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.

Portrait Painting in Oil or Acrylics

Sundays, September 6 – October 11 / 1 – 4 pm

Students will be introduced to portrait painting techniques in the first two class sessions (without a model). The following four classes will have brief instruction at the beginning of class followed by an open studio format painting class working from a live model. Students may use acrylic or oil paint.

NOTE: These dates were changed from Sept 13 – Oct 18 to Sept 6 – Oct 11.

Instructor: Daniel Helzer
Ages: 15 and up / All Levels

Required Supplies:

Color recommendations are as follows:

  • Titanium White 
  • Ultramarine Blue 
  • Cadmium Red Medium or Light
  • Lemon or Cadmium Yellow Light 
  • Yellow Ochre
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Viridian Green 
  • Burnt Sienna 

Selection of brushes 
Pallet
Palette knife
Painting Board or Canvas (16×12 or smaller, is appropriate) 
Container/jar water 
Brushes 
Paper towels
Cheap Plastic Ruler
Gamsol mineral spirits (if working in Oil)

Autumn Leaves in Watercolor

Sunday, October 4 / 10 am – 3 pm

NOTE: This class is now sold out.

Capture the beauty of autumn leaves. Using the techniques of botanical illustration learn to create pictures and cards in watercolor, pencil and ink. This class is open to all levels. *Supply list.

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

Summer Flowers in Watercolor

Wednesday, September 2 / 10 am – 3 pm

Bring summer flowers to life in watercolor. Learn botanical illustration techniques though instruction and demonstration. Botanical reference materials will be provided.

Instructor: Carroll Charlet
Ages: 15 and Up / All Levels

Required Supplies:

  • Basic watercolor set (paint and brush) 
  • Small round 10-well pallet 
  • Graphite or mechanical pencil 
  • Rubber eraser 
  • 2 plastic water containers 
  • Tablet of cold press 140 lb watercolor paper* 
  • Lunch

*Single sheets of watercolor paper may be purchased during class

For questions regarding materials, contact Carroll Charlet at carrollcharlet@sbcglobal.net

Watercolor Sketches of Lake Tahoe

Sunday, August 23 / 10 am – 3 pm

Learn watercolor techniques that capture the beauty of lake, sky and granite that makes Tahoe so unique. This workshop will include a walk-through of the NMA’s new and exciting Lake Tahoe exhibit.

Instructor: Carroll Charlet
Ages: 15 and Up / All Levels Required

Supplies:

  • Basic watercolor set (paint and brush) 
  • Small round 10-well pallet
  • Graphite or mechanical pencil 
  • Rubber eraser 
  • 2 plastic water containers 
  • Tablet of cold press 140 lb watercolor paper* 
  • Lunch 

*Single sheets of watercolor paper may be purchased during class

Introduction to Watercolors

Saturday, August 8 / 10 am – 2 pm

NOTE: This class is now sold out.

This class is designed for anyone who would like to explore the medium of watercolor without the commitment! Experiment with techniques such as glazing, masking, wet on wet, hard edges and much more. Find out if watercolor is for you. This class is also good for beginners who would like to play with watercolor techniques in an instructive setting. All materials included.

Instructor: Carroll Charlet
Ages: 15 and up / All levels

Portraits in Watercolor

Tuesdays, June 2 – 16 / 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Students will enjoy a quick introduction to watercolors (brush techniques, wash techniques, etc.) and a discussion about the history and practice of portraiture. Students will trace personal images onto their watercolor paper using a projector. Class demonstrations will help guide students towards their finished piece.

Supply List:

  • #12 round, #5 or #6 round, 1 mop, 1 2’ hake (all brushes for watercolors)
  • A 6-10 pot palette, or any white flat surface (dinner plates work well) 
  • 9”x12” tablet of watercolor paper (cold press, 140lb weight) (Strathmore is a good brand) 
  • Pencil (mechanical works well) 
  • Color photograph of person you wish to paint, and same photograph on a flash drive

Instructor: Reena Spansail
Ages: 15 and up / All levels

Girls Night Out: Experiments in Abstract Painting

Thursday, May 28 / 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Students are invited to tap back in to their creativity in a fun and relaxing environment. This is an inspirational class designed for beginners and painters of all levels who want to learn basic techniques for creating beautiful and dynamic abstract art pieces. Students will learn to pick a complimentary and bold color palette, lay down a rich background for their painting, and use a variety of brush strokes and mixed media techniques to add forms in an appealing composition to their work. Bring old friends, meet new ones and have a great night over a glass (or two!) of wine and a fun project designed for all skill levels.

