Scottsdale Artists' School

01/23/2025

Painting the Portrait in Watercolor

Stan Miller

March 24 - 27

In this workshop the instructor will briefly demonstrate every morning. Students will primarily work from instructor handouts, moving from painting a simple portrait to more complex portrait projects, throughout the four days. Fundamentals of realism, impressionism and abstraction will be briefly demonstrated and discussed during the class. The instructor will individually visit each student as each class project is being completed. Stan will also help students that have photos, edit their portrait photos. Choosing a paintable subject that matches one’s skill level, technique, color, creating mood, understanding composition and design, portrait backgrounds will be addressed as well as a variety of other topics. All students are encouraged to bring a few photos of portraits they may desire to paint after the workshop is over. If the student prefers to work on their own photo during the workshop, this is okay.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/321/

01/22/2025

YOUTH ACADEMY: Draw in Color | Ages: 8 - 12

February 25 - March 26

Come celebrate Spring with nature and animal themes using a variety of colorful drawing mediums (markers, colored pencils, pastels and more). The class will focus on color theory basics, drawing techniques, self-expression and design elements.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/298/

01/22/2025

Power of Expressive Brushstrokes and Mark Making!

Hsin-Yao Tseng

March 24 - 28

This five-day workshop is particularly designed for anyone who wants to learn how to paint expressive yet energetic paintings. We will be focusing on exploring different mark making, textures, and other tools besides brushes to create some interesting paintings. In this workshop, we will be painting variation subjects such as urban landscape, city canal boat scenes and flowers. There will be a discussion on how to simplify and utilize shapes to capture mood to create expressive paintings. How to suggest your painting with good design, exciting brushstrokes and colors. How to balance realistic and abstract elements in your painting. Students will paint in oil from photo references (provided by Hsin-Yao or students themselves) each day. Hsin-Yao will demonstrate each day in the morning and then work with students on an individual basis. Each student will have the benefit to have one-on-one review time on the last day with the instructor.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/176/

Fine art training for artists and aspiring artists of all ages and skill levels.

01/21/2025

Limited spots available for these highly anticipated workshops!

Composing a Garden Painting
Kathy Anderson
February 17 - 20

Painting Hands
Shana Levenson
March 7 - 9

Paint with an Understanding of the Masters
Robert Johnson
March 10 - 14

Investigating the Modern Portrait
David Jon Kassan
March 10 - 14

Ask about our SCHOLARSHIPS 💰💰💰

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/category/1/

01/21/2025

Logic of Painting

Regina Lyubovnaya

March 24 - 28

In this five-day course, students will approach still-life and portrait painting not from the perspective of technique or dogma, but from a multiplicity of choices. Our focus will be on understanding why certain approaches are more effective and beautiful than others. We will learn to identify the task before us and view it as a field of open possibilities, recognizing that there is always more than one way to solve it. To paint with logic and understanding is to remain open and receptive. Simply being told how to solve a problem is just following someone else’s steps. Regina will explain how painting solutions emerge from an understanding and perception of light, space, and form. By employing value, color, edges, brushstrokes, and paint quality, we can translate visual information into beautiful paintings that are guided by our visual aesthetic ideas.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/320/

01/20/2025

YOUTH ACADEMY: Spring Painting | Ages: 10 - 15

February 19 - March 26

Explore the fun and fabulous Spring Season with wonderful watercolors, bold gouaches, and amazing acrylics! We will practice observation and design skills and deep dive into color palettes, color mixing, values and tones.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/389/

01/20/2025

Painting the Miracle with Pastels: Figure and Portrait

Allen Garns

February 21 - 22

Walt Whitman wrote, “To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, every cubic inch of space is a miracle”. That’s what we are going to do, learn to better see and express the miracle of light and form. There is no real secret to doing this. It always comes back to practicing and deepening your understanding of fundamentals. Value, color, shape, and composition will be emphasized and how they can be used to create light and form and how those elements relate to the human form. Additionally, we will be discussing materials and techniques. We will work from photos and a live clothed/costumed model. Through it all, we will talk about seeing the miracles before our eyes.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/364/

Fine art training for artists and aspiring artists of all ages and skill levels.

01/18/2025

Youth Academy Art Camp Saturdays

Ages: 7 - 11

February 22 - March 8

Paint your way to art adventures in this fun and creative art camp on Saturdays. Each camp day will have a painting lesson and a clay project.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/295/

01/17/2025

Looking forward to February?

