It's Time for Back-To-School Fall 2013 Art Classes!

It's been a while since I offered these Skill-Builder  "Basics" classes, but it's time to bring them back to have available for a new crop of young artists!  For registration information - contact me at doodlebirdstudio@hotmail.com

REGISTER BY AUG. 30TH FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!

Skill-Builders Jr.

The Art Express:

From Abstract to Realistic

 

Thursdays 3:30-4:30 p.m.

8 -Week Session  Begins September 5th - Last Class October 24th

*Best suited for students Ages 5-9*

This fun beginners class will take students on a journey through the standard genres of portrait, landscape, and still life while introducing foundational skills. Our first stop will be in abstraction where we will begin playing with the basic elements of line and shape. And, each stop along the way will gradually lead to increased control of these essentials, ending in more realistic depictions of simple imagery. Students will observe the work of selected artists and will explore materials such as pencil, ink, watercolor, collage, and pastel. Class Size Limit: 10

For EARLY BIRD RATES, register by August 30th
$50 per 1^st student (supplies included) and $40 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

August 31 or after:
$65 per 1st student (all supplies included) and $55 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

Skill-Builders 1: Basic Drawing

 

 

Tuesdays 3:30-4:45 p.m.
8-week Session  Begins September 10th - Last Class on October 29th

Ages 10 years and older
(or 9 year olds who show a self-driven interest and with instructor permission)

*Best for those newer to drawing OR with little

previous art instruction - you can be a beginner AT ANY AGE,

so you're never "too old" for this class*  

This class is for both the artistic and artistically-challenged. Students will explore the “ABC’s” of drawing with line and shape, basic concepts of composition, the simple impact of line variation, the usefulness of negative space, tricks to building simple and complex imagery, and more. Although we will complete one or two “finished” works, please note that the goal of this class is not to generate a stack of frame-able art pieces. Instead, students will create a skills sketchbook, recording their discoveries throughout the session. At this point, more emphasis is placed on understanding the processes and concepts than achieving a perfect result.
Class Size Limit 10

For EARLY BIRD RATES, register by August 30th
Early Bird = $55 per 1^st student (all supplies included) and $40 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

August 31 or after:
$70 per 1st student (all supplies included) and $55 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

MONDAY MASTERS SUMMER ART WORKSHOPS - Registration Open!

Monday Masters
For kids 5 yrs and older
 Come and join us for fun and creativity art workshops on select Mondays throughout summer! Students will be introduced to a new master artist each meeting while exploring a variety of materials and techniques including drawing, painting, pastel, and more! Classes will be taught by Diane Smith and Paula Gammariello - sign up for individual classes OR register for all of them!

*All classes meet at Pine Grove Baptist Church 11:00 - 12:15*

Class fee: $10.00 per person per class (all materials included)
All 6 classes for $50.00 per person!
 
**Pre-Registration required**
Contact Diane Smith at doodlebirdstudio@hotmail.com
 
Monday Masters Workshop Dates (Revised Schedule):
June 10 - Romare Bearden - Mixed Media Collage
June 17 - Vincent Van Gogh - Starry Night, Oil Pastels
July 1 - Amadeo Modigliani - Stretched Portraits, Chalk Pastels
July 8 - Wassily Kandinsky - Circles, Tempera Paint
July 29 - Pablo Picasso - Cubist Style Faces, Watercolor
August 5 - Henri Matisse - The Heart, Collage

First Class of the New Year for Our Jr. Artists

Once Upon An Art Class 
TUESDAYS 3:30-4:30
7 meetings; Feb. 5 - Mar. 19
Ages 4-9

This class will offer fun arts and crafts projects inspired by popular children’s books. Each class will begin with the reading of a picture book and some discussion of the story and illustrations. Students will then create an art project based on the story and basic art concepts. A variety of materials will be used used and activities will include printmaking, collage, drawing, and painting.

Early Bird Rate by January 25: $55.00/student; $35.00/sibling
Class Fee after January 31: $65.00/student; $45.00/sibling
Class Size Limit: 10

NOTE:  This is the same class offered in the fall.  If your kids enjoyed it, they're welcome to join me again - or tell a friend about it

Holiday Art Classes -Sign-up NOW!

Well, there will only be a few weeks available for me to squeeze in some more art classes after this current session ends.  For those who were on the waiting list for the Once Upon an Art Class that I planned to repeat after this one ends, I will be offering it starting in January as there are not enough weeks available Nov-Dec to do the class in full.  Those on the waiting list already will have first shot at the January class.

But, in the meantime, I have a couple of wonderful short-term options to take us into the Christmas season!  Holiday classes are always popular, so sign-up NOW (and receive the Early Bird Discount)!


Celebrate the Season!

November 6, 13, 27, & Dec. 4
Tuesdays 3:30-4:30
Ages 5 years and older


This delightful 4-meeting arts and crafts class will ring in the holidays with 2 Thanksgiving crafts and 2 Christmas crafts. Each class will begin with a brief story, poem, or carol followed by a related craft using a variety of materials.  Crafts may include an edible cornucopia, pilgrim hat table decoration, and Christmas ornaments.  All supplies are included - just come and have fun!  All ages 5+ welcome.

