7 Elements of Art Workshop

In our first week, students will dive into the vibrant world of color. They'll learn about the color wheel, color theory, and the emotional and psychological effects of color. Through color mixing experiments, color harmony studies, and color-themed projects, students will explore the endless possibilities of color in their artwork.

Students will explore the element of line. They'll learn about the different types of lines and their expressive qualities, from straight and curved lines to thick and thin lines. Through drawing exercises and collaborative projects, students will experiment with line variations to create dynamic compositions.

Students will delve into the world of shape. They'll discover the difference between geometric and organic shapes and explore how shapes can be used to convey meaning and emotion in art. Through sculpting, collage, and mixed media projects, students will experiment with shape manipulation to create visually engaging artworks.

Students will explore the element of form. They'll learn how to depict three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface through shading, perspective, and contour drawing. By studying still life arrangements and exploring sculptural techniques, students will gain a deeper understanding of form and volume in their artwork.

Week five will focus on the concept of space in art. Students will learn about positive and negative space, foreground and background, and techniques for creating depth and perspective in their compositions. Through landscape painting, spatial arrangement exercises, and collaborative mural projects, students will explore the illusion of space and experiment with different spatial relationships.

In week six, students will explore the tactile quality of texture in art. They'll learn about visual texture versus actual texture and experiment with a variety of techniques to create different surface effects. From textured collages and relief printing to impasto painting and mixed media experiments, students will discover the expressive potential of texture in their artwork.

Week seven will focus on the element of value. Students will learn about the importance of light and shadow in creating form and volume. Through grayscale studies, chiaroscuro techniques, and still life drawings, students will explore the nuances of value and learn how to effectively use contrast to add depth and dimension to their artwork.

In our final week, students will have the opportunity to synthesize and reflect on their learning from the past seven weeks. They'll engage in a culminating project that integrates multiple elements of art and allows them to showcase their newfound skills and creativity. Through group critiques and self-reflection exercises, students will celebrate their artistic journey and set goals for future artistic exploration.

Enrollment is closed for the current Tuesday & Thursday Workshops featuring this series. Please scroll down to view the other workshop series enrollment options. 

In our first week, students will explore the bold and vibrant works of Georgia O'Keeffe. They'll learn about O'Keeffe's unique approach to capturing the essence of nature through close-up floral paintings and abstract landscapes. Through observational drawing and experimentation with color and form, students will embrace O'Keeffe's spirit of creativity and innovation.

In week two, students will enter the surreal and dreamlike world of Salvador Dalí. They'll discover Dalí's eccentric imagery and explore his fascination with the subconscious mind. Through surrealistic drawing exercises and imaginative storytelling, students will unleash their creativity and embrace the spirit of surrealism in their own artwork.

In week three, students will explore the iconic works of Piet Mondrian and the De Stijl movement. They'll learn about Mondrian's use of geometric shapes and primary colors to create harmonious compositions. Through abstract painting exercises and exploration of Mondrian's principles of balance and harmony, students will experiment with form, color, and rhythm in their own artwork.

Week four will showcase the innovative technique of pointillism through the works of Georges Seurat. Students will learn about Seurat's meticulous approach to color theory and his use of tiny dots to create vibrant, luminous compositions. Through pointillist painting exercises and studies of light and color, students will explore the unique effects of pointillism and its application in their own artwork.

In week five, students will explore the pioneering works of Wassily Kandinsky and the birth of abstract art. They'll learn about Kandinsky's belief in the spiritual power of color and form to evoke emotion and transcend reality. Through abstract painting exercises and experiments with color symbolism, students will embrace Kandinsky's principles of inner necessity and artistic freedom.

Week six will focus on the iconic works of Andy Warhol and the Pop Art movement. Students will explore Warhol's fascination with consumer culture and celebrity iconography, as they learn about his innovative techniques such as silk screening and color repetition. Through mixed media projects and experimentation with popular imagery, students will embrace Warhol's playful and irreverent approach to art and culture.

In week seven, students will delve into the revolutionary art movement of Cubism through the works of Pablo Picasso. They'll learn about Picasso's groundbreaking techniques for deconstructing form and space, while examining the themes of identity and abstraction in his work. Through collage, mixed media, and experimental drawing exercises, students will explore the multi-dimensional world of Cubism and its influence on modern art.

In our final week, students will have the opportunity to celebrate their artistic journey and showcase their masterpieces inspired by the great masters of art history. Through a culminating exhibition or presentation, students will share their creative achievements with family, friends, and fellow art enthusiasts, reflecting on the lessons learned and the inspiration gained throughout the workshop series.

Enrollment for the Thursday workshop series is now open, beginning 12/05/24 2:30pm - 4:30pm.

Complete Workshop Series Timeline:

Week 1. Thursday 12/05/24     2:30pm - 4:30pm

Week 2. Thursday 12/12/24     2:30pm - 4:30pm

Week 3. Thursday 12/19/24     2:30pm - 4:30pm

Week 4. Thursday 01/09/25     2:30pm - 4:30pm

Week 5. Thursday 01/16/25     2:30pm - 4:30pm

Week 6. Thursday 01/23/25     2:30pm - 4:30pm

Week 7. Thursday 02/06/25     2:30pm - 4:30pm

Week 8. Thursday 02/13/25     2:30pm - 4:30pm

In our first week, students will dive into the basics of color theory, learning about the color wheel, primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and the psychological effects of color. Through interactive discussions and hands-on exercises, students will develop a foundational understanding of color relationships and begin to experiment with color mixing techniques.

Week two will focus on the three core properties of color: hue, value, and saturation. Students will learn how to identify and manipulate these properties to create dynamic and harmonious color schemes. Through painting, drawing, and color studies, students will explore the nuances of hue, value, and saturation, gaining insight into their role in visual perception and artistic expression.

In week three, students will delve into the principles of color harmony, learning about complementary, analogous, triadic, and monochromatic color schemes. They'll discover how different color combinations can create visual balance, contrast, and unity in their artwork. Through color harmony exercises and composition studies, students will experiment with creating harmonious and visually appealing color palettes.

Week four will explore the psychological effects of color and its impact on human perception and emotion. Students will learn about the cultural and symbolic meanings associated with different colors and how they can be used to convey mood, atmosphere, and narrative in art. Through color psychology experiments and mood board creation, students will explore the expressive potential of color in their own artwork.

In week five, students will draw inspiration from the natural world as they explore the use of color in landscape and still life painting. They'll learn how to observe and capture the subtle variations of color and light found in nature, as well as the importance of color temperature and atmospheric perspective. Through plein air painting and still life studies, students will hone their observational skills and deepen their understanding of color theory in practice.

Week six will showcase the expressive potential of color in abstract art. Students will learn about the ways in which abstract artists use color to convey emotion, energy, and movement. Through abstract painting exercises and experimentation with color symbolism, students will explore the freedom and spontaneity of abstract expressionism, while also considering the principles of color theory in their compositions.

In week seven, students will explore the application of color theory in design and illustration. They'll learn about the role of color in branding, graphic design, and visual communication, as well as the principles of color theory in digital media. Through design projects and illustration exercises, students will experiment with color palettes, typography, and layout to create visually impactful and cohesive designs.

In our final week, students will have the opportunity to celebrate their artistic journey and showcase their masterpieces inspired by the principles of color theory. Through a culminating exhibition or presentation, students will share their creative achievements with family, friends, and fellow art enthusiasts, reflecting on the lessons learned and the inspiration gained throughout the workshop series.

• Future workshops will be announced in February 2025.