Advanced Art Classes Near Me

Introductory Class

New students attend one regular class for free. Since all students work individually, trial students always fit in well. Teachers and students get to know each other with teachers learning about that student's goals and interests, and determining at which level that student will start in the program.

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Basic Drawing and Painting Program

Line: While being introduced to a variety of drawing and painting media, students work from drawings that are designed for them to be able to accomplish with hands-on help from a teacher around 10-15% of the time. Students learn basic drawing skills utilizing whole shapes underlying all imagery, and learning tools to A) skillfully see what each shape looks like, B) what size it is in comparison to other shapes, and finally, C) where it is placed in a composition.

Tone: Students are introduced to still-life and realistic subject matter, using charcoal, pastel, watercolors and acrylics, with the emphasis being on being able to see lights and darks with accuracy.

Color: Drawing independently with an excellent foundation in line and tone, students begin to master rendering in realism while pushing themselves to use more sophisticated techniques in drawing color, and paint application techniques.

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Oil Painting

All prior instruction has been geared toward mastery in oil paint. Having learned to skillfully see and depict any subject matter, students are ready to master oil on canvas, through study of still-life, adding rich texture and reflective surfaces such as glass, and by copying great master paintings. Through the sketching and teacher consultations, students begin to consider more sophisticated questions of composition and personal choice of subject matter.

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M.C. Escher's Drawing Hands inspired this painting by Art Steps student and teacher Cassidy Foelsch

Portfolio Prep

As Teens, advanced students who have shown high proficiency in oil painting from life may use their artistic skills to develop a body of work that expresses their individuality. Students are introduced to visual and conceptual standards consistent with the international Advanced Placement 2-D and Drawing Portfolio submission process. In-depth study of perspective, composition, color, contrast, and more accompany a quest for expressing a unique artistic point of view. Teachers become mentors, providing additional guidance to students who find themselves passionate about creating a strong, well-rounded portfolio.

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Trenton holding up his first Art Steps work from when he began our program at age 6.

Trenton's Lord of the Rings painting.
Visit Trenton's website.

Go Out and Shine!

Go Out and Shine! Our students have gone on to become accepted at the finest arts high schools and colleges throughout the country**. They have gone on to become fine artists, illustrators, fashion designers, product designers, portrait painters, graphic artists, teachers, and filmmakers, and more with many former students letting us know how fine art study has enriched their lives as a whole. We could not be more proud. How will you make your artistic mark in the world?

**Some of the places our students have gone on to study: The Orange County High School of the Arts, the Laguna College of Art and Design, the Maryland Institute College of Art, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Rhode Island School of Design, and the Otis College of Art and Design to name a few. Alumni? Let us know what's in store for you!

Click here for a Free Introductory Class!