Try the amazing medium of watercolor! This workshop will cover many of the core techniques alongside an overview of materials. Learn about brushwork and the different properties of transparent and opaque paints so that you can make informed choices during your painting process. We will work on small-scale paintings so that you can go home with some finished studies. Step-by-step demonstrations followed by individual instruction will keep things accessible to you. Knowing some watercolor tricks will inspire you to keep exploring this medium without needing to rely on drawing. This class is for beginners and those simply wish to try this magical medium in a relaxed setting.

Materials fee payable to the instructor. $10

Margaret Dwyer holds a BFA and MFA in visual art. Her thesis work focused on trauma and its effect on women and creativity. This continued with an on going study of how the unconscious processes trauma. She works with a variety of mediums, but her favorite is watercolor.

Her paintings have been recognized in numerous juried national and international exhibitions and have been published in fine art books and magazines that include: Splash, America’s Best Watercolors - North Light Books - How Did You Paint That? - International Artist Books American Artist Magazine, The Artist’s Magazine, Southwest Art Magazinen and Manhattan Arts Magazine.

Come explore “cereal box collagraphs,” though any recycled packaging will do. The magic of inking and wiping the plate and printing on damp paper = collagraph love! All materials and tools for this workshop will be provided. This is such a fun exploration! NO previous experience is necessary, AND experienced printmakers are welcomed!

Please bring a bagged lunch; homemade gluten free cookies will be provided.

The workshop will be taught by Diane St. Jean, resident printmaker at the Art Center and member of The Boston Printmakers.

Are you interested in learning more about screen printing or wanting to further develop your screen printing ideas and techniques? Dover printmaker Bill Mitchell will guide you in exploring the history of the process and basic techniques to get you started. In this workshop we will learn how to paint directly on the screen with Speedball drawing fluid and Speedball screen filler to create a permanent silkscreen stencil that can be utilized to print ink directly on paper or fabric.  Students are welcome to bring a  simple sketch idea no larger than 5x7 to help prepare their screen. The class will provide all materials to use, but an apron or old clothes is recommended. The workshop is suitable for all levels of experience.

Material Fee (collected at registration)-$10

Material/Supplies students should bring to class: sketch ideas, apron or old clothes

Explores traditional Chinese ink painting technique with subtle hints of watercolor with Shiao-Ping Wang. Develop your sensibility in the “5 colors of ink" and build a mark-making vocabulary that transforms dots and strokes into the world in your inner eyes. The emphases are wet and dry brush techniques and experimenting on Chinese paper of various absorbencies. No experiences required. Instructor will supply Chinese paper and Sumi Ink. Material list is available after registration.

Instructor: Shiao-Ping Wang

Shiao-Ping Wang has an MFA degree in painting from Queens College, City University of New York. Her work has been exhibited internationally and are in numerous collections. She held various teaching positions including UNH, Moravian College and Savannah College of Art and Design. She received many awards and Artist-in-Residencies positions in US, France, Spain, Canada, and at Surf Point Foundation in Maine. Wang is represented by Barn Gallery in Ogunquit, Maine, and Furchgott Soudiffe Gallery in VT.

Marbling paper, leather or textile involves floating paint on a thickened water bath. The water isthickened with carrageenan—a seaweed extract. Acrylic paint is applied using brushes to spatter thepaint or by dropping paint onto the bath using a pipette. Once the desired color combinations are achieved, the paint is drawn and combed with specialized tools to produce a wide variety of one-of-a-kind designs. The fabric or paper is applied to the design and ‘lifted’ resulting in a stunning piece of art.

In this workshop participants will learn about the marbling process, the history, materials and patterns.Each participant will create at least five marbled papers of various designs—some traditional, some free form. All materials will be provided. Workshop participants should wear old clothes. The process can be messy and wet. It is also helpful if students can bring a few old newspapers and trash bags to transportthe damp papers home.

Instructor:

Sarah Smith has been marbling paper and fabric for almost twenty years. Sheenrolled in a class at the NH Institute of Art in Manchester taught by Galen Berry of Oklahoma. In addition, Sarah studied with Chena River Marblers (Dan andRegina St John) at the North Bennett Street School in Boston and Snow Farm in Western Massachusetts. Although her formal education and career were in forestry and education, Sarah finds that marbling provides the perfect balance. Much of her marbling isinspired by nature, as well as quilt patterns—another passion.

Materials Fee - $25  (cash or check)

Learn how to make a beautiful Japanese style box to encase your treasures. Thisstyle of box making does not require heavy-duty cutting tools. We will use lightweight construction material and utility knives to cut our box pieces.Decorative paper will provide a striking cover for the boxes and bone clasps will be used to keep the box closed. Most materials will be provided; materials feepaid to the instructor in class. A list of tools you should bring to class will be supplied at registration.

Keepsake Box makingTools list (to be brought to class)Pencil, Scissors (small sewing scissors and larger shears)Ruler Awl (preferably a bookbinder’s awl) Straight blade knife (utility/boxcutting/olfa knife – Exacto knives are not strong enough) Bone folder (also called a paper creaser at craft stores) Brushes for glue Cutting mat Decorative paper

Material Fee - $10

Using a book you created or one you bought, this workshop will guide you through drawing by focusing on the object in front of you. This type of drawing is a good technique for improving your observational skills. We’ll use objects from nature to practice line drawing and shadingtechniques. Letting yourself get “in the zone” is a great way to find a sense of calm. This workshop is more about skills to practice rather than creating a masterpiece, so beginners arevery welcome.

We will learn to make and paint with the ancient medium of Egg Tempera that the Egyptians and Babylonians used. It was the preferred paint medium of Michaelan gelo, Chagall, Andrew Wyeth and presently James Lynch, and Koo Schaffer. We’ll work in layers building transparency that glow from within! Most of our materials will be provided: boards, eggs, and an array of mineral color. You will bring your favorite large and small soft haired brushes — flat and bright are preferred. This class is suitable for still life, landscape, portraits, figurative  and abstract.

Please bring photographs or work in progress with you as prompts to paint. Julie Serrano works in many mediums and plays with much subject matter !