Gouache is a water-based paint similar to watercolor but with a higher pigment concentration. In this class, students will work with the instructor to learn basic color theory and mixing techniques specific to gouache to create cohesive and vibrant palettes. Unlike traditional landscape painting, which aims for realism, this approach emphasizes the use of simplified shapes and symbols to convey ideas or evoke emotions. Through guided excersises and demonstrations, students will learn to distill complex landscapes into essential elements, exploring the power of abstraction and symbolism in art. All supplies will be provided.

Monday, May 6
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Instructor: Sam Jones
Age: Adult (16+) | All Levels 

Gouache is a water-based paint similar to watercolor but with a higher pigment concentration. In this class, students will work with the instructor to learn basic color theory and mixing techniques specific to gouache to create cohesive and vibrant palettes. Unlike traditional landscape painting, which aims for realism, this approach emphasizes the use of simplified shapes and symbols to convey ideas or evoke emotions. Through guided excersises and demonstrations, students will learn to distill complex landscapes into essential elements, exploring the power of abstraction and symbolism in art. All supplies will be provided.

Monday, April 1
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Instructor: Sam Jones
Age: Adult (16+) | All Levels 

In this class, students will learn how to render the human face as you study its anatomy, including bone structure, muscle tone and the relationship between facial features. Students will work with the instructor to learn and understand basic watercolor principles and techniques such as washes and shading to achieve a realistic likeness. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist looking to refine your techniques, this class offers a comprehensive exploration of portrait painting. 

Tuesday – Thursday, June 11 – 13
10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: James Gayles
Age: Adult (16+) | All Levels

Supply List: Show confirmation email at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. Instructor will provide a line sketch of the subject and a color reference photo of the subject.

• A set if watercolors
•  A set of Watercolor   brushes. Minimum of   three – one large round   wash brush, one medium and one fine.
• Graphite transfer paper
• Ball point pen
• Eraser
• Container for water
• Paper towels
• Watercolor paper – prefer 300 lb

In this class, students will learn how to render the human face as you study its anatomy, including bone structure, muscle tone and the relationship between facial features. Students will work with the instructor to learn and understand basic watercolor principles and techniques such as washes and shading to achieve a realistic likeness. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist looking to refine your techniques, this class offers a comprehensive exploration of portrait painting. 

Tuesday – Thursday, May 14 – 16
10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: James Gayles
Age: Adult (16+) | All Levels

Supply List: Show confirmation email at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. Instructor will provide a line sketch of the subject and a color reference photo of the subject.

• A set if watercolors
•  A set of Watercolor brushes. Minimum of   three – one large round   wash brush, one medium and one fine.
• Graphite transfer paper
• Ball point pen
• Eraser
• Container for water
• Paper towels
• Watercolor paper – prefer 300 lb

Paint the landscape with more confidence by mastering the elements of it.  This class is part of the Mastering the Elements of the Landscape Series. This course will focus on painting rocks and cliffs, elements that many landscape painters struggle with. In this course students will learn about achieving realistic form and texture in rocks and cliffs enabling them to paint them more realistically.  Mike will lead students through four projects discussing and demonstrating how to paint everything from smooth river rocks to jagged cliffs and everything in-between.

Tuesday, May 7 – 28
9 am – noon

Instructor: Mike Callahan
Ages: (15+) | All Levels

Supply list: Show a confirmation email receipt at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount.

• Paint: M. Graham brand Titanium White (37ml) Hansa Yellow (37ml), Quinacridone Rose (37 ml), Phthalocyanine Blue (37ml)
• Thinner: Weber Turpenoid (pint) or similar artist’s grade odorless mineral spirits 
• Medium: M. Graham Walnut Oil (4oz), Silicoil cleaning jar or other small glass jar with sealable lid (for thinner), Small can such as olive can (for medium) 
• Brushes: Synthetic Brights OR 
• Filberts: Silverbrush Bristlon #2, #4, and #10 Or Connoisseur Pure Synthetic, #2, #4, and #10 Or any quality hog bristle in those sizes if the student already owns their own brushes.
• Painting or Palette knife: (steel, NOT plastic)
• Disposable Palette: New Wave Disposable Palette (grey) or similar,
• Brush Cleaner: The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver
•  Canvas or Panels: 4-canvas panels or stretched canvases 9”x12”, 11”x14” OR 12”x16”,
• Paper towels (i.e. Viva or Blue Shop Towels)
• Nitrile gloves.

