Courses > Adult Courses

Fall Program 2008

Abstract Painting For Beginners and Intermediates

Course Times: Wednesday 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Course Fee: $245
Teacher: April Steele

Course Description: This course brings together ideas about composition, colour and your own personal voice. The class allows you the freedom to experiment, while at the same time receiving plenty of one-on-one instruction. Learn to compose your ideas through abstraction. Study the fascinating history of abstract painting, and learn the techniques of the masters as well.

Acrylic Painting For Beginners and Intermediates

Course Times: Wednesday 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Course Fee: $245
Teacher: Leanne Baird

Course Description: In this class students will be introduced to the forgiving world of acrylic painting. Explore colour, brushwork, composition, light and space while learning how to add your own personal style to your artwork. Students will employ their own subject matter from photographs as well as work from still life in the classroom. Exercises will be utilized to introduce students to representational, nonrepresentational and abstract forms of painting as well as elements of art and principles of design. Research of acrylic artists and styles may also be used in the learning process. Instruction will include demonstrations, individual instruction, group exercises and critiques.

Anatomical Drawing

Course Times: Wednesday 6:30 - 9:30
Course Fee: $245
Teacher: Jason Wilkins

Course Description: A specialty class created to give the student a solid foundation and understanding of drawing the human figure. The course will focus on the human skeletal structure and specific areas of human anatomy. Students will work from anatomical casts, anatomic drawings, skeletons as well as live models. Seasoned artist or not, why not start with the "bare bones"?

Drawing for Beginners

Course Times: Monday 6:30 - 9:30 pm or Thursday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Course Fee: $245
Teacher: Anne Cavanaugh

Course Description: Anyone can learn how to draw. Drawing is an artist's most fundamental and useful skills. It is the point of departure for most artistic pursuits. This course will help you hone the technical and perceptual skills needed to draw with confidence. Exercises will include drawing from still life and photos while working predominantly with graphite.

Drawing Portraits

Course Times: Monday 1 - 4pm
Course Fee: $245
Teacher: Anne Cavanaugh

Course Description: Learn to capture a sense of likeness, emotion and character with comprehensive drawing exercises that will teach you the basic skills of portraiture. Learn techniques and develop your drawing skills in a straight forward, easy to follow manner.

Ideas and Practices in Contemporary Art

Course Times: Thursday 6:00 - 9:00
Course Fee: $245
Teacher: Anne-Marie Kornachuk

Course Description: This class is created for the intermediate- advanced level art student or artist interested in drawing or painting in any medium. Participants will pursue the creation of their own body of work while benefiting from the help of one-on-one instruction and from group critiques. Each student will focus on further developing their skills as well as the communication and expression of ideas in their work. For those students who need to know, it will also discuss the "business of art", covering documenting your work, creating portfolios and CVs (for universities or art galleries), understanding and applying to art galleries, writing artist statements, applying for grants and many of the things they never teach you in school! Concepts and trends in contemporary art will be explained. Students will be introduced to the work of artists who will inspire and illuminate. Whether you wish to pursue a career in the visual arts or just take your hobby more seriously, this course will bring you to the next level.

Intermediate Drawing

Course Times: Tuesday 6:30 - 9:30pm or Thursday 1:00 - 4:00pm
Course Fee: $245
Teacher: Anne Cavanaugh

Course Description: This is the second phase of our drawing curriculum. It is designed for the student who already has a grasp of basic drawing techniques and skills. Focus will remain on further skill development as well as learning how to use drawing as a form of artistic expression. Students will be introduced to working with conté and charcoal. Basic colour theory will also be introduced. Students will work from the live model as well as from still life.

Intro to Taking Photos

Course Times: Tuesday 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Course Fee: $150 (6 week course) starting October 7, 2008
Teacher: William Lockington

Course Description: Who doesn't want to learn the basics of how to take a great picture? This six week course will introduce all the basics of simply taking photos. Students are free to use 35mm film or digital cameras. All technical aspects of your camera and picture taking will be explained, as well as lighting, composition, tone and colour. You will learn techniques of how to photograph a wide variety of subjects including people (portraits, groups, children), landscapes, nature, weather, animals and sports.

Jewellery Making (Beginner/Intermediate)

Course Times: Thursday 1:00 - 4:00 or Thursday 6:30 - 9:30
Course Fee: $245 + $60 material fee (starter kit)
Teacher: Sandy MacFarlane

Course Description: Learn the fundamental skills of a goldsmith/jeweller! Through demonstrations and practice sessions, students will learn the skills to make jewellery from their own designs. Students will explore primary metal-working techniques such as piercing, filing, forming, soldering and finishing using copper, brass and nickel silver metals. (Intermediate/returning students can progress to working in silver/gold at extra cost). Design aspects will be discussed and students will be encouraged to apply the techniques and concepts learned to create their own pieces.

A starter kit including basic tools and materials, must be purchased at the start of the course. Additional metals and/or silver/gold can be purchased from the instructor.

Oil Painting for Beginners and Intermediates

Course Times: Monday 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Course Fee: $245
Teacher: Jenni Johnston

Course Description: Learn all you need to know about painting with oil: brushes, paints and mediums, colour theory, techniques, composition, and develop your observation skills. You will also learn about health and safety issues associated with the medium. Each student receives plenty of one-on-one guidance. Students can choose to follow the course curriculum, or explore their own imagery at any point. Ideas about contemporary painting and a bit of art history will be introduced as well.

Pottery for Beginners

Course Times: Monday 6:30 - 9:30 pm or Tuesday 6:30 - 9:30 pm or Wednesday 1:00 - 4:00 pm or Wednesday 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Course Fee: $245 + the price of clay
Teachers: Gail West and June Goodwin

Course Description: The Art School's pottery department is one of the finest in Ontario with Shimpo wheels, beautiful glazes, on-site firing and instruction from professional potters. At the beginner and intermediate level, students will receive instruction in all aspects of wheelwork, making functional and decorative pots. Students will learn how glazes work, how to apply them, and how to develop effective brushwork with slips and oxides. Students are also free to explore hand building and sculptural projects.

Sculpture in Clay

Course Times: Thursday 1:00 - 4:00
Course Fee: $245 + $70 model and material fee
Teacher: Gail West

Course Description: Our Sculpture in Clay class will draw inspiration from the live model each class. The course will focus on handbuilding portraits in clay as well as the creation of sculpture of the human body. Students will also learn about brushwork with oxides and stains and how to prepare their pieces for firing. The possibilities are endless.

Watercolour for Beginners and Beyond

Course Times: Wednesday 6:30 am - 9:30pm
Course Fee: $245
Teacher: Sharon Taylor

Course Description: A watercolour course designed for the beginner and the not-quite-a beginner. This course covers all aspects of the watercolour medium. Each class will introduce new techniques through demonstrations, and you will have plenty of time to paint during class. Students receive lots of one-on-one attention from the instructor, as well as group critique.

Watercolour for Intermediates

Course Times: Wednesday 1:00 - 4:00 pm or Friday 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Course Fee: $245
Teacher: Sharon Taylor

Course Description: This course continues the exploration of the watercolour medium, related painting techniques and all aspects of making a successful painting. Students are encouraged to find their own voice while working with specific themes and techniques.