Posted on June 1, 2018March 10, 2021 by

"Y" is for Yellow Summer

Y is for Yellow (Summer!): A 26-Lesson Class
Instructor: Carla Sonheim
Drawing, Painting, Mixed-Media • $99
Class Dates: June 22 – August 3, 2018
Note: Even though class has started, you are welcome to join in anytime!

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“Y” is For Yellow!
(And no, we won’t paint everything yellow! 😀 )

In this class we will march through the alphabet as a fun way to move through our lessons (“P” is for Picasso! “C” is for Collage!), while tackling the more serious question,

“How do you create a body of work?”

As mixed-media artists we are always trying new media and experimenting with new techniques — which is awesome! But what can happen is we don’t take the time to focus long enough on the things we really love so that we can create a cohesive series that is uniquely ours.
I have found a lot of value working in series over the years; choosing and sticking with one media/subject matter for a period of time really has helped me… and I will share with you what I can about the process.
Are you ready to work hard in a fun environment? Let’s refine, focus, and create a body of work this year!
Summer Session!
In 2016 we ran “Y is for Yellow” as a year-long class. We are re-running the class over six weeks this summer, with the all of the videos for each original session dropped every other Friday… it is a lot of content! But by giving it to you all at once, you will be encouraged to pick and choose the lessons that are particularly interesting to you this summer, and leave the rest for later (you have forever access!).
Lessons A – J
Friday, June 22, 2018
10 Drawing Assignments • 4 Mixed-Media Lessons
Friday, July 6, 2018
Lesson K – R
8 Drawing Assignment – 3 Mixed-Media Lessons
Friday, July 20, 2018
Lessons S – Z
8 Drawing Assignments – 3 Mixed -Media Lessons
If you missed “Y is for Yellow” the first time, please join us now! (And if you have a busy summer, don’t worry! You can always do this as a self-study class.) If you previously signed up for “Y is for Yellow” and would like to join in this summer, email me and I will put you on the list.
As a shorter, summer program, I think participants can decide to approach it two ways:
1.
Focus more on the series aspect of the class. Spend the six weeks going through the stages of researching & playing, resting, focusing & deciding, working (in tandem with a few others for support and accountability), and finishing!
2.
Focus more on just playing in the studio with the drawing and mixed-media assignments. There are 26 drawing assignments and 10 mixed-media assignments… so much content! But you are invited to pick and choose the assignments that speak to you the most and leave the rest for self-study later.
Please consider joining the fun… great lessons for families, too! The cost is $99 and you will have forever access to the lessons. Please join us!
Carla

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In this class:
• You are encouraged to focus on your favorite media. (Don’t know what that is? That’s okay, there will be plenty of techniques to try with both the drawing and mixed-media lessons.)
• There will be 26 short drawing exercises, one for each of the 26 lessons. These are meant to be warm-ups to give you ideas on how to face the blank page. I’ll keep them fun!
• In addition, there will be 7 mixed-media lessons, 3 optional assignments, and 3 surprise lessons. They will include techniques (old and new!) in watercolor, acrylics, charcoal, and other media.
• YOU will choose your three projects! Some ideas are working on an alphabet book, a children’s board book, some paintings for a show, your portfolio, a small line of cards, etc. (Alternatively, you can choose one larger project to work on all year.)
• “Y is for Yellow” will include an online community (via a closed Facebook group) where participants from all over the world share their work, their thoughts, and encourage each other (one of the best things about taking an online class!).

New to online classes? Check out the “Frequently Asked Questions” page, and here are some recent comments from students!
“In my opinion, you are a gifted instructor, who actually makes art fun, and I look forward to learning more from you.” — Jo
“Your style of teaching is warm, genuine and clear.” — Sheri
“Carla and her co-teachers inspire not just making art but also a sense of community among the students, of whom many have been making art for quite some time and others are new to it. This sense of community shows itself in the way everyone shares art — within a closed group on Facebook — and comments in a wonderful, supportive way.” — Corinne

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More:
• All levels welcome and encouraged to join in!
• Registration fee is good for people living in a single household.
• Instructor Feedback: I will be active in the Facebook Forum and available M-F for feedback.
• If you’d like a feel for the supplies you will need for this class, CLICK HERE.
• If you’d like to know more about how our online classes work in general, CLICK HERE.
• You will have access to the “Y is for Yellow” class materials forever.

• If you have any questions, please email me at carla[at]carlasonheim.com.

Thank you again and I hope you can join in!

Carla Sonheim

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SIGN UP TODAY!

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Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email immediately. We will log you in to the class with your Paypal email address unless you indicate otherwise.
P.S. Here eight mixed-media projects (following are screen shots from the lesson PDFs):
B is for Picasso Blue Period Paintings (watercolor and gel medium):

C is for Cut Contour Collages (mixed-media):

D is for Drybrush Dares (acrylic painting):

I is for Improv Paintings (mixed-media):

K is for Klee-Inspired Color Grid Paintings (layering in watercolor):

L is for Loose Landscapes (acrylic painting):

Q is for Quintessentially You (your choice of materials):

S is for Somewhat Surrealist (mixed-media painting):

T is for Taped, Textured Trees (mixed-media paintings):

Y is for Yellow Kitty (photograph and mixed-media):

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Carla Sonheim is a painter, illustrator, and creativity workshop instructor known for her fun and innovative projects and techniques designed to help adult students recover a more spontaneous, playful approach to creating. She is the author of Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun, a bestselling book, having sold over 75,000 copies!
Two more books were released Fall 2012: Drawing and Painting Imaginary Animals: A Mixed-Media Workshop (Quarry Books) and The Art of Silliness: A Creativity Book for Everyone (Perigee Books), and in 2012 she co-authored Creative Photography Lab with her husband, Steve Sonheim.
One of her students writes, “Carla just shines and is so gentle and generous that you will work hard all day and come out energised and inspired. Most importantly though, [her] class was a touchstone in my artistic journey, giving me the courage to stop resisting, and open myself to my creative voice.”
Carla lives in Seattle, Washington.

Posted on May 8, 2018March 10, 2021 by

"Intro to Abstract Painting" with Karine Swenson

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Intro to Abstract Painting
Instructor: Karine Swenson
2-Week, 6-Lesson Class
Now available as a self-study class.

Karine is re-running her very popular class, “Intro to Abstract Painting,” beginning Tuesday, May 29, 2018! If you have signed up for “Intro to Abstract Painting” previously and would like to be part of this repeat session, just email me at carla[at]carlasonheim.com and let me know.
Have you have ever had an interest in abstract painting? Would you like to paint with more freedom or feeling?
In this class we will explore a variety of mark-making techniques with an emphasis on finding what works for you as an artist. Karine will demonstrate drawing and painting intuitively, and share with you a few of her favorite abstract painters and help you understand some of the concepts behind non-representational painting (painting without recognizable imagery).
She will encourage you to try new things as a way to experience breakthroughs and encourage you to work quickly. You will be finding ways to develop your own way of applying paint and to compose the visual space.
During this class, you will work on many (up to twenty) small sketches and 3 to 4 paintings.
Click HERE for a list of supplies needed for this class.

Who is this class intended for:
– Anyone who wants to explore non-representational painting
– Anyone who wants to strengthen and develop their own voice as a painter
– Anyone interested in taking risks with their painting
– Anyone who wants to have more confidence in their own way of painting
Note: It is recommended that you have some painting experience in acrylic or oil paint before taking this class; I will not be showing you how to mix paint or choose colors. The focus will be primarily composition, values, mark making, and a search for individuality.

Class Itinerary
Week One
Lesson 1 – Tuesday
We will begin with small studies to explore drawing intuitively.
Lesson 2 – Wednesday
Today will will draw from our other senses (not sight) to help us escape the need to use recognizable imagery and to help us tap into our emotions.
Lesson 3 – Friday
Take the favorite sketch from our previous two lessons and turn them into an abstract painting.
Week Two
Lesson 4 – Tuesday
Approaching a blank canvas with no sketch. (How to work intuitively.)
Lesson 5 – Wednesday
Explore how trying new things can take you in another direction. Do you normally work small? Try working large. Push yourself to do things you wouldn’t normally do.
Lesson 6 – Friday
Choose one of your paintings from the last two weeks and “wreck it” to save it. _____________________________________________

Sign up today!

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Karine Swenson grew up just outside of a town called Rapid City, South Dakota in the Black Hills. The closest neighbor was a mile away. Reared in this environment, Swenson’s connection with the natural world was strong. After receiving her BA in painting from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, she moved to Colorado. She has spent most of her life in small towns that sit right next to the last remaining bits of wilderness. From the mountains of Colorado, the ocean surrounding Maui, Hawaii, the desert near Joshua Tree, California, and now Santa Fe, NM, she feels the most at home out in nature. In the studio, her second home, she can explore her relationship with the natural world. Her oil paintings are reflections of this relationship. Swenson has been a full time artist for the past ten years.
See more wonderful art at Karine’s blog!

Posted on November 19, 2015March 10, 2021 by

Holiday Gift Paintings

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“Holiday Gift Paintings”
with Fred Lisaius
A 3-Lesson, “Bite-Sized” Class
Now available as a self-study class.

The holidays are approaching and there’s no better way to brighten someone’s season then with the gift of original art.
In this class Fred will walk you through three small acrylic paintings. Fred is known for his stunning acrylic paintings. Luckily for us, he’s a very generous artist and is happy to share his acrylic techniques with us!

Class Itinerary
Lesson 1
Supplies Overview & Paint the Backgrounds
Tuesday, December 8th
Lesson 2:
Masking Techniques
Wednesday, December 9th
Lesson 3:
Finishing the Paintings
Friday, December 11th

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Sign up today!

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6-Class Pass
Purchase our 6-class pass, where you will get 6 classes for the price of 5. You can pick and choose which classes to take! (Lunch hour classes will run monthly starting in September 2015.) Pass valid through December 31, 2016. If you have already purchased a class pass and would like to take “Holiday Gift Paintings,” email me at carla[at]carlasonheim.com and let me know! I will put you on the list.

To purchase a 6-pass class:

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Fred Lisaius is a painter, sculptor, and a popular art teacher at Bellevue College, WA (“Fred is perfect!”). Fred is represented by the Patricia Rovzar Gallery in Seattle, and his work is in many private and corporate collections. Fred recently had a show at the Bainbridge Island Art Museum. From his statement:
The deeper I go into the forest the closer I feel to the truth. Off of the trail, there is a quiet calm where ideas can be contemplated and refined. In my paintings and my sculptures, I utilize the forum of nature to explore our relationship to the natural world and to each other.

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Meet Fred video! https://www.vimeo.com/130925151

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Supplies?

– Three 5 x 7 inch (or about this size) gessoed wood panels.
– Paint: Student or better grade (Titanium White, Mars Black, Cobalt Blue, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Sap Green, Alizarin Crimson, Yellow Ochre)
– # 6 round acrylic brush
– “sponge” paint tool for varnish
– Paper towels
– A paper palette pad or paper plates work well .
– Acrylic varnish: Gloss or Satin recommended
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Lunch Hour Art!
This class is part of our “Lunch Hour Art!” series of “bite-sized” classes. (You don’t need to do them during an actual lunch hour, though!) For more info, click below:

Posted on October 13, 2015March 10, 2021 by

Faces Mini

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Faces Mini
Instructor: Carla Sonheim
A Three-Lesson, “Bite-Sized” Class with Carla Sonheim
Drawing, painting, mixed-media • $25

Now available as a self-study class.

