Art Classes
Country Western 2-Step Dancing with Beth Goyer
Have you ever wanted to be an Urban Cowboy? Have you ever wanted to learn how to 2-step to some of the best Country Western music around? This 8-week class will show you how to dance the basic steps and up to more intermediate moves. We will also do some mixer dances and choreographed couple dances such as the Stationary Cha-Cha The St. Louis Artists' Guild has a great dane floor in a non-smoking facility. Please have some shoes for dancing (leather or suede bottom shoes, i.e. cowboy boots, jazz shoes, bowling shoes). Come join the fun, tell your friends. It's recommended you come with your own partner, but singles are welcome.
This class is on Tuesday nights, 7pm–9pm, from March 6 to April 24, 2012.
The Black and White of It with Deanna Nash
Students will learn how to use charcoal, pen and ink, cut paper, and scratchboard to explore the picture-making process. Drawing and composition principles will be stressed in this course. Learn to make a dynamic statement using only black and white!
This class meets on Mondays, 10:00am–12:30pm, from March 19th to May 7th, 2012.
Spring Break Plein Aire Painting with Hope Rantham
En Plein Aire is a French expression which means "in the open aire" and is used to describe the at of painting outdoors. We will be exploring the tradition and practice of plein aire painting as started by Claude Monet, Winslow Homer, Camille Pissarro, and many other great artists. Beginnig with the beautiful landscape of Oak Knoll Park surrounding the St. Louis Artists Guild, we will study the light, shadow, color and forms to create impressionistic landscape paintings. As the course progresses, we will venture to new landscapes in the surrounding area such as Forest Park. Students may choose any painting media to work in, including acrylic, oil, watercolor or tempera.
This class meets every day from March 19th to March 23rd, Monday to Friday, from 1pm to 3:30pm.
Children's Book Illustration with James Ross
This class will teach students the basics of narrative illustration. Students will each choose a well-known simple short story (old myths and fairytales work well here). The stories will be broken down into a short list of story beats or plot points. An illustration will be created for each story beat.The foundations of illustration will be stressed, including effectively communicating action, contrasting tonal values to create a readable image, and choosing a limited color palette.
This class in on Monday evenings, 6pm–8:30pm, March 19– May 14th (no class on Easter Monday).
Printmaking with Multiple Print Blocks (Relief and Drypoint Techniques) with Paul Coenen
This class will focus on relief printmaking and drypoint with multiple blocks, using wood block, linoleum block, or acrylic (plex-glas). Participants will create designs using these traditional printmaking materials and print using either oil-based or water-based printmaking inks. We will cover: going from sketches to print-block design, use of printmaking tools, different printmaking techniques, and printing an edition. Students should bring drawings, photos, or other reference material for print design ideas. Some prior printmaking experience is expected.
This class meets on Mondays. 6pm–8:30pm, from March 19 to May 4 (no class on Easter Monday).
Individual Critiques with Nathan Marshall
Working on a new body of work? Want to think "outside the box"? Or maybe you are looking for places to show, some new insights, or just wanting to find the next step? Whatever your personal goal, each private critique is designed to help you push your art and your creative career foward. Nathan Marshall has served on several BFA thesis committees and shows regularly in competitve shows throughout the United States. So whether you just need a little inspiration or are looking for the long-term development of several meetings, Nathan can help you take your work to the next level.
This class meets on Mondays, 6pm–8:30pm, from March 19 to May 14, 2012.
Large Format Black and White Darkroom Prints with Russ Rosener
This workshop teachers students the mastery and craft of printing traditonal black and white film negatives onto large sheets of mural size paper. Using PVC plumbing tubes and the St. Louis Artists' Guild's darkroom, students will create poster-size prints 42 inches wide by several feet high. The basics of developing our own negatives will also be taught, as well as enlarging instruction.
This class meets on Tuesday nights, 6:00pm to 8:30pm, from March 20th–April 10th.