So are we! Treat yourself to an available scholarship 💰 and celebrate your love for art next month ❤️ 🎨 🖌️

Painting Pollinators
Devon Meyer
February 3 - 17

Beginning Oil Pastel
Scott Turner
February 8

Plein Air Painting Secrets
Linda Pullinsi
February 11 - 13

The Pop Art Still Life
John Schieffer
February 14 -15

Apply for a scholarship: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/about/apply/

🐝

01/17/2025

Cheat Codes to Alla Prima Painting

Kai Lun Qu

ONLINE on Zoom and Padlet | February 14,21,28 2025 | 3 Fridays | 5pm-8pm Arizona Time (Mountain Standard Time!) | recording of each session will be available for additional two months

Unlock the secrets to mastering alla prima painting with Kai Lun Qu, a renowned artist whose innovative techniques have expanded his repertoire beyond traditional subjects like portraits, landscapes, and animals. These methods have also propelled him into the realm of pop culture art, earning him a prestigious role with Marvel.
In this 3-week intensive course, you’ll dive deep into the “cheat codes” that will allow you to confidently paint any subject matter. Whether you’re looking to elevate your traditional skills or break into new creative territories, this class is designed to transform your approach to painting.
Kai’s straightforward, no-nonsense teaching style will cut through the noise, focusing on the essential techniques that will take your painting to the next level.
Join this course and learn how to demystify the alla prima process, breaking down intimidating subjects into manageable steps that lead to stunning results. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these sessions will arm you with knowledge and techniques that you won’t find anywhere else.

All skill levels are welcome (Though some foundational knowledge of drawing is preferred)

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/217/

01/17/2025

Alla Prima: Painting the Portrait and Figure from Life

Romel de la Torre

March 17 - 21

Romel will demonstrate every morning using Alla Prima (a style of painting where, instead of building colors up with layers or glazing over an underpainting, the painting is completed while the paint is still wet) with the emphasis on improving color, drawing skills, value relationships, understanding edges, and capturing the feeling of light. Learn to use the elements that make a painting stronger and exciting! In addition, Romel will explain how to set up the model and lighting and how to best use photography. Instruction will be individualized to each student’s specific needs. Romel provides easygoing instruction as well as discussion of techniques of some of his favorite artists.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/162/

01/16/2025

Oil Painting: Bloom with Creativity Painting Flowers

Ages 16 and up

Cindy DiBlasi

February 6 - 27 | Thursdays | 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Discover the art of painting flowers in our 4-session beginner’s oil painting course for young adults! Whether you are new to oil painting or looking to expand your skills, this course is perfect for bringing your love of flowers to life on canvas.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/347/

Fine art training for artists and aspiring artists of all ages and skill levels.

01/16/2025

Fundamentals of Studio Landscape Painting

John P**n

March 17 - 21

This time-tested curriculum is designed for the serious student wishing to develop fundamentals in landscape painting, including a greater understanding of values, color mixing, atmosphere, and composition including organization and emphasis. The focus will also be on developing more fluid brushwork and a personal statement in representing outdoor subject matter. Though students will accomplish eight to ten painting studies, the primary focus will be on imparting the necessary information for self-evaluation and growth far beyond the scope of the five-day workshop. Instruction will include lecture and slide presentations, demonstrations, class critiques, and plenty of one-on-one time with each student. Demos will be conducted using acrylics, however, the principles taught apply universally to any variety of media. Finally, a class that deciphers age-old concepts broken down into straightforward, easy-to-understand mechanisms.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/158/

#

01/15/2025

Watercolor Line and Wash - Sketching from Photos

Stevie Denny

February 15

Line and Wash is a popular technique for beginner watercolor artists, as well as seasoned painters, to capture the essence of memorable scenes, create a memento of a special time or place visited, or even serve as a sketch for a larger work. This one-day course will guide students through the entire process. Each class will start with a sketch demo that includes composition and drawing. Students are encouraged to bring their own reference photos to class to create a painting; and Stevie will also have digital photos available. After the demo, students will work on their own projects, while Stevie provides individual attention and coaches students as needed. Subjects covered will include supplies, color theory, line and wash techniques, layout, and drawing; as well as some lettering tips for those who want to use their sketch as a journaling page, card or gift.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/377/

01/15/2025

Dancing with the Abstract Gods

Suzie Black

February 15

Zoom in to your creativity. In an experimental, easy and fun way elements of abstract painting will be your playthings. You will learn composition structures, how to make texture, mark- making with line, color, use of space and you’ll try out materials that excite and stimulate your imagination. This fun day of exploration is low stress. You’ll go home with a painting and some exciting ideas for how to go forth.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/363/

01/14/2025

The Pop Art Still Life

John Schieffer

February 14 - 15

In this class you will be shown the design techniques and approach to photography to create a new and contemporary still life. You will learn what makes a good still life, and how to create Pop Art in your design. John will be teaching some of the painting methods that he has found essential over the years. Covered topics will include board surface prep, drawing techniques and materials, the importance of values and color, designing a still life and composing with light, and painting techniques.

Register: https://www.scottsdaleartschool.org/events/246/

Fine art training for artists and aspiring artists of all ages and skill levels.