Due to the pandemic all workshops and classes are conducted via Zoom
The Most Important Things You Learn In Art School
Mini-Workshop Series, 2023
Attending art school certainly isn't a requirement for being an artist (history is filled with great artists that never went to art school) but it does help to teach the fundamental skills needed to make successful pieces of art.
Sometimes when people come to art from a career change, or start practicing art later in life, they can feel as though they're missing some of those fundamentals.
In this mini-workshop series I'll teach you some of the most important lessons I learned from my days in art school.
This series has six prerecorded classes which are suitable for artists working in any medium. The series follows a natural progression, but each class explores its own topic and is designed to stand-alone, so take one class or take them all- the choice is yours.
Classes are $35 each, and are available for the two calendar months listed in the class descriptions below. Classes can be taken at any point during those months and re-watched as many times as you'd like during their availability window. Any materials that a class requires have been noted below.
January-February: Establishing A Composition
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.
Materials Needed: Drawing Tool (pencil, marker, or charcoal) and Paper OR a digital drawing tablet.
Participants will have access to this class from
January 1- February 28
February-March: Sketching/Perspective
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.
Participants will have access to this class from
February 1- March 31
March-April: The Color Wheel
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, and/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.
Participants will have access to this class from
March 1- April 30
April-May: Putting The Color Wheel Into Practice
In this class we'll take a more in-depth look at color by exploring the intricacies of color temperature, aerial perspective, and color theory concepts like relativity. I'll demonstrate some color exercises you can do at home and we'll learn how color theory translates into the artistic practice by taking a look at historical works of art. 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.
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.
Participants will have access to this class from
April 1- May 31
May-June: Telling a Visual Story
Every artist needs to be a visual storyteller, giving the viewer's eye a way to wander through a piece of art, and communicating energy and/or emotion through their work. How you treat the artistic elements of lines, edges, focal point, and point of view, help to tell the story. We'll look at some examples of art to see how these elements are treated and how they successfully tell the story. I'll suggest some exercises you can do at home to help make sure your art is telling the story you want it to.
Materials Needed: Pencil and paper, and whatever medium you would like to work with.
Participants will have access to this class from
May 1- June 30
June-July: Getting and Giving a Good Critique
Critiques are one of the most valuable tools for artistic growth, and many people aren't aware that critiquing is actually a skill taught in art school. In this class the three critique scenarios will be discussed; evaluating other artists work (an often overlooked learning opportunity), critiquing your own work, and receiving a critique. We'll also talk about how to respond when your work is evaluated by others- which feedback you can (or should) take vs. which might be o.k to leave.
There are no specific materials needed for this class.
Participants will have access to this class from
June 1- July 31
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Details: 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 for each class, and put them into practice.
Price: Each class is $35.
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.
Refund Policy: Classes are non-refundable.
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