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In this class we will focus on drawing and painting the human face. We will do nine different assignments that allow you to approach your subjects fast, slow, messily, neatly, realistically, abstractly — all to help ferret out your own unique and personal style.
We will draw from live models, from photos, and our imaginations. We’ll use watercolor, pencil, pastels, and colored pencils to create 50 quick faces by the end of the week. End goal: You don’t want to draw faces like me or anyone else — you want to draw like YOU!
Take this class if you want to try your hand at different drawing styles and methods, love the human face, or want to start developing your own unique face “style.”
Note: This is a shortened, re-filming of “Faces 101,” one of my first online classes. The exercises in this new version are the same… the only difference is the presenter is a little more confident on camera. 😉

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Your itinerary:

Lesson 1
Blind contours, wrong-handed drawing, and watercolor faces
Tuesday, October 27th

Lesson 2
Contours, one-liners, and realistic drawings
Wednesday, October 28th

Optional Assignment

10 scribbly faces from life
Thursday, October 29th

Lesson 3
Shading, eraser drawings, pastel faces
Friday, October 30th

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Register today!

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Supplies?
For this class you will need several sheets of smooth card stock or drawing paper, an 8″x10″ sheet of watercolor paper (I use 140# hot press Fabriano paper), watercolors, a #12 round brush (or similar), pencil with eraser, pastels (or PanPastels), kneaded rubber eraser, colored pencils.

Posted on September 28, 2015March 10, 2021 by

Birds on Birds – Acrylic Painting

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“Birds on Birds: Acrylic Painting”
with Alison O’Donoghue
Two-Week Class; 6 Video Lessons
Now available as a self-study class.

Join painter Alison O’Donoghue for a super fun class in acrylic painting, “Birds on Birds.” Alison shares her unique techniques for creating a stacked, interactive, and harmonious world within the bounds of an 11″x14″ wood panel. She will guide you expertly through six lessons — starting with preparing the panel with layers of gesso and finishing with varnish; and in-between, magic!
Alison likes the stacking up method of composing because it allows for a lot of images within the painting without any concerns for traditional perspective (a common folk art approach around the world). Through Alison’s process of layered washes and highlights, your painting will glow with light and color.
Plus… BIRDS!

A detail:

And more of Alison’s “bird” work using these techniques (click to enlarge):

Class Itinerary
Lesson 1 – Supplies & Preparing Your Board
We’ll go over the supplies needed for this project and prep your board for painting.
Lesson 2 – Drawing It Out
Here is a place to begin letting the ideas flow. Your birds don’t have to be realistically drawn and you can let go of the idea of right and wrong; instead do it your way. You do have a way.
Lesson 3 – Painting the Simple Shapes
Create a palette of color choices ahead of time and have fun with color! It’s good to be aware of the negative spaces — or spaces between — the objects and imagery, because they are as important as the birds in creating a balanced and vibrant composition.
Lesson 4 – Painting the Negative Shapes
In this lesson you will create lines around your birds by NOT painting the lines, and paint in the negative shapes of the background.
Lesson 5 – Transparent Color Washes
This part is really fun, and here is where the dimension, volume, sense of light and shadow and nuance are begun. We are staining the shapes we have painted with the washes. (It may feel as though you’re ruining the painting, but you aren’t!)
Lesson 6 – Highlights and Details
In this step, my favorite step, we are adding a final layer to bring out the form, as well as adding pattern to some of the shapes. Add spots, stripes, patterns or follow the form of the object to highlight the form. All of this will create depth, a push and pull and sense of shifting light that is exciting and interesting to the eye. We’ll finish with a nice coat of varnish to give your painting more luminosity.
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Join this class today!

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The artwork of Alison O’Donoghue can be described as contemporary folk art.

Partly naïve, sometimes illustrative, at times cartoony, with some of her pieces being heavily patterned. Her paintings are mostly playful with creatures and people that are quite often glowing with life… awash in dimensional color and shade in a mostly two dimensional world. In many of her paintings, she combines everyday objects such as; cups of coffee, fruit, plants, humans, birds and odd, made up animals, into a fluid motion of interaction of intertwined shapes. The playful next to the sinister, give the paintings a sense of humor and the complexity of an unfolding story.
In her larger work, Alison seems to have no intention of leaving a space unfilled or unpopulated as the figures become more of an overall pattern. It gives the viewer the feeling of looking at vines overtaking the world inside the painting in a kind of beautiful invasive force of nature.
Alison O’Donoghue’s contemporary folk art and patterned worlds invite us to explore visually the simple beauty, complexity, interactions and sometimes the humorously sinister aspects of everyday life.
Alison lives in Portland, Oregon. http://www.aliorange.com/alison.html

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SUPPLIES LIST:
– 11″x14″ smooth wood panel, gessoed and sanded then painted with two good solid coats of black acrylic.
– White watercolor pencil. Make absolutely sure it’s water soluble- as we will be washing away the lines with water after painting.
– Acrylic Paints: Back, white, and a your choice of variety of opaque colors.
– An assortment of transparent acrylic paint- red, brown, yellow, burnt orange, sap green are good choices
– Brushes: A variety of sizes, I prefer sable brushes for their ability to paint larger areas and also hold a point for detail.
– Varnish: Gloss polymer
– Optional: Hair Dryer to speed drying process
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HOW IT WORKS—
• For the two weeks of class, you’ll receive an email on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson and video.
• In the email, you’ll also get the information about how to log into the password-protected blog where the class material lives and the closed Facebook group link.
• The class materials will be up and available for download until “forever,” if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Friday before your session begins, you will receive a “test” email to make sure you can receive/view everything.
• What you will need: You will need to be able to read Acrobat pdf files and view videos.
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? [email protected]

Posted on September 13, 2015March 10, 2021 by

Sketchbooks: Making Art a Practice

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“Making Art a Practice”
with Cat Bennett
Six-Week Class; 6 Video Lessons
Now available as a self-study class.

How can the sketchbook be a place of discovery and growth in our art practice?
In Cat Bennett’s 6-week course, “Sketchbooks: Making Art a Practice,” we’ll use the sketchbook to explore how to make our art practice a vital one. We’ll draw and paint in experimental ways, find inspirational images to include in our sketchbooks, look at where we’ve been and where we might go, and consider how to grow our ideas for our art. We’ll also grow our drawing skills and discover our own best strengths so we can build on them.
Each lesson includes a video with demonstrations of various drawing and painting techniques, regular assignments, and a Facebook group to share sketchbook explorations. Cat will also offer daily inspiration (Monday to Friday) with general comments on the work and some further exercises for the super motivated!

COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1: Making Marks—Drawing in an abstract way to grow our creativity.

Week 2: Drawing Nature—Exploring different ways to draw what we see.

Week 3: Drawing Our Daily Life—Finding what speaks to us.

Week 4: Portraits—Drawing people and finding our own style.

Week 5: Bringing in Imagination—Playing with images and growing our vision.

Week 6: Growing Our Ideas—Tracing our art history and seeing where we might go.

Each week, Cat also addresses issues we all face as artists—
1. What can we do when we feel blocked?
2. How can we overcome the inner critic or feelings of inadequacy?
3. How can we find the time to make art in the midst of busy lives?
4. How do we find our own style in our art?
5. What are great reasons for making art?
6. How do we keep our art practice vital?
Participants can also share positive suggestions of their own each week regarding these questions and on the Facebook page.
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Join this class today, and spend 6 weeks together with Cat Bennett!

~~NOTE: Cat is offering to send a copy of her book, “Making Art a Practice” to the first 10 people who sign up!~~ We’ve got the first 10… thank you!!

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Cat Bennett is artist and author. In her Saturday Morning Drawing Club, she teaches drawing as a way to meet the true creative self. Her book, The Confident Creative: Drawing to Free the Hand and Mind, published by Findhorn Press 2010, was a gold medal winner in the 2011 Nautilus Book Awards. Her book Making Art a Practice: How To Be the Artist You Are, and her newest book, The Drawing Club of Improbable Dreams: How to Create a Club for Art, are also published by Findhorn Press.

Cat worked as an illustrator/designer for about thirty years. Her illustrations have appeared in The Boston Globe, The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, The Wall Street Journal, The Baltimore Sun and Time Magazine, Houghton Mifflin, Scholastic, Harcourt Brace and many other publications. She has also made short animations for CBC-Sesame Street, Nickelodeon TV, WHDH-TV, WGBH-TV and various non-profits. She has exhibited her art in group shows in Boston, New York, and Tokyo.
Her essays have appeared in The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times, LA Yoga Magazine, Yoga Magazine UK, Integral Yoga Magazine, Red, The American, Lightworker, High Spirit Magazine and others. www.catbennett.net
Check out Cat’s wonderful books (#3 is forthcoming October 13, 2015).

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SUPPLY LIST FOR THIS CLASS:
• 9”x12” (or larger) mixed media sketchbook (Canson; Strathmore, etc)
• 3”x5” pocket sketchbook (Moleskine or similar for pencils and markers)
• 6”x9” (or larger) smooth paper for pencils and markers (Fabriano, Moleskine etc)
• ebony or 4B+ drawing pencils
• gum eraser
• steel pencil sharpener
• fine tipped drawing marker (Sharpie, Micron etc)
• scissors
• glue stick
• Set of colored pencils (Dick Blick, Prismacolor, Derwent etc)
• #3, #6, #12 student grade watercolor brushes (Princeton)
• Set of opaque cake watercolors (Pelikan)
Note: Whatever brands you prefer are just fine!
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HOW IT WORKS—
• Starting October 6th, you’ll receive an email every Tuesday with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson and video. There are 2-3 exercises each week which you can move through at your own pace. (Cat recommends daily interaction with your sketchbook.)
• In the email, you’ll also get the information about how to log into the password-protected blog where the class material lives and the closed Facebook group link.
• The class materials will be up and available for download until “forever,” if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Friday before your session begins, you will receive a “test” email to make sure you can receive/view everything.
• What you will need: You will need to be able to read Acrobat pdf files and view videos.
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? carla[at]carlasonheim.com

Posted on May 25, 2015March 10, 2021 by

Cats! Online Class with Carla Sonheim

Cats!
Three-Lesson Class with Carla Sonheim
Drawing, Watercolor, Mixed Media • $25

Now available as a self-study class.

A 3-Lesson, “bite-sized” Lunch Hour Art class!!

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Cat lovers unite!

In this drawing and painting class you will become the cat lady (or gentleman!) you never-wanted-but-secretly-DO-want to be, with cats, cats, and more cats in your home and sketchbooks.

We will create a menagerie of imaginary cats with watercolors, markers, acrylics, and fabric! Each lesson includes a short drawing assignment and a main mixed-media lesson. Watching cat videos optional.

Join me!

