Historic Yellow Springs

Adult Fine Art Classes: Fall

Explore and develop your art skills in our oil and acrylic painting, watercolor, plein air, drawing, sculpture, textile, mixed media, print making, photography and digital media classes. Adult art classes and workshops are available to students 16 years and older with the exception of Life Drawing (18 and up). Some art classes have a materials list (see description). Click on the link to download file.

HYS Class Updates: Register for notifications about class registrations, rescheduling, parking and other relevant information for students attending, or who would like to attend, Chester Springs Studio. Register


Drawing with Adrian Martinez

Online Class

Drawing with Adrian Martinez

Level: All levels
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Adrian Martinez
Length: 5 weeks
Tuesdays, Sept. 12 – Oct.10, 2023
Time: 1pm– 3:30pm
Location: Online
Tuition: $225 Member, $250 Non-member

This unique and innovative online drawing class is not just a course for the accomplished artist. It is for the curious at all levels. By improving your manual skills in drawing, using the medium of your choice from pencil and paper to exotic media like silverpoint you can improve your ability to see with the eyes of the great masters past and present. After Adrian Martinez gives an introductory class discussing the techniques and visions of several past masters, class participants can submit their drawings online before each additional class. Their submissions subsequently modify the focus of each additional class creating an exciting mix of concepts and application that combines Martinez's work in progress, old and modern masters and work submitted by class members. At the end of the semester—with Martinez's professionalism, extensive knowledge of art past and present and enthusiasm to help each class member—you will never see art (yours or others) in the same way again.

Material Supply List

  • Drawing Pencils
  • Conte a Paris Drawing Pencils: White, Black and Sanguine (reddish brown, #7 or #610)
  • Charcoal pencil (optional)
  • White Rubber Eraser
  • Strathmore Drawing Tablet (white or toned)
  • Painter’s Tape
  • Drawing Board

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Drawing and Painting Basics

Monday AM Art Classes

Drawing and Painting Basics

Level: Beginner to Advanced
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Rhona Candeloro
Length: 8 weeks
Mondays, Sept. 11 – Oct. 30, 2023
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $250 Member, $270 Non-member

This class begins with some basic drawing lessons and moves on to painting with either oils or acrylics as soon as the student feels ready. Students may work from the still life setups provided, bring in their own objects, or from photos (an ipad or tablet is useful for working from photos). Using traditional drawing and painting techniques, we will study how light defines shape and color, allowing form to emerge. There is no experience necessary. Everyone works at their own pace and level. A materials list is provided.

Material List (pdf)

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Open Sculpture with George McMonigle

Monday PM Art Classes

Open Sculpture with George McMonigle

Level: Beginner to Advanced
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: George McMonigle
Length: 5 weeks
Date 1: Mondays, Sept. 11 – Oct. 9, 2023
Date 2: Mondays, Oct. 16 – Nov. 13, 2023
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Location: Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $160 Member, $180 Non-member

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sculptor, you will expand your skills and talents in this workshop. As the head of sculpture for the Franklin Mint, George McMonigle has worked with award winning sculptors around the world to perfect their skills and talents. You will be working in water-based modeling clay on a subject of your choosing. Do you want to explore a particular subject like birds, animals or a portrait? Bring your ideas to the first class, and you will be walked through the design and composition stage and on to the execution of your sculpture in the round. If you would like to work on a relief or plaque, that would be great! The goal will be to enjoy the process of creating sculpture while learning in a manner that you can apply to your future works. Materials listed below.

Material List:

  • Water-based modeling clay can be purchased at the first class ($25 for a 25 lb. bag of stoneware or terra cotta)
  • Wood Base and aluminum armature wire
  • Clay modeling tools sets of wood or metal and wire hoops and scrappers

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Pastel Painting: Harmony of Light and Form

Tuesday AM Art Classes

Pastel Painting: Harmony of Light and Form

Level: All levels
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Louise Dusinberre
Length: 5 weeks
Date 1: Tuesdays, Sept. 12 – Oct. 10, 2023
Date 2: Tuesdays, Oct. 17 – Nov. 14, 2023
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Location: Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $160 Member, $180 Non-member

In this 5-week class, we will begin in the studio working from personal photo reference and then have the option of experiencing a couple of classes painting “en plein air” (weather permitting). Learn to see, interpret and record with more confidence! Capture light and atmosphere in the landscape. Focus on composition, shape, value, color, edges and mark making. Demonstrations and plenty of individual attention and critiques will be offered each week.

Open to all levels. Beginners welcome!

