Watercolor Portraiture

In this class, students will learn how to render the human face as you study its anatomy, including bone structure, muscle tone and the relationship between facial features. Students will work with the instructor to learn and understand basic watercolor principles and techniques such as washes and shading to achieve a realistic likeness. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist looking to refine your techniques, this class offers a comprehensive exploration of portrait painting. 

Tuesday – Thursday, April 21 – 23
10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: James Gayles
Age: Adult (16+) | All Levels

Supply List: Show confirmation email at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. Instructor will provide a line sketch of the subject and a color reference photo of the subject.

  • A set if watercolors
  •  A set of Watercolor   brushes. Minimum of   three – one large round   wash brush, one medium and one fine.
  • Graphite transfer paper
  • Ball point pen
  • Eraser
  • Container for water
  • Paper towels
  • Watercolor paper 18×24 – prefer 300 lb

Introduction to Oil Painting and Beginner Technique

Oil painting, often regarded as one of the most challenging yet rewarding art forms, offers unmatched depth and versatility. This beginner-friendly course is designed to demystify the medium and provide a supportive introduction to its fundamentals. Under the guidance of the instructor, students will explore essential materials, foundational techniques, and core principles of oil painting. By the end of the session, participants will have a solid understanding of the tools and processes, equipping them with the confidence to continue their artistic journey.

Tuesdays, March 3 – 24
10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: Maggie Pollock
Age: Adult (16+) | Beginner to Intermediate

Supply List: Show email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. 

  • Oil Paints: Warm White, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Burnt Umber, Ultramarine Blue, Yellow Ochre.
  • Brushes: Various sizes of flat and round
  • Pallet knife
  • Canvas Boards: 4 – 5 boards at 9×12 or 11×14 or 16×20
  • Odorless mineral spirits
  • Pallet

Note: The instructor will have various mixing mediums and additional paint colors for the class to experiment with. 

Figure Painting

Improve your life painting skills and explore a variety of paint media while working freely from a nude model in this popular figure painting class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request and is a perfect class for beginner to advanced artists. Both male and female models will be placed in short and long poses.

Wednesdays, March 4 – 18
2 – 5 pm

Instructor: Rachel Moseley
Age: Adult (16+) | All levels

Supply List: Show email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. 

  • 18×24″ US Art Supply Canvas Pad (can be found on Amazon)
  • Long handle flat brushes, various sizes
  • Turpenoid odorless mineral spirits
  • Pallet or pallet paper
  • Roll of blue shop paper towels
  • Suggested oil paints:
  • Lamp black
  • Titanium white
  • Alizarin Crimson
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Olive Green
  • Yellow ochre

Triads in Watercolor

This class introduces students to the benefits of using triads — a limited palette of three colors — to paint landscapes. By painting the same landscape multiple times, each with a different triadic palette, students will develop a deeper understanding of color harmony, emotional impact, and creative interpretation. By the end of this class, students will have a collection of unique landscape paintings and a deeper understanding of how to use color intentionally to transform their art.

Wednesday, March 11
4 – 8 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Age: Adult (16+) | All Levels

Supply List: Show your email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount.

  • Primary colors on your palette (2-3 yellows, 2-3 reds & 2-3 blues
  •   100% cotton, 140 lb cold pressed 9 x 12” sheets
  • Watercolor brushes (round #4 or #6, #8 or #10, flat 1 inch
  • Roll of paper towels
  • Drawing pencil
  • Tracing paper
  • Masking or painter’s tape
  • Kneaded eraser

 

Northern Lights in Watercolor

The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, have always been a fascinating subject for painters, photographers, and observers. In this class we will capture the beauty of this phenomenon with watercolors. 

We will first explore the greens, yellows and dark blues that work best for the northern lights. We will be using mostly the wet in wet approach. In the later stages of the painting the wet on dry approach and lifting will be used. 100% cotton paper is highly recommended.

Wednesday, March 4
4 – 8 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Ages: Adult (16+) | All Levels

Supply list: Show email confirmation at Nevada Museum of Art for a 10% discount. 

  • Watercolor pallet including your preferred yellows, blues including indigo, permanent red or permanent magenta, and viridian or phthalocyanine green
  • Variety of watercolor brushes including 1” flat, #6, # 8 or #12 round (the size of the brushes should correspond with the size of paper you choose to paint on)
  • Several sheets of Arches cold press 140 lb watercolor paper (9”x12” or larger); other 100% cotton brands will also work (Daler Rowney, Bee Paper, Winsor Newton)
  • Student grade watercolor paper (Strathmore series 400) for testing color mixes 
  • Graphite or mechanical pencil
  • Kneaded eraser
  • Tracing paper (optional)
  • White gouache (optional)
  • Two plastic water containers
  • Spray bottle and mister bottle
  • Roll of paper towels

Introduction to Abstract Painting

This class explores the fundamentals of abstract aesthetics in painting. Students will learn to understand and apply the visual language of shape, form, and color to create compelling abstract compositions inspired by real-world visual references. The course focuses on acrylic painting techniques, offering versatility and immediate results that support the development of each student’s unique style and aesthetic.

