BRAIN DRAWING

Become acquainted with beginning level drawing techniques, through instruction based on the popular books by Betty Edwards. Five basic techniques will help you to really “see,” develop drawing strength and promote problem solving abilities.

SEQUENTIAL STORYTELLING FOR COMICS

Get a taste of the professional comic book creation process firsthand. In this class you will learn figure drawing skills with a focus on dynamic perspective and action drawing, the basics of comic book page layout, and sequential storytelling. While learning comic theory and practicing your artistic skills, you will create your own comic pages.

Fibers

BASKETRY

Complete a variety of baskets, each uniquely different in size, design and technique. Basic weaving fundamentals, using natural and dyed rounds and flat reeds will be demonstrated.

BEGINNING KNITTING WITH A DESIGNER

Learn to knit by creating swatches of various stitches, color schemes and patterns. Then combine techniques to create your own pattern.

FABRIC PAINTING

You will work with paint to create a variety of paintings on cotton fabric. In-class exercises in floral design, landscape composition and figure painting will be used to illustrate the use of color mixing, positive and negative shapes in design, and textural painting.

FASHION ILLUSTRATION

Learn to illustrate your own fashion ideas, and other fashions that you see, including tailored garments, bridal and evening wear. Use a live model in leotard to learn to convert a basic figure to the fashion figure.

FASHION PATTERN DRAFTING

Learn how to construct women’s fashions by drafting your own patterns. Draft basic sleeve, pant, skirt, and bodice styles into patterns, then go to the sewing machine and make corrections to achieve a perfect fit.

FIBER ART

Be inspired by an array of fiber techniques that will add vibrancy, texture, and pattern to an original fabric artwork. Etching, stamping, felting, photo-printing, dyeing, and weaving will all be demonstrated. Your final project will be a fabric panel that can be used for a pillow, wall-hanging, or garment.

FIBER ART PIECES

Be inspired by the colors of your favorite room and use the vibrancy, texture, and patterns of fabric to create an original fabric artwork for your home. If you feel intimidated by a needle and thread, you can focus on other techniques. If, however, you are comfortable with fabric, you can discover new ways of using cloth, beads, buttons, thread, and non-traditional materials. The goal is to explore new techniques while creating a fabric wall-hanging.

INTERMEDIATE FASHION PATTERN DRAFTING

After achieving a perfect basic pattern, learn about variations of bodice, skirt, sleeve, and pant patterns. Make a pattern for a suit jacket and dress. Learn to draft your own design.

KNITTING WITH A DESIGNER

Learn to knit by creating swatches of various stitches, color schemes, and patterns. Then combine techniques to create your own patterns. This class is suitable for beginners or more advanced knitters.

PAINTED FLOORCLOTHS

Design and paint a canvas floor cloth for your hardwood or tile floor. You will learn about materials and techniques for surface preparation, paint application, and protective finishes.

SILK PAINTING WORKSHOP

Design and create three wearable silk scarves, using direct application methods with fiber reactive dyes. Experiment with wrapping, knotting, dipping, sponging, painting, stamping, and more. Technical information on color mixing and dye-setting techniques will be provided.

Interior Design Classes

DESIGNING YOUR KITCHEN AND BATH

The secrets of good kitchen and bath design will be presented in this class. Learn how to choose the most appropriate cabinets, appliances, and accessories. Period styles of kitchens and baths will be discussed. Create scale drawings using specific cabinets with elevations and perspectives.

FENG SHUI DESIGN

Learn about feng shui energy maps and then apply this knowledge to design a space in your own home.

FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERIOR DESIGN

Explore the practical interior design applications of space planning, lighting, color principles, architecture, and furniture arrangement. This course has the flexibility for students to work on design solutions for either residential or commercial interests.

GOOD INTERIOR DESIGN FROM MAIL ORDER

Select a space from your home to work with, and revitalize it using tips and tricks that you will learn, as well as how and where to order the items you will need.

Marketing Classes

ABC’S OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR ARTISTS

In this workshop, participants will be given tips and training on how to better communicate their story, as well as position their art as a product worth buying. Public relations, writing, advertising, and more will be covered, with plenty of time devoted to hands-on exercises and in-class activities.

