Art Classes

A picture equals a thousand words is the headline on this flyer for a drawing class

Drawing Class
Improve Your Communication Skills with artist, Shannon Meadows!

Want to learn to draw? In this class, instructor Shannon Meadows breaks down the elements of art: line, shape, form, value, and space, then applies the principles of design: balance, emphasis, movement, variety and unity. Hands on learning will improve your ability to translate what you see into two dimensions. Lessons build on each other to strengthen skills, access your creativity and enjoy the learning process.

Ages 16 + up! Instructor: Shannon Meadows
October 7 - November 25, 2018 (skip Oct. 14 & Nov. 18)
Sundays, 12 noon - 3 p.m.
6 week session: $120

Contact Shannon Meadows to register:
ShannonMeadows678@gmail.com 

Art Discovery masthead

Art Discovery with the Masters with instructor Allison Doke

Allison Doke's art discovery art class with middle school students painting still life

Students paint a still life in Allison Doke's class for ages 7-12.

acrylic still-life painting by a child student, Oct. 2017

Acrylic painting by a student, Oct. 2017

Ages 7-12
September 8 - October 20, 2018
Saturdays, 2-4 p.m.
6 week session: $90
Supply Fee: $20

Learn to draw and paint while studying the great masters in art history. From Renaissance to Realism, this class will teach children the fundamentals of art by focusing on a different artist each week. We will work in a variety of mediums and techniques from drawing with charcoal to painting with a palette knife. Children will learn about artists such as da Vinci, Van Gogh, Dali, O’Keeffe, and others. Supply fee will include a small sketchbook for the children to take home and create weekly drawings.

 

Pay button for Allison Doke's Class


Learn more about classes continuing in late-April: Email: allisondoke@ymail.com
Download Flyer for Class to share with others!

oil painting of backlit trees by Charles Scogins

Painting of trees by Charles Scogins

Fine Art Painting Class
instructed by Charles Scogins


Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Ongoing this fall. Contact Charles for the start date.

8 Week Session: $150

Please make payment arrangements directly with Charles Scogins.

This eight week class enables students to work on subjects of their choice at their own skill level from beginner to advanced. Charles encourages students to work from life, but in this studio class format, using photographic reference is acceptable. Students invest time painting subjects they find exciting which provides a satisfying experience and result.

 

  • The class is open to a variety of media with exception to pastels (due to breathing issues with that medium).
  • Color, composition, and a variety of approaches to painting will be discussed.
  • Students will bring their own supplies but easels are available on site.
  • Please have at least the primary and secondary colors available plus white in opaque mediums, (Yellow, Red, Blue, Violet, Green and Orange).
  • Flat brushes work best and you need not go out and spend large amounts of money on them.
  • A palette knife would also be useful.
oil painting of backlit trees by Charles Scogins

Students of Charles Scogins paint outdoors.

oil painting of backlit trees by Charles Scogins

Painting of a student from a class demonstration by Charles Scogins.

Questions?  E-mail Charles Scogins (cscoginsartist@yahoo.com)
Download Flyer for Class

Ongoing Realistic Drawing/Painting Classes


montage of people painting by students of Shane McDonald, Oct. 2017

Images from Shane McDonald's classes, 2017-18

Students in Shane's class work individually at their own pace and on their own projects 90% of the time. This class is ideal for students who have had some previous drawing or painting instruction, and are wanting to improve their skills using oils, acrylics, pastels, charcoal, or just about any media they choose.

2018 Fall Schedule (CURRENTLY ON HOLD):

Thursdays, 10 a.m - 1 p.m.
Sundays, 12 noon - 3 p.m.

WEEKLY CLASSES CANCELLED 2018 DUE TO FAMILY HEALTH ISSUES

Regular Agenda (click to view more)

While Shane provides instruction, mentoring, easels and small tables in the studio, prospective students are asked to bring their ideas, sketch or photo references, and art materials. Shane will explain and demonstrate exercises and techniques that will allow each student's personal style to come through their work.

Shane begins class by walking from one student to another individually critiquing each student's progress on his or her project. Each person receives instruction in the form of recommendations, encouraging comments, and answers to questions. Sometimes Shane will quickly sketch ideas for students who have trouble visualizing ways to solve artwork problems. If permission is granted by the student, Shane will also demonstrate techniques on the students' work.

Mini-workshops

It's good to periodically change the working process—and when the class agrees as a group, a mini-workshop is scheduled to enable the mutual benefit of working together step-by-step on a similar project. Group instruction or demonstrations on certain topics pertinent to realistic representation are offered. On some days a portrait or figure model will be hired and students participate the entire session working from the model. A $10 model fee will be requested for figure sessions.

Anyone 13 or older who has previously taken a drawing or painting class with Shane or another instructor is eligible to participate.

Calendar (click to view more)

Download Flyer for the Class


REGISTER NOW or

-or-
You may pay by check made out to Shane McDonald Studios and mail to:
585 Cobb Pkwy S, Studio K1
Marietta, GA 30060

Each additional attended class of the dates above will be $30.

