Art Classes in Courtenay

Drawing: The Right Approach, Level 1

In this introductory class, you will be guided through exercises that will improve your ability to “see correctly” as inspired by the landmark book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards. The basic premise behind this class is that the ability to draw doesn’t depend on an innate ability that only a few possess, but instead is something that anyone can learn with practice in seeing things a little differently. After learning just a few basic exercises, you will notice an increased ability to draw, as well as a heightened awareness of the visual world. There will be optional practice exercises between classes.

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Drawing: The Figure and Drapery

PREREQUISITE: The Right Approach: Level 1 or equivalent experience.

In “The Figure and Drapery” you will practise your drawing skills using the expressive human form as inspiration. Working in a variety of media and from photographs and masters’ drawings, you will explore various skills including; contour and gesture drawing, depicting accurate values and how to correctly measure proportions. You will also practise how to draw clothing and explore how drapery can add expression and movement to your drawing.

Drawing: Perspective and Landscape

PREREQUISITE: The Right Approach: Level 1 or equivalent experience.

In this class we will learn how to draw different elements of landscape such as; trees, clouds and water, as well as how to add interesting human elements involving perspective; such as buildings, fences or vehicles. Also, practise arranging an interesting composition and how to work from photographs. Materials you will explore are: pencil, pen and ink and charcoal.

Colour Basics 1 – Understanding Colour

In this introductory painting course, participants will be introduced to acrylic paints while learning the basics about colour. Projects include making an accurate colour wheel, mixing colours, learning about colour relationships and completing an abstract painting that explores how colours interact with each other. This class (along with Drawing: The Right Approach) provides a strong foundation for creative artwork in any media.

All paint and supplies are included for use in class.

There will be a 1/2 hour break for lunch.

Colour Basics 2 – Values and Techniques

PREREQUISITE: Colour Basics 1 or equivalent experience.

This class is for those who have some painting experience, have taken the first Colour Basics or a similar class before. In this class you will practise seeing colours as values and paint a few value scales. Also, you learn various acrylic painting techniques, such as how to create colour transitions or different textures, as well as get some practice recreating values to do a simple painting.

All paint and supplies are included for use in class.

There will be a 1/2 hour break for lunch.

Colour Basics 3 – Intensity and Mixing Accurate Colours

PREREQUISITE: Colour Basics 2 or equivalent experience.

This class is for those who have some painting experience, have taken the first two Colour Basics or a similar class before. In this class you will discover how to create a scale of low intensity (less bright) hues. By understanding “hue”, “value” and now “intensity” you can recreate any colour you see. After practising a few intensity scales we will mix colours we see to create a simple still life painting.

All paint and supplies are included for use in class.

There will be a 1/2 hour break for lunch.