NEW CLASSES: FALL 2025
INTRODUCTION TO PORTRAIT DRAWING
In a good drawing, you never abandon the fundamentals. Brad will introduce you to the craft of using willow charcoal, charcoal pencils, and other essential materials, as he guides you through the basics of blocking in a portrait
Two-Day Workshop: Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, Sept 21, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Cost: $150 (Members) / $180 (Non-Members)
Supplies: Supply list provided after registration or upon request
Size: Minimum of 3 students, maximum of 8.
Level: Beginner to intermediate
PORTRAITS IN THREE COLORS
Many masters perfected portrait drawing using just three colors on toned paper, a technique called “aux trois crayons” or “with three chalks.” The results approach the effects of full color. In this class, Brad introduces the classic “next step” beyond charcoal portraits. Using a limited selection of black, sanguine and white, develops the sense of warm and cool transitions so critical to good portrait painting and is a wonderful way to begin exploring the use of color.
Weekend Workshop, Saturday October 18th and Sunday, October 19th, 2025
Time: 10 AM–3 PM
Cost: $150 (Members) / $180 (Non-Members)
Supplies: Supply list provided after registration or upon request before
Size: Minimum of 3 students, maximum of 8
Level: Intermediate
WORKSHOP: PORTRAIT PAINTING WITH THE ZORN PALETTE
While Swedish master Anders Zorn is famous for making use of a very limited palette consisting of Ivory Black, Vermillion, Yellow Ochre and a white, some form of the “Zorn” palette has been used by other masters, like Valezquez, prior to the 19th century, and has its roots in ancient Greece. Its subdued range lends itself to painting portraits and its simplicity and limitations provide valuable lessons for understanding color and the concept of color temperature. Tap into the long history and benefits of this classic palette of colors.
Weekend Workshop: Saturday, November 8th and Sunday, November 9th from 10 AM–3 PM
Cost: $150 Members / $180 Non-members
Supplies: Supply list provided after registration
Size: Minimum of 3 students, Maximum of 8.
Level: Intermediate
PAST CLASSES
WORKSHOP: INTRODUCTION TO GESTURE DRAWING
Two-Day Workshop: Saturday and Sunday
June 8 and 9
10 am–3 pm
McCoy Studio
Cost: $150 Members, $180 Non-members
The concepts of gesture and rhythm are essential in figure drawing. Gesture drawing captures the fluid, unified movement of the whole body and the suggestion of motion. It enables the artist to establish placement of the form and creates the visual poetry of gestural and rhythmic lines quickly and accurately. Join Brad for this eye-opening exploration of a most important and foundational figure drawing skill. Minimum of 5 students, maximum of 10.
PORTRAIT DRAWING: CARICATURES
A portrait must capture the things that makes an individual face unique. Drawing caricatures is one of the best ways for students to improve their ability to capture a likeness in their drawings and paintings, and it’s a lot of fun! Join Brad in an entertaining exploration of the art of caricature, whether as an exercise to improve more formal portraits or just for laughs. Minimum of 5, maximum of 10 students.
CAST DRAWING WITH SIGHT SIZE
Sight-size is a classic technique used by many ateliers to teach drawing. The artist’s easel is set up close to the subject and comparisons are made between subject and drawing using a plumb line. Students will explore this method with Brad as he guides them through completing a cast study. Students should bring a lunch.
DRAWING THE FIGURE
Brad guides you through the challenges of drawing the human figure, understanding the importance of gesture drawing, lines of action and balance, simplifying form, learning key landmarks on the figure, establishing proportions and more.
Materials list here.
OIL PAINTING: CREATING COLOR HARMONIES
Understanding and making use of color schemes is an exciting and accessible way to apply color theory in a practical way. Learn to create vibrant and harmonious paintings by using standard color schemes: complementary, split-complementary, analogous, triads and tetrads. This is a great class for the beginning oil painter or for experienced artists who are interested in creating more dynamic paintings. Maximum of 10 students.
THE ALLA PRIMA PORTRAIT IN OIL
The classic alla prima technique is aimed at producing a spontaneous and yet finished effect in a single painting session. Join Brad in an exciting exploration of this classic technique, including the best qualities of an oil painting ground, what brushes to use and when to use them, controlling paint when working wet into wet and tips on reducing or eliminating the use of solvents. Minimum of 5, maximum of 10 students. Materials list Here.
