Discover the beauty of Plein Air painting in oils! Class will meet in a local park or suitable public location and will concentrate on the plein air process capturing the essence of a scene in a limited amount of time.  Whether you’re a beginner or experienced artist looking to refine your skills, the instructor will guide you through the process step by step. Students will learn various plein air techniques, including composition, color mixing, capturing light and shadow, and creating atmospheric effects. Class will meet in the same location each day so that students can return to the same scene and demonstrations will also be done at the beginning of class. Engaging with nature first-hand will deepen your understanding of the environment and enhance your ability to interpret it on canvas. 

It is recommended to use 9″x12” panels for this class and not canvas to prevent unwanted light penetrating through the back of the canvas. If you prefer stretched canvas, staple cardboard to the back side to block out light.

Please bring with you any plein air painting supplies you may have in addition to sunblock, hat, folding chair/stool, water and any other materials you want to bring. 

Note: This class will be held at Rancho San Rafael Park. The contingency dates for the class, should the weather not agree, will be the following week, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 18 and 19.

Tuesday and Wednesday, July 11 and 12
9 am – 1 pm

Instructor: Mike Callahan
Age: Adult (15+) | All Levels

Supplies: Bring a confirmation email to Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. 

Paint: Note: If you already have a set of oil paint with a variety of colors, you are welcome to bring it, if not you should get the following colors: M. Graham brand Zinc White (37ml), Titanium White (37ml), Hansa Yellow (37ml), Quinacridone Rose (37 ml), Phthalocyanine Blue (37 ml)

Thinner: Weber Turpenoid (pint) or similar artist’s grade odorless mineral spirits. 

Medium: M. Graham Walnut Oil (4oz), Containers: Silicoil cleaning jar or other small glass jar with sealable lid (for thinner), Small can such as olive can (for medium), Brushes: Synthetic Brights OR Filberts: Silverbrush Bristlon #2, #4, and #10 Or Connoisseur Pure Synthetic, #2, #4, and #10 Or any quality hog bristle in those sizes if the student already owns their own brushes. Painting or Palette knife (steel is preferable to plastic) Disposable Palette New Wave Disposable Palette (grey) or similar, Brush Cleaner The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver 2.5 ozCanvas, 4- Stretched Canvases or Canvas Panels (9”x12”, 11”x14, or 12”x16” – larger sizes than these not recommended due to time constraints), Roll of absorbent paper towels (i.e. Viva or Blue Shop Towels), Nitrile gloves.

In this two class intensive, students will learn important fundamentals and drawing foundations for drawing the figure. This class is great for beginners just starting out in life drawing who would like to build their foundational skills to feel more confident with drawing the figure. Over the two classes, the instructor will guide students through a system for applying value and understanding underlying simple shapes that make up more complex forms while working from casts of the human figure. 

Wednesdays, August 23 and 30
1 – 5 pm

Instructor: Rachel Moseley
Age: Adult (15+) | All Levels

Join this class to create floral greeting cards for any occasion. Under the guidance of the instructor, students will be using ‘wet on wet’ and ‘wet on dry’ watercolor techniques. Students will be able to make a variety of cards of their choosing.  

Wednesdays, July 12 and 19
5 – 9 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Ages: Adult (15+) | All Levels

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

• Watercolor pallet including your preferred reds, yellows, blues including indigo and earths including burnt sienna & burnt umber
• Variety of watercolor brushes including 1” flat, #6 or # 8 round, fan and rigger brush
• Pad (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); some student grade watercolor paper (Strathmore series 400) for charting and testing color and brush strokes
• Graphite or mechanical pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Two plastic water containers
• Spray bottle and a mister bottle
• Roll of paper towels
• Palette knife and/or plastic card
• Masking fluid
• Masking tape
• Plastic board to tape your paper onto
• Ruler (optional)

Learn to shoot high quality portraits using your iPhone. With the fast-growing quality of cell phone cameras, photography has become a much more accessible form of art. This class will go over the fundamentals of portraiture, lighting and an editing workflow specific to the iPhone software, as well as printing 1-2 4×6 images directly from your phone. Although this class is based around the iPhone software other smartphones are welcomed as the fundamentals of photography will still apply.

