This high energy workshop is open to students of all levels who wish to explore abstraction in painting. Through condensed discussions, focused demonstrations and individual painting with instructor feedback, students will consider concepts relevant to contemporary figurative painting. Topics of focus include: selecting imagery, exploring compositions through drawing and combining realism with abstraction to develop a personal voice.

Would you love to paint but don't know where to start or which medium would best suit you? This class will take you on an adventure into the world of water based paint: Watercolor, gouache and acrylics. Each is studied using examples of paintings by well known artists in each medium, covering all types of art from impressionism to watercolor artists.

All materials are provided.

Build a strong painting foundation and explore your passion for color as an artist with nationally known colorist Elio Camacho! The class is structured for both beginner to advanced students who want to develop their skill understanding of painting. Students will learn the foundation necessary to be creative, convey the particular mood of the moment, and to express themselves in a bold and colorful way while capturing the beauty and spontaneity of life. This workshop is very hands-on with an emphasis on easel-side critiques.

Materials are not provided, download a printable materials list below.

Ready for some fun? This introductory class focuses on the fundamentals of working with cold wax. Cold wax is combined with oil paints to create a unique and versatile medium that does not require a heat source or fusing tools. This amazing medium has great depth and lends itself to representational imagery as well as abstraction. Emphasis is placed on the understanding of materials, supports, tools and techniques. Come to learn, have fun and get messy with this amazing medium!

All materials are provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $45. Please bring a medium sized box to transport your masterpieces.

If you've ever experienced difficulty in understanding color harmony or felt like you had to be a rocket scientist to figure it out, this is the workshop for you. An all day class where you grasp the same color harmony fundamentals studied and used by the impressionists to the 20th century abstractionists. Experiment with your own paintings and use acrylic paint as well as the iPad as a digital canvas which makes studying and experimenting very rapid.

Bring your own iPad (with the programs Art Set Pro and Procreate downloaded in advance) or borrow an iPad from PAL.

Using an unusual still life set-up and oil paints this class will explore the teaching of Josef Albers, in particular the impact of context on language and color perception. An emphasis will be placed on color mixing and a list of paints and materials will be provided. All level of students will be able to participate and benefit.

Materials are not provided, download a printable materials list below.
For art supply questions, email instructor at [email protected]

Learn to use the new, unique Dura-Lar translucent polyester film which very readily accepts colored pencil and allows for rich color and sharp details with little effort. Because of its translucency, you can work on both sides for richer effect or even stack layers for an atmospheric effect. Learn how to use this surface to create colored pencil images that pop! When you’re finished drawing on it (both sides!) you mount it to an opaque background and frame it under glass or acrylic.

Mandala means circle and represents wholeness and symbolizes life as never ending. The mandala appears in all aspects of life. Mandala art refers to symbols that are drawn in a circular frame. Using symbols and colors that are meaningful to you, you’ll create a personal mandala using a variety of art materials, such as paint, colored pencils, collage, felt markers, and oil crayons on a flat surface. The teacher will guide you through a short relaxation exercise prior to creating your mandala. Beginners and all skill levels are welcome.

All materials are provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $10.

What makes your paintings unique? If your paintings were shown with other famous artists, who would they be? Painting can be a way to express what’s outside in the world but also what is within. Let’s discuss what we’re thinking when we paint! Through skills of observation and creation, the artist suggests essential themes both personal and universal that connect with their audience. This workshop will teach ways to explore and inspect your subject, and develop your unique artistic voice. The instructor will help students individually and as a class to explore different possibilities. We’ll discuss how to make your work better while also reflecting your personal interests. The goal is to create a unique painting that reflects your individual style and help you define your artistic voice. This class is suitable for all levels of students.

Materials are not provided, download a printable materials list below.

For art supply questions, email instructor at [email protected]

Sketching and drawing are among the most fundamental methods of communication. We are visual learners and we all have the ability to sketch and draw within us as a way of expression. This workshop will explore working from life and photos using both graphite pencils and watercolor pencils: in miniature! The morning session will include pencil studies of various objects and photos in miniature (2.5” x 3”) and the afternoon session will be studies of shells and photos using watercolor pencils again in miniature. This workshop is good for all levels and ages.

Some materials provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $10. Download a printable supply list below. For art supply questions, email instructor at [email protected]

Learn how to release your creativity, wherever you are: at the airport, in your kitchen, or even in a boring meeting. Put away your smartphone and get out your small sketchbook. You will never be without it on a trip again. We will start each session with a slideshow of inspirational drawings and end with a review of everyone’s drawings.

Materials are not provided, download a printable materials list below.
For art supply questions, email instructor at [email protected]

Your original artwork will be professionally photographed under calibrated lighting using a 36 MB camera and is suitable for fine art giclée prints and internet use. The files will be saved on a USB memory stick in two formats (JPEG for Internet use and DNG for Printing). Approximately 20 pieces of artwork can be photographed during your hour (more if artwork is close to the same size). If time permits, basic photo editing of your images will be provided. Your artwork can be paintings, mixed media, pottery, sculpture, jewelry or anything you can carry.

Past experience has shown that 25 or so pictures can be photographed in the hour, dropping the cost to about $5 per image. In addition, if you have friends with Artwork, but not enough pieces to fill the hour, you can share your time slot and cost with them.

Discounted printing of your art on paper, canvas or metal is available to attendees. Please bring at least a 4 GB USB flash drive to hold the images, or purchase an 8GB one from instructor for $10.

Instructor Bio

Bay Area artist Tom Killion will introduce students to the use of Japanese wood blocks, hand tools and printing. Killion will cover the design and transfer of images onto blocks, multi-block registration, carving, sharpening of tools and basic printing techniques. Students will work on a small single-color block print to be proofed at end of class. Be sure to register early. This class fills up very quickly!

