The Urban Scene in Art

Learn how to paint lively, expressive paintings with a focus on colour accuracy, mark making and the interconnection of all elements. Value, colour mixing, edges, principles of design and composition, as well as concepts of light and shadow are all part of this workshop and considered part of a solid foundation in painting. In this workshop you'll learn Alla Prima/ wet on wet style techniques which will help bring your painting skills to the next level! Frank's classes reach beyond technique, observing the elusive balance of forces that create beauty in painting.  He has 15 years of teaching experience around the USA and Europe.

Portfolio: www.frankeber.com

Small class settings only. Please sign up early!

$350 for members, $375 for non members

Two Day Workshop 

Photos are a terrific tool for a painter. They provide reference and angles that would be difficult to get, including action. 

The key is to know how to work from a photo and the FOCUS of this workshop.

This two day workshop is divided into THREE parts. 

PART ONE. I’ll talk about what type of camera equipment I use, including cell phones, still and video cameras and some things to look out for including taking photographs at night. One tip - most cell phones tend to shoot images that are slightly distorted, very wide angled, creating distortion in your painting if you’re trying to copy it exactly.

PART TWO. In the second part of the workshop I'll be talking about how to prepare the photo, either as a print or working from a computer image. In the workshop we’ll be working from printed still images that I’ll provide. (If you have an image you’d like to paint from that’s fine). I encourage you to try and work from a photo with strong lights and dark values and sufficient color information. Most photographs tend to wash out the color and the dark areas tend to go overly dark. For example, shadow areas in an image have a lot more color in them (from reflected light) than the photographs reveal.

PART THREE. I’ll focus on the actual process of painting from the photograph including tips on transferring the image to your canvas. I’ll also cover probably the biggest problem working from a photo - Focus. Unlike a photograph, which is generally all in focus, the human eye sees roughly 20% in focus and the rest is peripheral vision and slightly blurred so the key is to paint like your eyes see and not what the photograph is telling you.

It’s also best to work from your own photographs. Not only do you own the rights to the image but since you’ve taken the picture, you’ve already pre-composed the image.

I’ll begin the workshop with a short slideshow and a simple demonstration painting from a photo. To see more of George Scribner's work visit: scribnerart.com

$250 for CCA members, $275 for non-members

Come play in clay in this lively two-day workshop perfect for all levels. You’ll learn some hand-building techniques and make your own form, practice ways to decorate through etching (sgraffito), stenciling to layer color, and using embossing plates. You do not need drawing experience or skills for this workshop and it's open and accessible to all levels. All materials and supplies are provided.Prior to the workshop, Patty prepares a variety of thrown and hand-built forms for each participant. After the workshop, she even fires your pieces and will have them for pick-up or will ship. Note: If you’re an experienced potter/artist, you’ll be able to dive deeper into the technique and learn variations. 

Instructor: 

Patricia Griffin is a full-time ceramic artist working out of her home studio in Cambria. She previously had a public studio/gallery on Cambria's Main Street for many years. Her work is shown nationally and has been featured in Ceramics Monthly and other publications focused on ceramics. Locally, she is represented by The Vault Gallery and had solo shows at San Luis Obispo Museum of Art and Cambria Center for the Arts. Her work was selected for permanent installations at two Kaiser healthcare facilities in Southern California. Patricia enjoys sharing the fun of mark-making and creativity with her workshop groups. Hundreds of participants have taken variations of her "Making your Mark" workshops. Refer to patriciagriffinceramics.com for more

Materials: Provided by Instructor

$295 for members, $325 for non-members