Working with watercolor, employ beautiful and minimal brush strokes to depict the wonders of the natural world in the style of Sumi-e, meant to convey the Ch’i or vital energy of what it depicts.
Learn to see like a scientist as you use watercolor and ink to illustrate specimens from nature. Experienced students develop their skills in applying key techniques such as composition, working with color, and recording fine detail in nature journaling, watercolor painting, drawing, and creating stand-alone biological illustrations.
Learn the history of redwork quilts and how this type of embroidery—primarily done in red but also in blue and black—can be used to make beautiful, delicate botanical illustrations. Students create designs based on plants native to their area, transfer those designs onto fabric, and then make a basic small quilt using their embroideries. A great class for nature lovers, gardeners, and anyone who is new to embroidery.
Learn to create three different ring designs using wire-working, forming, and riveting. Designs can be embellished with beads and easy texturing techniques to create a unique look that suits the wearer’s style. Students leave the class with several finished pieces that are ready to wear.
Through lectures and drawing exercises, learn how Renaissance artists used the Golden Ratio, the Rule of Thirds, three-point perspective, and the Fibonacci spiral—as well as how these elements can provide dynamic visual interest to your own compositions, no matter the medium. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Art warmups enable students to jump right into their projects knowing there are no “wrong answers.” Students work with positive and negative space, do quick sketches, go beyond the color wheel, and use mixed-media techniques to build layers and texture.
Get the most out of your digital mirrorless or SLR camera by taking part in this workshop, which provides a solid introduction to these cameras’ features and potential.
Your orchids are thriving and blooming. If you’re wondering what’s next in your orchid adventure, this class is for you. Learn about the conditions necessary to raise vigorous, healthy orchids for shows—and tips on transporting competition-ready orchids.
Take a much closer look at your photographic subjects through the art of macro photography. Get an introduction to the technique’s aesthetics and design, as well technical tips on lenses, close-up focusing distance, depth of field, tripod use, lighting, and other key elements.
Tempered glass, also known as crash glass, creates a jewel-like surface and adds pizzaz to a finished mosaic piece. Combine collage and mosaic techniques using an overlaying technique that incorporates printed imagery, tissue paper, foils, stamps, metallic papers, glitter, and Mylar.
Art historian and photographer Patricia Howard introduces the world of cyanotypes, a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue and white print. Create your own in this unique studio arts program. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Adobe Lightroom is the most useful (and user friendly) software for organizing and editing images, usable for both RAW and JPEG image files. This two-session workshop offers users an overview of the program, with a focus on working with the essential Library and Develop modules for organizing and editing your files.
White-line woodcuts are multicolor images printed from a single block of wood. Learn to create your own by cutting a nature print or simple line drawing into a single wood block with a knife or gouge, creating the “white lines” when printed.
Henna tattoos reflect an ancient and beautiful practice of body art. Explore the form’s history as you learn to apply simple traditional Indian henna designs.