Woodblocks, ink and paper will be provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $25.
Students must bring their own tools, download a printable list below.
For art supply questions, email instructor at [email protected]

Young crafters love making their own gifts for holiday gift giving. We'll create several small books in a variety of formats that may be used as journals, art decor, ornaments or worn as jewelry! We'll also make the boxes and bags that keep the treasures hidden until it's time to reveal.

Learn the concept and craft to create linocut prints, along with tips and tricks to continue making prints at home. From using prompts to design compelling images, safe carving techniques, and printing with hand-pressure. Each participant takes home a workshop-theme portfolio of fine-art prints, linocut block, and a comprehensive resource guide complete with printable visual prompts and registration templates.

All materials provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $10.

Do you have a painting or parts of a painting that you love but another part that just isn't working? Instructor Anne Leveque teaches how to do makeovers of paintings that are invigorated and infused with layers of depth, while still maintaining the parts you love. Paintings in oil or acrylic welcome.

Materials are not provided, download a printable materials list below.

For art supply questions, email instructor at [email protected]

Learn to combine different monotype printing processes to create unique prints in this 6 hours workshop. Much of the focus will be on reworking and using the ghost print as part of the creative process. In the morning, make subtractive monotypes with line work images by the tracing and brush. During the afternoon, students will exploring different color technique to create the surface with value and color. Previous drawing and printmaking experience is recommended.

All materials are provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $20.

This acrylic painting workshop will explore the depths of the ocean. Students will study the use of color as it appears underwater even at shallow depths. Students will also learn to force atmospheric perspective in a world where there is no definite horizon. All levels welcome in this interesting and enjoyable workshop!

Some materials provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $10.

For art supply questions, email instructor at [email protected]

Download a printable supply list below.

Join Emmy award winning cinematographer and photographer Andrew Wegst for this two day workshop. You will learn to train your brain to think like a camera by thinking inside the box,during this free flowing, open class. Explore the creative process of finding your own unique photographic eye. Delve into the three-stage process of making a photograph, new camera techniques, finding your own eye, communicating your vision, telling a story and sharing your unique perspective. Beginners with experience and up are welcome.

Prequisites: Must be familiar with your camera and basic photography concepts. A discussion of post processing will also be an option so some knowledge of Lightroom would be useful. 

This one-day workshop is designed for any artist who wishes to paint an accurate portrait and with an academic quality. We’ll work with one model to draw, create a transfer cartoon, and then paint the realistic portrait using a limited palette of colors. This workshop is an opportunity to push your portrait painting skills or enter the topic fresh, especially if you have portrait drawing experience. We’ll discuss canons of proportion, light and shadow, color mixing and paint application.

Materials are not provided, download a materials list below.

Silverpoint is one of several types of metalpoint used by the Great Masters such as Da Vinci, Raphael and Durer to create stunning portrait and figure studies. Challenging, yet easy to learn, Silverpoint Drawing can be a beautiful addition to your artist’s repertoire. A silver stylus is applied to a specially prepared ground, leaving elegant silver-gray lines that are easily and quickly cross-hatched, stippled or layered. Come learn this ancient and meditative drawing method during this one-day fun and informative workshop.

All materials are provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $10.

This workshop is held at The Foster (940 Commercial  Street, Palo Alto)

Instructor website

Soft pastels are a marvelously tactile and versatile medium that provide vibrant color and texture when used dry. Using them wet makes a great medium even better. By applying alcohol to the pastels after application students will set colors faster without the prolonged layering, be able to showcase brushstrokes and work larger with more ease. This method also allows a cleaner application of the pastel with less shed dust. Great for anyone learning pastels or wanting to try something different! All levels welcome.

Some materials provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $10. Download a printable materials list below. For art supply questions, email instructor at [email protected]

Want to draw with freedom and ease? This workshop is for you if you would like to be able to draw with confidence, let go of tight drawing habits, and draw mindfully with a lightness of being. Perfect for beginners, artists, and teachers who want to learn an approach to drawing that will guide you to new levels of creativity and awareness. You will practice many innovative drawing methods in a safe, non-competitive environment. This one workshop will save you months of trial and error and frustration so that your daily drawing practice will delight you, fascinate you, and give you joy. No matter what your skill or background, this workshop will provide the confidence to draw spontaneously for years to come.

All materials are provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $24.

For more information view the syllabus below.

During this watercolor workshop, learn a sequence of easy exercises designed to save you months of trial and error frustration. Capitalizing on the spontaneous characteristic of watercolor, a sequence of easy exercises are taught to give you the confidence to continue on a lifelong journey in this beautiful medium.

All materials are provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $35.

For more information view the syllabus below.

Learn how to make competent drawings of portraits through step-by-step instruction and demonstrations. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this class will further your drawing skills. Draw from live model and learn the techniques of mastering expressive portraiture with different dry media.

In this workshop learn a variety of collage and painting techniques using acrylic paint, texturing, colorful paper, and varnish. Students begin with practice boards to experiment with different techniques demonstrated by the teacher. The final product will be on canvas, where the student is free to create any image they want. Beginners or any skill level are welcome to this workshop.

Most materials are provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $10.

Please bring two canvases of different sizes (no larger than 16” x 20”).

Does the idea of trying to draw convincing rocks, leaves, bark and grasses with colored pencil seem too overwhelming to even attempt? Learn how easy they can be with some techniques that anyone can master. Open to all levels.

Some materials provided, please pay instructor a materials fee of $10. Download a printable materials list below. For art supply questions, email instructor at [email protected]

During this fun evening workshop, learn to make a Yosemite inspired ink drawing using Japanese Sumi ink and watercolor through step-by-step instruction by popular instructor Robert Dvoark. This workshop is open to all levels.