MARKETING YOUR FINE ART

Experts estimate that artists serious about selling their works should be spending 50% of their time marketing—hard to believe, but effective marketing drives sales. This course will provide an overview of marketing theory, tactics, and tools that you can use to promote your artwork. You’ll have an opportunity to write a marketing plan in class with other artists, and we’ll review it together to make sure the plan leverages all opportunities.

Metals Classes

ADVANCED CAD FOR JEWELERS

Explore skills in jewelry specific CAD using Rhino. Build your own library of tools that are practical in the jewelry industry. Learn to resolve common issues in modeling objects from sketches to finished 3-D pieces including sizing, shrinkage, and stone setting. Some previous experience in Rhino is required for this course.

INTRODUCTION TO JEWELRY/METALSMITHING

Learn the fundamental techniques and craftsmanship necessary to create an original metal jewelry piece. You will also learn about safety equipment and set-up ideas for a home studio situation.

METAL BOX MAKING

Using copper or silver, create a large or small functional or decorative box with a hinged lid or cover. This course will teach the principals of box making and hollow construction. Folding metal, hinge making, clasp making, surface decoration, hollow construction, and creative problem solving will be discussed.

METAL JEWELRY CASTING

Working with precious metals, you will be introduced to the lost wax casting process in the creation of jewelry pieces. Take home a completed project in gold or silver.

METAL JEWELRY DESIGN

Become acquainted with the various materials and methods used in the design and creation of metal jewelry pieces. Learn soldering, sawing, filing, buffing, polishing techniques, and incorporating stones and their settings into metal jewelry.

METALS/JEWELRY: CLASPS

Focus on clasps, catches, and cold-connections for jewelers in this “hands-on” workshop. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving through an examination of samples, discussion of engineering principles, and technical demonstrations. Useful soldering and fabrication strategies will be explored, which can be applied to numerous scenarios at the bench. During the “hands-on” segment of the workshop, each student will produce two or three mechanisms. These may include a key catch, threaded catch, and/or bayonet catch with spring. Additional catches and clasps that will be examined include tube, box, tension, and offset catches, along with stainless steel springs, swivel devices and threading. Basic sawing, filing, and soldering skills are required for this course.

PAVÉ FOR JEWELERS

Pavé is a French word meaning “to pave”. In jewelry design, pavé is the process of covering the body of a piece of jewelry with gemstones, creating a dramatic, gem-encrusted surface. In this workshop, you will be introduced to pavé through discussion of its use in historic and modern jewelry, examination of samples and images, and demonstrations of traditional hand-setting and Gravermax techniques. During the “hands-on” segment of the workshop, you will practice tool control, explore various stone layouts, and produce a number of samples. Previous stone-setting experience required for this course.

Other Media Classes

THE ART OF BONSAI

Bonsai is an ancient art form involving a variety of disciplines including sculpture, philosophy, horticulture, and more. This class is a hands-on introduction to Bonsai. You will work with a tree or shrub, re-shaping it to achieve artistic unity. The supply fee includes one tree or shrub and all other materials needed.

ART OF COLLAGE

Learn the principles of composition that will further your appreciation of all art. You will create a work of collage art based on an experience or event you wish to commemorate. The content may center on a recent trip, a family reunion, anniversary, wedding, etc.

ART JOURNAL WORKSHOP

Learn how to develop as an artist through the use of a sketchbook. Using a sketchbook will stir your ideas, help you fine-tune your concepts, and encourage your personal expression. You will work in your choice of media with exercises designed by the instructor and specific instruction based on your own vision.

ART QUILT: TEXTILE DESIGN

Explore the quilt as an artistic medium by experimenting with a variety of design techniques such as dyeing, painting, airbrushing, marbling, and photo transfer to create a contemporary quilt. No previous sewing or quilting experience necessary. Instructions on completion of final project will be provided.