(Of course dog lovers are welcome to join, too! I’m working on a “dog” class for Fall 2015.)

Your itinerary:

Lesson 1: Watercolor & Imagination
layered watercolor cat “blob” paintings & a gaggle of kitties from imagination
Tuesday, June 16th

Lesson 2: Markers & Life
loose, expressive cats and drawing from photos and life
Wednesday, June 17th

Lesson 3: Acrylics & Fabric
the quickest acrylic paintings you’ll ever make, and a “bonus” cat pillow lesson
Friday, June 19th

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Join this fun class today! Now available as a self-study class.

Questions?

I’m happy to answer any questions! Please email me at carla[at]carlasonheim.com and I’ll get right back to you!

Supplies?
For this class you will need watercolors, water soluble markers, watercolor paper, white or cream acrylic paint, white paint pen, watercolor paper and a #12 round brush. Pillow supplies: printer, Fabric Inkjet Sheets, sewing machine, fabric scraps.

Posted on April 18, 2015March 10, 2021 by

Elements – Building Blocks of Painting

Elements: Building Blocks of Painting
with Karine Swenson
5-Week Class; 10 Lessons Total
Now available as a self-study class.

Have you ever wanted to take a course learn the basics of painting?
Are you curious, but don’t have a Studio Art background?
Do you need a refresher on how artists approach painting?
What are the elements that make a painting come to life?

Karine Swenson’s 5-week course gives you a unique opportunity to build upon the fundamental building blocks of painting. In this accessible and welcoming course, Karine will walk you through the basics of:

Line, Shape, Form, Depth, Color, Value, & Composition

A professional artist for over 10 years, Karine has lots of experience using color and abstract expression to evoke light, movement and emotion. If you take the time to learn how to use these tools, and put them in your own tool belt, you’ll look at painting differently by the end of 5 weeks.
And if you’re interested in trying oils for the first time, this class is a fun way to begin! (And although Karine will be using her oil paint, you can absolutely use acrylics.)
Most importantly, you will get personal feedback: You can share your work in the class Facebook group, or if you’re feeling shy, you can email it to Karine directly.
The weeks will go roughly like this:
Week 1: The Line (and all its variations!)
Week 2: The differences between Shape and Form
Week 3: Exploring Depth, Color and Value
Week 4: Value and Composition
Week 5: Composition
Lessons will be geared towards abstract painting; however, the topics will be beneficial to any artist – even those pursuing more representational subject matter. (This class is meant to be a continuation of Karine’s first abstract painting class, although you do not need to have taken Intro to Abstract Painting to benefit from this class.)

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Click for supply list: Elements Supply List
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NUTS & BOLTS
Here’s how this online class works:
• A password-protected blog serves as our clubhouse; there you will find all of the lesson videos and class materials. This class is now a self-study class, so all of the lessons are available to you when you sign up and you can move through the material at your own pace. (Since it was originally in a blog format, you will find the lessons in reverse chronological order… just scroll down for the earlier lessons.)
• A Facebook group has been created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, Karine is always available to look at your work via email.)
• You have indefinite access to the class materials.
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours with the links to the class blog and Facebook group.
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? carla[at]carlasonheim.com
FAQs – If you’ve never taken an online class before and would like to know more about our classes, click HERE.
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SIGN UP TODAY!

Or take both of Karine’s classes for 10% off! “Intro to Abstract Painting” is a self-study class and you will get the links immediately.

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Karine Swenson grew up just outside of a town called Rapid City, South Dakota in the Black Hills. The closest neighbor was a mile away. Reared in this environment, Swenson’s connection with the natural world was strong. After receiving her BA in painting from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, she moved to Colorado. She has spent most of her life in small towns that sit right next to the last remaining bits of wilderness. From the mountains of Colorado, the ocean surrounding Maui, Hawaii and now the desert near Joshua Tree, California, she feels the most at home out in nature. In the studio, her second home, she can explore her relationship with the natural world. Her oil paintings are reflections of this relationship. Swenson has been a full time artist for the past ten years.
To watch a short video introducing Karine, click HERE.
See more wonderful art at Karine’s website: www.karineswenson.com.

Posted on March 21, 2015March 10, 2021 by

"Doings of a Do-o-dle" with Diane Culhane

Doings of a Do-o-dle! Online Class from Silly U on Vimeo.
Drawing, Acrylic Painting
2-Week Class; 6 Lessons Total
Now available as a self-study class.

This class is about exploring your Do-o-dling!

Doodle your way into a big painting!
Doodling is really just mark making… marks that happen when you are otherwise occupied.
These marks that flow from you naturally while you are doodling can be an expression of your style, like your handwriting. In this class we will look at our doodles as resources; treasures from which we can create full-sized paintings.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a doodler, the exercises and techniques in this class will give you a fun way to tap into your personal style.
We will:
– Dig for treasure/doodle
– Observe & Arrange & Study
– Make folded books for doodle-ready surfaces
– Copy your images with hand/eye coordination
– Scan & enlarge your doodles
– Add color combinations with colored pencil & acrylic paint
– Create compositional grid paintings, and
– Create a Large Do-o-dle Painting!!
I hope you will join me!
Buckets of Joy,
Diane Culhane

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SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THIS CLASS: For the Supply List, click HERE.
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NUTS & BOLTS
Here’s how this online class works:
• A password-protected blog serves as our clubhouse; there you will find all of the lesson videos and class materials. This class is now a self-study class, so all of the lessons are available to you when you sign up and you can move through the material at your own pace. (Since it was originally in a blog format, you will find the lessons in reverse chronological order… just scroll down for the earlier lessons.)
• A Facebook group has been created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, Diane is always available to look at your work via email.)
• You have indefinite access to the class materials.
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours with the links to the class blog and Facebook group.
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? carla[at]carlasonheim.com
FAQs – If you’ve never taken an online class before and would like to know more about our classes, click HERE.
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SIGN UP TODAY!

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Diane Culhane is a professional artist and art educator who lives West Seattle in a 1910 home, and works out of her studio in Ballard Building C. She received her BFA from the University of Utah and Master’s Degree from Seattle University.
Diane has taught for The Bellevue School District, Seattle Pacific University, Kirkland Arts Center, Bellevue Arts Museum and currently directs and owns Kelsey Creek Fine Art School for children in the summer.
Visit her website at: www.dianeculhaneart.com

Posted on March 17, 2015March 10, 2021 by

Flower Crazy Mini – Online Class

Flower Crazy Mini
Instructor: Carla Sonheim
3 Lessons

Now available as a self-study class.

Hi! It might be cold and rainy in my neck of the woods, but NOT here inside my studio! Here we have imaginary flowers!

Take the cold weather into your own hands with gesso, watercolor, and a healthy dose of flower fun… join me for this “mini” session (re-edited) of my longer painting class “Flower Crazy.”

In this three-lesson mini class we will create a greenhouse of imaginary flowers while working with watercolors, markers, colored pencils, white ink, white gesso and pencil on watercolor paper.

Your itinerary

Lesson 1: Flower Blast
flower vocabulary with markers, colored pencils, transparent watercolor layers

Lesson 2: Imaginary Flowers
mark-making with watercolors, white ink, pencil

Lesson 3: Flower Bursts
Fast and loose with watercolors, gesso, pencil

Plus, there is a bonus optional drawing assignment (blog post, no video).

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Join this fun class today!

Questions?

I’m happy to answer any questions! Please email me at carla[at]carlasonheim.com and I’ll get right back to you!

Supplies?
Click HERE for your full supply list.

Posted on November 3, 2014March 10, 2021 by

Blobimal Artist Books

Blobimal Artist Books
Instructor: Carla Sonheim
5-Lesson Repeat Class (with bonus 6th lesson) • $35
Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media
Now available as a self-study class.

BLOBIMAL ARTIST BOOKS
In this class we will construct three small artist books, with “found” animals as our main subject matter.
The irregularly shaped pages of each of the three books will be constructed so that artwork from the subsequent and following pages will be peeking through… like a puzzle!
In Book #1 Well start with layers of watercolor and then add layers of colored pencil, marker, ink, and more to create unique “blobimals” (“blobs” + “animals”) found only in your imagination.
In Book #2 we’ll combine collage and drawing by collaging your “blob” shapes and then finishing your artist book with ink, white gesso, black paint, and a white paint pen (that’s it).
In Book #3 we’ll combine collage, drawing, and words to create a story…
And for this repeat session, you’ll create a bonus “mini book” in the new 6th lesson.
This is one of my favorite “live” classes to teach, and I’m excited to bring this class to you in online form!
Note: This class originally ran as an intensive one-week class in the summer of 2013. This session we are running it over a two-week period and adding a sixth “bonus” lesson.

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SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THIS CLASS: For the Supply List, click HERE.
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CLASS OUTLINE
Lesson 1: Watercolor Beginnings
Lesson 2: Bind Three Books
Lesson 3: Book #1: Blobimals Mixed-Media
Lesson 4: Book #2: Collage + Drawing
Lesson 5: Book #3: Story
Lesson 6: Bonus Mini Book

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NUTS & BOLTS
Here’s how this online class works:
• Each M-W-F you will receive an email from me with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson.
• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse and where you will find all the class materials as they are uploaded.
• A facebook group will be created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, I am always available to look at your work via email.)
• The class materials will be up and available for download indefinitely if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Friday before your session begins, you will receive your class codes and a “test” video to make sure you can receive/view everything (if you can view the above video, you should be able to view the class videos).
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? [email protected]
FAQs – If you’ve never taken an online class before and would like to know more about our e-workshops, click HERE.

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Register today!
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SIGN UP TODAY!

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Posted on November 3, 2014March 10, 2021 by

Junk Mail Artist's Book

Junk Mail Artist’s Book
Instructor: Carla Sonheim
5-Lesson Repeat Class (with bonus 6th lesson) • $35
Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media
Now available as a self-study class.

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JUNK MAIL ARTIST’S BOOK
This is a mixed-media-junkie’s dream project! Junk mail combined with gesso, watercolor, a little swirly technique here, some packing tape there, creates beautiful and complicated textures that you can use as backgrounds for any mixed media projects you currently have going.
In this class we’ll use our pages to create an irregularly shaped book. Then, we’ll DRAW! You will begin a drawing on one spread, with the goal of having each image connect to and work with the images from other spreads. The drawing exercises throughout the week will build up to you being able to see more creatively and embrace the “puzzle” nature of this beautiful artist’s book.
Take this class if you love textures, layers, and everything mixed media. This one is just FUN!
Note: This class originally ran as an intensive one-week class in the summer of 2011. This session we are running it over a two-week period and adding a sixth “bonus” lesson.

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SUPPLIES
For the Supply List, click HERE.
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CLASS ITINERARY

Lesson 1: One-Liners & Gesso on Junk Mail

Lesson 2: Watercolors & Rub ‘n Buff

Lesson 3: Flow Exercise & Building Your Book

Lesson 4: Drawing! & More Gesso
Lesson 5: Final Details

Lesson 6: Bonus! Postcard Book

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NUTS & BOLTS
Here’s how this online class works:
• Each M-W-F you will receive an email from me with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson.
• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse and where you will find all the class materials as they are uploaded.
• A facebook group will be created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, I am always available to look at your work via email.)
• The class materials will be up and available for download indefinitely if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Friday before your session begins, you will receive your class codes and a “test” video to make sure you can receive/view everything (if you can view the above video, you should be able to view the class videos).
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? [email protected]
FAQs – If you’ve never taken an online class before and would like to know more about our e-workshops, click HERE.