Instructor: Casey Sibley
Ages: 21 and Up / All Levels 

Foundations in Plein Air Painting

Wednesdays, May 13 – June 17 / 9 am – noon

This course is all about traveling to scenic outdoor locations near downtown Reno and painting small color sketches or studies (“pochades”) using oils. This class will focus on how to capture light in the landscape quickly. There will be hands-on instruction from setup to finish in this most exciting of all painting endeavors – painting in plein air. First class will meet in the E.L. Cord Museum School with the remaining classes held offsite at scenic locations. Students should have a good foundation in color mixing and painting with oils.

Supply List:

  • French easel/portable easel or pochade box or equivalent 
  • Portable stool & small umbrella (instructor will demonstrate how to setup your outdoor gear for reference in the field) 
  • (2) 11” x 14”, (4) 8” x 10”, and (6) 6” x 8” inexpensive canvas boards
  • Choose ONE 37 ml tube of the brand of your choice from the colors below and a larger tube or 2 tubes of white. Recommended brands are Winsor & Newton, Grumbacher or Gamblin.
    RED
    – Cadmium Red by Winsor & Newton
    – Cadmium Red Medium by Gamblin
    – Cadmium Berium Red (not deep) by Grumbacher
    MAGENTA
    – Permanent Rose by Winsor & Newton
    – Quinacradone Red by Gamblin
    – Quinacradone Red by Grumbacher
    YELLOW
    – Winsor Yellow by Winsor & Newton 
    – Hansa Yellow Medium by Gamblin
    – Cadmium Yellow Light by Grumbacher 
    BLUE
    – French Ultramarine Blue by Winsor & Newton
    -,French Ultramarine Blue by Grumbacher -Ultramarine Blue by Gamblin
    CYAN
    – Thalo Blue by Grumbacher
    – Pthalo Blue by Gamblin
    BLACK
    – Ivory Black by Winsor & Newton
    – Ivory Black by Gamblin
    – Ivory Black by Grumbacher
    WHITE
    (2) 37 ml tubes OR (1)150 ml
    – Titanium White by Winsor & Newton
    – Titanium White by Gamblin
    – Titanium White by Grumbacher
  • 2 oz. bottle or larger of Neo-Megilp oil painting medium (by GAMBLIN)
  • 1 – palette – recommended either tempered glass with edges taped or ground, wood or Plexiglas. Cover wood or Plexiglas with Contact plastic shelf liner. 
  • 1 – Silcoil cleaning jar or other small jar with lid 
  • 1 – 8 oz. bottle of artist grade walnut oil (not salad type) 
  • 1 – 2.5 oz. small cake of Masters brush cleaner 
  • 1 each of the following long-handled 2106 CONNOISSEUR pure synthetic brushes (OR any artist quality manufacturer): 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Filberts. 
  • 4 – Rolls of BLUE shop paper towels 
  • 1 – Wet panel carrier – inexpensive cookie sheet covered in foil or aluminum roasting pan (dollar stores are a good resource for this) for wet painting transport. 

Instructor: David McCamant
Ages: 15 and Up / Some basic experience in oil painting

 

Baby Painting (10:30 am)

Saturday, June 27 / 10:30 – 11:15 am

Bring your baby or toddler and go beyond finger-painting by blobbing, smushing, and smearing colors with hands and feet! Witness baby’s first painting with no mess at home. Your wee one will make a creative keepsake for the family to cherish. Dress for a mess!

Supply List: Change of clothes/diaper and a towel

Instructor: Lisa Kornze
Ages: 6 months – 3 years

Baby Painting (9:30 am)

Saturday, June 27 / 9:30 – 10:15 am

Bring your baby or toddler and go beyond finger-painting by blobbing, smushing, and smearing colors with hands and feet! Witness baby’s first painting with no mess at home. Your wee one will make a creative keepsake for the family to cherish. Dress for a mess!

Supply List: Change of clothes/diaper and a towel

Instructor: Lisa Kornze
Ages: 6 months – 3 years