Upcoming Classes

Sampling of past classes offered through School of Eclectic Art

Exploring Watercolor Technique

Choose from any of above 8 week sessions. Emphasis will be on transparent watercolor application including 3 way washes, wet in wet, wet into damp, dry brush, and saving whites. Further develop your understanding of painting from references. Explore watercolor and/or other water-based media. Expect to research techniques used by a favorite past or contemporary artist whom you would like to emulate. Thumbnail samples of sections of that artist’s artwork will help you discover technique, palette choices, and composition. In addition to choosing a favorite artist, narrow your focus by selecting a genre like portrait, landscape or still life. Expand your knowledge of supplies, composition, color, dominance, contrast, and emphasis. Transfer knowledge gained from your research and personal studies by applying learned techniques to paint your own original copyright-free art. (Intermediate / advanced).

Duck Lake Art Extravaganza - Inspired By Nature

Come paint for three days nature’s splendor. Expect to have lots of light hearted fun in this beautiful northern lake setting. Relax and take it all in as you learn more about color and design. We will explore the spontaneous characteristics of watercolor. Experimental techniques will be introduced to help you “loosen up”. Try a different technique each morning. Spend afternoons creating independently in the make-shift lodge studio or paint outdoors and capture the “essence of” nature.

You will need basic water media (watercolor and/or other water based or dry media) supplies including assorted brushes, palette, tube paints in basic colors and extra watercolor paper. Bring a board to support your watercolor paper and a portable lamp.

Abstract Design

This six- week workshop is for those who want to explore abstract art using watercolor and other water-based media. Mary Ann will introduce assignments designed to help you create and design abstractly. Techniques used by successful abstract artists will be presented and discussed. Embrace freedom by stepping away from realism. Learn how to apply basic design principles to compose using only line, color, value, shape or texture. Expect to make multiple smaller works quickly then review your grouping of designs produced to select the most successful. Learn to evaluate your own work using contrast and compare principles like movement, vibration, harmony, scale, variety, unity and emotional content.

Watercolor and Beyond...Fast and Furious

Use any water based media and join us for a fun filled workshop. Just bring your paints, brushes, palette, extra paper and your sense of humor. Mary Ann Inman, your instructor will bring materials for you to use in addition to your regular supplies. Warm up exercises will help you paint fast, furious and with confidence. Expect to try your hand using fun techniques, interesting color combinations, and “other materials and stuff” to make spontaneous art. You are also encouraged to bring works in progress.

Plan to hang loose and feel free to opt out of lectures, demos and warm up exercises to work in your own style and direction. Mary Ann is an experienced instructor who is flexible and works to foster a friendly and safe environment. Her goal is to have you leave wishing the workshop wasn’t over and armed with inspiring ideas to try at home.

Independent Painting & Drawing Studio

Summary - (2 1/2 days) Participants should bring medium of choice. All dry and water based mediums can be used. Expect to work independently with guidance of an experienced instructor. This is an opportunity for you to get in studio time working with an experienced instructor.

Arrive on Wednesday and Thursday at 9:00 am. Arrive on Friday at Noon. The building officially opens 8 am and we can usually stay until 4 PM, if you want extra studio time. If Oregon school closes then the Fitchburg Senior Center closes. Snow dates will be rescheduled the following week same day as cancellation.
You will be working in a multi media environment. Many students are at an intermediate/advanced level. Expect to be challenged and inspired by others in the class.
I will have topics of interest and optional creative challenge assignments. Feel free to opt out of any or all lectures, demonstrations, and creative challenge assignments to do studio work on your own.
Lunch hour is scheduled from noon to 1 pm. You can brown bag it or drive to a nearby restaurant.
Each student can work at his or her own pace. The focus will be on the process versus the end product.
Expect group critiques/discussions. Verbalizing your direction fosters growth. Your instructor encourages participation but respects your right to pass.

Beginning Watercolor

This four-week class will help you explore watercolor and gain confidence under the guidance of an experienced instructor. You will be introduced to the beauty and nature of watercolor with a new subject in each session. Step by step lecture and demonstration are followed by studio exercises designed to advance the development of your skills. Explore color mixing, application, and technique. Your will instructor provides a safe participative environment, which will allow you to paint with confidence.

Watercolor: Intermediate & Independent

Use any water-based media and work at your own pace. Expand your skills and further develop your style. Explore water-media technique, composition, design, light, and content. Your instructor will facilitate stimulating group critiques and discussion to challenge you and determine ways to advance your skills. Classroom interaction will help you find inspiration and stay on task. Expect to have lots of lighthearted fun and get in some necessary studio time under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Watercolor by Design

Learn how to use line, color, value, shape and texture to create visually interesting compositions. Emphasis will be on using basic design and the creative process. Optional creative challenge assignments will help reinforce demos/lecture. Choose any water-based or dry media.