Class Size Limit: 12
Early Bird Rate (if received by Oct. 28th): $40 per first student; $25 per additional sibling
Class Fees after Oct. 28th: $50 per first student; $35 per additional sibling




Amazing 3-D Mega-Masks
Nov. 15, 29, & Dec 6
Thursdays 3:00-4:30
Ages 10 years and older

This 3-meeting class will focus on the creation of at least one unique wall-hanging hand-built/sculpted mask.  Students will design and build these creations using papier-mache', air-dry clay, paint, and assorted enhancements (i.e. feathers, sequins, etc. - as needed).  Class #1 will involve creating the mask base, class #2 will involve practice and the building of features, and class #3 will focus on the painting and decoration.  This is a great opportunity to explore creating in 3-dimensions for a change with results that are truly one-of-a-kind!

Class Size Limit: 10 (need a minimum of 6 students)

Early Bird Rate (if received by Oct. 28th): $45 per first student; $30 per additional sibling
Class Fees after Oct. 28th: $55 per first student; $40 per additional sibling

Back To School - Fall Classes 2012

Once Upon An Art Class
TUESDAYS 3:30-4:30
8 meetings; Sept. 11 - Oct. 30
Ages 4-9

This class will offer fun arts and crafts projects inspired by popular children’s books. Each class will begin with the reading of a picture book and some discussion of the story and illustrations. Students will then create an art project based on the story and basic art concepts. A variety of materials will be used used and activities will include printmaking, collage, drawing, and painting.

Early Bird Rate by August 31: $55.00/student; $35.00/sibling
Class Fee after August 31: $65.00/student; $45.00/sibling
Class Size Limit: 10



Deconstructing the Portrait

THURSDAYS, 3:00 - 4:30
10 Meetings, Sept. 13 - Nov. 15
Ages 10 and older (or with instructor permission)
Something For Everyone - Great Class for Jr. High AND High School Art!

This 10-meeting art adventure will begin by studying the proper proportions of the face while looking at the work of Renaissance artists. Students will create a self-portrait, practicing their skills of observation and rendering facial features. But, kids who struggle with realistic drawing need not fear - we will spend the rest of the course exploring more modern, expressive, and abstract approaches to the portrait. Concepts like exaggeration, expressive vs. natural color, line, shape, and pattern will be discussed and practiced through drawing, painting, and possibly collage. Students will create portraits in the style of artists like Modigliani, Warhol, Basquiat, and Picasso.

Early Bird Rate by August 31: $60.00/student; $40.00/sibling
Class Fee after August 31: $70.00/student; $55.00/sibling

Class Size Limit 12

Last Spring Art Classes 2012 - Register Now!

That's right!  Let's celebrate spring with some exciting color classes.  Here's one more chance to include art and art history in before summer break...

SkillBuilders Jr. - Color Carnival

*Best suited for beginning students Ages 6-10*
Thursdays 2:30-3:30 beginning April 12 (8 meetings)


This beginning class is designed to introduce younger students to some of the basic concepts of color and color theory. Beginning with black and white, we will answer the question “What is Color?” We will then ask “Where does color come from?” as we explore primary, secondary and neutral colors. Every class will include hands-on exploration of the given concept through color mixing, a homemade color wheel, and other related projects. Example reproductions from art history will be shared and discussed.

EARLY BIRD RATE: $55 per 1^st student (register by March 16th); $40 per additional sibling
$65 per 1^st student (March 17th and beyond); $50 per additional sibling

COLOR BLAST
Ages 11 years and older (or with instructor permission)
Skill-Builders 3: Basic Color helpful, but NOT required - new students welcome
New Time Tuesdays 3:30-4:45 beginning April 10 (8 meetings)

This class picks up where Skill-Builders 3: Basic Color left off, taking a turn toward the wild side. There will be some review of basic color theory as needed, but the focus will be on the psychological, emotional, and expressive use of color. Topics in this class include looking at the color wheel in terms of “value,” practice working with a limited color palette, and the historic use of expressive color, particularly early 20^th century painting.

EARLY BIRD RATE: $55 per 1^st student (register by March 16th); $40 per additional sibling
$65 per 1^st student (March 17th and beyond); $50 per additional sibling

Back to School Art Classes Beginning September 2011!

 

Register NOW for the first round of classes coming this fall!  This is a great opportunity to learn about art, artists, history, drawing and painting techniques, and MORE!  Just e-mail to register...

 (New) Skill-Builders Jr.
Super Shapes -
The Building Blocks
of Drawing

Tuesdays 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Ages 6-10 years (or with instructor permission)

Come and discover how 2-dimensional shapes transform into 3-dimensional forms! Through visual examples from various artists, games, and discussion, beginning artists will learn to identify and render the sphere, cube, cone, pyramid, and cylinder. Kids will create their own “Book of Shapes” and will practice assembling some common objects in drawings, achieving the illusion of real space on a flat page.