In this class, students will learn how to render the human face as you study its anatomy, including bone structure, muscle tone and the relationship between facial features. Students will work with the instructor to learn and understand basic watercolor principles and techniques such as washes and shading to achieve a realistic likeness. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist looking to refine your techniques, this class offers a comprehensive exploration of portrait painting. 

Tuesday – Thursday, April 16 – 18
10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: James Gayles
Age: Adult (16+) | All Levels

Supply List: Show confirmation email at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. Instructor will provide a line sketch of the subject and a color reference photo of the subject.

• A set if watercolors
•  A set of Watercolor   brushes. Minimum of   three – one large round   wash brush, one medium and one fine.
• Graphite transfer paper
• Ball point pen
• Eraser
• Container for water
• Paper towels
• Watercolor paper – prefer 300 lb

In this class, students will learn how to render the human face as you study its anatomy, including bone structure, muscle tone and the relationship between facial features. Students will work with the instructor to learn and understand basic watercolor principles and techniques such as washes and shading to achieve a realistic likeness. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist looking to refine your techniques, this class offers a comprehensive exploration of portrait painting. 

Tuesday – Thursday, March 19 – 21
10 am – 1 pm

Instructor: James Gayles
Age: Adult (16+) | All Levels

Supply List: Show email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. 

•  Watercolor paper – prefer 300 lb. cold press
•  A set if watercolors
•  A set of Watercolor   brushes. Minimum of   three – one large round   wash brush, one medium and one fine.
•  Graphite transfer paper
• Ball point pen
•  Eraser
•  Container for water
•  Paper towels 
   
• Instructor will provide handout materials:
• A line sketch of the subject
•  A color reference photo of the subject.

Improve your life painting skills and explore a variety of paint media while working freely from a nude model in this popular figure painting class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request and is a perfect class for beginner to advanced artists. Both male and female models will be placed in short and long poses.

Wednesdays, April 3 – 24 
2 – 5 pm

Instructor: Rachel Moseley
Age: Adult (15+) | All levels

This class is for students who are new to watercolor or have worked on their own and are looking to improve their watercolor skills with step-by-step instructions. The instructor will discuss various watercolor supplies and suggest appropriate starting materials. Students will learn to recognize various levels of paper wetness and how to use them to achieve the desired watercolor effects. Under the guidance of the instructor, students will also practice various techniques such as basic color mixing, brush strokes, various types of washes and more.

Wednesday, March 20 and 27
5 – 9 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Ages: (15+) | All Levels

Supply list: Bring a confirmation receipt to Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount. 

• 100% Cotton watercolor paper, 140 lb, cold press (various brands are available: Fluid, Arches, Fabriano Artistico, Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress, Bee paper, etc.)
• Strathmore Watercolor Pad, 400 Series, 140 lb, cold press, 9”x12” (It has a brown cover. Do NOT get the pad with the yellow cover!)
• Various sizes of watercolor brushes
• Mechanical pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Roll of paper towers
• 2 water containers 

Watercolors are admired for their unique quality – translucence. Learn more about the pigments on your palette and experiment with mixing your own colors to keep the beautiful luminosity of the medium. This class explores color mixing, tonal values, color theory, painting with triads and learning how to avoid muddy mixes. Students will also learn about color properties such as temperature, intensity, lightfastness and more. The origins of pigments, different pigment properties and differences amongst manufacturers will also be discussed. An excellent class for both the beginner and advanced student

Wednesdays, April 17 – May 1
5 – 9 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Ages: (15+) | All Levels

Supply List: Show your confirmation email at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount.

• Your personal watercolor pallet (all pigments)
• Paper: 2 sheets 11 x 15 inches, 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper (paper can be purchased from the instructor during class for $2 a sheet; we will use 2 or 3 sheets)
• Brushes: ½ or ¾ inch flat brush
• Roll of paper towels
• Drawing pencil
• Eraser (a soft eraser such as kneaded or General’s)
• 2 Plastic water containers