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Register today!

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Carla Sonheim is a painter, illustrator, and creativity workshop instructor known for her fun and innovative projects and techniques designed to help adult students recover a more spontaneous, playful approach to creating. She is the author of Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun, a bestselling book, having sold over 75,000 copies!
Her two new books were released Fall 2012: Drawing and Painting Imaginary Animals: A Mixed-Media Workshop (Quarry Books) and The Art of Silliness: A Creativity Book for Everyone (Perigee Books).

Posted on October 3, 2014March 10, 2021 by

"The Joy of Mixed-Media Assemblage"

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“The Joy of Mixed-Media Assemblage”
Instructor: Lynn Whipple
Mixed-Media, Collage, 3D
2-Week Class; 6 Lessons Total
Now available as a self-study class.

Hello and a great big GigAntic welcome to the JOy of Mixed Media Assemblage!!
Working with found objects inside a boX!
What could be more fun than combining all of our favorite things and working within a box format?? Mixed-Media Assemblage allows us to explore collage, drawing, altering photos, painting, altered found objects, storytelling, composition and more!
I would be thrilled to share with yOu all the techniques, tricks and tips that I have learned working in assemblage. It is so much fun… from finding the perfect box to laying down and collaging a background to altering photos and found objects, to attaching and gluing and to special little ways I have developed to make your work finished, framed and ready to hang on the wall.
This class is all about yOU, and using your voice to make things that make your heart sing! You will play the “pieces-parts” game, which is fantastic way of seeing how many fresh combinations that you can come up with. If you have a fabulous stash of found objects and old photos, this is the perfect project, if you need more, its a great excuse to go “on the hunt!” We will work with “found” boxes and/or cradled wood panels.
Please join us for an artistic, mixed-media romp chock full of encouragement, learning, sharing, play, imagination, exploration and most of all fun!
xoxo Lynn

Autosave-File vom d-lab2/3 der AgfaPhoto GmbH

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SUPPLIES
For the Supply List, click HERE.
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CLASS ITINERARY

Lesson 1: The Hunt & Preparing Your Box

The hunt for boxes is always fun, find some additional pieces and parts while you are at it!

Lesson 2: Design Your Piece

Here is where we begin to play with your pieces and parts and make fresh combinations.

Lesson 3: Collage Your Background

Great way to begin a piece using time tested collage techniques for gluing and aging.

Lesson 4: Altering Pieces & Parts

Time to make it your own by altering elements and making things work. Storytelling will take place at this stage as well.

Lesson 5: Gluing & Final Touches

Let’s tweak all the little things and glue everything in place, an important step.

Lesson 6: Presentation

Let’s give it the big finish! Time to wire the back and hang your work on the wall! Adding plexiglass will finish everything and make all you do look fantastic.

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NUTS & BOLTS
Here’s how this online class works:
• Each M-W-F you will receive an email from Lynn with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson.
• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse and where you will find all the class materials as they are uploaded.
• A facebook group will be created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, Lynn is always available to look at your work via email.)
• The class materials will be up and available for download for one year if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Wednesday before your session begins, you will receive your class codes and a “test” video to make sure you can receive/view everything (if you can view the above video, you should be able to view the class videos).
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? [email protected]
FAQs – If you’ve never taken an online class before and would like to know more about our e-workshops, click HERE.
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SIGN UP TODAY!

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Lynn Whipple writes, “I am deeply grateful to live my life as an artist. Play and discovery are my dearest and most constant companions. There are a zillion tiny challenges in each art making experience, and so often I find, just as many small, sweet victories. Without a doubt, living creatively is the most enjoyable and satisfying game I know.”
Lynn shares a warehouse studio with her husband, John Whipple, in Winter Park, Florida. Lynn’s work includes found-object mixed-media assemblages; found images altered with a combination of drawing, painting, sewing and more; and her well-known Ninny Boxes, collages combined with found objects, and assembled within a box format. Her unique pieces have a playful, quirky, and often absurd, charm.
Lynn explains: “I allow myself to play and let my pieces reveal themselves to me…I have been fascinated by old books, history, and odd bits of memorabilia. I find the things that interest me the most are slightly absurd…My hope is to create something real and somehow poetic but not commonplace. My goal is to keep communicating in my language.”
Lynn’s work has been exhibited extensively throughout the United States. Visit Lynn’s website at www.lynnwhipple.com and her etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/lynnwhipple

Posted on September 15, 2014March 10, 2021 by

Woodburning for Mixed-Media Artists

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“Woodburning for Mixed-Media Artists”
with Carla Sonheim
Two-Week Class; 6 Video Lessons
Class Session: Now available as a self-study class

Hello! Please join me for my next online class, “Woodburning for Mixed-Media Artists!”
In this two-week, six-lesson class we will work with a simple woodburning tool to create beautiful marks, textures, and lines on both wood and paper. We will incorporate the unique burned mark into six different mixed-media assignments: we’ll make numerous small works on paper and 3D art blocks using markers, collage, transfers, watercolors, acrylics and gel mediums.
I am excited to share with you some techniques and projects, and look forward to see your beautiful works online. Join me!
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CLASS ITINERARY
Week 1: Woodburning on Paper
Lesson #1: Exploratory Mark-Making; Flower Garden
Lesson #2: Fusing Paper & Transfered Lines ; Collage Trees
Lesson #3: Etching Line: Modigliani-Inspired Portraits
Week 2: Woodburning on Wood
Lesson #4: Start a Series of Art Blocks
Lesson #5: Recessed lines; Scraped Paint Technique
Lesson #6: Watercolor on Wood; Finishing Tips
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SUPPLIES
Click HERE for the Class Supply List.

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NUTS & BOLTS

Here’s how this online class works:

• During the weeks of class, you will receive an email each M-W-F from me with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson.

• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse and where you will find all the class materials as they are uploaded.

• A facebook group will be created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, I am always available to look at your work via email.) • The class materials will be up and available for download indefinitely, if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).

• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Wednesday before your session begins, you will receive your class codes and a “test” video to make sure you can receive/view everything (if you can view the above video, you should be able to view the class videos).

• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.

QUESTIONS? [email protected] FAQs – If you’ve never taken an online class before and would like to know more about our e-workshops, click HERE.

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SIGN UP TODAY!

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Wood burning is fun!

Posted on September 10, 2014March 10, 2021 by

Fall Watercolors

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“Fall Watercolors”
Painting Through the Seasons with Fred Lisaius
Watercolor
Two-Week Class; 6 Video Lessons
This class is now available as a self-study class.

Also, “Summer Watercolors” — See below for details

Painting should be fun. Relax and enjoy step-by-step instruction on how to begin, create and finish a watercolor painting! Pour yourself a cup of tea, put some Vivaldi on in the background and let’s get painting!
Celebrate Autumn with Fred’s next class in his Painting Through the Seasons series! In this class, he will review some basic watercolor techniques, as well as give you some new, exciting ways to bring out the wonderful colors of fall in your watercolor paintings.
Whether you are an experienced painter or new to watercolor, Fred will inspire, inform, and challenge you to take your paintings to the next level.
Testimonials from Fred’s Spring & Summer classes:
“What a great, straightforward, informative class. The selection, narration, and recording were stellar. I hope that you will teach more classes, Fred. Thanks so much.” — Christine
“Seriously?!! We are really going to get more awesome lessons from Fred?!!! Fred, you rock! My fellow classmates, you all rock!!” — Jackie
“Fred Lisaius, you are a natural born teacher with a great personality. Makes it easy and fun to learn from you. Thank you so much for a tip top class!” — Karen

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SUPPLIES
Click HERE for a Supply List.
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CLASS ITINERARY
Lesson #1: Three Types of Washes; Watercolor Workhorses
Lesson #2: The Salt Technique, Painting an Orchid
Lesson #3: Landscape Painting, Water Reflections
Lesson #4: Portrait of a Leaf
Lesson #5: Still Life: Fruits of Autumn
Lesson #6: Detail Painting: Seeds, Berries, and Other Small Things

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NUTS & BOLTS
Here’s how this online class works:
• During the weeks of class, you will receive an email each M-W-F from Fred with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson.
• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse and where you will find all the class materials as they are uploaded.
• A facebook group will be created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, Fred is always available to look at your work via email.)
• The class materials will be up and available for download for one year, if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Wednesday before your session begins, you will receive your class codes and a “test” video to make sure you can receive/view everything (if you can view the above video, you should be able to view the class videos).
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? [email protected]
FAQs – If you’ve never taken an online class before and would like to know more about our e-workshops, click HERE.
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SIGN UP TODAY!
FALL WATERCOLORS only:

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Buy SUMMER & FALL WATERCOLOR classes together:

Note: Fred’s mini, three-lesson “Summer Watercolors” class was offered as part of this year’s Summer Art Camp, but Fred has agreed to re-run the class in conjunction with his Fall class. Just $30 more, the three summer lessons will go live on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of the first week of class (September 28, 29, and 30th), so that you can get summer done before most of the Fall class!
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Fred Lisaius is a painter, sculptor, and a popular art teacher at Bellevue College, WA (“Fred is perfect!”). Fred is represented by the Patricia Rovzar Gallery in Seattle, and his work is in many private and corporate collections. Fred currently has a show at the Bainbridge Island Art Museum. From his statement:
The deeper I go into the forest the closer I feel to the truth. Off of the trail, there is a quiet calm where ideas can be contemplated and refined. In my paintings and my sculptures, I utilize the forum of nature to explore our relationship to the natural world and to each other.

Posted on September 8, 2014March 10, 2021 by

"Cardbirds: Intro to Cardboard Relief"

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“Cardbirds: Intro to Cardboard Relief”
Instructor: Megan Hovany
Mixed-Media
1-Week Class; 3 Video Lessons
This class is now available as a self-study class.

This introductory class will get you started in making 3D artistic creations out of cardboard, packaging, and paper.
Our project will give you the opportunity to learn and practice the techniques of:
– safe cutting
– papier mâché
– sketching and planning
– layered construction
– creating unique textures
– painting and finishing
Megan will take you step-by-step through the process of transforming mundane paper packaging into an extraordinary assemblage of form, texture, and tones, as well as adding valuable tools to your mixed-media and collage toolbox.