Material List (pdf)

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Beginning Oil Painting

Tuesday PM Art Classes

Beginning Oil Painting

Level: Beginner
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Martin Pieczonka
Length: 8 weeks
Tuesdays, Sept. 12 – Oct. 31, 2023
Time: 6:30 - 9:30pm
Location: Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $250 Member, $270 Non-member

Do you want to try oil painting but feel intimidated by the tools and materials? This class is for you. We'll focus on the basics while working on small paintings from a new still life each week. Learn very helpful tips on the behavior of paint and mediums, palette preparation, color mixing and brush work. The goal is to achieve results with basic materials while painting from an uncluttered still life featuring a fruit or vegetable. A basic level of experience in drawing is required. A materials list is provided.

Material List (pdf)

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Beginning Drawing

Wednesday AM Art Classes

Beginning Drawing

Level: Beginner
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Martin Pieczonka
Length: 5 weeks
Date 1: Wednesdays, Sept. 13 – Oct. 11, 2023
Date 2: Wednesdays, Oct. 18 – Nov. 15, 2023
Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $160 Member, $180 Non-member

Draw what you see by learning to see what you draw. This class will introduce to visual techniques that make drawing rewarding and fun. Discover ways to draw establishing the underling structure from a variety of still life objects. We will focus on drawing a new, uncluttered still life each week using graphite, charcoal, or the drawing material of your choice. You will receive individual encouragement and support of your achievements as you progress at your required pace. Instructor demonstrations will help you to understand techniques and materials. A materials list is provided.

Material List (pdf)

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Paint Curious? Painting with Oil or Acrylics

Wednesday PM Art Classes

Painting by Rhona Candeloro

Level: Teen and Adult, Beginner to Advanced
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Rhona Candeloro
Length: 8 weeks
Wednesdays, Sept. 13 – Nov. 1, 2023
Time: 6:30 - 9:00pm
Location: Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $215 Member, $235 Non-member

Are you curious about what you could do if you gave it a try? Been to a Wine and Paint party and thought it was fun? Took an art class in college and enjoyed it? Then this is the class for you. In this intro to painting class you will learn some basic drawing techniques and then move on to painting with acrylics or the medium of your choice. The focus is on learning to mix colors and training your eyes to recognize subtle tonal values, while developing your skills with a pencil and brush. We will work from studio setups or photos of your choice. There is no experience necessary. Everyone works at their own pace and level. A materials list is provided.

Material List (pdf)

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Landscape Painting en Plein Air

Thursday AM Art Classes

Oil painting by Martin M. Pieczonka

Level: All levels
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Martin Pieczonka
Length: 8 weeks
Thursdays, Sept. 14 – Nov. 2, 2023
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $250 Member, $270 Non-member

Enjoy the beauty of fall in Chester Springs as we explore and express the landscape in oil paint. In this class, learn visual skills enabling you to compose a strong composition and to mix colors. Drawing with the brush will be emphasized to develop brushwork skills. Demonstrations will be conducted in simplifying and blocking in the painting with bold brush strokes and color mixing. Students may choose to paint in the studio or en plein air. A materials list is provided.

Material List (pdf)

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Life Drawing, Painting and Sculpture

Thursday PM Art Classes

Life Drawing, Painting and Sculpture

Level: All levels
Limit: 8 students
Class Monitor: Martin Pieczonka
Thursdays, Sept. 14 – Nov. 2, 2023
Time: 6:45 – 9:45pm
Location: Fine Art Studio
Tuition:
10-week card: $140 Member, $160 Non-member
5-week card: $100 Member, $110 Non-member

This class presents the opportunity to draw, paint or sculpt from the human figure without formal instruction. Students may pre-register for a 5 or 10-week class card. Cards are good for one year from date of purchase. They may be used during any semester until the expiration date. Drop-ins are welcome at $22 member and $25 non-member per class and must pay the monitor at the beginning of each class.

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Painting Light and Nature

Friday AM Art Classes

Painting Light and Nature

Level: Beginner to Advanced
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Adrian Martinez
Length: 5 weeks
Fridays, Oct. 13, Oct. 27 – Nov. 17, 2023*
Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Location: Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $245 Member, $265 Non-member

Discover the many effects of light on nature and how to portray this in the media of oil paint. Bring a botanic subject to paint or select from the natural surrounds at Chester Springs Studio. Instructor Adrian Martinez will offer presentations, and work with you to analyze that technique while you complete your own painting—applying your own vision in this five-week course. As in his usual practice, Adrian will also paint his version of a particular style as a demonstration in class along with students. Students may choose to paint in the studio or en plein air.

*Instructor is away on Oct. 20th, but the studio will be open for students who would like to continue working on their painting at Chester Springs Studio.

Material List (pdf)

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