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.

Modern Animals in Acrylic

Using bold colors, modern patterns and engaging compositions, students will use acrylic paint combined with colored pencil to create inspired portraits of animals. In this three-day intensive, student will work with basic drawing skills, contouring lines, loose gridding and blocking techniques to layout the portraits on wooden panels. Final pieces will be completed in acrylic. Each student can expect to complete two 18” x 24” wooden panels in this workshop.
All materials are provided with registration.  Students may work from a selection of provided photos or are welcome to bring their own photos for reference. 

Monday- Wednesday April 1-3
9 am – 12:30 pm

Instructor:Emily Reid
Ages:Adults (15+) All levels

Watercolor Techniques: Batik Method on Rice Paper

Take your watercolors to the next level with this fun method of using the batik method of applying hot wax to save and build layers of color. Together, we will create a painting on rice paper, which adds an extra element of interest and texture. Instructor will guide students through the batik process, while assisting each student with color mixing, composition and values to create a focal point in their work. A fairly simple drawing will be provided by the instructor for students to use, but students are also free to bring a reference image to draw out on their own. A working knowledge of watercolor painting is preferred; this class is not for absolute beginners to the medium.

Sunday, April, 28 / 10 am – 4 pm

Instructor: Ronnie Rector
Ages: Adult (15+) / Working knowledge of watercolor painting is recommended

Supply list:

• Black Micron Pen or other waterproof fine-line pen
• Watercolor brushes, flats or rounds or both, your choice. Bring your preference for working in large to small areas of a painting.
• Watercolor paints of your choice
• Watercolor palette of your choice. I recommend having a few good-sized mixing areas, but bring whatever you’re comfortable working with
• Water Container
• Roll of Paper Towel
• Masking Tape
• Lots of newspapers – will need at least 3 dozen sheets per artist, so if you have a pile, please bring them
• Sack lunch

Introduction to Watercolors

This class is designed for anyone who would like to explore the medium of watercolor without the commitment.  Learn techniques such as washes, glazing, wet on wet and much more.  Find out if watercolor is for you.  The class is great for beginners who would like to experiment with watercolor techniques in an instructive setting. Open to all levels, beginners welcome.

Sunday, June 23 / 10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Ages 15 and Up / All Levels

Supply list: All materials included.

Please bring a sack lunch.

Natural Illustration: Feathers in Watercolor

In this intermediate to advanced level class, students will learn the basics of natural illustration drawing with a focus on feathers and watercolor. Students will learn about feather composition, creating a three-series drawing of three chosen feathers. Some feather specimens will be provided to draw from life along with photo reference materials. *Basic understanding of watercolor is advised.

Saturday, June 15  / 10 am – 3 pm

Instructor: Sophie Banspach
Ages: Adults (15+) / Intermediate/Advanced levels

Supply List:

•    Watercolors: Cadmium Red, Cobalt or Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green, Chromium Oxide Green, Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber, Pro White. (Cotman or Van Gogh is fine; Windsor Newton is excellent)
•    Your personal watercolor pallet
•    2 HB Pencils
•    Watercolor Brushes: #0 or 1 with good point, #3, #7, #10 Round
•    9 x 12” 140lb cold press watercolor paper
•    Roll of paper towels
•    2 Plastic water containers.
•    Magnifying glass
•    Optional: Specimens or reference images from your own collection

Bristlecone Pine in Ink and Watercolor

Bristlecones are a wonderful subject for both realistic and impressionistic watercolors. Using paint and ink, students will learn to capture the essence of these wonders of the natural world.  Some watercolor experience is recommended. 

Thursday, April 25
9 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Carroll Charlet
Ages: Adult (15+) / All Levels

Required Supplies: 

  • Basic Watercolor Kit and pallet
  • Watercolor Paper, 140 lb cold press (suggest Arches or Strathmore 400 series, student choice on size) 
  • No 8 or No 6 pointed watercolor brush
  • Micron black ink pens 005 or 01
  • Sketch Pad
  • Drawing pencil and kneaded eraser
  • Two water containers

For questions regarding supplies, please contact carrollcharlet@sbcglobal.net   
*Materials available at Nevada Fine Arts (mention registration for 10% discount)

Natural Illustration: Sea Shells in Watercolor and Colored Pencil

In this intermediate to advanced class, students will learn the basics of natural illustration drawing with a focus on sea shells and mixed media (watercolor and prismacolor). Students will learn about many types of sea shells, creating a final detailed drawing of sea shell. Shell specimens will be provided to draw from life, along with photo reference materials. *Basic understanding of drawing and/or watercolor techniques advised. 