Cardboard Mural Commission for the Chicago Children’s Museum (click to enlarge)

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SUPPLIES
– 16”x16” piece of hardboard (or two pieces of double-ply cardboard)
– Utility knife and extra blades
– an Olfa knife (9mm size) for smaller cuts.
– cutting mat or piece of wood
– 1-ply cardboard
– Thin carton (from cereal boxes, gift boxes, etc.)
– Brown kraft paper (from grocery bags, lunch bags, or roll)
– White glue
– Low-temp hot glue gun
– Pencil and paper for sketching
– scissors
– Acrylic paint, small brush
– Optional: Spray shellac or dull, clear Krylon for finishing
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CLASS ITINERARY
You will complete one bird relief (subject matter is up to you, but Megan will demonstrate a bird).
Lesson 1: Supplies, Cutting & Safety, Using Papier ache to make your canvas
Lesson 2: Reference materials, sketching and ideas, cutting components, assembling
Lesson 3: Fine-tuning your construction, making changes, mounting, painting, clean-up and finishing

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NUTS & BOLTS
Here’s how this online class works:
• During the week of class, you will receive an email M-W-F from Megan with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson.
• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse and where you will find all the class materials as they are uploaded.
• A facebook group will be created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, Megan is always available to look at your work via email.)
• The class materials will be up and available for download for one year, if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Wednesday before your session begins, you will receive your class codes and a “test” video to make sure you can receive/view everything (if you can view the above video, you should be able to view the class videos).
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? [email protected]
FAQs – If you’ve never taken an online class before and would like to know more about our e-workshops, click HERE.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SIGN UP TODAY!

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Megan Hovany is a multimedia artist, puppet designer, and cardboard art-wizard living in Chicago. She is a scenic painter and adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University. She has painted scenes and created puppets for numerous theatrical productions, was commissioned for a 40′ sculptural mural for Chicago Children’s Museum, and has received Joseph Hefferson Award nominations for two of her puppet designs for Quest.
The Chicago Reader writes: “[T]he stagecraft is breathtaking at times–especially when it comes to those puppets by Megan Hovany.” – Tony Adler review of “Drum Circle Pandora.”

Posted on August 20, 2014March 10, 2021 by

"Gelli Plate Printmaking" with Carla Sonheim

Gelli® Plate Printmaking
Instructor: Carla Sonheim
3 Lessons
Now available as a self-study class.

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The monotype printing process is something that got me really excited about art over 20 years ago. You never know what you’re going to get, and I love the myriad of textures and patterns!
The new, inexpensive product called “Gelli Plate” allows you to create beautiful monotypes without a press, using materials anyone has in their studio.

When I posted these online recently, artist Christine Phelps asked: “These really take the Gelli Plate from a crafting to fine art level! Do you have a class brewing?”

Yes! “Gelli Plate Printmaking” is a quick, technique-based, $25 class and includes three professionally produced videos demonstrating how to achieve beautiful results with minimal supplies.
What you need is:
— a Gelli Plate (a product by Gelli Arts that looks and feels like gelatin)
— a brayer
— acrylic paint
— scissors
— paper

One student wrote:

“Wow!! I’ve done monotype printing before and even played a bit on the gelli plate, but this was game changing!”

Warning: Gel printing is addictive!
(Note: Gelli® Plate Printmaking has indefinite access, which means the videos and class materials will be up and available to you “forever.”)
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Sign up today!

😉

Posted on August 20, 2014March 10, 2021 by

"Gelli Plate PLUS" with Carla Sonheim

Gelli® Plate Plus
with Carla Sonheim
One-Week, 3-Lesson Class • $25
Monotype Printmaking, Mixed Media

Now available as a self-study class.

I love working with my Gelli Plate to create unique abstracted landscapes, the process of which I teach in the Introductory Class (details here). In “Gelli Plate Plus,” we’ll learn two new monotype printmaking techniques (painting on the plate and “carving” transparent layers).

In addition, we’ll go through some old “almost-there” work one-by-one to determine exactly what they need to become a unique, finished piece of art. (Printmaking has a high “failure” rate, but there are lots of ways to save them!)

We’ll add animals, people, and more with watercolor, gesso, pencil, marker, colored pencil, charcoal, and collage!
Join Today! One-week, 3-video class begins September 8, 2014.

Class Outline
Monday (Video/Assignment)- Monotype Paintings
Wednesday (Video/Assignment) – Carving Transparent Images; Watercolor
Friday (Video/Assignment) – Mixed-Media Mania

Student Supply List:

a Gelli Plate (a product by Gelli Arts that looks and feels like gelatin), any size (I will be using an 8″x10″ size)
Two brayers (I like the 4″ size) (Can also just use one brayer, but I will demo with two)
Red, blue, yellow, black, white OPEN acrylic paint. (Alternatively, you can get a medium that extends the drying time of your regular acrylic paints)
Gel medium
small amount of white gesso (I prefer Golden)
small set of watercolors (cake or tube is fine)
a selection of paint brushes
Scissors, glue stick, collage
mechanical pencil, black ballpoint pen
small set of colored pencils
water soluble and/or permanent markers
Soft Vine Charcoal
spray fixative
small set of pastels (I like PanPastels)
Eight c. 7″x10″ sheets of 140# hot press watercolor paper (or similar)
Leftover prints from previous classes
NOTE: Though it is recommended, you do not need to have taken “Gelli Plate Printmaking” to take this class. However you will need at least four started gelli prints to work into with mixed media, preferably on #140 pound watercolor paper (or similar).

Note: This class has “forever” access; once you sign up, you will have access to the class materials indefinitely. Thanks!

Posted on June 9, 2014March 10, 2021 by

"The Joy of Collage" with Lynn Whipple

“The Joy of Collage” with Lynn Whipple from Silly U on Vimeo.
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“The Joy of Collage”
Mixed-Media, Collage
2-Week Class; 6 Lessons Total
This class is now available as a self-study class.

A great BIG Welcome to the Joy of Collage!
I would be honored to share with you all of my favorite collage techniques as well as a handful of time-tested special tricks for making a great finished work of art. My greatest hope is that you will have fun and enjoy the process.
We will explore great ways to create fresh collages with a focus on building a story and surface. I will show you how to age your collage for a unifying look and we will incorporate drawing, painting, smudging, stamping and a little poetic thing I like to call … dot dot dot.
My overall philosophy is one of freedom, play, exploration and most of all FUN!!!!!! This class is all about YOU, and using your voice to make the things that make your heart sing!
One of my favorite things in my in-person workshops is the show-and-tell and positive feedback session at the end of each class. I love hearing what each artist has to say about what they learned and how their pieces developed! Happy accidents and revelations are the best! I am so glad we will be able to learn from each other this way in this online format.
xoxo lynn

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SUPPLIES
For the Supply List, click HERE.
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CLASS ITINERARY
You will complete two collage paintings.
Lesson 1: Glue & Trust
My “go to” gluing technique. This “wet” way of putting down our papers is what I use every day. This is where we play fast and loose with your found images and papers! Let ’em fly!
Lesson 2: Aging & Editing with Paint
We will take acrylic paint and water it down to make a wash and quickly cover your page, then wipe it off, leaving just the amount that feels right to you! It will shift the color slightly and give it beautiful antique feeling. Next, we will cover up some of our image and collage with acrylic paint. We can totally create new shapes and play with composition here…..this is where Ninnies were born!!
Lesson 3: Smudging & Words
My favorite thing is to use a #3 pencil and go over the great layers that may now be covered with paint, an amazing, yet subtle thing happens and you start to move things forward and backwards. Then we will chose a few choice words that are a great graphic design element as well as a storytelling tool.
Lesson 4: Dot Dot Dot
OH YEAH!! now to the dot dot dot tool!! It is a simple sewing wheel used in marking patterns, when rolled in paint, makes a lovely poetic line that really gives a detail that will pull your viewer in.
Lesson 5: Begin Second Collage Painting
We’ll begin a second collage piece using the same techniques but taking it in a totally different direction.
Lesson 6: The Finish!
We’ll finish up our second collage and spend a few moments talking about finishing your work so it is ready to hang. Sometimes something as simple as detail to the edges of a piece will give it a framed feeling that looks great!

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NUTS & BOLTS
Here’s how this online class works:
• Each M-W-F you will receive an email from Lynn with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson.
• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse and where you will find all the class materials as they are uploaded.
• A facebook group will be created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, Lynn is always available to look at your work via email.)
• The class materials will be up and available for download until “forever,” if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Wednesday before your session begins, you will receive your class codes and a “test” video to make sure you can receive/view everything (if you can view the above video, you should be able to view the class videos).
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? [email protected]
FAQs – If you’ve never taken an online class before and would like to know more about our e-workshops, click HERE.
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SIGN UP TODAY!

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Posted on May 7, 2014March 10, 2021 by

"Paint Your Garden" with Diane Culhane

“Paint Your Garden” with Diane Culhane from Silly U on Vimeo.
Acrylic Painting
2-Week Class; 6 Lessons Total
Now available as a self-study class.

We will explore six different painting techniques that deal with how we touch the surface of our paintings and the characteristics of the paint itself, including:
Sgraffitto , Masking, Frottage Texturing & Blown Blots.
These techniques will become essential tools, not only for creating areas of mystery and intrigue in your work, but also for inspiring new ideas as your paintings evolve.
We will start by making test paintings of each technique to discover how viscosity and the physicality of the surface play a foundational role in the creation of a painting.
Our test paintings will then become an opening conversation, leading the way to three completed paintings of your garden, real or imaginary.

CLASS ITINERARY
Lesson #1: Sgraffito & Stippling
Lesson #2: Paint Your Garden!
Lesson #3: Masking & Drawing Gum
Lesson #4: Paint Your Garden!
Lesson #5: Frottage & Blown Blots
Lesson #6: Paint Your Garden!
SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THIS CLASS: For the Supply List, click HERE.

Here’s the scoop for this class:
• Each M-W-F you will receive an email from Diane with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson.
• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse.
• A facebook group will be created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, Diane is always available to look at your work via email.)
• The class materials will be up and available for download until “forever,” if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Wednesday before your session begins, you will receive a “test” email to make sure you can receive/view everything.
• What you will need: You will be able to read acrobat pdf files and view videos.
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? [email protected]
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SIGN UP TODAY!

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Diane Culhane is a professional artist and art educator who lives West Seattle in a 1910 home, and works out of her studio in Ballard Building C. She received her BFA from the University of Utah and Master’s Degree from Seattle University.
Diane has taught for The Bellevue School District, Seattle Pacific University, Kirkland Arts Center, Bellevue Arts Museum and currently directs and owns Kelsey Creek Fine Art School for children in the summer.
Visit her website at: www.dianeculhaneart.com.

Posted on April 22, 2014March 10, 2021 by

"Spring Watercolors" with Fred Lisaius

Fred promo1VDHD720 from Silly U on Vimeo.
“Spring Watercolors” with Fred Lisaius
Watercolor
6 Lessons Total
Now available as a self-study class.

Painting should be fun. Relax and enjoy step-by-step instruction on how to begin, create and finish a watercolor painting! Pour yourself a cup of tea, put some Vivaldi on in the background and let’s get painting!
Fred, who is both an accomplished painter ( www.fredlisaius.com) and an inspiring teacher, will dispel the myths of watercolor technique and give you some solid, practical methods for improving your control, color, and balance. This class is great for beginners and advanced painters alike and will help open the door for more expressive and personal work.
Testimonials from Fred’s first session:
“What a great, straightforward, informative class. The selection, narration, and recording were stellar. I hope that you will teach more classes, Fred. Thanks so much.” — Christine
“Seriously?!! We are really going to get more awesome lessons from Fred?!!! Fred, you rock! My fellow classmates, you all rock!!” — Jackie

CLASS ITINERARY
Lesson #1: Beaded Washes
Lesson #2: Glazing and Wet-on Wet
Lesson #3: Painting a Magnolia Flower from Photo
Lesson #4: Painting a Daffodil from Life
Lesson #5: Inventing a Spring Bird
Lesson #6: Sky with Bee
SUPPLY LIST
Click Here!

