Note: Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 use acrylic or watercolor paint. It is water-based & non-toxic, but it is permanent - it will not wash out of clothing.


Week 1: July 12th-16th Realistic Drawing

Learn to create realistic drawings through observation of real objects and from photographs. Using pencil, charcoal, pastels and colored pencils, students will learn to see the entire image and begin a drawing with light lines, followed by shading and highlights to create depth and realism in their artwork. Students will be introduced to a fresh way of looking at objects that will provide keys to successful draftsmanship. Subject matter will include perspective, still life, portraits, landscapes and animals. All materials provided. Cost: $140.

Week 2: July 19th-23rd Watercolor Painting

Working from photographs, we begin with a demonstration-style painting of an animal, where students follow the steps of the instructor. During this process students learn to use watercolor paints and paper - and how they interact with water - as they develop a realistic image, and learn to create textures such as fur and landscape elements. Students will also learn color mixing and many brush techniques to create desired effects. Following our first painting, students may then choose their own photograph for their next painting. All materials provided. Cost: $145.

Week 3: July 26th-30th Calligraphy & Design

Learn calligraphy and other styles of lettering while creating calendars, greeting cards, and other functional pieces of art. Students will use markers, colored pencils, pastels, paint and collage to create designs and images to accompany the lettering for each project. We will also explore existing fonts and each student will design their own style of letters. Students will learn about the field of graphic design as they produce the type of art used in commercial products. All materials provided. Cost: $140.

Week 4: August 2nd -6th Acrylic Painting

Working from photographs, we begin with a demonstration-style painting of a landscape, where students follow the steps of the instructor. During this process students learn to develop a painting from the initial drawing to the final coat of paint, while learning to create realistic elements such as skies, trees and water. Students will learn color mixing and many brush techniques used to create a desired effect, with acrylics on canvas. Following our first painting, students may then choose their own photograph for their next painting. All materials provided. Cost: $145.

Week 5: August 9th-13th Drawing & Painting from Personal Photographs

Students have the opportunity to work from their own photographs, in whichever medium they choose, including acrylic or watercolor paint, pastels, colored pencil, charcoal or pencil, and receive individual instruction and critiques from the instructor and other students. Favorite memories of vacations, a family pet, your home and family members, are just a few examples of photographs to choose from. Their artwork makes a great gift! Students should bring at least three photographs to the first class. All materials provided. Cost: $145.

Week 6: August 16th-20th Abstract Drawing & Painting

Create art with shapes, line and color, using a variety of materials including acrylic and latex paint, charcoal, pastels, markers and pencil. Students will be challenged to fill the drawing and painting surface with interesting and exciting designs that they create using their imagination, or by observing real objects and learning to abstract them. Through slides and video, students will learn how famous artists from the past made their abstract art, while discovering their own unique style. All materials provided. Cost: $145.




Evening Courses for Teens & Adults

Classes meet once per week.

Book Arts

Tuesday Evenings, 6:00-9:00, July 13th - August 17th

Instructor Bessie Anderson is a senior at Massachusetts College of Art, majoring in Book Arts. She is also a former student at Johnson School of Art.

A course for beginners and artists of all levels, students will be introduced to the art of book making through demonstration and their own creations. The instructor will demonstrate how to create many different styles of books, from basic cut and fold structures, to simple sewn structures. After creating their own books, students may utilize the pages to include their own artwork, pasted images, calligraphy, or any other personal choices. Students are encouraged to come with ideas for projects they would like to explore through the book format, and will work on developing these ideas throughout the course. Our final project will be a hard cover pamphlet book that makes a great journal, sketchbook or handmade gift. Materials will be provided, but students will also have the option of providing their own supplies, such as specialty papers, ribbons, and collage materials that are specific to their project. Cost: $245.