All upcoming Studio Arts: Painting classes

Learn to understand color and simple techniques that help you use watercolor. This fun guided practice explains the methods used to arrange and paint still-life artworks. The culmination of the four sessions is a finished painting of a snowy day with your personal flair.

Step into winter wonderlands as you begin your watercolor journey by coming to understand color and trying simple techniques that help you use this magical art material. Prepare yourself for success with the correct supplies in combination with fun guided practice that explains the methods used to paint landscapes.

Before photography was available, botanical illustration was the only way of visually recording the world’s plant life. Through the skill of artists, the beauty of botany was shared with the world. This class walks you through the process of capturing the essence of florals through the wet-in-wet method to create a beautiful painting.

Gouache is widely used by artists who want the ease of a water-soluble medium with the bonus of opacity. Either alone or married with other mediums, gouache plays along for exquisite results.

Join Smithsonian Studio Arts instructor Lubna Zahid for a member-only small-group critique focusing on artwork in watercolor. Coffee and light refreshments are provided for this special event.

Join Smithsonian Studio Arts instructor Shahin Talishkhan for a member-only small-group critique focusing on artwork in oil paint. Coffee and light refreshments are provided for this special event.

Beginning students explore watercolor techniques and learn new approaches to painting through demonstration, discussion, and experimentation.

Build on your botanical painting skills as you create vibrant watercolors inspired by nature. Learn to focus on the texture and detail of botanical subjects including flowers, mushrooms, and vegetables.

Take the angst out of learning how to paint a portrait by creating monochromatic images of gargoyles, grotesques, and caryatids.

Paint for enjoyment and appreciate nature’s beauty as you study depicting flowers with watercolor.