ARTIST’S JOURNALS, SKETCHBOOKS, AND ALTERED BOOKS

Journals, sketchbooks, and altered books are wonderful gifts for yourself or to give to another person. Using your imagination and individual expression experiment techniques such as painting, writing, stamping, drawing, and collage. Projects and ideas will include: slide-mount cover journal, sketchbooks, and altered books.

BOOKMAKING

Construct a handmade journal or accordion scrapbook from colorful decorative papers and cardboard, and learn binding techniques. Demonstrations will include a variety of book formats, and will introduce beginning students to various media while providing advanced students an opportunity to apply their skills to book formats.

CANVAS FLOORCLOTH PAINTING

Design and paint a canvas floor cloth for your hardwood or tiled floors. You will learn about materials and techniques for surface preparation, paint application, and protective finishes. Complete one project.

CONTEMPORARY FLORAL DESIGN

Learn the art of floral design using metal objects and flowers in a unique and interactive exercise. You will complete a metal and floral design, and learn basic elements of proportion, balance, and composition. Bring your own metal piece around which you will create your design.

EGYPTIAN ART

Learn about the wonders of ancient Egypt. Recreate hieroglyphics on a clay tile, make handmade paper, Egyptian jewelry, and more.

HANDMADE BOOKS

Explore the potential of layout, folding and binding to create a unique book experience from pages of your own choosing. You will learn several non-adhesive binding techniques including “concertina” and “piano-hinge.”

HANDMADE PAPER FOR MEMORY ALBUMS

Get creative with scrapbooking! Make colorful and artistic paper by hand using a variety of fibers and techniques. Instruction will include information about embossing, spraying, pulp painting, color and texture design, and unusual fibers. Cotton, abaca, and linen pulp, a variety of dyes and embellishments will be included in supply fee.

ILLUSTRATYPE

Learn to make exciting, professional headlines and titles for book covers, comic strips, newspapers, posters, and other projects. You will learn both traditional and digital type design to create unique display type that shows quality craftsmanship. Type enhancing tricks and effects will be taught with the use of Adobe Illustrator.

IRIS FOLDING

Are you tired of buying greeting cards that all look the same? Or cards that just aren’t exactly what you want? If so, this workshop is for you! Iris folding is a paper folding technique that mimics the iris, or lens, of a camera. The patterns are typically circular and focus around a central point. This technique, which originated in Europe, uses paper to create beautifully layered patterns. These cards can be embellished with endless elements. This workshop will teach you what you need to know to create your own greeting cards. You will leave with several finished cards.

MARBELING

Discover the history of this ancient technique by exploring the Turkish marbling methods with safe and easy to use materials in this one-day workshop. A variety of oriental and domestic papers will be provided, along with ink, and decorative embellishments.

MIXED MEDIA

Explore different media combinations and their expressive effects, along with more traditional drawing concerns. Materials such as charcoal, conté crayon, ink and wash, pencils and paint will be used.

PAINTED SURFACES AND FAUX FINISHES

Learn about the various methods that can be used to decorate fixtures or furniture in your home. Experiment with painting techniques and faux finishes such as marbling, sponging, granite patterning, and stenciling. Information on the use of glazes, paints, and brushes will also be provided. Complete on to three pieces and a variety of samples.

PAPER AND LEATHER BURNING WORKSHOP

Learn the art of pyrography, or how to burn a design onto leather or heavy paper with watercolors or transparent oils. Subject material for your designs can include lighthouses, animals, or portraits.

PAPERMAKING

Discover the ancient technique of papermaking, using recyclable materials and traditional methods. Step-by-step instructions and demonstrations will be used to explore pulp coloration, lamination, embossing, surface transplant and other techniques.

PERSONAL MYTHOLOGY

The images created by visual artists illuminate their personal mythologies. Likewise, students in this course will be encouraged to explore, through symbolic representation, images of personal significance. Emphasis will be placed on expressive form and technique. However, students may work in any style, at their own pace, with one or all of the specified media or alternate materials. The instructor will assist each student according to his or her individual level of skill and experience.

PORCELAIN PAINTING

Learn this art that originated around the 1900s. Learn to paint on your own kitchen or bathroom tiles. You will learn about materials, mediums, processes, and color mixing in the creation of three porcelain paintings, which will be glazed and fired.

