Hello and Welcome to the Kline Academy Foundation Drawing Class. My name is Gary Blackwell and I will be your drawing instructor.

I have structured this foundation drawing and painting class so that many different skill levels from absolute beginner to intermediate artist can participate. The drawing students will start the class with basic drawing exercises along with explaining your drawing materials and how to use them to your advantage. We will a spend time drawing the basic forms from a still life set up using direct lighting to help you understand value. You will learn how to see these same basic forms when you draw more complex objects. You will learn about proper proportions and relationships. We will cover eye level and foundation perspective, explore line and values, direct lighting and cast shadows as well as soft and hard edges. You will be given lots of one on one instruction with plenty of demonstrations to guide you through the different elements of good drawing.

For those of you who are painting, I will show you how to keep your colors clean and vibrant. How to mix shadow colors and use brush strokes to describe the form. There are many styles you can explore in this Saturday workshop. If you are an Impressionist at heart, you are welcome use the techniques of the masters and develop your own unique style. If you are a traditionalist, I will show you a limited palette and if you want to get creative and explore an abstract vision of the set up, he will guide you in composition, rhythm and color.

I’m looking forward to helping you build a strong and solid foundation on which you can grow and reach your next artistic level.

Drawing materials:
• A box of willow charcoal, Soft or medium, and Individual sticks of compressed charcoal
• Charcoal pencils. 2B and 4B
• White Conte. 2 sticks
• Kneaded eraser
• Clip-masonite drawing board
• Large 18”x 24” Newsprint pad
• Spray Fixative

Painting Materials:
• Oil Paint: Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, and Burnt Umber. You can also bring or buy Cadmium Red.
• A palette to mix your paints.
• A palette knife.
• Odorless Mineral Spirits
• Walnut Oil or Linseed oil
• Canvas/ Panels - 8x10 to 12x16,
• A roll of paper towels