I teach at The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art in Minneapolis, MN. Anyone is welcome to register for classes in the part-time program and workshops. This Summer term I will be teaching three classes AND two workshops! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. If a class day is cancelled due to instructor business travel or national holidays, we will have make-up sessions.
Composition
Hybrid Class (Students may attend in-person or via Zoom.) Do your pictures fall flat or look jumbled? Do you find it tricky to figure out what to put where? Sounds like you need pictorial composition tools! In this class we’ll explore a variety of tools: the elements and principles of picture composition, visual hierarchy, intent, Notan and value design, and color. You’ll learn by doing and experimenting with sketches. We’ll also analyze pictures to see what tools the artists used and we’ll break compositions to see what happens when pictorial elements are altered. And what’s the big deal with tangents, anyway? Are they “bad”? There will be recommended homework.
What we’ll be doing: In the composition class there will be a lot of sketching. Sometimes we’ll use simplified shapes, sometimes we’ll be sketching simplified studies of masterworks (i.e., not drawing every detail in 100% accuracy but getting it good enough for exploring the composition). There will be a little bit of painting, again using a masterwork as a guide. They will be very small studies. This could be whatever media a person is comfortable/familiar with (watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, or digital). I’m planning that any sketching we do will be around the 5″ x 7″ range or smaller (possibly all the way down to around 1″-2″).
Skill level for the class:
- I would not recommend the class for someone who is an absolute beginner. One will need to know how to do some sketching and observing and know some basic terminology (line, shape, form, value).
- Someone who is an advanced beginner will most likely find it challenging in a “stretch and grow” kind of way. I would consider an advanced beginner someone who has done drawing from life, or photos, and maybe some sketching.
- Someone who is at an intermediate level in their artistic journey, and hasn’t done much in the way of studying composition, will likely also find some areas of growth. They’d have more experience sketching, possibly from imagination, and drawing from life/observation.
Starts Thursday, May 23, 2024 4:00 – 6:30 PM, in-person at The Atelier Summer session: 10 weeks, $255 
Register now at https://theatelier.org/study/classes
Gestural Figure Study
Breathe life into your figure drawings by building a deeper understanding of gesture. This class blends The Atelier and Studio Arts figure study methods. I coach students through a variety of exercises to explore different ways to see, understand, and capture gesture. By understanding gesture we can incorporate a sense of life into our drawings, tell a story through body language, or exaggerate it for effect. We will be studying gesture from the nude figure. Throughout the course, there will be a variety of models and duration of poses. Experimentation of materials will be discussed and encouraged. Supply List
Starts Tuesday, May 21, 2024 4:15 – 6:45 PM, in-person at The Atelier Summer session: 10 weeks, $285 Register now at https://theatelier.org/study/classes
Imaginative Art & Illustration
Hybrid in-person/online (students may attend class by Zoom OR in-person at The Atelier) Explore your imagination! In this class you will be coached through the imaginative art-making process used by many artists for personal work and commissions: idea generation, preparatory work (sketches and value design, reference, and color studies), and on to a final picture. Emphasis will be placed on intent and visual narrative. My teaching is tailored to the needs of each student, be it exploring personal themes or creating work for an illustration portfolio. Assignments can be provided or self-generated. You may choose to work in the medium with which you are comfortable (digital or traditional media). The first 4 classes will include lectures on the imaginative art process, composition, and color. During each class, critiques and discussion will be done in a supportive group atmosphere. It is preferred that students submit work for critique through Google Classroom. To use Google Classroom, students will need a Gmail account. This system is for class review of projects only.
Starts Thursday, May 23, 2024 7:00 – 9:30 PM (Central Time) Summer session: 10 weeks, $255 Limit 8 students. Register now at https://theatelier.org/study/classes/illustration/
Workshops!
Digital Tools for Art Making.
Weekend crash course, Friday 1pm-4pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-4pm Friday–Sunday, June 28–30, 2024, In-person at The Atelier.- be familiar with navigating and using your device
- have your own laptop that can handle Photoshop (a touchscreen laptop or external pressure-sensitive tablet with pen like a Wacom Intuos is strongly recommended)
- download the supplied files in Photoshop before the workshop
- be able to connect to the internet using The Atelier’s Wi-Fi
Register now at https://theatelier.org/study/workshops/
Week-Long Workshop: Imaginative Art & llustration
Let your imagination fly! Get a taste of illustration during this week long workshop. We’ll work to develop a strong drawing for an imaginative piece based upon an existing story or your own idea. Topics covered will include composition, brainstorming, thumbnails, research, sketch development, and studies for value and color. Emphasis will be placed on composition, and storytelling. For the first class please bring a sketchbook, and your preferred drawing tools. If you have a laptop or other device with internet access, bring that too for reference research. If you have a specific project in mind, please contact me. Length: 5 days Tuition: $250 Register now at https://theatelier.org/study/workshops/
How to Register, and Additional Information
I teach classes through The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts in Minneapolis, MN. They handle all the registrations and any payments should be made out to them. To register for any classes, you can do so online through TheAtelier.org (note, The Atelier charges a little more to register online), or by mailing in a check to The Atelier with the registration slip from their mailer (you can get the Course Catalog PDF at TheAtelier.org). Registration can also be done in person but you’ll want to check first that someone will be there to assist you with your payment method.
Information from The Atelier: “For your convenience, you may register for classes online with a credit or debit card. Please note that when registering online, the course prices include an additional percentage to offset fees for accepting credit card payments.” “We still accept mail-in registration with check. Just be sure to let us know in advance which class you would like to sign up for so we can reserve your spot.” The Atelier’s contact information is: 612-362-8421 mail@theatelier.org TheAtelier.org
Regarding masking (for my classes)
IF COVID-19 Community Level is high, masks will be required for students attending my in-person classes. When Community Level is low or medium, people may choose to wear a mask at any time.