WREATH MAKING

Create a variety of wreaths that can be used during the holiday season or year round. Experiment with different materials and techniques to design and decorate your wreaths.

Painting Classes

ABSTRACT PAINTING

Learn about the principles of composition and abstraction while studying master abstract painters, and create several finished works of your own in oil or acrylic. This course has the flexibility for both beginning and more advanced painters.

ALLA PRIMA SKETCHING

The emphasis of this course will be on painting mediums, use of glazes, and creating impasto surfaces. Learn how to manipulate and create abstractions in oil through various mark-making and painting techniques, while enhancing your skills in palette selection and composition. Materials used will be oil paint on wood panels. This course is open to both beginners and more experienced painters.

BRUSH WITH HISTORY

Explore art history while learning to paint! This course will focus on the Modernist period, with emphasis on styles and techniques, giving the student the opportunity to create a painting in the style of a modern master. Instruction will be given for oil and acrylic paint. No previous painting experience required for this course.

CALLIGRAPHY IN PAINTING

This is a class combining Chinese, Korean, Japanese folk art, watercolor, and calligraphy. You will have the opportunity to paint landscape, bamboo, flowers, and traditional scenes of everyday life.

COLOR THEORY

Understanding color will help you use it to produce various effects. Use oil or acrylic paint to learn about value, hue, intensity, temperature, color schemes, balance and more.

COMPOSITIONS FROM YOUR GARDEN

Enjoy the flowers and foliage of fall, creating large colorful images in paint and mixed media. You will explore color, intensity, value, and composition in this class, using primarily oil, acrylic, or water-based oil paint. You will learn about the history of floral painting, as well as look at more recent artists such as Georgia O’Keefe and Jim Dine. Bring your jackets: the class will work on location occasionally to capture some of nature’s beauty firsthand.

CREATIVE AIRBRUSHING

Working in black and white, you will learn to become comfortable with airbrushing equipment. You will paint freehand with the equipment, without the use of stencils other than hand held stencils that develop texture. You will be working from still life, but will be encouraged to expand your creativity while rendering the object.

ENCAUSTIC PAINTING

Encaustic painting is an ancient medium using pigment suspended in beeswax. Paintings are characterized by unique surfaces, rich color, and translucency. This course will explore the basic processes of encaustic painting from ancient to modern techniques, using landscape, still life and the figure. Students will work on small wood panels.

FIGURE PAINTING

This course introduces the student to full value study of the human figure using either oil or acrylic paint. Color, composition, and proportion will be explored, using nude models. The course is open to both beginning and advanced students.

FIGURE PAINTING IN ACRYLICS

Explore the human figure with acrylic paints. Problems of composition and anatomy will be addressed, using nude models. This course is open to beginning and advanced level figure painting students.

FIGURE PAINTING IN OILS

Explore the human form in the medium of oil paint. Problems of composition, proportion, and anatomy will be addressed, using nude models. This course is open to beginning and advanced oil painters. The instructor will work with students on an individual basis, and will provide demonstrations and slide lectures.

FIGURE WATERCOLOR

This is an introduction to watercolor techniques via the image of the human figure. The concerns of palette, use of washes, dry brush, and color mixing relating to the clothed and nude model will be the major focus. Compositional and anatomical relationships will also be addressed.

FUNDAMENTALS OF PAINTING

Using the medium of oil or acrylic, learn how to begin painting. Preliminary ideas, canvas and surface preparation, color mixing, glazing, and finishing will be covered. Each student will complete one to six paintings.

GICLEE FINE ART PRINTS

Giclee prints are becoming the most popular way to create limited editions. This course will teach artists how to prepare limited editions from their original works of art. First create a watercolor painting, scan the artwork, and manipulate it on the computer. Learn to adjust the color and change the background. Then print your artwork on archival canvas or watercolor paper. No previous Photoshop experience necessary.

