ART News:
The Karen Wray Gallery is offering a number of art classes this fall, including:
- Beginning Drawing;
- Continuing Drawing;
- Beginning Painting in Oils;
- Color 1 for Oils; and
- Intermediate Painting in Oils.
“Registration has begun and classes are filling up, so don’t put it off and wait until the last minute,” said Karen Wray, gallery owner, artist and instructor. “This is your chance to start the best hobby in the world!”
“Since I started advertising about our new drawing and painting classes, people have inquired about the classes, but are very hesitant to sign up because they don’t KNOW already how to paint or draw or that they don’t have “talent”, Wray said. “Good news, folks! The best reason to take a beginning painting or drawing class is to LEARN how this is done. Okay, there are those exceptions, but they’re not common. Most of us humans don’t innately know how to draw or paint. If no one showed you how to properly draw, how would you expect to know how to do it naturally? Painting and drawing are very similar to learning how to play a musical instrument. You likely won’t be mastering the violin in eight weeks; you might just not squeak as much and may be able to play a simple tune after eight weeks. Our drawing and painting classes start at the very beginning. We don’t assume that you know how to draw or paint.”
All classes run 8 weeks, 9:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. and cost $215 plus supplies, Wray said. Supply lists are available upon registration. Classes are held right in the gallery.
The Beginning Drawing Class introduces you to the fundamentals of drawing; creating something recognizable based on four basic shapes, using shading to create a 3-dimensional illusion on a 2-dimensional surface, and using linear perspective techniques to draw objects in space and in correct proportion. Class starts Friday, Sept. 9. Class time is 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Continuing Drawing Class is for those who have drawing experience and are interested in building their skills. Students will learn how to tackle more complicated subjects, including portraits and figurative drawing, buildings, street scenes, and more. Class starts Wednesday, Sept. 7. Class time is 9:30.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Painting for the Absolute Beginner class in oils introduces you to the fundamentals of painting; explain about materials used in oil painting, supports (canvas types, boards), safety, then basic composition. Students will learn how to create form (illusion of 3-D on a 2-D surface) using values and blending, and mixing based on a very limited palette. Students will paint simple still-life arrangements, color charts, and other exercises. Class starts Saturday, Sept. 10 Class time is 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Color 1 for Oils class builds on the skills acquired in the Painting for the Absolute Beginner class. Students should be familiar with basic composition and using values to create form. We will delve more into color theory, adding more colors to the palette, and learning how to systematically mix colors. Students will create color charts and paint simple still life arrangements using a larger set of pigments to more accurately match colors. Class starts Sept. 8 Class time is 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“Why choose oil paints for a beginner class?” Wray said. “Because they are slow to dry and wipe off readily when wet, unlike acrylics or watercolors, oil paints blend very nicely, and the colors don’t change when dry. Oils give beginners time to work, experiment, make corrections, glaze, or start over. The newer synthetic turpentine called Turpenoid, and Odorless Mineral Spirits significantly reduce the odors and fumes, and manufacturers have recently introduced cadmium-free colors to make oil painting even safer. What’s not to love? We all need to learn how to walk before we can run. Sign up today and start your journey!”
The Karen Wray Gallery is at 1247 Central Ave., Suite D-2 in Los Alamos. The Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, visit karenwrayfineart.com