Plaster Mold Making with Heather Woodson
Participants wil be guided through the processes of making three different types of plaster molds. Clay will be used to create forms that we will cast to make press molds. Slump molds will be made from foam and/or containers. Lastly, participants will supply their own "found objects" to be used in maing spring molds. Plaster molds are a great way to open up new possibilities while providing stability and consistency to your work.
This class meets on Tuesdays, 6pm–8:30pm, from March 20 to May 8.
Telling My Story—A Writing Workshop with Erica Popp
Self-expression isn't limited to the visual arts, and everyone has a story to tell, even if they think they don't. We all benefit from hearing the voices and viewpoints of others. In this workshop, you will be guided in various strategies for generating ideas and telling your own personal stories through writing. You will also have the opportunity to share your writing with the other students and hear their stories.
This class meets on Tuesdays, 6:00pm to 8:30pm, from March 20 to May 8, 2012.
Composition 101 with Deanna Nash
Building a foundation in any painting or drawing is key to a successful work of art. Learn the key elements to bring the viewer into your work and hold them there. Give your drawings and paintings structure and balance. Learn to create more dynamic and unified works of art.
This class meets on Wednesdays, 1:00pm to 3:30pm, from March 21st to May 9th, 2012.
Basic Drawing with David Zamudio
If you have an interest in learning basic drawing just for fun, relaxation and enjoyment—you should join up! Anyone that can use a pencil to draw a line on paper (straight or crooked) is qualified for this class. No experience necessary! We begin with learning to draw basic shapes: cube, cone, sphere, and rectangle. You will discover new ways of seeing as we build your drawing skills. Students quickly improve the quality of their drawing by practicing line, proportion, space, value and composition all at the same time. This is a fun class and we will learn by doing!
This class meets on Wednesdays, 6pm–8:30pm, March 21 to May 9, 2012.
Rendering for Science Fiction Illustration with James Ross
This class combines product illustration with imaginative illustration. Two projects are completed during the class: a still life rendering of a product and an illustration of an imaginary/science fiction subject which could be futuristic robot, vehicle, or prop. The main idea of this class is that many of the science fiction illustrators have taken techniques from product illustration and have been inspired by those product renderings. Students will be guided through the process of creating a realistic render of this still life using a mixed media approach.
This class meets on Wednesdays, 6:00pm–8:30pm, from March 21–May 9, 2012.
Mixed Media Experimentation with Nathan Marshall
Drawing, painting, sculpture, found objects, installation and everything in between! You will discover new processes and invent your own materials while exploring the vast possibilities of Mixed Media art. Get ready to think "outside the box" with a variety of collaborative projects and creative play.
This class meets on Wednesday evenings, from 6pm to 8:30pm, March 21st to May 9, 2012.
Basic Darkroom Photography with Russ Rosener
This workshop will allow participants to discover or re-acquaint themselves with black and white film photography and printing. Use of a 35mm SLR is encouraged, however ANY film camera can be used for a class. The beauty and discipline of creating an archival quality black and white print in the St. Louis Artists' Guild's traditional darkroom will be taught. In addition, field trips and studio work will take place in class to give participants a chance to explore new types of imagery. Some cameras will be available for student use.
This class meets on Thursdays, 6pm–8:30pm, from March 22–April 29.
Introduction to Printmaking with Benji Rowan
Come learn the basics of printmaking. We will be working with drypoint, etching, lithography, and monoprint, as well as learning how to combine techniques such as chin-cole with traditional printmaking.
This class meets on Fridays, 6pm–8:30pm, from March 23 to May 11.
Introduction to Encaustic with Lisa Sisley-Blinn
This 8-week class will focus on exploring current encaustic methods and materials. After a brief history and survey of artists currently working in the medium, we will explore studio safety tools and materials, supports, heat sources, encaustic paints and medium, mark making, transfers, direct and indirect drawing, embedding, collage, and mixed-media techniques. This class is well suited for both beginner and intermediate level students.
