Working from Green-Wood
May
31
4:00 PM16:00

Working from Green-Wood

Our final class will take place in Green-Wood Cemetery for a plein air, working from life drawing session. We will address a variety of techniques discussed in the other classes and encourage artists to find an interesting subject matter to work from. All art from observations is about choices; what to leave out and what to focus on. We are the curators of our own expression and we control a piece by making such decisions. Landscapes can be captured in a variety on manners such as blocking out spaces as in Diebenkorn, or by maximalizing the fantasy of patterns like Gustav Klimt once did.

Suggested materials list: (As this is the final class, and students can stay in the cemetery until closing, this session will be less structured, guided by the needs of the group. Bring whatever you would like to work with)

  • Hard surface to draw on (board, sketchbook, book, etc.)

  • watercolors with watercolor paper

  • charcoal and good paper

  • oil or charcoal pastels

  • anything else you might want to work with

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Working from the Work with Shapes
May
17
1:00 PM13:00

Working from the Work with Shapes

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Shapes and Cut Paper

In this workshop, we’ll explore the rich tradition of cut paper art by looking at both historical and contemporary artists and illustrators who use this medium to striking effect. We’ll discuss how cut paper techniques can flatten space, reduce subjects to their essential forms, and offer a bold, graphic language for visual storytelling.

Working from still life and selected pieces in the Wedding Party exhibition, participants will begin with observational drawings and develop them into cut paper collages. Using a combination of colored paper provided and their own hand-painted or prepared papers (optional), students will create dynamic compositions that balance precision with play. We will provide materials, but artists are encouraged to bring their own:

Suggested Materials

Presentations will be available for download after the class.

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Working from the Work with Form
May
10
1:00 PM13:00

Working from the Work with Form

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Form & Shading – Drawing Without Line

In this class, we’ll explore how to use the line to lose the line, focusing on cross-hatching, shading, and negative space to create depth and form.

We'll look at examples like:

  • Van Gogh, whose repeated lines build form without outlines

  • Giorgio Morandi, who used subtle cross-hatching for tonal variation

  • John Singer Sargent, who created form through negative space, as in a profile that emerges from a black background

We’ll start with quick, gestural warm-ups from life using these approaches. Then, after a short break, we’ll dive into a longer drawing based on the artwork in the exhibition. This part of the workshop encourages you to “paint” through drawing, letting the line dissolve into form. We’ll offer a range of prompts and techniques to support artists of all experience levels.

Suggested Materials

  • Charcoal

  • Graphite

  • Newsprint paper (for warm-ups)

  • Nicer sketchbook paper (for longer drawings), at least 8.5 x 11"

  • Watercolor pencils

  • Color is optional—if you bring any, please limit it to three colors (not including black and white)

Slide Show from Class

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