Here’s the scoop for this class:
• Each M-W-F you will receive an email from Fred with a reminder to visit the class blog for that day’s lesson.
• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse.
• A facebook group will be created for you to (optionally) share your paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, Fred is always available to look at your work via email.)
• The class materials will be up and available for download until “forever,” if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. On the Wednesday before your session begins, you will receive a “test” email to make sure you can receive/view everything.
• What you will need: You will be able to read acrobat pdf files and view videos.
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? [email protected]
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SIGN UP TODAY!

Fred Lisaius is a painter, sculptor, and a popular art teacher at Bellevue College, WA (“Fred is perfect!”). Fred is represented by the Patricia Rovzar Gallery in Seattle, and his work is in many private and corporate collections. From his statement:
The deeper I go into the forest the closer I feel to the truth. Off of the trail, there is a quiet calm where ideas can be contemplated and refined. In my paintings and my sculptures, I utilize the forum of nature to explore our relationship to the natural world and to each other.

Posted on April 8, 2014March 10, 2021 by

"Intro to Encaustic Painting" with Stephanie Hargrave

12 Lessons Total
Encaustic Painting
Now available as a self-study class.

Encaustic painting is using melted and pigmented beeswax to create exciting, luminous paintings. If you have ever been curious about encaustics, you’re in for a treat! This 12-lesson online workshop covers a brief history of this ancient medium, what equipment is needed, setting up your work space, mixing colors, adding other media like paper and thread, safety… everything you need to know to start making your own encaustic paintings.

Olivia I — 36″x36″

Blood Flowers 2 — 24″x30″

April — 8″x8″
Class Itinerary
Session 1: April 28 – May 2, 2014
Monday: Set-up and Safety
Wednesday: Brief History and Fusing Clear Wax
Friday: Adding One Color
Session 2: May 19-23, 2014
Monday: Working with Opaque Colors
Wednesday: Working with Transparent Colors
Friday: Mixing Colors
Session 3: June 9-13, 2014
Monday: Burnishing Tissue Paper
Wednesday: Japanese Paper with Drawings
Friday: Charcoal Transfer
Session 4: June 30 – July 4, 2014
Monday: Carving and Inlaying Line
Wednesday: Thread and Linen Paper
Friday: Finishing/Polishing your Paintings
Note: Materials used in this class may contain ingredients that are harmful to your health. We want you to be safe so follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully and work in well-ventilated areas.

Petalous 3 — 28″x28″

How the Class Works
On Monday-Wednesday-Friday of each session you will receive an email reminding you to visit the class blog for your new assignment and video lesson. Videos are professionally produced and instructor feedback will be given via a private facebook page (or via email with Stephanie, if you prefer). If you need to miss a week, don’t worry! The class material will be up and available to you for one year from the date of purchase.
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Sign up today!

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“StephiWax” will ship via USPS Priority Mail within two days after purchase. US orders only (so sorry!).

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I’ve been both painting and working in clay since college, where I studied color theory, ceramics, sculpture, drawing and painting. I started a line of functional ceramics as a small business in 1997 after studying with Carol Gouthro, and have worked with metal, oil paint, and acrylics over the years, but my medium of choice is bee’s wax. I learned a great deal studying with Jef Gunn and Larry Caulkins at Pratt Fine Arts Center, and have been focusing for the past 9 years exclusively on encaustics. It is the one medium that affords all the other materials I’ve worked in to overlap and inform one another.
I find bee’s wax to be inherently lovely, and work with it always mindful of how its natural beauty and transparency can coexist with my ideas and imagery.
See more wonderful art at Stephanie’s website: www.stephaniehargrave.com
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Materials Needed
— Two 24”x24” Drywall Panels (to protect your tabletop)
— Pancake Griddle (with temperature gage)
— Heat Gun or Propane Torch
— Encaustic Medium – 1 Brick (Recommended: R&F Encaustic Medium, 333 ml. OR you can buy handmade “StephiWax.” Click below for details.)
— Encaustic Colors: 1 small brick each of Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, White (R&F, or you can buy handmade “StephiWax.” See below for details.)
— metal tins – several (to hold melted wax)
— Several 1″ – 1 1/2” Bristle Brushes
— Smaller bristle brushes for detail work
— Small Birch Panels (5”x7” and 6”x6”) – 3 each
— Two 9”x12” Cradled Birch Panels
— Painter’s tape (blue tape)
— Rags
— Fan
— Fire Extinguisher
Want more? Stephanie talks about encaustic painting:

Posted on March 27, 2014March 10, 2021 by

DRAW! Online Class

21 Days • 21 Demonstration Videos • 21 Assignments
NEW! All videos are closed captioned.
This class is now available as a self-study class.

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Click HERE for a sample lesson!

Whether you draw realistically, stylistically, or hardly at all, this 21-day workshop will give you the motivation, direction, and inspiration to get your pencil moving.

Drawing is fundamentally a language of creativity that we speak naturally as children, and often lose touch with as adults. I believe that anyone can benefit from drawing and that simply making marks on paper is in itself freeing and invigorating.

Making that first mark can be the hardest part, so we will start with exercises to help you shed your inhibitions, loosen your hand and eyes, and simply have fun filling the blank page.
From there we will progress to drawing from life, from photos, and imagination using a variety of techniques and materials. Each assignment is designed to help you free your individual creative self through the act of drawing.
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Class Itinerary:
Day 0 – Eyes Closed Drawings
Day 1 – Wrong-Handed Drawings
Day 2 – One-Liners
Day 3 – Haiku Drawings
Day 4 – Blind Contours
Day 5 – Contour Drawings
Day 6 – Cheater Blinds
Day 7 – Scribbly Drawings
Day 8 – Blob Hunting
Day 9 – Picasso Dogs
Day 10 – Blobimals
Day 11 – Pencil Sketches
Day 12 – Eraser Drawings
Day 13 – Vine Charcoal
Day 14 – Side-Only Charcoal
Day 15 – Figure Drawing – Gestures
Day 16 – Figure Drawing – Longer Pose
Day 17 – Figure Drawing – Ink Studies
Day 18 – Abstracted Faces
Day 19 – Abstracted Minutia
Day 20 – Random Pick Drawings
Day 21 – Create an Assignment
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Each day of the class you will receive:
• A detailed assignment via the “Draw!” blog.
• An email with the drawing inspiration of the day.
• A short video demonstrating the techniques used in the assignment.
• A Flickr group to share your work with like-minded individuals from all over the world!
• Instructor feedback.

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“Carla helps her students release their inner critic, and what emerges is a whimsy and freedom
that makes for truly original artwork. Each of us discover in her classes that we really are artists,
and that our visual style is uniquely our own.” — Adrienne

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Sign up today!
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Carla Sonheim is a painter, illustrator, and creativity workshop instructor known for her fun and innovative projects and techniques designed to help adult students recover a more spontaneous, playful approach to creating. She is the author of three books on drawing and creativity.

Posted on March 3, 2014March 10, 2021 by

Watercolor Transfer Paintings

One-Week Intensive Class • $35
Painting, Mixed Media
Now available as a self-study class.

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In this class we’ll experiment with this easy and quick technique that creates some of the loveliest watercolor textures I’ve seen… if you love the intricate patterns found in a single rock, for example, you will love this class.
Using only t-shirt transfer paper and watercolors, we’ll first just play with brush techniques, working in layers and experimenting with fabric. (Watercolor on fabric? Yes!!) Later in the week we will add other media to the mix: charcoal, ballpoint pen, and pastel to add even more texture and depth to these unique paintings.

And use cut and torn bits and pieces of the painted transfers to create fun and unique pieces of art:

We’ll also work with “plates” to create multi-layered paintings:

Here’s the scoop for one-week camp sessions:
• Think “camp” and be ready for a week jam-packed with creativity! (If you do all the assignments each day, I estimate it will take about 1 – 1.5 hours each day.)
• Each day you’ll wake up to a morning peptalk email with links to your daily schedule, warm-up PDF drawing worksheet, daily assignment and demonstration video. (Five camp days; five warm-up worksheets; assignments; five videos.)
• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse and will be our meeting place for all of the above.
• A flickr group will be created for each session so you can (optionally) share your worksheets, drawings, paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, I am always available to look at your work via email.)
• A perfect activity to do with your kids.
• The class materials will be up and available for download until “forever,” if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. The week before your camp session begins, you will receive a “test” email to make sure you can receive/view everything. (That way, when the camp starts, any mosquito bugs will be worked out!)
• What you will need: You will be able to read acrobat pdf files and view videos.
• Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? [email protected]
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Register today!

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Supply List:
– Several watercolor brushes – brushes that you have on hand, medium to large, round or flat
– Small set of watercolors (cake or tube is fine)
– One 30” x 40” sheet of hot press, 140# watercolor paper, torn down to eight 7.5” x 10” pieces; save remaining paper for extra paintings.
– One package (6 or 12 sheets) of regular t-shirt transfer paper for white fabric (recommended: Avery T-Shirt Transfers for Inkjet Printers)
– white paper for drawing exercises (can be regular computer paper)
– ballpoint pen
– small set of water soluble markers (can be cheap)
– parchment or tissue paper (to protect your iron)
– iron
Optional items (I will demo these things but are not necessary to participate in the class):
– white cotton fabric or t-shirt
– soft vine charcoal
– chalk pastels
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Check out other online classes here.

Posted on December 12, 2013March 10, 2021 by

2014: The Year of the Fairy Tale

Welcome to my 2014 year-long online class:

Year of the Fairy Tale!

2014: Year of the Fairy Tale from Silly U on Vimeo.

~~Class begins January 20, 2014.~~ The class is now available as a self-study class.
“Grimm’s Fairy Tales” was my favorite childhood book, so I can’t tell you how excited I am to spend a whole year illustrating fairy tales!
If you don’t know me, my name is Carla Sonheim and I am an artist and author of several instructional drawing and mixed-media books. I’m known for my projects and techniques that help adult students recover a more spontaneous, playful approach to creating!
During this year-long online class, we will illustrate 8 fairy tales (the class will run in two, four-month “semesters,” with a 7-week break in between). Each month you will receive both a sketchbook assignment and a technique-based, mixed-media project via professionally produced videos.