Sunday, April 28
10 am – 3 pm

Instructor: Sophie Banspach
Ages: Adult (15+) / Intermediate or Advanced levels

Supply List:

  • Watercolors: Cadmium Red, Cobalt or Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green, Chromium Oxide Green, Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber, Pro White. (Cotman or Van Gogh is fine; Windsor Newton is excellent)
  • Your personal watercolor pallet
  • 2 HB Pencils
  • Watercolor Brushes: #0 or 1 with good point, #3, #7, #10 Round
  • 9 x 12” 140lb cold press watercolor paper
  • Roll of paper towels
  • 2 Plastic water containers
  • Prismacolor Pencils
  • 12 or 24 Prismacolor set, or: Light Peach, Crimson Red, Ultramarine, Grass Green, Sunburst Yellow, Orange, Violet, Light Umber, Dark Brown, White
  • White eraser
  • Magnifying glass
  • Optional: Specimens or reference images from your own collection

Natural Illustration: Succulents in Watercolor and Colored Pencil

In this intermediate to advanced level class, students will learn the basics of natural illustration drawing with a focus on summer succulents and mixed media (watercolor and prismacolor). Students will learn about many types of succulents, their natural habitats, and creatures whom interact or co-habitate with succulents. Students will create a final drawing of a chosen succulent in a natural environment. Succulent specimens will be provided to draw from life along with photo reference materials. *Basic understanding of watercolor and/or colored pencils techniques advised.  

Saturday, April 13
10 am – 3 pm

Instructor: Sophie Banspach
Ages: Adult (15+) / Intermediate or Advanced levels

Supply List:

  • Watercolors: Cadmium Red, Cobalt or Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green, Chromium Oxide Green, Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber, Pro White. (Cotman or Van Gogh is fine; Windsor Newton is excellent)
  • Your personal watercolor pallet
  • 2 HB Pencils
  • Watercolor Brushes: #0 or 1 with good point, #3, #7, #10 Round
  • 9 x 12” 140lb cold press watercolor paper
  • Roll of paper towels
  • 2 Plastic water containers
  • Prismacolor Pencils
  • 12 or 24 Prismacolor set, or: Light Peach, Crimson Red, Spring Green, Grass Green, Indigo Blue, Sunburst Yellow, Orange, Violet, Light Umber, Dark Brown, White
  • White eraser
  • Magnifying glass 
  • Optional: Specimens or reference images from your own collection

Landscapes in Oil: Dramatic Skies

Beginning and advanced students will enjoy this five-day technique-based class focused on creating dramatic landscapes with special attention paid to the sky. Working from photo reference, students will explore the use of sensitive and effective strokes to manipulate paint with a brush and pallet knife. Students will explore texture and depth while creating dramatic landscape paintings.

Monday – Friday, April 8 – 12
9 am – noon

Ages: Adult (15+) / Some oil painting experience recommended
Instructor: David McCamant

SUPPLY LIST:  

SUPPORTS 
Inexpensive canvas boards or panels. Students who wish to do the homework will need to double the number of panels. 
1 – 11″ x 14” (OPTIONAL – add one more for homework*)
2 – 8″ x 10″ (OPTIONAL – add two more for homework*)
3 – 6″ x 8″ (OPTIONAL – add three more for homework*)
 
OIL PAINT – 1 – 37 ml tube of oil paint in the following colors:   
 
WHITE: Titanium White (2 tubes are suggested)   
YELLOW:Cadmium Lemon, Windsor Yellow, Hansa Yellow, Medium or Cadmium Yellow Light  
RED:Cadmium Red Hue, Cadmium Red Medium or Cadmium Berium Red (not deep) 
BLUE: French Ultramarine Blue or Ultramarine Blue
BLACK: Ivory Black
MAGENTA (OPTIONAL*): Permanent Rose or Quinacridone Red 
CYAN (OPTIONAL*):  Thalo Blue or Phthalo Blue
 
You may bring whatever paint you have as long as they are the correct hues or colors. An inexpensive option is Windsor Newton Winton student colors. ‘Artist Grade’ paints will produce better results in color mixing.
 
