Summer Art Classes
Are you looking for a way to expand your horizon this summer? Maybe cultivate some new skills to help ground and connect you to the world around you? Or maybe you just want to relax and have some fun? I can help!
I’m offering three art classes in July 2026 designed to help you cultivate your creative interests. They each are three hours long on the first three Sundays in July. You can take all three classes as a series or just select the classes you are most interested in. The subjects covered in each class are complimentary to each other but not over lapping, so you will learn something new in each class.
All ages and experience levels are welcome; concepts presented are geared towards beginners, but even experienced artists may enjoy new insights, inspirations, and camaraderie. Kids are welcome - for anyone younger than 10 wishing to participate I ask that their caregiver also sign up for the class(es). I priced these classes well below market rates as I want them to be accessible to everyone. A suggested material list is included for each class and is not included in the price. Classes are limited to ten participants to ensure plenty of opportunity for interaction between you, your instructor (me), and classmates. These classes are a welcoming and supportive creative space free of all judgement and expectation - a place to play, experiment and grow. Grab a friend and come have some fun!
All classes are held at the Emile Gruppe Gallery in Jericho, VT from 9am - 12pm
Drawing From Nature, July 5th
Introduction to Acrylic Painting, July 12th
Principles of Landscape Painting, July 19th
Class Descriptions
DRAWING FROM NATURE
The simple act of drawing focuses our attention and through the act of close observation helps us connect with the world around us. This introductory drawing class is focused on learning techniques to draw the natural world around you as a means of deepening your appreciation for the natural world and mindfulness of your place within it. You will learn exercises to hone your observation skills, basic principles of drawing, and be exposed to ways to bring drawing into your daily practice like keeping a nature journal. We will focus on drawing objects from the natural world as a means of growing our drawing and observation skills: trees, insects, flowers, birds – whatever we encounter.
The class will include some classroom-style instruction to introduce concepts, many hands-on exercises to develop observation and mark-making skills, and ample time to practice applying learned skills. Weather permitting, we will work both inside and outside.
Needed materials:
· sketchbook of your choice (any size you like or already have is fine – if you’d like a suggestion, Canson spiral bound mixed media notebooks are a high-quality low-cost option)
· a drawing utensil of your choice (a pencil is suggested, but if you prefer a pen, that is fine)
· weather appropriate clothing
· optional: eraser
· optional: a crazy creek or other portable chair if prefer not to sit on the ground
The class will be held on Sunday July 5, 2026 from 9am - 12 pm at the Emile Gruppe Gallery in Jericho, VT.
All ages and experience levels are welcome; concepts presented are geared towards beginners, but even experienced artists may enjoy new insights, inspirations, and supportive camaraderie. For anyone younger than 10 wishing to participate I ask that their caregiver also sign up for the class(es).
If you’d also like to sign up for “Principles of Landscape Painting” and “Introduction to Acrylic Painting”, please make sure to also add these classes to your cart separately. The subjects covered in each class are complimentary to each other but not overlapping, so you will learn something new in each class!
INTRODUCTION TO ACRYLIC PAINTING
It’s a crazy world out there and painting is a proven method for grounding and stress reduction. Have you ever wanted to try painting with acrylics but not sure where to start? Consider this your invitation to try it out! This is an introductory painting class focused on learning how to paint with the acrylic medium. You will learn some of the special properties of acrylic paints that make them a highly versatile and welcoming medium for beginner painters. You will play with paint and explore techniques to achieve different textures and effects. And you will learn some basic painting principles around composition, sketching and underpainting, color mixing, and values. You will be encouraged to let go of personal expectations and desired painting outcomes and just let it flow. This is a guided space to learn, experiment, and play.
If you already have a set of paints you like to use you can use those for this class. If you are purchasing paints for the first time, my brand of choice is Golden Heavy Body Acrylics (available at Michael’s locally or online at Blick.com). Less expensive student-grade paints are fine if you’re not ready for that level of investment, but be advised that they have some limitations compared to higher grade paints (tend to have less concentration of pigments and thinner texture) and may cause some frustration when trying to achieve certain effects. If you see yourself painting into the future, invest in the good stuff if you can. If you’re just starting out and don’t really know – no sweat, go cheaper.
The class will include some classroom-style instruction to introduce concepts, followed by guided exercises and application of concepts in executing your own painting. You will get one-on-one feedback and suggestions and have the opportunity to interact with other artists.
Needed materials:
· acrylic paint set (recommend Golden heavy body) in whatever colors you like, but at a minimum include a red, blue, yellow, white (titanium), and a dark like black or Payne’s gray
· a pencil and ruler
· paint brushes in various sizes and shapes
· a palette (a paper plate works fine for acrylics)
· a water container (a yogurt tub works well)
· an 8X10 acrylic paper pad with at least a few sheets (the size isn’t that important)
· an 8X10 stretched canvas (again, size isn’t important, but a smallish size will allow you to work on applying more of the concepts you learn in the time we have)
· optional: an easel (if you have one – don’t go out and but one just for this – we’ll have other options available)
· optional: a photo of something you want to paint printed on a piece of paper
The class will be held on Sunday July 12th, 2026 from 9am - 12 pm at the Emile Gruppe Gallery in Jericho, VT.
All ages and experience levels are welcome; concepts presented are geared towards beginners, but even experienced artists may enjoy new insights, inspirations and camaraderie. For anyone younger than 10 wishing to participate I ask that their caregiver also sign up for the class(es).
PRINCIPLES OF LANDSCAPE PAINTING
You probably already know that Vermont’s landscape is intensely beautiful, but did you know that Vermont is steeped in a rich tradition of landscape painters? Do you want to be part of it? This is an introductory painting class focused on learning the essential principles of landscape painting. You will learn some of the basic elements of composition, techniques for judging values and tricks for color mixing as they relate to landscape painting. You will practice applying this knowledge by painting from a photograph (either one that I provide or one of your own choosing), or if you wish, painting en plein air on site (that’s French for “outside”). You are welcome to use any medium you wish. If you already have a set of paints you like to use (acrylic, watercolor, oils, pastels) you can use those. If you are new to painting and would like advice on materials that would work best for you, please reach out and I’d be happy to guide you. If you are purchasing paints for the first time I suggest you start with watercolor or acrylic.
The class will include some classroom-style instruction to introduce concepts, followed by guided application of concepts in executing your own painting. You will get one-on-one feedback and suggestions and have the opportunity to interact with other artists.
Needed materials:
· paints of your choice in any medium
· a pencil and ruler
· paint brushes in various sizes appropriate for your medium
· a palette (a paper plate works fine for acrylics)
· a water container (a yogurt tub works well)
· an 8X10 canvas (the size isn’t that important, but a smallish size will allow you to work on applying more of the concepts you learn in the time we have)
· optional: an easel (if you have one – don’t go out and but one just for this – we’ll have other options available)
The class will be held on Sunday July 19th, 2026 from 9am - 12 pm at the Emile Gruppe Gallery in Jericho, VT.
All ages and experience levels are welcome; concepts presented are geared towards beginners, but even experienced artists may enjoy new insights, inspirations, and camaraderie. For anyone younger than 10 wishing to participate I ask that their caregiver also sign up for the class(es).
If you’d also like to sign up for “Drawing from Nature” and “Introduction to Acrylic Painting”, please make sure to also add these classes to your cart separately. The subjects covered in each class are complimentary to each other but not overlapping, so you will learn something new in each class!