Classes

A Beginner’s Introduction to Soft Pastels

This is a three-hour class for adults ages 18+ interested in soft (dry) pastels, pastel papers, and basic techniques for painting with this wonderful and forgiving medium. The classes may be for still life paintings or landscape paintings. Please note, these classes are not for oil pastels, a very different medium. Students are provided a supplies list of items they are required to bring to the workshops. In the pastel workshops learn about:

• Soft pastel types, pastel safety, pastel paper surfaces. Students spend time experimenting with applications on different surfaces before we start painting.
• Underpainting techniques to give added dimension and depth to your paintings. Students may learn alcohol, ArtGraf, Watercolor, Acrylic inks and other mediums to create an inspired base layer to their pastel painting.
• Basic composition, values, and value shapes. Students learn primary types of compositions, how to pull viewers into their painting, the importance of values and shapes as the foundation of all paintings.
• Creating Notans and value sketches. Students learn to simplify compositions from provided photos and/or their own using simple small black and white, or black/white/grey images to plan their painting before applying any color.
• Following Lisa’s demo, students will follow the step-by-step process to create paintings.

Gelli Mono-Prints

This is a three-hour workshop for adults (children age 10+ with attending parent/guardian) interested in learning all about gelli printing. The gelli plate is a clear, gelatin-like and flexible surface on which paint is placed and images are created. Paper is hand-rubbed on the surface of the plate to pick up paint/images students have placed there. No two prints are alike. It’s a wildly creative and addictive way to create original art even if you don’t believe you have artistic talent. In this workshop we cover:

• Using gel plates, acrylic paint, found objects, stencils, paint brushes, and more to create one-of-a-kind prints.
• Experimenting with textures to build visual variety, movement, and mood while creating layered prints.

In this class all supplies are provided for you: Gelli plates, brayers, acrylic paints and brushes, papers to print on, and a variety of found objects and textured items like bubble wrap, fabric, lace, etc.

There is no limit to what your creativity can do as you find your own joyful artistry in a lively, welcoming and encouraging workshop environment!

At the end of the class each student walks out with prints of their own creation to frame, use for collage, apply to other surfaces like glass or wood, and even use as custom-made gift wrap. Let your imagination surprise you!