Email shane@shanemcdonaldstudios.com to reserve your spot starting on a specific date.

$40 Drop-in (Please call in advance)

Oils & Acrylics

In Shane's classes, the new students who are most attracted to details and who prefer to paint small (16 x 20 inches or smaller) will probably want to use oils. Students who are not sure what they like will probably feel a more immediate acquaintance with acrylics than with oils. Because of drying time constraints, students who use acrylics tend to use the paint more liberally and abundantly. Plus—it's great for traveling!

Shane encourages his students to paint standing-up because it helps to keep from getting too close to the canvas (and from getting to bogged-down on insignificant details.) Easels are provided in class for up to 12 students. The following materials are up to you to bring to class:

  • Oil and Acrylic Colors (or their color equivalents) listed below are necessary for limited-palette paintings in most lighting situations. They represent a warm and cool version of the primary colors plus some secondary colors and useful neutrals. Other colors can be bought in miniature tubes or later as needed...(Download a PDF showing Shane's Limited Color Palette Layout and some helpful hints about color)
    • Titanium White (large tube)
    • Cadmium Yellow Pale or Light (cool)
    • Cadmium Yellow Medium (warm)
    • Cadmium Red Medium (warm)
    • Permanent Alizarin Crimson (cool and beautifully transparent!)
    • Ultramarine Blue (cool)
    • Cerulean Blue (warm)
    • Viridian Green (cool)
    • Sap Green (warm)
    • Toning colors: (Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna and Ivory Black)
  • Palette and More
    • OILS: (Listed in order of preference)
      • A 11-3/4 X 15-3/4 inch sheet of glass puchased at a home improvement/hardware store fits well within a "Mastersons" plastic palette holder (protects the wet paint during transport). The edges of the glass should be taped and backed with heavy-duty masking tape to the edges of an equally-sized gray or neutral-colored matt board. The tints and shades of colors are usually easier to see on when not on white or black. The mat board also strengthens the glass to prevent breakage.
      • Wooden palettes also work well because they tend to be lighter, but you'll want to use the pre-finished ones, otherwise, the wood will absorb the oil from your paint.
      • Coated disposable paper palette (available at art supply stores with or without a thumb hole)
    • ACRYLICS : A flat plastic, wood, or coated paper palette with a 12" X 16" area works fine.
  • Solvent, container for solvent, and rags (rather than paper towels)
    • OILS: Zero-odor Mineral Spirits (Gamsol has no odor at all) and large pickle jar large enough to fit a Silicoil wire in it
    • ACRYLICS: water and a quart-sized plastic container
  • Painting Medium
    • OILS: a mixture of stand linseed oil, varnish, and turpentine for use with oils only)
    • ACRYLICS: a fine-misting spray bottle and acrylic gel medium
  • Painting Tools
    • Diamond-head Palette Knife (pick sizes for scaping the palette of paint daubs and painting large and small areas)
    • Brushes (Shane prefers long-bristled filberts and flats for oils and acrylics.) A selection of 4-5 Sizes should range from about 3/32 inch to about 1 inch (or more if you work large) If you work with thick paint application, you'll probably want stiffer bristles (which tend to be less expensive.) If you work in smaller details, you'll definitely want to spend a little more money on good softer animal-hair brushes.
    • A #0 round pointed round brush works well for finer details
  • Painting Ground (stretched canvas sizes 16" X 12" and larger for both oils and acrylics)
Pastels & Drawing Media

Although most students in Shane's classes paint, he believes that painting is an extension of drawing—only in color. Students who struggle with capturing the accurate representation of objects are encouraged to use traditional drawing media as much as possible.

  • Pastellists should bring a complete set of at least 48 colors in medium-to-soft (non-oil-based) pastels. Some pastel pencils are also recommended. Contact Shane (Email) for more information on using pastels.
  • Ebony or 6B Graphite Pencil
  • Kneadable Eraser Medium Size (not pink or gum eraser)
  • Sketch Pad for notes and drawing/painting exercises
  • Drawing/Painting Ground (ready-to-use heavy-weight paper, stretched
    canvas, primed board, etc.)
Reference Materials

The easiest and best way Shane can help you achieve your desired effect in painting is through the use of references.

  • Painting ideas on paper: photos that you take yourself, your own sketches, magazine pictures, or reproductions of masterful paintings
  • Still-life objects: If space permits, you may bring your own simple objects to paint in a quick still-life setup (which must be taken down at the end of class) or you may use my collection of still-life objects. Please be prepared to light your setup on your own. You may take digital reference images of the still-life at the end of class.
Tote Container for Transport of Materials

Make it easy on yourself by keeping your supplies together. The use of inexpensive rolling travel bags work well for the transport of supplies.

  • Non-painters: any container for storage of pencils, erasers, brushes, straight-edge, sharpener, etc.
  • Painters: a tackle box or a small rolling suitcase that holds drawing materials, paints,gesso, brushes, painting medium, brush cleaner, and other small tools is ideal.