How will this work?
First, my goal for all my classes is that students create art that is true to their own style (as opposed to expecting art look like mine). The techniques taught are just starting points and you will incorporate them into your own existing style and what will come out will be fresh and new.
Also, I strive to make sure that every online lesson includes both techniques and the opportunity for personal growth and self expression. “Year of the Fairy Tale” will be an online community where participants from all over the world share their work, their thoughts, and encourage each other. And of course, I am available to comment on all work uploaded throughout the year.
For each of the 8 working months you’ll receive:
• a PDF with that month’s Fairy Tale/Reading Assignment
• a Sketchbook Assignment (each month we’ll pick a focus: the figure, the face, animals, architecture, etc.)
• a Step-by-Step Mixed-Media Project (throughout the year we’ll work with watercolors, acrylics, pastels, charcoal, graphite, collage….)
• Professionally Produced Instructional Video(s)
• Special Blog Posts exploring each fairy tale’s rich visual history, guest artists, and more
• Instructor Feedback on all uploaded or emailed work
Our virtual “classroom” includes a private blog and closed Facebook group.

Each Reading & Sketchbook Assignment will be released 10 days before the Mixed-Media Assignment. Class begins January 20, 2014.

New to online classes? Check out the “Frequently Asked Questions” page, and here are some recent comments from students:
“In my opinion, you are a gifted instructor, who actually makes art fun, and I look forward to learning more from you.” — Jo
“Your style of teaching is warm, genuine and clear.” — Sheri
“Carla and her co-teachers inspire not just making art but also a sense of community among the students, of whom many have been making art for quite some time and others are new to it. This sense of community shows itself in the way everyone shares art — within a closed group on Facebook — and comments in a wonderful, supportive way.” — Corinne
AND specifically about the this class:
“I’m really having a blast in this class. It’s hard, it’s fun, it’s challenging, it’s frustrating, it’s very satisfying… learning so much and loving seeing all of the amazing work being posted and loving learning these new techniques. Thanks, Carla!” — Helen

I’m really looking forward to immersing myself in fairy tales this year, and hope you will join me!
• All levels welcome and encouraged to join in (new artists will have the option of also joining a separate facebook group especially for beginners!)
• Registration fee is good for people living in a single household (a great class to do with your kiddos!)
• If you have any questions at all, please email me at carla[at]carlasonheim.com.
• BONUS! The first 50 people to sign up will receive a set of 8 digital fairy-tale-inspired greeting cards (PDF) suitable for printing and sending.
• If you’d like a feel for the supplies you will need for this class, click here.
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SIGN UP TODAY!

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GIVE A GIFT
Do you know someone who would like this class? Gift a class, and I’ll send you a downloadable gift card to give to the recipient.

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Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email immediately. I will log you in to the class with your Paypal email address unless you indicate otherwise.

Thank you again and I hope you can join in!

Carla Sonheim

girlinforestcrop

Posted on October 4, 2013March 10, 2021 by

Flower Crazy with Carla Sonheim

Five-week workshop: Drawing, Painting and more!
15 Videos – 15 Assignments
$100. Available NOW as a self-study class.

• Watercolors • Mixed Media Paintings • Collage • Board Books • and More!

5-Week Painting Class
with Carla Sonheim

Hi, I’m Carla Sonheim. It’s cold and rainy in my neck of the woods, but NOT here inside my studio!

If you want to take the cold weather into your own hands with gesso, watercolor, and a healthy dose of flower fun, join me for an extended five-week long play time.

Over the past 15 years I’ve developed my own unique way of working with watercolors alone and combining them with gesso and other media that result in luminous, rich painted surfaces.

These techniques can be taken to paper, wood, and canvas, and we’ll work with all three surfaces during the course (plus a few other surprises!).

Some of the things we’ll play with:

watercolors
white gesso
pencil
permanent markers
watersoluable markers
colored pencils
white ink
cardboard
wood

This painting class (which will also include both drawing and collage assignments) builds week-by-week, so that by the end you can take your new-found tips, tricks, and flower love to your journals, paintings, altered books, and even your furniture, if you like!

I have been somewhat of an online class junkie 😀 in the past year and must say [Flower Crazy] is the best one I’ve ever done!” — Anne

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With your sign-up you will receive:

• 15 professionally produced instructional HD Videos

• Weekly step-by-step photo tutorials at the blog

• Daily inspirational posts (M-F)

• Daily drawing assignments (optional)

• Dedicated flickr site where you’ll receive encouragement and feedback
from me and your fellow travelers

• Password-protected blog,which will serve as our meeting place (when not over at flickr)

• Unlimited access to the class material (That’s right! Once you’ve paid,
the class will be up and available for you to access “forever.”)

• Your itinerary:

Week One: Watercolor Crazy
markers and pencils
watercolors made easy
layering, dry brush, and experimental mark-making
flower vocabulary

Week Two: Gesso Crazy
gesso on watercolor
watercolor on gesso
texturing 101
rub and buff

Week Three: Wood Crazy
preparing the wood
white out
gesso on wet watercolor
layers and layers

Week Four: Collage Crazy
making your own fodder
collage first
collage last
troubleshooting

Week Five: Flower Crazy Board Books (and other fun stuff)
preparing the books
going nutty
installation idea
fabric tips
and more!

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Register today!

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Questions?

I’m happy to answer any questions! Please email me at [email protected] and I’ll get right back to you!

Supplies?
Click here for your full supply list.

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Back to ONLINE CLASSES

Posted on October 4, 2013March 10, 2021 by

"Table Top: Drawing & Painting" by Diane Culhane!

A Two-Week Workshop

Now available as a self-study class.
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Diane Culhane’s Online Class: Table Top Drawing & Painting (via Carla Sonheim) from Silly U on Vimeo.

Hi, my name is Diane Culhane.
“Table Top” is a term I have created to explore the traditional “Still Lifes” within our contemporary lives. Joining the definition of still life: a visual fine art term, representational painting or drawing of inanimate objects, such as fruits, flowers, etc. “Table Tops” will echo the same type of inanimate objects.
Inside of this class, the foundation will be set based on fabulous old master’s still life paintings, such as; cubist painter Paul Cezanne, Pierre Bonnard, and Matisse.
Students – you – will transform your experience with the tradition of still life, practiced by many throughout the ages, into something uniquely all your own, changed by imaginative approaches via various innovative approaches in this class.
Starting with drawing, during a dining experience, ending up with acrylic painting. Line will be deeply explored and color of prismacolor pencils too on to various surfaces.

See. Experience. Draw. Color. Paint.

get ready get ready get ready.

HOW THIS ONLINE CLASS WORKS
• Each M-W-F you’ll wake up to a morning peptalk email with links to your demonstration video and drawing or painting assignment. Tuesdays and Thursdays are “work/comment” days. Weekends are off.
• A password-protected blog dedicated to your class will be the meeting place for the above.
• A flickr group will be created for this class so you can (optionally) share your drawings, paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, Diane is always available to look at your work privately via email.)
• Class material great for both kids and adults (class fee is good for participants living in a single household).
• The class materials will be up and available for one year after your class purchase.
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. The week before your workshop begins, you will receive a “test” email to make sure you can receive/view everything.
• What you will need: You will need to be able to view videos via vimeo.

CLASS OUTLINE
Lesson 1: Gathering Together/Dining
Start the class by drawing your dining experience. Will talk about line quality, perspective, editing, and more.
Lesson 2: Table Top/Basket, Bowl, Fruit
Playing with and understanding color choices; composition; Prismacolors on black substrate
Lesson 3: Table Tops/Glass Bottles
Will move to transparent bottles of various shapes, sizes, colors; Prismacolors on vellum
Lesson 4: Glazing
Glaze with acrylic paints and gel mediums on watercolor paper
Lessons 5 & 6: Table Top Acrylic Paintings
Layering from bottom to top with acrylics paints and light molding paste; wood and/or canvas.

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ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Diane Culhane is a professional artist and art educator who lives West Seattle in a 1910 home, and works out of her studio in Ballard Building C. She received her BFA from the University of Utah and Master’s Degree from Seattle University.
Diane has taught for The Bellevue School District, Seattle Pacific University, Kirkland Arts Center, Bellevue Arts Museum and currently directs and owns Kelsey Creek Fine Art School for children in the summer.
Visit her website at: www.dianeculhaneart.com.

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SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THIS CLASS
– basket, bowl, tablecloth, fruit, bottles
– black tag board or black construction paper
– Prismacolor colored pencils: set of 12 or 24 (Diane recommends “Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils“)
– pencils — soft 2B-6B
– ball point pen, vellum paper
– gessoed watercolor paper – 6″x6″
– gel media gloss
– 2 canvases – small sizes 8″ x 8″ , or wood panels ,
– Liquitex Gloss Super Heavy Gel
– Golden Light Molding Paste
– fluid acrylic paints, such as Golden, Liquitex, or Daniel Smith (red, yellow, blue, white)
– sketchbook, pens – Diane loves to use Micron archival ink sizes 03, 05, 08.
– two flat brushes; one medium and one small
– a fan brush and a liner brush

Next session begins November 3rd… Sign up today!

Posted on September 4, 2013March 10, 2021 by

Gelli Plate Printmaking – Introductory Class

This class is now available as a self-study class.

Printmaking
This class is now available as a self-study class.
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The monotype printing process is something that got me really excited about art over 20 years ago. You never know what you’re going to get, and I love the myriad of textures and patterns!
The new, inexpensive product called “Gelli Plate” allows you to create beautiful monotypes without a press, using materials anyone has in their studio.

When I posted these online recently, artist Christine Phelps asked: “These really take the Gelli Plate from a crafting to fine art level! Do you have a class brewing?”

Yes! “Gelli Plate Printmaking” is a quick, technique-based, $25 class and includes three professionally produced videos demonstrating how to achieve beautiful results with minimal supplies.
What you need is:
— a Gelli Plate (a product by Gelli Arts that looks and feels like gelatin)
— a brayer
— acrylic paint
— scissors
— paper

One student wrote:

“Wow!! I’ve done monotype printing before and even played a bit on the gelli plate, but this was game changing!”

Warning: Gel printing is addictive!
(Note: All my classes have indefinite access, the videos and class materials will be up and available to you “forever.”)
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Sign up today!

😉

Posted on July 6, 2013March 10, 2021 by

"Riding Bareback: Digital Photography"

One-Week Intensive Workshop with Steve Sonheim: Digital Photography
5 Videos – 5 Assignments
$45. Available NOW as a self-study class.

This workshop is designed to turn your digital camera into a natural, comfortable tool in your hands, and give you the confidence to step away from “Auto.”
In this “technical” class we will demystify the principles of exposure, ISO, aperture, shutterspeed and focal length to clear a path for more artistic photographic expression.
Who should take this class? Anyone from beginnner to intermediate with a digital camera (rangefinder or DSLR). This is a good starting point for anyone who wants to go beyond snapshots.

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CLASS OUTLINE

Day 1: Exposure
Defining what “correct exposure” is, what your camera is doing behind the scenes and how you can take control.
Day 2: Aperture and Focus
Understanding the importance of depth of field and how to control it.
Day 3: Shutter Speed and Motion Blur
Exploring the possibilities of exposure and blur with long and short shutterspeeds
Day 4: ISO and Low-Light Photography
How to balance quality and light sensitivty to get the best possible shots.
Day 5: Focal Length and Lens Choice
How distance and lens zoom affect the look and feel of your images.

