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.

Monday, April 4
5 – 9 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Ages: 15 and Up | 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

Working in oil paint, students will explore value divisions in landscapes and the basics of brush sketching and massing. With these skills students will learn how to relate color to value and will gain a better understanding of identifying spatial cues in a landscape. Using foundational skills students can then explore under-painting, glazing and dry-brushing techniques.

Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22
9 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Daniel Helzer
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

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

  • Canvas Board 16×12 or smaller
  • Palette Knife
  • Palette
  • Paper Towels
  • Selection of bristle brushes (small, med and large)
  • Assortment of brushes.
  • Palette knife, paper towels and a few canvas boards, 8×10 or bigger.

  Paint Colors:

  • Cobalt Blue
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Thalo Blue
  • Dioxazine Purple
  • Cadmium Red Light
  • Cadmium Yellow or Hansa Yellow
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Titanium White

  For Oils: Gamsol, turpentine or walnut oil for use as a brush medium or cleaner.

Students will enjoy developing their painting techniques and skills in this observational open studio class. Weekly subject matter will rotate between nude and clothed models and still-life’s. Each class will begin with brief instruction followed by an open studio format painting class. Students may use acrylic or oil paint. Dry media is also welcome.

Saturdays, March 26 – April 9
9 am – noon

Instructor: Daniel Helzer
Ages: 18 and up | All Levels

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

Color recommendations are as follows though all mediums are welcome for this open studio class.

• Titanium White
• Ultramarine Blue
• Cadmium Red Medium or Light
• Lemon or Cadmium Yellow
• Light Yellow Ochre
• Burnt Sienna 
• Selection of brushes
• Pallet
• Palette knife
• Painting Board or Canvas
• Container/jar water and brushes
• Paper towels
• Cheap Plastic Ruler
• Gamsol mineral spirits (if working in Oil)

This class will provide instruction in painting the unique characteristics of Pyramid Lakes water, sky and rocks. In the second day of class the instructor will focus on students individual progress and provide help with their sketch’s and paintings.

Tuesdays, May 24 and 31
10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Carroll Charlet
Ages: Adult (15+) | Intermediate and Advanced students

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

• Personal watercolor pallet that includes a variety greens, yellows and reds
• No 6 and No 8 pointed/round watercolor brush
• Graphite or mechanical pencil
• 2 plastic water containers
• Roll of paper towels
• Tablet of cold press 140 lb watercolor paper, minimum 9” x 12” (4 sheets will be used in class)*

* Single sheets of watercolor paper may be purchased during class $2/sheet

For questions regarding materials, contact Carroll Charlet at carrollcharlet@sbcglobal.net

Using geraniums as a subject, this class will work through a painting from color matching, under wash and layering, to dry brush work. Students are welcome to work from their own drawings or use drawings provided by the instructor. 

Saturdays, April 23 and 30
10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Carroll Charlet
Ages: Adult (15+) | Intermediate and Advanced students

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

• Personal watercolor pallet that includes a variety greens, yellows and reds
• No 6 and No 8 pointed/round watercolor brush
• Graphite or mechanical pencil
• 2 plastic water containers
• Roll of paper towels
• Tablet of cold press 140 lb watercolor paper, minimum 9” x 12” (4 sheets will be used in class)*

* Single sheets of watercolor paper may be purchased during class $2/sheet

For questions regarding materials, contact Carroll Charlet at carrollcharlet@sbcglobal.net

This intermediate level open studio class is designed for returning students and experienced students. Students should have a personal work in progress to work towards completing in this fun and social series. Each class will begin with a short lesson addressing a challenge or technique followed by open studio time to continue work on personal projects. Instructor will be on hand to assist with challenges, offer critique, instruction, and encouragement.

Thursdays, March 24, 31 and April 7
10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Carroll Charlet
Ages: Adult (15+) | Intermediate and Advanced Watercolor Students

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

Please bring any supplies you own for your specific project. A recommended basic supply list is as follows: 

•  Watercolors: Cobalt Blue, Phthalo Blue, Lemon Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Magenta, Sap Green, New Gamboge, Yellow Ochre. (Cotman or Van Gogh is fine; Windsor Newton is excellent)
• Your personal watercolor pallet
• 2 HB Pencils
• Watercolor Brushes: #6 & #10 Round (Silver/Black brand is recommended and available at Nevada Fine Arts)
• Pad of Arches 140# cold press watercolor paper
• Roll of paper towels
• 2 Plastic water containers.

Inspired by her Czechoslovakian heritage, instructor Iva Neveux will introduce students to basic painting techniques to create beautiful hand painted hearts. Each student will create two hand-painted hearts using combinations of dots, lines, dashes and curves. Make one for yourself and one to give to someone you love. All materials included with registration.

Wednesday, February 2
5 – 8 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Ages: Adults (15+) / All levels

Students will be introduced to portrait painting techniques in this weekend intensive. Instructor will cover such topics as using a two-color palette, value scales, keying a painting, as well as, using both line and mass to create a portrait. Students may use acrylic or oil paint.

Saturday and Sunday, March 5 and 6
9 am – 2:00 pm

Instructor: Daniel Helzer
Ages: 15 and up / All Levels

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

• Oil/Acrylic colors:
• White
• Black
• Ultramarine Blue
• Yellow (Hansa Yellow, Cadmium Yellow or something similar)
• Assortment of brushes.
• Red (Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson or something similar)
• Palette knife, paper towels and a few canvas boards, 8×10 or bigger.

For Oils: Gamsol, tourpintine or walnut oil for use as a brush medium or cleaner.

Students will enjoy developing their painting techniques and skills in this observational open studio class.  Weekly subject matter will rotate between nude and clothed models and still-lifes. Each class will begin with brief instruction followed by an open studio format painting class. Students may use acrylic or oil paint. Dry media is also welcome.

Sundays, January 30 – February 13
9 am – noon

Instructor: Daniel Helzer
Ages: 18 and up | All Levels

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

Color recommendations are as follows though all mediums are welcome for this open studio class.

• Titanium White
• Ultramarine Blue
• Cadmium Red Medium or Light
• Lemon or Cadmium Yellow
• Light Yellow Ochre
• Burnt Sienna
• Selection of brushes
• Pallet
• Palette knife
• Painting Board or Canvas
• Container/jar water and brushes
• Paper towels
• Cheap Plastic Ruler
• Gamsol mineral spirits (if working in Oil)

Working in oil or acrylic paint, students will explore value divisions in landscapes and the basics of brush sketching and massing. With these skills students will learn how to relate color to value and will gain a better understanding of identifying spatial cues in a landscape. Using foundational skills students can then explore under-painting, glazing and dry-brushing techniques.

Saturday and Sunday, February 26 and 27
9 am – 2:00 pm

Instructor: Daniel Helzer
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

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

• Canvas Board 16×12 or smaller
• Palette Knife
• Palette
• Paper Towels
• Selection of bristle brushes (small, med and large)
• Assortment of brushes.
• Palette knife, paper towels and a few canvas boards, 8×10 or bigger.

Paint Colors:

• Cobalt Blue
• Ultramarine Blue
• Thalo Blue
• Dioxazine Purple
• Cadmium Red Light
• Cadmium Yellow or Hansa Yellow
• Burnt Sienna
• Titanium White

For Oils: Gamsol, turpentine or walnut oil for use as a brush medium or cleaner.