The Classical Atelier Program
The Atelier program at Wethersfield Academy for the Arts provides the serious artist-in-training an opportunity to be coached and mentored by a distinguished master artist. Our foundational drawing classes encourages drawing practice, a skill that is to be continuously honed in a lifetime and enhances all other efforts of artmaking.
Registrations for classes requires a yearly membership which covers administration costs. You will receive email updates on our latest offerings. General membership is $30. Student and senior memberships are $25. Family memberships are $60. Registrations can be accomplished online with payment button under each class or you can mail in a check with the registration form here (PDF Registration Form). Deposit/Cancellation Policy at bottom.
SPECIAL: If you stopped at our table today, Oct. 5, at the Old Wethersfield Arts & Crafts Fair, and would like to sign up for a class, please take 10% off the price of the class. Indicate OWACF in the memo section of your check. Thank you!
Oil Painting a Still Life
with Veronique Fournier-Wynne
Wednesdays: 6 week classes, 3 hours each week
Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13
Evenings 5:00 - 8:00pm
Jump-ins possible
Learn how to create a realistic still life oil painting. Working in sight-size and from life, we will work in a step-by-step process. We will cover how to make an underpainting, how to mix accurate colors and values, and finally learn how to create a realistic sense of 3-Dimensional form. Students will work at their own pace, allowing both beginners and experienced painters to join. This class is appropriate for teens and adults.
Bargue / Cast Drawing
with Steve Linberg
Mondays: 6 week classes, 3 hours each week
Session 1: Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
Session 2: Nov. 4, 11, 18., 25, Dec. 2, 9
Evenings 4:30 - 7:30pm
Jump-ins possible
The Bargue drawing courses are based upon the 19th Century French Academic drawing course by Charles Bargue. French academies used these methods with a focus on shapes, form, line, and values. Students begin with graphite pencil on paper. This is sight·size learning is for the beginner to the advanced student to see more accurately and to practice this technique. The curriculum starts with simple projects and moves progressively onto harder, more complex work. Emphasis is on accuracy and training the eye not to be dependent on grids or tracing. This makes it possible to pursue drawing actively and freely in other areas like portraiture and landscape sketching.
Students then move onto cast drawing (after the 4th Bargue) using the charcoal medium to draw a choice of dimensional casts. The basics of the “block in” will emphasize on accuracy of shape, proportion, and gesture. The modeling stage, in which the forms of the subject are conceived and rendered in an entirely 3-dimensional way is next. We will discuss the fundamentals of light and how it reacts with form and how to depict these events on a 2-dimensional surface. The goal is to complete the cast drawing with a strongly developed sense of depth and realism. These ongoing classes allow students to progress at their own pace in a supportive environment. The classes are also offered in a 6 week session. Please contact the Academy for interest in this. Membership applies to all classes and workshops.
Sculpting the Portrait
with D. Sassano
Thursdays: 6 weeks
Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, Nov. 7
Evenings: 6-9pm
The human face is a complex and expressive subject to capture. Studying the form of the skull and muscles, students will explore elements of art such as line, value, and texture, creating a strong sense of three-dimensional space. With a live model for 6 weeks, students will work the clay material in a structured approach to sculpt as taught in the 19th century French academic style, which will serve as a foundation for his or her personal interpretive approach to the portrait. We will continue in another session to learn the casting of the clay sculpture into a final plaster finished piece.
This course is designed to enhance students’ understanding of the visual and haptic experience of hand sculpture. Students will learn and explore materials, techniques, vocabulary and the human anatomy. There will be an emphasis placed upon quality and presentational skills to achieve a variation in personal expression. Students’ general ability to sculpt will be improved significantly.
Materials costs and model fees included. The Course Outline will be provided on registration.
Landscape Drawing and Painting
with Susan Leggitt
Fridays: 6 week class, 3 hours each week
Afternoons: 1pm - 4pm
October 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15
Jump-ins possible
This course will take students through the process of drawing the landscape, developing composition and values and transforming it to a finished painting. One can continue to simply draw in the class or move into oil painting. Students will work alongside the instructor as he explains techniques and materials throughout the creative process.
Class begins with thumbnail drawings from reference photos. Exploration of ideas begin and for those going onto painting, color studies are prepared. Transfer to panel, underpainting and color study demonstrations by instructor. This class will progress to plein air opportunities.
Watercolor - Painting Fall Leaves
with Grace McEnaney
Thursday: October 9, Wednesday: October 16
Afternoons: 1 - 4:30 pm 2 weeks
Whether you are new to watercolor or a seasoned watercolorist you will love this time spent together with fellow artists creating beautiful fall leaves. This workshop is a way to stop and really enjoy our fleeting foliage this year, it is truly spectacular! We will explore different species of leaves in a realistic style and also experiment with fall abstract concepts from famous artists. Various techniques will be explored and lots of fun will be had! Bring leaves from your place or paint from leaves the instructor brings. Bring your watercolor sketchbook! All are welcome!
Fur and Feathers in Oils
with Nick Frasco
6 Weeks, 6-8pm
This course will introduce the novice painter while still challenging the more experienced, to a step by step approach of establishing realist fur and feathers.
Students will explore color theory, compositional structure and the use of various types of mediums to “thin out” the oil paint used for establishing layers of hair to create a realistic feel to wildlife painting.
Deposit / Cancellation / Refund Policies
Deposits are required for all classes in the amount of half the tuition to secure limited spots. Full payment is due two weeks before the start of the session. All cancellations must be made 2 weeks before the start of a class. We are not responsible for issuing refunds, credits or transfers for classes missed due to illness, emergencies or events beyond our control. If a class is cancelled by us, you will receive a refund.
All requested refunds (within 2 weeks of the start of the class or workshop) from online payments will be returned via check. A 5% refund fee will be subtracted from the amount paid through online payments.