All workshops are conducted via Zoom
The Most Important Things You Learn In Art School
Mini-Workshop Series, 2024
Back by request! In this popular on-demand workshop series I'll teach you some of the most important lessons I learned from my days in art school.
The six-class series is suitable for artists working in any medium, and explores the fundamental skills needed to create successful pieces of art. Classes follow the natural progression of making art from concept to critique- but each class has been designed to stand-alone, so take one topic or take them all- the choice is yours!
Classes are approximately 1-2 hours and are $35. Each class focuses on a specific topic and is available for the two calendar months listed in the descriptions below.
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Sign up at any time before or during the a class's availability window. Classes can be re-watched as many times as you'd like during the availability window. The materials required for each class have been noted in the descriptions below.
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Class 1: Establishing A Composition
January-February
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Access to the class starts on January 1 and ends February 29.
Sign up anytime until February 28th
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Composition is the foundation that every piece of art is built on. Learn about the fundamental elements needed to create a composition: visual weight, balance, lines, and focal point, and see how these elements have been used by the great masters in historical artwork. We'll also discuss the relationship between subject and space. Exercises that will help distill compositions down to their basic elements will be suggested.
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Materials Needed: Drawing Tool (pencil, marker, or charcoal) and Paper OR a digital drawing tablet.
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Class 2: Sketching/Perspective
February-March
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Access to the class starts on February 1 and ends March 31.
Sign up anytime until March 30th.
Learn techniques that will help you make more accurate drawings. I'll demonstrate some quick ways to breakdown reference photos into proportions and ratios. Types of perspectives will be discussed and I'll show some perspective exercises and suggest ways to hone your observational skills in order to get more accurate drawings from life.
Materials Needed: Drawing Tool (pencil, marker, or charcoal) and paper, OR a digital drawing tablet.
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Class 3: The Color Wheel
March-April
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Access to the class starts on March 1 and ends April 30.
​Sign up anytime until April 29th.
Everything you've ever wanted and needed to know about the color wheel! Learning the fundamentals of color is key to understanding how to work with color more effectively. In this class I'll explain the terminology found on the color wheel. You'll learn about color schemes, and see examples of how they've been used in historical pieces of art. Finally, I'll suggest some exercises that will help put these principles into place. If you're not sure about terms like value, temperature, and tone, or would like to to learn more about various color schemes and how artistic masters used them to great effect- this class is a good fit for you.
Materials Needed: A paint brush and a mixable medium (e.g. watercolor, acrylic) in primary red, blue, and yellow, plus white, and black (recommended) OR a dry medium (e.g. colored pencil, pastel) with a full palette of colors. You'll also need a pencil; illustration board, or canvas board, or paper for wet media; a palette for mixing paint; and a ruler. A thumbtack, and a piece of string are also recommended- but not necessary.
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Class 4: Putting The Color Wheel Into Practice
April-May
Access to the class starts on April 1 and ends May 31.
​Sign up anytime until May 30th.
In this class we'll take a more in-depth look at color by exploring the intricacies of color temperature, and aerial perspective. We'll also discuss color theory concepts such as relativity, and we'll learn how color theory translates into the artistic practice by taking a look at historical works of art. I'll also demonstrate some color exercises you can do at home.
If you have limited experience with color- it's recommended that both color classes be taken. But if you know your color terms (e.g. understand the difference between value and saturation) and have a solid understanding of various color schemes, this class is a good fit for you.
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Materials Needed: A paint brush, a palette, a few 2x3" pieces of white card stock/heavy paper (scraps are o.k.), and acrylic paint in primary red, blue, and yellow, plus white, and black. Colored paper e.g. construction/craft paper (it can even be scraps taken from a magazine as long as they are solid colors) OR a digital drawing tablet.
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Class 5: Telling a Visual Story
May-June
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Access to the class starts on May 1 and ends June 30.
Sign up anytime until June 29th.
Every artist needs to be a visual storyteller. Communicating your thoughts and feelings, and giving the viewer's eye a way to wander through your piece, and key components for making impactful art. In this class we'll look at how the artistic elements of line, edge, focal point, and point-of-view can be used help to tell the story. Then review examples of art to see how these elements are presented to successfully tell the artist's story. We'll also look at symbolism and story-telling in art history. Finally, I'll suggest some exercises you can do at home to help make sure your art is telling the story you want it to.
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Materials Needed: Pencil and paper, and whatever medium you would like to work with.
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Class 6: Getting and Giving a Good Critique
June-July
Access to the class starts on June 1 and ends July 31.
​Sign up anytime until July 30th.
Critiquing is actually a skill taught in art school. Learning how to properly critique, and be critiqued, was the most valuable piece of training I received- and I want to share this skill with you!
Critiques are one of the best tools for artistic growth but many people feel intimidated by them. Knowing how to approach the process can help you feel more confident and improve your art. In this class the three critique scenarios will be discussed; evaluating other artist's work (an often overlooked learning opportunity), receiving a critique, and critiquing your own work. We'll also talk about how to respond when your work is evaluated by others- which feedback you can (or should) take, and which advice might be okay to leave.
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There are no specific materials needed for this class.
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More Info:
Each class includes demonstrations or examples of art, as well as instruction and lecture on the topic. There are also suggested exercises participants can do outside of class to better understand the concepts and put them into practice.
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Price: Each class is $35.
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Technical Requirements: Classes are recorded using Zoom. Participants need to be able to log into zoom using a link, and play a recording.
Access: Automated subtitles are available for each class recording.
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Refund Policy: Classes are non-refundable.
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If you have any questions about classes contact Meg
-Paula
"Meg is an excellent teacher. I like the way workshops are done, including the email feedback given afterwards, it's very helpful. I look forward to taking online classes again in the future."
"I enjoyed the workshop very much and hope to take more online workshops with Meg. I learned a lot and the feedback is wonderful!"
-Diana
"Taking a class from Meg is sitting at the feet of a master, one who shares all her secrets and techniques without covering over your own personal style. There's a wide gap between doing and teaching, Meg closes that with patience, enthusiasm, and specific, very helpful critiques. I'd recommend her well-planned and creative lessons to anyone wanting to learn and improve their artistic abilities."
-Suzanne
"I took my first pastel class with Meg and totally enjoyed myself. The new techniques were fun and Meg was both encouraging and also offered gentle criticisms, which are so necessary in order to grow. I have decided to continue with pastel and hope to take more workshops with Meg soon. Thank You Meg!"
-Gwen
"This workshop was fantastic!"
-Susan
Contact Meg