Class Size Limit 10
8 week session beginning September 13th
$50 per 1^st student (supplies included)
$35 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

Skill-Builders 1: Basic Drawing

Tuesdays 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Ages 9 years and older

This class is for both the artistic and artistically-challenged. Students will explore the “ABC’s” of drawing with line and shape, basic concepts of composition, the simple impact of line variation, the usefulness of negative space, tricks to building simple and complex imagery, and more. Although we will complete one or two “finished” works, please note that the goal of this class is not to generate a stack of frame-able art pieces. Instead, students will create a skills sketchbook, recording their discoveries throughout the session. At this point, more emphasis is placed on understanding the processes and concepts than achieving a perfect result.

Class Size Limit 12
8 week session beginning September 13th
$50 per 1^st student (supplies included)
$35 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

　

(New)   Skill-Builders 3: Basic Color (pt. 1)

Thursdays 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Ages 11 years and older

Junior high and high school students will dive into the rich world of color! We will explore basic color theory by starting with making a color wheel. Students will create a skills reference book that includes the modern vs. traditional primary colors, secondary and tertiary colors, neutrals, and the effects of light and shadow on color. Other hands-on practice will focus on the use of color throughout history, recipes for various flesh tones, and more! Most lessons will use liquid watercolor, pan watercolor, and tempera paint. Note: Part 2 will be offered in the spring; part 1 not required, but recommended.

Class Size Limit 12

8 week session beginning September 15th
$55 per 1^st student (supplies included)
$40 per additional sibling (immediate family/same class)

Spring Classes Come to an End with Creative Modern Portraits

The Face to Face: Deconstructing the Portrait class ended in an explosion of color inspired by artists like Picasso and Jean Michel Basquiat. 


Medusa



I hope all the students have a great summer and hope to see you in the fall (or join me for summer classes!)

Checking in With the Teen Portraits "Deconstructed" Class...



Hannah's feeling a little 2-dimensional today...

 Today was the halfway mark for the "Face to Face: Deconstructing the Portrait" class, so I thought I'd share some of the students' work.

The first several meetings of this class focused on works from the Renaissance and the study of realistic proportions and facial features.


And they practiced profile proportions



Students practiced frontal proportions...

 




Putting it all together in a Self Portrait

 


Proportion Practice



From there, we jumped ahead to the late 19th and early 20th centuries where artists began to "play" and experiment with style and approach.  For the examples shown here, the artist Amedeo Modigliani was in the spotlight and his work was used as our inspiration as we began to distort and abstract the portrait.   

Great work kids - I look forward the the next project!



A work in progress...

 


Great color - unique interpretation!



Project 1 - Amazing Landscapes!

Claire...after she'd washed the layer of multi-color pastel off her face

The spring round of art classes has begun!  We're off to a great start in the NEW By Land and Sea Class (projects inspired by landscape, seascape, and cityscape artists).  I have to say that I thought all of my 11 students did an amazing job on their first project (much better than my example). 



Caleb's serene and painterly setting



Nathan's tranquil scene...but watch out for TWO volcanoes in the background

 We learned about horizon lines, highlights, layering, foreground, middle ground, and background space in a multi-media project (watercolor underpainting with chalk pastel).  Our artist in the spotlight was Henri Rousseau.

Claire's night vision

I'm particularly delighted by the differences in results, even though this was a guided project.  All I can say is I can't wait to see what the next 6 weeks will bring!  Well done, kids - I wish I could show everyone's work right now, but I'll save some for later!

Aubre, our youngest student



Caleb and Joshua, hard at work

Scenes From Current Doodlebird Classes...

We've passed the halfway point for this round of classes - a great group of kids working hard!  Great job kids!

SkillBuilder 2 - Let There Be Light!


Studying Value



Student Work

SkillBuilder 1 - Basic Drawing




Smiles All Around



Single thick/thin line drawing

 
SkillBuilder Jr. - Color Carnival
(photos courtesy of Jill Martin Photography)

Working with primary colors



How 'bout some secondary colors?





Ta-daaa!

Color Mixing

  

A Merry Old Time in the "Christmas Keepsakes" Class!

Three very special projects were the highlight of this class.  No prepackaged kits or stick-on foamies here.  Instead, each item was made from scratch by the students age 8-12.


 One project was an advent calendar made with decorative papers, mini gift bags, and MDF board.  Little hanging bags have plenty of room for verses and goodies for each day through Christmas Eve.

Light shines through these angels.

Unique contemporary translucent Angels were sculpted in wire and filled with colorful and flexible window cling material.





A queue of Marys and Josephs wait for color!

  

But, probably one of the students' favorite projects was sculpting a mini nativity from clay and painting it on the last day.

I hope that these "keepsakes" will be enjoyed for years and that they will always remind the students of the real meaning of Christmas.





Ready for Display