Tuesday, June 13
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Instructor: Julie Tracy
Ages: Adult (15+) | All Levels

In this one day class students will create a painting of their pet in just 5 hours! Working from photo reference, the instructor will guide students through texture painting techniques to help achieve the look of fur, feathers, scales, hair etc., and how to effectively create a successful composition of an animal. Students may use oil or acrylic paints for this class. 

Saturday, July 15
10 am – 3 pm

Instructor: Rachel Moseley
Age: Adult (15+)  | All levels

Supply list: Bring email confirmation to Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. 

•    2 high resolution color prints, 8×10 or larger
•    Paints:
•    Titanium White
•    Lamp Black
•    Burnt Sienna
•    Alizarin Crimson
•    Azo Yellow
•    Ultramarine Blue
•    Yellow Ochre
•    Olive Green
•    Any other colors you choose to bring
•    Brushes
•    Pallet or Pallet Paper
•    Turpenoid/liquin or other painting mediums of your choice if using oils
•    Canvas or primed board, 8×10, 9×14, or 11×14

In this one day class students will create a painting of their pet in just 5 hours! Working from photo reference, the instructor will guide students through texture painting techniques to help achieve the look of fur, feathers, scales, hair etc., and how to effectively create a successful composition of an animal. Students may use oil or acrylic paints for this class. 

Wednesday, June 14
10 am – 3 pm

Instructor: Rachel Moseley
Age: Adult (15+)  | All levels

Supply list: Bring email confirmation to Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. 

•    2 high resolution color prints, 8×10 or larger
•    Paints:
•    Titanium White
•    Lamp Black
•    Burnt Sienna
•    Alizarin Crimson
•    Azo Yellow
•    Ultramarine Blue
•    Yellow Ochre
•    Olive Green
•    Any other colors you choose to bring
•    Brushes
•    Pallet or Pallet Paper
•    Turpenoid/liquin or other painting mediums of your choice if using oils
•    Canvas or primed board, 8×10, 9×14, or 11×14

In this workshop students will learn the fundamental principles of graphic design through both visual instruction and hands-on practice on iPads. Students will be given design briefs to exercise their understanding of design theories, and how they can utilize layout, type and color to communicate deeper messages. In this one-day graphic design workshop, you will learn how to apply design principles by structuring a visual hierarchy using space and type. No previous design experience is necessary as this course will serve as a foundation for individuals wishing to step into the design world. 

NOTE: iPad Pro and software will be provided for students to use during class time.

Saturday, August 19
9 am – noon

Instructor: Joseph Morales
Ages: Adult (15+) | All Levels

Contemporary linoleum block printing is an exciting, economical, and accessible alternative to traditional woodblock printmaking. Linoleum blocks can be easily printed at home with little set-up. Students will learn to transfer an image to a block, use tools to carve, register multiple layers, use a press, and print by hand. Class time will be dedicated to demonstrations of techniques, and ample working time with one-on-one instruction. Students will be able to use their blocks to create holiday cards or work to be hung on the wall! No printmaking experience is necessary! Students should bring in photographs, images from magazines, or drawings for inspiration. All other materials such as inks, paper, blocks, and carving tools are provided and included with your registration. 

Saturday, July 15
10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Christina Michael
Ages: Adult ( 15+) | All Levels

Contemporary linoleum block printing is an exciting, economical, and accessible alternative to traditional woodblock printmaking. Linoleum blocks can be easily printed at home with little set-up. Students will learn to transfer an image to a block, use tools to carve, register multiple layers, use a press, and print by hand. Class time will be dedicated to demonstrations of techniques, and ample working time with one-on-one instruction. Students will be able to use their blocks to create holiday cards or work to be hung on the wall! No printmaking experience is necessary! Students should bring in photographs, images from magazines, or drawings for inspiration. All other materials such as inks, paper, blocks, and carving tools are provided and included with your registration. 

Saturday, June 17
10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Christina Michael
Ages: Adult ( 15+) | All Levels

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, June 17 and 18
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.