Sunday, May 6 / 10 am – 3 pm

In this intermediate to advanced class, students will learn the basics of natural illustration drawing with a focus on bee/wasp illustration using graphite pencils. Students will learn about bee/wasp anatomy, creating a final work illustrating the bee/wasp and two chosen details on the insect. Specimens of bee and wasps will be provided to draw from life, as well as photo reference materials. *Students should have some drawing experience and should be familiar with basic graphite pencil techniques. 

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

Supply List:

• Graphite Pencils 2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B (At least one of each)  
• Pencil Sharpener
• Kneaded Eraser, White Eraser 
• Paper Blending Dowels (Various Sizes) 
• 11 x 14” Bristol drawing paper pad. 2-ply or heavier, medium of vellum finish
• Magnifying glass
• Optional: Specimens or reference images from your own collection

Sunday, April 15 / 10 am – 3 pm

In this intermediate to advanced level class, students will learn the basics of natural illustration drawing with a focus on butterfly and/or moth illustration and watercolor. Students will learn about butterfly/moth anatomy and composition, creating a final drawing of a butterfly/moth in their natural environment. Specimens of butterflies/moths will be provided to draw from life as well as photo reference materials. *Basic understanding of drawing and watercolor techniques advised.  

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

Supplies 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

Sunday, April 8 / 10 am – 2 pm

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. No experience necessary. All materials included with registration.

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Ages: Adult (15+) / Beginners

Tuesday – Thursdays, July 17 – 19 / 10 am – 3 pm

In this 3-day workshop will introduce students marbling techniques on both paper and fabric. Students will begin the day by working on basic marbling skills. With the instructor’s guidance, they will work on new patterns with an eye for nuance. Students will get hands on experience of all aspects of marbling from preparatory mixing of water medium and paints, to the creation of classical patterns. Specific attention will be given to learning how to obtain particular designs using a diverse array of rakes and combs. Students will have ample time for experimentation with guidance from the instructor. Day three will allow for open studio time for student to continue to work on their own pieces after learning the basics. All materials provided with registration.

Instructor: Pietro and Vanessa Accardi
Ages: Adults (15+) / All levels

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 22 and 23 / 10 am – 5 pm

This two-day workshop will take students through Western marbling techniques on fabric and then constructing a book wrapped in their own marbled cloth. Students will begin on the first day the introduction of marbling on fabric. With the instructors, they will work on new patterns with an eye for nuance. The primary focus will be on marbling fabric to create book cloth. Techniques for other textile uses will also be discussed. On day two, using the marbled fabric they created, students will create book cloth to use on the cover of the book they will bind. The instructor will teach his unique binding style based on methods used in contemporary Northern Italy. Each student will leave with a handbound book covered in fabric they patterned and marbled.

Instructors: Pietro and Vanessa Accardi
Ages: Adult (15+) / All levels

Supply list: Brush for glue, sharp scissors. All other materials provided with registration.

Friday, March 16 / 6 – 8 pm
and Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18 / 9 am – 3 pm

Explore portrait photography at the professional studio of Jeff Ross Photography in this weekend intensive. Students will work with live models and will experiment with various qualities of light, including natural and artificial. Students will work in a professional in the studio and will spend one day shooting in black and white and one day shooting in color. Students will enjoy class critiques and an energetic studio setting over this weekend intensive.

Instructor: Jeff Ross

Ages: Adult (15+) / Intermediate Level Students (must be comfortable with camera settings and functions).

Supply list:

• Digital slr camera with manual control for shutter speed and aperture. Please bring camera manual as a resource if you are not familiar with setting white balance and ISO. 
• Tripod will be very helpful.
• Hand held light meter will also be helpful but not required.
• Laptop computer (or computer) with image editing and capture software for your camera, also helpful but not required.
• Flash drive to transport images

NOTE: Classes are taught off site at Jeff Ross’ professional studio at 892 Maestro Drive, in Reno.

Saturday, June 2 / 10 am – 2 pm

Learn to paint the vibrancy of poppies from live specimens and photos.  Demonstrations will focus on layering washes to capture deep saturation of color while maintaining the transparency of watercolor.  

Instructor: Carroll Charlet
Ages: Adult (15+) / Some watercolor experience

Supply list: 

• Watercolor paper cold press 140 lb (Arches suggested)
• Watercolor Brushes including #8 OR #6 pointed and #2 OR #4 pointed
• Pallet that includes your favorite vibrant reds and pinks
• HB pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Roll of paper towels

Supply list questions, please email Carroll Charlet at carrollcharlet@sbcglobal.net

Tuesday – Thursday, May 1 – 3 / 9 am – 12 pm

Adobe Lightroom is quickly becoming the go to application for photographers of any experience level, but so many photographers are not using the application to the fullest potential. There are also features of Lightroom that are best left to other applications, and those work arounds will be shown in class. From tethered shooting to advanced Develop module techniques, this class with get new Lightroom users up and running, and advanced users taking advantage of features that will save time, and reduce frustration.

Instructor: MD Welch
Ages: Adult (15+) / All Levels

Supply list: A laptop is not necessary for this class, but having one will not hurt, as students can work along with the instructor during class. Files for the class will take up 6-8 GB of space, and students should have that amount of space free on their computers if they want to work along with the instructor.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, March 13 – 15 / 9 am – 12 pm

Take your photographs to the next level by learning proper composition and photography techniques. Students will learn the different ways to compose landscapes, still lifes and people, while also learning different techniques such as High Dynamic Range (HDR), panoramic stitching, long exposures, proper posing for people, working with photo filters and lighting terminology.

Instructor: MD Welch
Ages: Adult (15+) / Some familiarity with camera functions

Supply List:
A DSLR or mirrorless camera, as well as their camera’s manual and any lenses that students own should also be brought to class. A fully charged battery and memory card are also necessary for class. A tripod and shutter release cable are highly recommended.

Wednesdays, April 11 – 25 / 6 – 9 pm

Lighting for portrait photography can be intimidating, and confusing. The terms, the science and the gear can overwhelm photographers who just want to make a quality portraits. This course will introduce students to the terminology and will simplify the science of portrait photography while demonstrating a variety of gear setups to meet every budget level. Students will learn tips for posing subjects and will work on composition techniques for both individual portraits and group photography. Students will enjoy demonstrations of useful gear, will address safety issues and will learn shooting techniques in the classroom. The second half of the class will allow students work with subjects and applying the techniques learned to their own creative vision.

Instructor: MD Welch
Ages: Adult (15+) / All levels

Supply list: TBA