GREAT LAKES GRANDEUR

Explore the scenic splendor of the Great Lakes, while using some of your own photos as resources. Lighthouses, ships, beaches, sailboats, and rugged rocky shorelines are all possibilities for subject matter. You will work from photo reference and create images using drawing, painting, or mixed media. Open to students of all skill levels, you will choose the media with which you prefer to work.

THE HUMAN FIGURE IN LINE AND TONAL WASH

Explore the figure through line and texture, using various dry media. The wash technique will be introduced to establish volume and patterns of light and dark in the composition. This is an ideal class for individuals who wish to make the transition from drawing to watercolor.

IMPROVISATIONAL ART

Using the materials at hand, immerse yourself in the creative process by drawing, painting, and printing with unconventional tools and techniques (including printing with fish!) Train your eyes to see the possibilities in improvised and accidental marks. Course will include units on drawing, oil or acrylic painting, and transfer processes. All skill levels welcome.

INTRODUCTION TO FIGURE PAINTING

Focus on basic, traditional figure painting using oil paint on canvas. Learn about material, tools, techniques, as well as creative approaches to the figure, and composing multi-figured paintings. You will study from the live human model, including some nude poses, and from photographs. This class is open to both beginners and more advanced oil painters.

LANDSCAPE PAINTING

Strengthen your overall painting ability as well as your ability to see and paint landscapes. You will be encouraged to complete compositions based on your developed style and learned aesthetics. Painting will take place both in the classroom and out-of-doors on location. Primary materials used will be acrylics, oils, or water-based oils.

MATERIAL MADNESS WITH OILS

Ever feel confused when shopping for art supplies? This course is designed to help you make sense of the wide variety of materials available to oil painters, including supports, mediums, solvents, paints, brushes, and palette knives. You will learn how to use the materials properly and safely, how to care for and store these materials, while also working on the creation of several oil paintings. No previous experience necessary.

MIXED MEDIA PAINTING

Explore composition, surface, and conceptual elements in this painting class involving the use of mixed media and collage. You will complete between one and three paintings. This course is open to painters of all skill levels.

PAINTING TECHNIQUES

It is never too early or too late in your painting career to learn new techniques. Each week you will learn a new technique: gesso, acrylic paint, collage, wax, plaster, found objects, and varnish. Throughout the course you will work on a series of small canvases to spotlight each new technique, and on one large canvas, layering the medium to build a complex, interesting surface. This course is appropriate for beginning or more advanced painters.

PAINTING WITH ACRYLICS

Learn techniques such as textural painting, surface preparation, color mixing, and glazing with acrylics. This course has the flexibility to accommodate the needs of both beginning and intermediate level painters. More advanced students will work on compositional problems with guidance from the instructor. Students will complete two to five paintings.

PAINTING WITH OILS

Explore the medium of oil using still life and photo references to develop paintings from sketchbook studies. Learn how to enhance your compositions with an understanding of the principles of design and color. This course has the flexibility for both the beginner and more advanced oil painter.

PAINTING WITH WATER-BASED OILS

Learn about the basic techniques used for water-based oil painting from palette preparation to underpainting. Create finished original water-based oil paintings with a new understanding of color, composition, and perspective. This class is open to beginners as well as more experienced painters.

PAINT THE TOWN

Paint the town the color of your choice! The focus will be on creating dimensional space in your cityscape painting with color and perspective. One of the most significant discoveries of color theory is how color changes the visual perception of space. Use it to create either shallow or deep space. Paint on paper, canvas board, or stretched canvas, in either oil or acrylic paint. Wear your walking shoes and be prepared for inclement weather.

PEN, INK, WATERCOLOR

Using pen, ink, and watercolor, this class will teach you to have fun creating compositions while learning to paint with additives such as salt and alcohol to create the illusion of texture. Watercolor papers and other materials will be explored as you expand your technical and confidence with these mediums.

RELIGIOUS PAINTINGS

View examples of religious paintings throughout the history of art and create your own using either oil or acrylic paint. Your work will be based on religious themes, whether it be a specific religion or just your own inner beliefs. Examples include paintings of saints, biblical passages or spiritual symbols. This course is open to both beginners and more experienced painters.