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SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THIS CLASS: For the Supply List, click HERE.
Steve Sonheim is the author of the forthcoming book, “Creative Photography Lab: 52 Fun Exercicses for Developing Self-Expression with Your Camera” (Quarry Books, due August 1st). He has been a commercial photographer for twenty years. He has a BS from Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, and believes photography should be more of an expressive act than a technical act. He tries to incorporate that philosophy into his work, which these days includes hotels and luxury resorts, people, and food.

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SIGN UP TODAY!

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Steve’s “Riding Bareback” Class Only:

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Posted on July 4, 2013March 10, 2021 by

2013 Summer Art Camp

Welcome to the THIRD Annual Online Summer Art Camp!
This year I am excited to present new classes taught by Diane Culhane, Steve Sonheim, Krista Peel, and myself.
• Workshops in Photography, Drawing, Painting, and Mixed-Media
• Each week-long class consists of five instructional videos
• Classes designed so that you can spend between 1-3 hours per day
• Class content will remain online indefinitely
• Instructor feedback
• Each class will have its own flickr group to share images of your artwork
• NEW! A single facebook group page for the entire camp (so you can see what those in other sessions have been working on, too!).
• Class fee good for participants living in a single household
• Prizes? Of course!
• EARLY SIGN-UP BONUS! The first 100 people to sign up will receive 8 printable PDF greeting cards featuring two images from each of the four instructors.
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Click the images below for class descriptions and to sign up!
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WEEK 1
(July 22 – 26, 2013)

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WEEK 2
(July 29 – August 2, 2013)

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WEEK 3
(August 5 – 9, 2013)

Quick Sign-Up

Choose any three classes:

Take ALL 6 classes!

Posted on July 23, 2012March 10, 2021 by

Cereal Box Paper Dolls

One-Week Intensive Class • $35

Now available as a self-study class. Sign up anytime and work at your own pace!

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Drawing, mixed media, silliness
Available now as a Self-Study Class.

“What did you do as a child that made the hours pass like minutes? Here is the key to your earthly pursuits.” — Carl Jung

It’s fun to play with paper dolls! In this class you will create set of stand-up paper dolls and a unique, interactive artist book using cereal boxes as your substrate. Your paper dolls will fit into the pockets of the folded book structure, which becomes the backdrop for your characters when folded out. Fun! You will create your characters based on a fairy tale, a fable, your family, or your imagination. (Can’t draw? No problem! We’ll spend the first day doing fun drawing exercises to build your confidence and get your ideas flowing.)

We’ll also explore other ways to house your dolls, including altering an old book:
And on the last day you will receive tips and tricks for photographing your 3D project by Guest Teacher Steve Sonheim.

Here’s the scoop for one-week camp sessions: • Think “camp” and be ready for a week jam-packed with creativity! (Update: If you do all the assignments each day, I estimate it will take about 1 – 1.5 hours each day.)
• Each day you’ll wake up to a morning peptalk email with links to your daily schedule, warm-up PDF drawing worksheet, daily assignment and demonstration video. (Five camp days; five warm-up worksheets; assignments; five videos.)
• A password-protected blog dedicated to each class will serve as our clubhouse and will be our meeting place for all of the above.
• A flickr group will be created for each session so you can (optionally) share your worksheets, drawings, paintings, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others. (However, if you are shy about posting your art, I am always available to look at your work via email.)
• A perfect activity to do with your kids.
• The class materials will be up and available for download until “forever,” if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).
• Upon registration, you will receive an email within 48 hours confirming your sign-up. The week before your camp session begins, you will receive a “test” email to make sure you can receive/view everything. (That way, when the camp starts, any mosquito bugs will be worked out!)
• What you will need: You will be able to read acrobat pdf files and view videos. • Class fee is good for participants living in a single household.
QUESTIONS? carla[at]carlasonheim.com
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Register today!
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Supply List: – 3 medium-sized cardboard cereal boxes (you can flatten, but don’t cut down yet) – mechanical pencil – pink or red water soluble marker – white paper for drawing exercises (can be regular computer paper) – a #12 round watercolor brush (or similar) – a ½” flat brush (or similar) – brayer (to lay down gesso) – small white cotton rag – white gesso – small watercolor set (cake or tube is fine) – fine line white gel pen or paint pen – scissors – gel medium (to use as glue) – ribbon or string (to tie book closed) – spray fixative Optional items (I will demo these things but are not necessary to participate in the class): – small set of water soluable crayons – heat gun – white FW acrylic ink – a couple of Copic markers (or any alcohol-based marker) – an old book to alter

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Check out other online classes here.

Posted on July 2, 2012March 10, 2021 by

Photo Silly Classes

5 Digital Photography Classes with Steve Sonheim • $35-45
Available now as Self-Study Classes.

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In 2011 and 2012, Steve Sonheim held five popular online classes, which you can access now as self-study classes:
Photo Silly 1
Photo Silly 2
Shoot Your Art
Photo Silly Light
Photo Silly Advanced

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PHOTO SILLY!

1. Fun and Silly Assignments. A daily assignment to get you out shooting and thinking like a photographer.
2. Your Camera. Nuts and bolts talk to help you get more comfortable with — and get more out of — your digital camera.
3. Photo Fundamentals. What it comes down to: Light and Composition.

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Here’s the scoop:
• Every day for the length of the session, you will receive a link to a new PDF worksheet that will look kind of like this (click to enlarge):

• You will receive an daily e-mail from Steve where he will further explain concepts that might not fit on a worksheet (including answers to questions from you!).
• Your daily assignment will have you photographing people, places and things… the whole nine yards and then some.
• A “Photo Silly″ flickr site will be created so you can (optionally) share your photographs and get feedback from your fellow students, as well as enjoy and learn from others in the class. (However, if you are shy about posting your photos, Steve will be available to you to look at your work via email.)
• Steve will be available the entire two weeks by email to answer ANY questions you have. (All Q&As will then be posted on the class blog so everyone can benefit!)
• Steve is an experienced photographer and teacher, and aims to help his students begin to develop their own unique photography “voice.” He writes, “This class is about looking at the world a little differently through your digital camera, and bringing more photography into your art, and more art into your photography.”
• Requirements: Any digital camera that you can download images to a computer and a basic photo-editing program. (Steve suggests either a trial [free] version of Photoshop Elements or Picasa by Google, also free. These are both easy to use and he will be giving instructions for both as we go along.)
• This class for anyone with a digital camera, a computer, and a willingness to take some chances.

******************** Photo Silly Testimonials ********************
This class was outstanding! Thank you so much for your time, energy, organization, and for offering this wonderful class from a great perspective. I have some obsessive-compulsive nature when I am challenged — and the Photo Silly direction took me away from some of this behavior — I stretched my abilities — and really got out there and had some fun! I loved this class, the assignments, and they took be far beyond my expectations! THANK YOU THANK YOU!      — Mary Ann
Gotta say this class was way more than I expected. Great class, big thank you’s to you and Steve. I really learned a lot about my camera(s) and gained a lot of confidence – knowing I can capture what I see in my little frame. Looking forward to the class on Photographing Your Artwork – that sounds perfect – and PhotoSillyShop and any more silliness you are dreaming up.    — Diane
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Photo Silly 1 with Steve Sonheim
Two-week class, 14 Worksheets

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Photo Silly 2 with Steve Sonheim
Two-week class, 14 Worksheets

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Shoot Your Art with Steve Sonheim
One-week class, 3 assignments, demonstration video

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Photo Silly Light with Steve Sonheim
One-week class, 7 Worksheets

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Photo Silly Advanced with Steve Sonheim
Two-week class, 10 Worksheets

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About Steve
Steve has been a professional for 20 years and has a BA in Applied Commercial Photography from Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, CA. He currently specializes in hotel and resort photography. He has taught photography classes at Wheaton College, and has had gallery shows with his abstract imagery.

Back to ONLINE CLASSES

Posted on July 2, 2012March 10, 2021 by

The Art of Silliness

Drawing Worksheets for Adults • $25 each session

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Each class is the same, but different! In other words, the same basic concepts are covered
in each session, but each class is comprised of completely different worksheets. See below for class description.

The Art of Silliness
(A Creative Workshop For Everyone!)

• Each day there is a new pdf worksheet, which you can download, print, and complete!

• Worksheets may include one (or more) of the following: drawing exercises (can’t draw? YES YOU CAN!), writing prompts, vocabulary words, drawing games, puzzles… (just to name a few). FUN!

• Here is a SAMPLE of a worksheet:

(Non-threatening and easy!)

• Our goal: to get you to just PLAY, just 10 minutes a day, with pen and paper, thoughts and images. (You will be surprised how a shot of silliness like this will positively inform the other goings-on in your day, including your regular artwork.)

• Most handouts will have an “Extra Credit” section, in case you want to spend MORE than 10 minutes that day creating like a kid.

• Speaking of kids… this is a perfect class to do together with your children!! Each household can download as many sheets as they like.

• TEACHERS!!!! If you do this online class, you are welcome to photocopy the worksheets for use in your classrooms.

• A blog dedicated to the class has been created and is the place for you to post comments, questions, and/or links to your finished Activity Pages.

• A class flickr site where you can (optionally) share your worksheets, drawings, artwork, and enjoy and learn from the artwork of others.

• The class material will be up and available for download until “forever,” if for some reason you need to miss a day (or a couple of weeks).

• Here’s what people have said about the Silly Series:

“I want to say that your online Art of Silliness drawing workshop caused something
of a paradigm shift in my perspective on drawing, more specifically, my ability to draw. I draw all the time now.
No big deal, no worries, no “I’m not having fun this is too ugly”, none of that.
I am now and forever more a person who draws. Because of you.” — Jennifer W.

“The Best X 3: Best drawing class I’ve taken on-line or off-line.
Best teacher who made drawing fun. Best time spent that brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart. — Judith W.

Back to ONLINE CLASSES

SIGN UP TODAY!

Sign up today!

Faces Mini Instructor: Carla Sonheim A Three-Lesson, “Bite-Sized” Class with Carla Sonheim Drawing, painting, mixed-media • $25

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Student Supply List:

Sign up today!

Click HERE for a sample lesson!

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“Carla helps her students release their inner critic, and what emerges is a whimsy and freedom that makes for truly original artwork. Each of us discover in her classes that we really are artists, and that our visual style is uniquely our own.” — Adrienne

One-Week Intensive Class • $35 Painting, Mixed Media Now available as a self-study class.

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Year of the Fairy Tale!

SIGN UP TODAY!

See. Experience. Draw. Color. Paint.

get ready get ready get ready.

SIGN UP TODAY!

One-Week Intensive Class • $35

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PHOTO SILLY!

Drawing Worksheets for Adults • $25 each session

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The Art of Silliness (A Creative Workshop For Everyone!)

Faces Mini
Instructor: Carla Sonheim
A Three-Lesson, “Bite-Sized” Class with Carla Sonheim
Drawing, painting, mixed-media • $25

“Carla helps her students release their inner critic, and what emerges is a whimsy and freedom
that makes for truly original artwork. Each of us discover in her classes that we really are artists,
and that our visual style is uniquely our own.” — Adrienne

One-Week Intensive Class • $35
Painting, Mixed Media
Now available as a self-study class.

The Art of Silliness
(A Creative Workshop For Everyone!)