The Café will be closed for remodel from Aug 12 through Sept 5, 2024. | Due to construction, Museum parking may be limited at the time of your visit. Look for additional parking in free or metered spaces along nearby streets.

Drawing the Portrait in Charcoal

Tuesdays, August 29 – September 19 / 6 – 9 pm

Students will be introduced to a variety of techniques to help improve their portrait drawing skills. Topics covered will include the divisions of the head, two-value block-in, rhythm lines, lost edges and much more. The first two classes will be based in instruction while the remaining two classes will be dedicated to drawing from a live model.    

Instructor: Daniel Helzer
Ages: Adult (15+) / all levels

Supply List: 

  • Charcoal pencils (recommendations: General’s Charcoal, Ritmo, Conte)
  • Soft compressed charcoal sticks
  • White charcoal stick (optional)
  • Blending stump
  • Kneaded eraser
  • Newsprint drawing pad 14”x17” or 18“x24” (smooth or rough depending on your preference)
  • Box of Kleenex for smudging

Life Drawing: Open Studio

Wednesdays, June 7 – 28 / 6 – 9 pm

Improve your life drawing skills and explore a variety of media while working freely from a nude model in this popular open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request. Both male and female models will be posed and drawn.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson 
Ages: Adults (18+) / All Levels

The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using. 
– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best) 
– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended 
– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board 
– Medium and Support Items: 
– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces
– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint 
– Large kneaded eraser 
– Pink pearl eraser
– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)
– Clean small rags 
– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums 
– Stumps for blending (optional)

Life Drawing: Open Studio

Thursdays, July 13 – August 3 / 1 – 4 pm

Improve your life drawing skills and explore a variety of media while working freely from a nude model in this popular open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request. Both male and female models will be posed and drawn.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson 
Ages: Adults (18+) / All Levels

The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using. 
– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best) 
– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended 
– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board 
– Medium and Support Items: 
– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces
– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint 
– Large kneaded eraser 
– Pink pearl eraser
– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)
– Clean small rags 
– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums 
– Stumps for blending (optional)

Life Drawing: Open Studio

Wednesdays, July 12 – August 2 / 6 – 9 pm

Improve your life drawing skills and explore a variety of media while working freely from a nude model in this popular open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request. Both male and female models will be posed and drawn.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson 
Ages: Adults (18+) / All Levels

The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using. 
– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best) 
– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended 
– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board 
– Medium and Support Items: 
– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces
– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint 
– Large kneaded eraser 
– Pink pearl eraser
– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)
– Clean small rags 
– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums 
– Stumps for blending (optional)

Summer Intensive: Drawing Techniques – Back to Basics

Monday – Friday, July 17 – 21 / 9 am – 12 pm

Students will enjoy this introductory level course designed to teach basic drawing techniques including rendering, figure drawing, and perspective. This class is designed to provide a foundation for drawing, teaching students how to realistically draw objects, environments and people. Each class will focus on different drawing techniques and strategies, beginning with rendering and shading objects in perspective to drawing a live model. 

Instructor: Ashley Follmer 
Ages: Adults (15+) / Beginners Welcome!

Required Supplies: 
• Charcoal Pencils or Sticks 2B-6B Soft & Medium, 1 White Charcoal Pencil 
• Graphite Pencils HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B 
• Pencil Sharpener 
• Kneaded Eraser, Pink Eraser 
• Paper Blending Dowels (Various Sizes) 
• 18 x 24″ Newsprint Pad 
• Heavyweight White Drawing Paper

Portrait Drawing: Open Studio

Tuesdays, December 13, 20 and January 10, 17 / 1 – 4 pm

NOTE: Class does not meet the week of Christmas and the first week of the New Year.

Improve your portrait drawing skills and explore a variety of media in this fun and encouraging open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer individualized instruction upon request. Weekly brief demonstrations will encourage individuals to work through drawing challenges and explore media of choice in this open studio format class.   Both male and female clothed models will be posed and drawn in this four-session class.

*If you are a returning student and cannot attend all four classes, please contract Claire Muñoz at 775.398.7260 to request at pro-rated rate.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson
Ages: Adults (15+) / All Levels

Suggested Supplies: The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using.

– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best)

– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended

– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board

– Medium and Support Items:

– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces

– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint

– Large kneaded eraser

– Pink pearl eraser

– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)

– Clean small rags

– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums

 

Mandalas: Holiday Tags and Ornaments

Wednesday, December 7 / 10 am – 2 pm

Join in the fun of coloring star mandalas and using them to create cards, gift tags and ornaments. If you have fine tip markers or colored pencils of your own that you especially enjoy using, please do bring them. All materials will be provided.

Ages: 15+ (Adult) / All levels
Instructor: Kaleigh Surber

Supply List:

Colored Pencils
Fine Tip Colored Markers
Standard pencils and erasers
Elmer’s White Glue
Scissors

Portrait Drawing: Open Studio

Tuesdays, November 15 – December 6 / 1 – 4 pm

Improve your portrait drawing skills and explore a variety of media in this fun and encouraging open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer individualized instruction upon request. Weekly brief demonstrations will encourage individuals to work through drawing challenges and explore media of choice in this open studio format class.   Both male and female clothed models will be posed and drawn in this four-week series.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson
Ages: Adults (15+) / All Levels

Suggested Supplies: The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using.

– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best)

– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended

– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board

– Medium and Support Items:

– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces

– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint

– Large kneaded eraser

– Pink pearl eraser

– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)

– Clean small rags

– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums

 

– Stumps for blending (optional)

Drawing from Your Inner Wisdom

Wednesday, November 9 / 10 am – 2 pm

As the structure of the land is supported by the strength of underlying rock, so the individual is supported by the strength of inner wisdom. With simple pencil and pen, participants will explore the value of these tools in accessing their own creativity and unique expression. Through the ease of relaxation and focus they will explore the value of artistic creativity in finding and expressing their inner wisdom. No previous art experience is required. This class is ideal for first time artists who would like to begin creating art,  those who drew when they were young but dropped it due to discouragement or lack of time, or artists who are going through a dry patch and would like to kick start their enthusiasm and creativity. All that’s needed is receptivity to new ideas and a willingness to learn.

Instructor: Kaleigh Surber
Ages: Adult (15+) / All Levels

Intensive: Drawing Techniques – Shape and Form

Monday – Friday, December 12 – 16 / 9 am – 12 pm

Students will five-day intensive course designed to teach basic drawing techniques with a specific emphasis on drawing shape and form. Students will improve their observational drawing skills by first working on rendering basic shapes, working later towards creating compositions on the page and realistically drawing more complex objects, forms and textures while referencing staged still life displays. This class is designed to provide a strong introductory foundation for beginning drawing students and a refresher for more advanced students.

Instructor: Ashley Follmer
Ages: Adult (15+) / Beginners Welcome!

Required Supplies:

  • Charcoal Pencils or Sticks 2B-6B Soft & Medium, 1 White Charcoal Pencil
  • Graphite Pencils HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Kneaded Eraser, Pink Eraser
  • Paper Blending Dowels (Various Sizes)
  • Newsprint Pad
  • Heavyweight White Drawing Paper
  • Optional: Drawing Board