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.
Bargue / Cast Drawing
with Veronique Fournier-Wynne
Mondays, Sept. 13, 20, 27; Oct. 4, 18, 25
6 weeks; any 3 hours from 3pm - 8pm
This is the beginning of drawing with the Charles Bargue discipline to train your eye to see. This is also a great refresher for experienced artists. Students start with graphite pencil on paper, receiving demonstrations on materials, how to approach a drawing, sight-size and comparative measurement drawing, and tricks to aid in the making of more representational drawings. The curriculum starts with simple projects and moves progressively onto harder more complex work, each one incorporating more techniques to build upon previous lessons.
Emphasis is on accuracy and training your eye so as not to be dependent on grids or tracing, thus making it possible to pursue drawing actively and freely in other areas like portraiture from life and landscape sketching. There is also some homework that is recommended but not mandatory. Recommended supply list will be forwarded. We supply the Bargue plates.
Oil Painting Still Life or Mastercopy
with Veronique Fournier-Wynne
Mondays, Sept. 13, 20, 27; Oct. 4, 18, 25
6 weeks; any 3 hours from 3pm - 8pm
Learn to paint realistically with the oil paint medium. Everyone will work at their own pace, allowing both beginners and experienced painters to join. You can paint a still life arrangement or paint a mastercopy portrait. We will look at different techniques from the Renaissance to the 19th Century, including the Flemish technique and the technique of Bouguereau. Working in sight-size and from life, we will examine the process beginning with the preliminary composition on paper in graphite then the transfer to canvas. Discover or review the underpainting by first blocking in the background and working on big shapes. Students will learn how to mix accurate values and colors and how to create a realistic sense of dimensional form. This class is appropriate for teens through adults.
From Memory to Memoir: Writing and Preserving Your Life Story
with Susan Omilian
A 6-week Online Class
Wednesdays: 3pm to 4:30pm
Please email us with interest. info@wethersfieldarts.org
Whatever your creative gift or passion, why not tell your story? A book about your life can support your work, embellish your cause, explain your path and celebrate you. You can also turn memories of signifiant events in your life into a memoir for your children and grandchildren. Learn where to start, how to get organized and keep going until you're finished. Get tips on pictures to include and how to self-publish your story. No previous writing experience required. Bring notebook.
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.