This 6 week in studio class is an introduction for beginners, to explore, experiment, have fun creating, and find confidence with pastel painting.

Topics include showing and using the deep variety of materials to paint on and with, from pastel papers (weights to colors) to pastel hard boards. How to choose and use the different pastel sticks from hard to very soft compositions as well discover pastel brand qualities from machine to hand made pieces.

We will do different studies in pastels which demonstrate “where to begin”, how to create strong value, hue, and compositions, soft and crisp edge making, layering from dark to light, how to make clean soft and strong “marks”. An introduction to underpainting techniques, the surfaces to use and products to apply. Painting from “dark to light”, establishing light source, we also take a look at how to find the “golden mean” of your composition!

Instructor demos take you step by step as you create and explore easy painting studies during the class. Group and one on one guidance given per level of experience. Learn about instructor Paula Brown on her website.

Using provided landscape and nature source photos, each week builds confidence, pastel know how, and some fun wonderful pastel masterpieces in your new pastel styling.

Ignite your artistic passion with the malleable and beautiful media of soft pastels. Download required materials list.

Sign up now!

This is a two-day workshop Oct 19 from 9am-noon, and Oct 26 from 9-10:30am.

Create “experience” sketch art that becomes your personal memory bookmark from taking a walk in nature (inclement weather: viewing from the “inside out”)!

On our first day meeting you will experience a bit of guided “Nature Bathing” to re-connect with nature. Taking quiet pauses that bring you into present time calm, followed with writing and sketch journaling to record what you have felt, seen, heard, what you have touched and what has touched your heart.

Enjoy sketching from nature as well as snapping a few casual photos to capture moments to spur your creativity in collecting your feelings and experiences during our session.

Record your walk, feelings, sights and sounds, using your pen and ink (adding some color if time), to create your quick doodles, words, that form your unique walk memories journal. This is the beginning of your art and word “slice in time” Heart-Scape sketch book!

Our second session is made up of more writing and sketching, adding the “finishing touches” and more aha moments into our journals. Time spent inside with adding color to your sketches, or just continuing to record your sketch-scapes. Also, a bit of time to share with all, your Heart-Scape pages. Learn about instructor Paula Brown on her website.

Come take a stroll into the “ordinary” to find the “extraordinary” in you and all around you as you begin your Heart-Scape sketch journal! Download the required materials list.

Sign up now!

Two fun mornings exploring plein air painting in gouache (opaque watercolor). We hope to catch autumn colors. Beginners can learn the fundamentals of plein air painting and painting, and more experienced painters can improve your skills with color mixing, paint consistency, brush handling, painting what you see more accurately, and the representation of trees, fields and atmospheric perspective.

The two days are different, but both will be suitable for beginners and more advanced students. Includes a demo painting by the instructor and individual instruction at each student’s level of ability and interest.

Gouache paint will be provided for the workshop. For other materials you can bring, see the suggested gouache materials list.

Sign up now!

You will learn a variety of watercolor techniques and how to apply them to a painting. Techniques include flat and gradient washes, wet-in-wet brush work, dry brush work, glazing and color mixing. We will practice these techniques during each class, and then complete a small example of each one. This is truly a beginner’s class, no experience necessary. Students will be responsible for supplies. You can purchase them from Jerry’s Artarama in Newark, DE. They have instructor Karen Berstler’s supply list.
This class runs for 4 sessions, 2 hours each session.
Sign up now!

This 8 week class is designed to introduce and immerse you to painting the great outdoors while painting in studio.

Course will help you create your own plein air “container” including material tips, outdoor set ups, painting scene choices, simple composition, focused and few pallet colors, brush stroke, and paint applications, prior to stepping outside.

You will paint from provided landscape and nature source, along with demos and examples given by Paula. Learn how to do quick value black and white small sketches that guide you to quickly find the light and flow in all you paint. Learn about instructor Paula Brown on her website.

Your final painting will be from a photo you select that Paula can help you create a light filled fresh painting in plein air style. Come into the warmth of learning plein air basics from the inside out. Ages 16+. $310. See required materials list.
Sign up now!

Drawing is the language of seeing: both what our eyes see and what we see internally. We all have this ability. This eight-week course will make the connection between the external and internal means of seeing and making. The emphasis of this course is making marks that will lead to well-developed compositions. The distance from the first mark to the last mark will determine your persistence, determination, and imagination. Working with a specific set of drawing tools will allow you to explore your innermost passions and the outer limits of your imagination, along with guided exercises, still life, and image reference, all of which will help you launch your imaginations and discover your creativity.

Required materials (under $25):

• Strathmore Vellum Bristol 11×14 pad 20 sheets
• Mars Lumograph Drawing Pencil set (2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B erasers included)
• 1 Vinyl eraser, 1 Kneaded eraser

Sign up now!