Watercolor & Beyond

Use watercolor or other water based media to explore fascinating texture and pooling of color. Learn how to create texture with stamps, impressions, wax resist, plastic wrap, salt, and other experimental techniques. Try multiple surfaces like illustration board and crinkle paper. Learn when to use textures to project realism, make subtle implications, or promote an idea. Let your intuitive side determine the outcome. Basic art experience helpful. Intermediate level.

CityScape Studio Workshop

Experience this rare three-day opportunity to studio paint from the 12^th floor of beautiful Weston Place on Madison’s west side. Be inspired by the view of the Madison Lakes and city skyline through two long walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. You will be working under the guidance of your qualified instructor, Mary Ann Inman. You may choose to work individually or participate in any of Mary Ann’s daily demonstrations, critiques and group projects. All levels of skill are welcome. Have you ever wished for that inspiring studio space that you can stay set-up, work on your choice of subject & media, come and go as you please in a safe, creative, ‘art-energy-filled’ setting? Now is your chance! (3 days)

The Art of Color

The Art of Color Use watercolor or other water-based media to explore fascinating spectrums of color. Learn how to make your paint box speak for you with splashes of yellow, orange, red, violet, blue, and green. Give your artwork a voice by carefully choosing colors to project a mood, make subtle implications or promote an idea. Expect weekly assignments to help you apply color schemes to vibrate and harmonize using selected color wheel combinations. (Intermediate)

Go Figure Manikin Making

If you want to take on a creative 3 D challenge, this may be for you. We will meet on three Friday afternoons. The first class will address your ideas and how to promote your concept. We can brainstorm and share ideas in class but talking about the ideas proposed by others outside of the classroom is not permitted. The second class will address your proposed materials to make your manikin. bring supplies like paint, glue, paper mache', fabric, pliers, wire, etc.( Hint select supplies you have some experience with: for example if you can sew then fabric would be a good material selection). Ask me about a manikin if you do not have one I have some on hand. During the third session plan to get your manikin mostly complete. We can have fun with this and share the experience together in a lighthearted environment. The process of creating should always be more rewarding than the end result. Bring your sense of humor. Working on 3D offers some unique challenges and I will help you work through the process. (3 sessions)

Landscape Drawing & Painting

Use any water-based or dry media to capture nature's beauty. We will focus on simplifying shapes and creating visual interest. Bring copyright free photos of scenes you would like to paint. Your instructor will help you edit and design your composition and choose schematic colors. Project a mood, make subtle implications or promote an idea. Demonstrations include value studies, watercolor and mixed media painting techniques and drawing practices. Assignments will help you further develop your technical skills and improve your observation skills. (8 sessions/weeks)

Painting & Drawing Studio

Summary - Participants should bring medium of choice. All dry and water based mediums can be used. Expect to work independently with guidance from an experienced instructor. (4 sessions/days)

· Arrive on Tuesday between 8:30 am and 9:00 am. The building does not officially open until 8:30am. Windows surround the west end of the room and the lighting is good. Each artist will have a large banquet table to spread out supplies. Supplies can be left during lunch but must be taken at the end of each day as other events are scheduled in the evenings.

· You will be working in a multi media environment. Artists are invited to bring watercolor, pastel, charcoal, acrylic, graphite and colored pencil. Many students are at an intermediate/advanced level. Expect to be challenged and inspired by others in the class.

· We will start each day with classroom instruction/lecture in chairs seated near the kitchen. I will have topics of interest and optional creative challenge assignments. Feel free to opt out of any or all lectures, demonstrations, and creative challenge assignments to do studio work on your own.

· We can use the kitchen to make coffee and warm lunch. Lunch hour is scheduled from noon to 1 pm. You can brown bag it or drive to a nearby restaurant.

· Each student can work at his or her own pace. The focus will be on the process versus the end product. Some participants may want to sketch & paint outdoors if the weather permits.

· Expect group critiques/discussions. Verbalizing your direction fosters growth. Your instructor encourages participation but respects your right to pass.

Cultivating Creativity

Further develop your style by focusing on your strengths. Explore watercolor, mixed media, or any water-based media. Demonstrations and lecture will focus on expanding your confidence using technique,
composition, color, dominance, contrast, and emphasis. Group assignments include polishing your artist statement and planning to exhibit your work. This class will help you walk the walk and talk the talk as you move onward in your journey as an artist. (Intermediate & Advanced ~ 8 Sessions/weeks)