Monday, February 23
5 – 9 pm

Instructor: Sogand Tabatabaei
Ages: Adult (16+) | All Levels

Supply list: Show email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for 10% discount.

  • Acrylic Paints set of 12 colors or 24 colors
  • Flat brush (Royal Brush, soft grip brush set)
  • Round brush (Royal Brush, soft grip brush set)
  • Flat Palette
  • Canvas or Canvas Boards, 11×14 or 16×20
  • Acrylic pad
  • Drawing pencils (4B and 6B)

Intermediate Oil Painting

This course is designed for students with a foundational understanding of oil painting who are ready to deepen their skills and explore their personal artistic voice. Building on the techniques covered in Introduction to Oil Painting, this class offers greater creative freedom and encourages individual expression. Students will refine their technical abilities while developing and executing original ideas with confidence and style.

Tuesdays, February 3 – 24 
10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: Maggie Pollock
Ages: Adult ( 16+) | All Levels

Supply List: Show email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount.

  • Oil paints: Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber, Warm White
  • Painting Palette
  • Turpenoid jar
  • Brushes and a palette knife
  • Canvas boards
  • Liquin or another painting medium 

Introduction to Oil Painting and Beginner Technique

Oil painting, often regarded as one of the most challenging yet rewarding art forms, offers unmatched depth and versatility. This beginner-friendly course is designed to demystify the medium and provide a supportive introduction to its fundamentals. Under the guidance of the instructor, students will explore essential materials, foundational techniques, and core principles of oil painting. By the end of the session, participants will have a solid understanding of the tools and processes, equipping them with the confidence to continue their artistic journey.

Tuesdays, January 6 – 27
10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: Maggie Pollock
Age: Adult (16+) | Beginner to Intermediate

Supply List: Show email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. 

  • Oil Paints: Warm White, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Burnt Umber, Ultramarine Blue, Yellow Ochre.
  • Brushes: Various sizes of flat and round
  • Pallet knife
  • Canvas Boards: 4 – 5 boards at 9×12 or 11×14 or 16×20
  • Odorless mineral spirits
  • Pallet

Note: The instructor will have various mixing mediums and additional paint colors for the class to experiment with. 

Color Theory and Mixing Pigments in Watercolor

Watercolors are admired for their unique quality – translucence. Learn more about the pigments on your palette and experiment with mixing your own colors to keep the beautiful luminosity of the medium. This class explores color mixing, tonal values, color theory, painting with triads and learning how to avoid muddy mixes. Students will also learn about color properties such as temperature, intensity, lightfastness and more. The origins of pigments, different pigment properties and differences amongst manufacturers will also be discussed. An excellent class for both the beginner and advanced student

Wednesdays, February 4 – 18
4 – 8 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Ages: 
(16+) | All Levels

Supply List: Show your confirmation email at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount.

  • Your personal watercolor pallet (all pigments)
  • Paper: 2 sheets 11 x 15 inches, 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper 
  • Brushes: ½ or ¾ inch flat brush
  • Roll of paper towels
  • Drawing pencil
  • Eraser (a soft eraser such as kneaded or General’s)
  • 2 Plastic water containers  

 

Watercolor: Open Studio

In this Open Studio, students have the freedom to explore their creativity and paint any subject matter in their preferred watercolor style. Whether you want to continue working on a current piece or start something entirely new, this relaxed yet focused studio session offers the perfect setting.
Throughout the four-hour class, the instructor will provide individualized guidance, offering feedback, techniques, and tips tailored to each student’s goals. For those who come without a specific idea in mind, the instructor will have a variety of inspiring subjects available to paint.
This open studio is ideal for watercolorists who wish to develop their personal style, receive expert support, and enjoy the shared artistic atmosphere of painting within a creative community.

Wednesday, January 28
4 – 8 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Age: Adult (16+) | All Levels

Supplies: Show email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. 

  • Please bring all the supplies you need to continue and/or complete your painting such as:
  • Paints
  • Brushes
  • 100% cotton watercolor sheets
  • Palette
  • Masking fluid
  • Masking tape
  • Soft eraser
  • Mechanical pencil
  • Paper towels