VIVID WATERCOLOR

Loosen up and enjoy learning to use watercolor expressively. You will study color intensity and combination as well as basic watercolor techniques, including paper preparation, washes, dry brush, and masking. Use still life and landscape as sources. This course has the flexibility for both the beginner and more advanced watercolor artist.

Photography Classes

ALTERNATIVE PROCESSES IN DARKROOM PHOTOGRAPHY

Continue exploring the medium of black and white photography. Incorporate fine art into photography by experimenting with new film and developing techniques. Introductory students are welcome in this class. The instructor will work with you at any skill level.

ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY

While other photography classes include extensive instructions in processing and printing, this class focuses on the basics, learning to use your camera and taking pictures. Learn to take pictures in natural, artificial, and flash lighting using color or black and white film.

BLACK AND WHITE DARKROOM PHOTOGRAPHY

Investigate your environment through black and white photography. Emphasis on camera and darkroom techniques will enable you to realize your potential for creative image making. A 35mm camera is required for this course.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Study the functions and intricacies of your digital camera, and learn how to take great pictures. You will learn how to capture photos from your digital camera, scanner, or files. By the end of the course you will be able to manage your camera, edit your photos, incorporate them into your documents, and print or share them with others.

INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHY

Continue exploring the medium of black and white photography. Incorporate fine art into photography by experimenting with new film and developing techniques. Introductory students are welcome in this class. The instructor will work with you at any skill level.

INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY

Investigate your environment through black and white photography. Emphasis on camera and darkroom techniques will enable you to realize your potential for creative image making. A 35mm camera is required for this course.

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

Explore the landscape with black and white photography. Learn how to select and interpret subject matter in addition to incorporating the elements of composition and content into your landscape photographs.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Practice taking interesting, creative portraits in and out of doors. Learn how to capture your subject’s personality, and enhance the quality of photos you take of family and friends. Students must have completed the Introduction to Photography class prior to taking Portrait Photography.

Printmaking Classes

MONOTYPE WORKSHOP

Translate your drawings into one-of-a-kind prints. The four basic methods for monotype printing will be explored in this two-day workshop. Additive, subtractive, line drawn, and stenciling techniques will be demonstrated. Students will have use of the presses and equipment in the printmaking studio for both days.

PRINTMAKING

Explore printmaking! Create a portfolio of prints with a variety of media. Experiment with intaglio, Relief, and Monotype processes. This course will cover all basic technical concerns as well as the history of printmaking. Instruction will be given on presentation, care and framing finished works.

PRINTMAKING WITH FOUND OBJECTS

Make a work of art with junk and found objects while incorporating traditional printmaking and mixed media techniques. Collography, monoprinting, rubberstamp printing and embossing will be demonstrated. Contour line drawing and charcoal may be added to your composition. You will learn that these techniques can be used any time anywhere at very little cost. The possibilities are endless. Bring at least five items you consider junk to the first class.

RUST TRANSFER PRINTMAKING

Learn a new printmaking technique that doesn’t require a press and produces a rich, textured surface. Rust transfer is a simple process that uses steel, paper, and vinegar. You can print, draw, or paint over your rust transfer print to create multilayered effects. Create several finished works of art in this two-day workshop.

SPONTANEOUS PRINTS

This course will introduce you to a unique type of painting and printing on paper. You will construct one-of-a-kind prints created by painting on Plexiglas and pressed by hand onto paper. A variety of media, techniques, subject matter, and papers will be explored. Making these monotypes will inspire and motivate you, since you will be able to work quickly, see different results every time, and make use of accidental marks.

Sculpture Classes

FIGURE SCULPTURE

Working from photographic references and other sources, explore ways to represent the human from in three dimensions using materials such as plaster, wire, paper, clay, and found objects.

FIGURE STUDY IN CLAY

Sculpt the figure in stoneware and terra cotta clay mediums. Using a nude or clothed model, you will study the human form and create representational sculptures. This course is open to beginning or advanced students.

