Adult Workshop Descriptions at Artsplace in Cheshire

Drawing Workshops

Branch Out! Workshop
Draw real tree branches! Through a series of simple exercises with a focus on positive and negative shapes plus simple value changes, create interesting compositions using pencil and graphite. Bring a bag lunch.
Drawing a Face Workshop
Learn how to draw and shade a realistic face using graphite pencil. Develop skills in a relaxing atmosphere to personally advance your art. Bring a bag lunch.
Nature Sketching Workshop
Learn to draw a selection of objects such as shells, driftwood, leaves, seedpods and feathers by close and careful observation through a series of simple exercises. Students will use pencil or graphite. Bring a bag lunch. 
Santa or Snowman Pen & Ink Workshop
Create an adorable 5 x 7 Santa or Snowman portrait in pen & ink and then enhance with colored pencils. Light boxes will be used so no experience is necessary. Have fun and take home a personal gift for someone special.

Fiber Arts Workshops

Felted Tapestry Workshop
By arranging soft wool on top of different colors, students will create a background, then add a bird on top. With the addition of warm water and soap, magic occurs and the wool shrinks and connects. Students will learn “dry” felting during the following class and embellish to finish the art piece. Family discount available.
​Sew a Pillowcase Workshop     
Making a beautiful pillowcase is unbelievably simple using the “Burrito Method.” Quick and easy, students will also learn how to sew a French seam. Create practical art and enjoy using the result!” (If you have a portable sewing machine please bring.

Painting Workshops

​Atmospheric Landscape Workshop     
Inspire your imagination and loosen up your flow, as Will McCarthy engages us by sharing his techniques which enable him to paint from his imagination and achieve an atmospheric style that captures in essence, the beauty and the emotion of the landscape. The workshop begins with a lecture and demonstration, then you will launch into a full day of painting and interactions. Day 2 consists of starting new works as well as finishing up the previous day’s works. Includes most of your painting supplies: paint, turps, canvas and paper. You will receive a supply list before the workshop begins. Bring a bag lunch. View Will’s website at: www.williammccarthyart.com.
Autumn Colors Workshop
Paint a colorful autumn scene in oils. Learn how to do a value drawing, prepare a canvas, transfer the image onto the canvas, mix paint and match the colors using an 8 x 10 photo. Bring a bag lunch.
​Cock-a-doodle-do Oil Painting Workshop            
Paint this handsome rooster in oils. Learn how to do a value drawing, prepare a canvas, transfer the image onto the canvas, mix paint and match the colors using an 8 x 10 photo. Bring a bag lunch.
Exploring the Color Wheel Workshop
Students will learn about color mixing, high and low key, chroma and value structure through the creation of a saturation chart in this important workshop for all level students. During the afternoon students will paint a shape based abstract design to incorporate the new color knowledge gained. Bring a bag lunch.
​Oil Painting Alla Prima: Flowers Workshop:
Fresh strokes of color! Alla Prima (or wet on wet) paintings are vibrant, lively and completed in one session. This is not a beginner painting class. Prior knowledge (in any painting medium) of brush work and color mixing is required. Bring an apron, a roll of paper towels, a box to transport your wet (8x10) painting home and a bag lunch.

Specialty Workshops

Autumn Leaves Silk Scarf Workshop
Natural dyes are used on a silk hankie to practice before dying the silk scarf. This process results in unique backgrounds for each student. Patterns may be placed under the scarf as a guide for silk paint embellishments. No experience necessary. Bring a bag lunch.
Composition Workshop
Learn how to improve your composition to create stronger artwork. View examples of artworks with winning composition, as well as pieces that fail for lack of it. Discussion will explore differences between the artworks and identify and discuss what is needed to develop a successful composition.
Ginwashi Workshops
The instructor will demonstrate the technique of watercolor using little water yet achieving bright colors. A line drawing will be used on special rice paper. When the painting is finished it is covered with wax and ironed to melt it into the rice paper and then ultimately attached to the stretched canvas.     
Theorem Stenciling Workshops
Create three-dimensional and beautifully shaded artwork using oil Paintstiks. Students will each receive a packet of laser cut stencil overlays to bring home after the workshop in order to create additional paintings. Historic Theorem painting is achieved by applying oil through a series of stencil layers. Bring a bag lunch. To learn more, visit www.jeanhansen.com.
What is the Golden Section? Workshop
Learn how to use this mathematical technique to improve your compositions as artists have for centuries. Examples of famous artworks that employ the mathematical ratio of the Golden Section will be shared.  Learn how to “eyeball” developing compositions in order to strengthen understanding of the impact of image placement on the canvas.

Stained Glass Workshops

Fall Leaf or Heart Stained Glass Workshop
Learn basic techniques of cutting, grinding, foiling and soldering your very own stained glass suncatcher. No experience necessary.
Moravian Star Workshop
Learn basic techniques of cutting, grinding, foiling and soldering a 3-D stained glass star. No experience necessary.
Mosaics Holiday Project Workshop
Create a holiday themed ornament. Learn how to cut glass using mosaic wheel cutters. Glass will be adhered in the morning and grouted in the evening (6–7 pm).