PAINTING MEDIUM: Neo MeGilp Medium 2oz or Larger
 
BRUSHES – Recommend Connoisseur brand #2106 pure synthetic oil paint brushes or any artist quality manufacturer VERY IMPORTANT. 1 each #6 and #8 Long-Handled Filberts
 
PALETTE – Gray Matters, palette paper or equivalent
 
CLEANING JAR – Silicoil cleaning jar or other small jar with lid
 
CLEANING SOLUTION – 1 – 8oz bottle of artist grade Walnut oil
 
BRUSH CLEANER – 2.5 OZ small cake of The Masters Brush Cleaner
 
PAPER TOWELS – 1 roll of BLUE shop paper towels (OPTIONAL – add one more for homework*)
 
WET PANEL CARRIER – inexpensive cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil or aluminum roasting pan for wet painting transport
 
Approximate Materials Cost $100. With OPTIONAL ITEMS $130.

Oil Painting Techniques: Expressive Brushwork and Color Blocking

Beginning and advanced students will enjoy this five-day technique-based class. Daily exercises will allow students to explore the use of sensitive and effective brush strokes using paint and medium to manipulate paint with a brush. Will include an exploration of tool use including brushes and the applications and use of a pallet knife to apply and carve paint to create texture and depth. 

Monday – Friday, March 11 – 15
9 am – noon

Ages: Adult (15+) / All Levels
Instructor: David McCamant

SUPPLY LIST:  

SUPPORTS 
Inexpensive canvas boards or panels. Students who wish to do the homework will need to double the number of panels. 
1 – 11″ x 14” (OPTIONAL – add one more for homework*)
2 – 8″ x 10″ (OPTIONAL – add two more for homework*)
3 – 6″ x 8″ (OPTIONAL – add three more for homework*)
 
OIL PAINT – 1 – 37 ml tube of oil paint in the following colors:   
 
WHITE: Titanium White (2 tubes are suggested)   
YELLOW:Cadmium Lemon, Windsor Yellow, Hansa Yellow, Medium or Cadmium Yellow Light  
RED:Cadmium Red Hue, Cadmium Red Medium or Cadmium Berium Red (not deep) 
BLUE: French Ultramarine Blue or Ultramarine Blue
BLACK: Ivory Black
MAGENTA (OPTIONAL*): Permanent Rose or Quinacridone Red 
CYAN (OPTIONAL*):  Thalo Blue or Phthalo Blue
 
You may bring whatever paint you have as long as they are the correct hues or colors. An inexpensive option is Windsor Newton Winton student colors. ‘Artist Grade’ paints will produce better results in color mixing.
 
PAINTING MEDIUM: Neo MeGilp Medium 2oz or Larger
 
BRUSHES – Recommend Connoisseur brand #2106 pure synthetic oil paint brushes or any artist quality manufacturer VERY IMPORTANT. 1 each #6 and #8 Long-Handled Filberts
 
PALETTE – Gray Matters, palette paper or equivalent
 
CLEANING JAR – Silicoil cleaning jar or other small jar with lid
 
CLEANING SOLUTION – 1 – 8oz bottle of artist grade Walnut oil
 
BRUSH CLEANER – 2.5 OZ small cake of The Masters Brush Cleaner
 
PAPER TOWELS – 1 roll of BLUE shop paper towels (OPTIONAL – add one more for homework*)
 
WET PANEL CARRIER – inexpensive cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil or aluminum roasting pan for wet painting transport
 
Approximate Materials Cost $100. With OPTIONAL ITEMS $130.

Painting: Open Studio

Students will enjoy developing their painting techniques and skills in this observational open studio class.  Weekly subject matter will rotate between nude and clothed models and still-lifes. Each class will begin with brief instruction followed by an open studio format painting class. Students may use acrylic or oil paint. Dry media is also welcome.

Sundays, February 17 – March 3
9 am – 12 pm

Ages: Adult (18+) / All levels
Instructor: Daniel Helzer

Supply List:

  • Color recommendations are as follows though all mediums are welcome for this open studio class:
    Titanium White 
    Ultramarine Blue 
    Cadmium Red Medium or Light
    Lemon or Cadmium Yellow 
    Light Yellow Ochre 
    Burnt Sienna
  • Selection of brushes
  • Pallet
  • Palette knife
  • Painting Board or Canvas
  • Container/jar water and brushes
  • Paper towels
  • Cheap Plastic Ruler
  • Gamsol mineral spirits (if working in Oil)