ONE DAY PORTRAIT WORKSHOP: DRAWING THE MOUTH
One-Day Workshop
A one-day focus on the essential anatomy and concepts artists need to know when drawing the mouth. Lessons will involve ways to understand and simplify this bone, tissue, and muscle structure and how to draw the mouth using charcoal or graphite. Maximum of 10 students. Materials list here.
Not Scheduled at this time.
PORTRAIT DRAWING IN CHARCOAL
Learn the foundational concepts and skills required to draw the head in any position. Lessons cover key anatomical landmarks of the skull and neck, important planes of the head, how to establish the “attitude” of the head and neck, and how to keep the features aligned. Bring a bag lunch for a half-hour break at noon.
Materials list Here.
OIL PAINTING: COLOR CRASH COURSE
It is not unusual for color theory to leave artists scratching their heads when it comes time to deal with real paint, canvas, and inspiration. How does one make use of color theory? If you would like a more practical understanding of how color works and how to make better use of it, this informative and entertaining crash course on color is for you. Over two consecutive days, Brad will help you build a better working relationship with that elusive thing called color. Lessons and demonstrations will address essential issues like color terms and why they are important; organizing your palette; controlling the intensity of your color mixes; value problems vs. color problems; ‘warm’ and ‘cool’ colors; and an introduction to making use of color schemes. This workshop is an excellent introduction to practical color theory and a great foundation for Brad’s more in-depth color class, Oil Painting: Creating Color Harmonies. Open to all oil painters. Bring a lunch for the break during class.
CAST DRAWING
Drawing from plaster casts is an excellent opportunity to study forms of the head and the behavior of light without the frustrations of models that move or having to judge different local values in addition to light and shadow. The uniformly white surface makes it easier to determine the important division between shadow and light as well as making reflected light easier to see. The class will begin with the study of general planes of the head and the block-in stage before working from the casts. With a simple selection of materials, and no model fee to add to the cost, Cast Drawing is a time tested way to increase your drawing skills and learn about portrait drawing at a pace that allows for contemplation and reflection.
WORKSHOP: DRAWING EYES
Not scheduled at this time.
A one-day focus on the basic anatomy artists need to know when drawing the eyes. Lessons will involve ways to understand and simplify this bone and muscle structure and how to draw the eyes using charcoal. Maximum of 10 students.
Materials list here.
WORKSHOP: DRAWING NOSES
A one-day focus on the basic anatomy artists need to know when drawing the nose. Lessons will involve ways to understand and simplify this bone and muscle structure and how to draw the nose using charcoal. Maximum of 10 students.
Materials list here.
OIL PAINTING: EXPRESSIVE BRUSHWORK TECHNIQUES
Brush up on your brushwork! Brushwork can easily become a distraction in a painting but, applied with purpose and understanding, brushwork is an added dimension of expression. Through a series of demonstrations and exercises, Brad will show students the expressive potential of brushwork techniques. Subjects to be explored include: What different brush strokes 'say' and when to use them; Paint consistency, diluents and mediums; How the support and ground affect brushwork; The characteristics of different brushes, their purposes and handling. Students will learn how to develop lively and expressive strokes which will enhance their paintings. A great technique workshop for all levels.
INTERMEDIATE DRAWING
Time to apply what you know about drawing basic forms to more challenging subjects! Intermediate Drawing is an opportunity to review and enhance fundamental drawing skills and apply them to more complex subjects. After a solid review of fundamentals, lessons in choosing a center of interest, placement, pattern and perspective will advance your ability to compose a drawing. Then lessons in controlling edges, values and mark making will help you bring a drawing to a desired finish. This class is the next step for anyone with basic drawing skills and would be great for painters who wish to improve this essential foundation of good painting. One class will involve a model so there will be small fee due by the second class.
PAINTING THE STILL LIFE IN OIL
Still life painting is a wonderful training ground for learning how to paint, in addition to being a wonderful genre of its own. In this fun class, Brad will walk students through the process of creating a well-composed, harmonious and convincing still life. There will be several demonstrations in addition to Brad’s individual instruction while students work on their own paintings. Lessons will focus on how light works; choosing props; principles of composition, developing a concept to create a unified painting, understanding how to use your materials, getting brush strokes to work for you, using and harmonizing color, and creating atmosphere.
Downloadable Double Primary Palette PDF