HEAD STUDY IN CLAY

Sculpt a portrait of anyone you wish in earthenware clay. Through demonstrations of sculpting techniques, discussion of basic sculpture concepts and anatomy, and studying live models, you will understand and use portraiture as a means of creative expression.

MIXED MEDIA SCULPTURE

Explore several additive and subtractive sculptural techniques, including: plaster casting, carving, mold making, and weaving objects with wire in three dimensions. Create projects of your own design using any or all of the demonstrated techniques. The supply fee covers most of the typical materials needed, however additional items may be required for individual projects.

PLASTER PLAY

Explore the incredibly flexible medium of plaster using a variety of techniques including building a sculpture with armature and plaster, a body cast mould, and carving.

POLYMER CLAY DESIGN

Discover the many possibilities of polymer clay. Explore ancient methods of bead making, and develop the skills to manipulate this versatile clay into pins, buttons, decorative vessels and sculpture. Experiment with color mixing, pattern creation and shaping techniques.

RAKU WORKSHOP

Come to this fun, interactive workshop and watch the unpredictable results of Raku firing firsthand. Raku, meaning pleasure, is a low fire ceramic process producing painterly special effects with decorative glazes. The workshop will be held in three sessions. First you will create your own pinch, coil, or slab pots with help from the instructors. Small group glazing sessions will be arranged at the convenience of the students when the pieces have dried and fired. Then an outdoor all-day pit firing will be held at the instructors’ home. In case of inclement weather, the firing will be rescheduled at the convenience of the students.

RECYCLED SCULPTURE

Assemble decorative sculpture using materials found in second hand shops and junkyards. A variety of materials will be provided with the supply fee. Then develop your own style while finishing the work with paint.

SCULPTURE FROM FOUND OBJECTS

Assemble decorative sculpture using materials found in second-hand shops and junkyards. A variety of materials will be provided with the supply fee. Then develop your own style while finishing the work with paint.

SELF PORTRAIT IN RESIN

Explore the exciting medium of resin, a malleable plastic product. You will use a water-soluble rubber to form the base, and then make a mold of your face. Resin will be poured into the mold to make your work of art. You will have the option of bronzing your piece to make it look like a bronze sculpture.

WOOD SCULPTURE

Study the elements of three-dimensional art and their application to wood sculpture. Class projects will involve the creation of several wooden forms, in addition to instruction on the properties of wood and the various tools involved in construction and finishing techniques. (This is not a wood carving class).

Writing Classes

CREATIVE WRITING FOR ARTISTS

Further develop your creative resources by practicing the art of creative writing. Observe the world around you, then turn your thoughts into meaningful and memorable communications. Combine writing with drawing to achieve a finished work.

PROFESSIONAL WRITING

Designers, administrative assistants, artists: write copy like a pro! Develop great headlines, strong introductions, compelling body copy and solid summary statements. Learn how and when to introduce conflict, and then bring resolution. Review the basics of grammar and spelling, and learn how to break the rules. We will review and analyze examples of great writing, and practice the same in class.

STORYTELLING FOR ARTISTS

Your art – whether it is illustration, painting, photography, or other – most often depicts a scene or situation. Learn how to expand your art to tell the whole story leading up to and beyond your work of art. You will be able to tell better stories with words and pictures as you bridge the gap between verbal storytelling and graphic storytelling, expanding your artwork to communicate plots and storylines. This class is suitable for anyone who wants to explore narrative storytelling structures and how to apply them to graphic media, such as advertising, children’s books, graphic novels, or game design.

WRITING FOR ARTISTS

Learn what is essential in an artist’s statement, resume, and press releases. A portion of this workshop will include time for actually writing these materials with help from the instructor.

Youth and Adult Classes

PAINT DISCOVERY

Designed for a child, ages 5-12, and his or her favorite adult buddy, this class encourages the discovery of art. Create colorful, layered pictures using familiar shapes, faces, flowers, fingers, toes, and more.

PARENT AND ME (Ages 5 and older with an adult)

Interacting together in this class, you will both develop your natural desire to express yourself in art. Use a variety of drawing and painting mediums to explore and create projects in this hands-on environment. Yes, you will both get messy!