This class meets on Saturdays, 10am–12:30pm, from March 24 to May 12.
Portrait Sculpting with Adam Long
In this class, students will learn the basics of constructing and sculpting a traditional life-size portrait bust sculpture. Students will work from life, but will also have the option of working from photographs of their own. By the end of this 8-week course, students will have a unique portrait bust cast in plaster or terra cotta.
This class meets on Saturdays, 10am–12:30pm, March 24–May 12.
Mixed Media Art Journalling with Kathleen Barnes
Through combining recycled materials and very inexpensive papers, students will create an art journal and learn how to develop images and pages with everyday objects. Each week will offer a different theme where we will begin new pages and inspirations. This course is great for a range of experience levels in art or craft from beginner to advanced.
This class meets on Saturdays, 10am–12:30pm, from March 24 to May 12, 2012.
Encaustic Open Studio Saturday with Lisa Sisley-Blinn
No place to work? Need inspiration or camraderie? Bring your projects to the Encaustic Open Studio class where you will find hot plates, heat guns, hot wax tools, various texture tools, transfer imagery, and collage "stuff" to complete your idea, or jump-start you onto a new path. Demos, tricks and tips, along with cheerful guidance are waiting. Sign up soon, as space is limited to 8 students. (This is not an introductiory class...some experience with encaustic is required!).
This class meets on Saturdays, 1:30pm–4pm, from March 24–May 12, 2012.
Plein Aire Painting with Hope Rantham
En Plein Aire is a French expression which means "in the open aire" and is used to describe the at of painting outdoors. We will be exploring the tradition and practice of plein aire painting as started by Claude Monet, Winslow Homer, Camille Pissarro, and many other great artists. Beginnig with the beautiful landscape of Oak Knoll Park surrounding the St. Louis Artists Guild, we will study the light, shadow, color and forms to create impressionistic landscape paintings. As the course progresses, we will venture to new landscapes in the surrounding area such as Forest Park. Students may choose any painting media to work in, including acrylic, oil, watercolor or tempera.
This class meets every Wednesday afternoon (11 am to 2pm) from April 4–24th and May 2nd–23rd, 2012.
Build Your Own Stretcher Bars and Panels with Nathan Marshall
Disappointed by the quality of machine-made canvases? Save money and work on higher quality surfaces by learning to build your own stretcher bars and panels. This easy technique allows you to use common hardwore store supplies to create stronger, more professional surfaces, to customize your dimensions, and work on a much larger scale—up to 8 feet!
This class meets on Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15, 12pm–3pm.
Light Painting with Night Photography with Russ Rosener
This class will explore a technique using artificial light to create in-camera special effects. Light painting involves a long-shutter duration and "painting" a subject with flashlights, strobes, and other light sources. Surreal effects can be acheived, but the technique has commercial applications for product shots and architectural exteriors at night as well. At least one session will use a live model to explore portrait applications. General night and lowlight photography without Flash will be taught as well.
This class meets on Tuesdays, 6pm–8:30pm, from April 17 to May 8, 2012.
Capturing Light in Landscape Painting with Hope Rathnam
The time of day dramatically affects your subject matter—the same exact scene will change in color palette, shadow, and form depending on the time it is rendered. At the beginning of this class, each student will pick a subject that he or she will reproduce each week at a different time, and then we will compare the paintings at the end of the five-week course. The first class will meet in the morning to experience the warm morning glow. The second class will meet in the afternoon to paint the landscape at its peak brightness with fewer shadows. The third class will meet in the early evening to see the late afternoon pinks and oranges. The fourth class will meet at sunset to experience the beautiful sky and long shadows. The last class will be conducted by the light of the moon.
Here are the dates and times the class will meet:
- Wednesday, May 2nd, 8am–10am
- Wednesday, May 9th, 12pm–2pm
- Wednesday, May 16th, 3pm–5pm
- Wednesday, May 23rd, 5:30pm–7:30pm
- Wednesday, May 30th, 7:30pm–9:30pm
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