Get Big! (The Large Portrait Composition in Oils),

Tuesday afternoons for 8 weeks. Jan. 17-Mar. 6. Class is full

Wednesday afternoons for 8 weeks. Jan. 18-Mar. 7. Class is full

New spring class:

Wednesday afternoons for 8 weeks, April 11-May 30.

WHAT: Recommended for artists who have taken the portrait class, or who have some experience painting portraits. Artists will paint two long poses, each one lasting four weeks. Paintings will be on a larger canvas (at least 18 by 24 inches or larger) and in any style the artist chooses. The model will be clothed. The first one-two weeks will be spent creating the composition and doing 1-2 small color studies to explore values and temperatures. Then we'll spend two weeks on the pose. The next four weeks will repeat the process with a new pose. Artists will have time in each session for discussion and in-progress group feedback.

WHEN: 1:30-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 17-Mar. 6.

WHERE: My studio, No. 37B, third floor of The Artisan's Building, 118 E. Kingston Ave. (in SouthEnd), Charlotte, N.C.

COST: $320

MATERIALS: Artists bring canvasses, paints, brushes, palette and mediums. Tabourets and easels are provided. A supply list will be sent upon registration

CLASS SIZE: Maximum 6 participants. (Class will be slightly smaller because of larger canvases.)

TO REGISTER: $100 non-refundable deposit must be received to hold your space. Please feel free to e-mail me about space availability. Mail to: Miriam Durkin, 3811 Churchill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28211. Please include your e-mail address for further communication about materials and class details.

QUESTIONS? E-mail me at mmdurkin@carolina.rr.com or call me: 704-756-9837. I am happy to answer questions!  

Painting the Portrait in Oils,

Wednesday mornings for 8 weeks. Jan. 18-Mar. 7. Class is full.

WHAT: This eight-week class is for artists who want to learn (or just keep working on) portrait-painting skills. Some previous familiarity with oil paints is recommended. Topics will include:

• How to block-in the painting, and the importance of different types of shadow edges.
• How light falls on rounded facial forms and creates volume.
• How to paint the individual features by understanding the forms.
• How to mix flesh colors, including how to use color temperature to make the portrait glow.
• How to paint backgrounds.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, Jan. 17-Mar. 6.

WHERE: My studio, No. 37B, third floor of The Artisan's Building, 118 E. Kingston Ave. (in SouthEnd), Charlotte, N.C.

COST: $320

MATERIALS: Students bring canvasses, paints, brushes, palette and mediums. Tabourets and easels are provided. A supply list will be sent upon registration

CLASS SIZE: Maximum 7 participants.

TO REGISTER: $100 non-refundable deposit must be received to hold your space. Please feel free to e-mail me about space availability. Mail to: Miriam Durkin, 3811 Churchill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28211. Please include your e-mail address for further communication about materials and class details.

QUESTIONS? E-mail me at mmdurkin@carolina.rr.com or call me: 704-756-9837. I am happy to answer questions!  

Secrets to Figure Drawing,

Tuesday mornings for 8 weeks. Jan. 17-Mar. 6. Class is full

Tuesday mornings for 8 weeks, April 10-May 29. Class is full

WHAT: What makes a figure drawing beautiful? It's not guesswork. There are principles artists have practiced for centuries. Once you know these basics concepts, you can apply them in all types of approaches, from classical to contemporary. This eight-week class teaches this basic, must-have knowledge, then provides the opportunity to use it in both traditional and innovative ways. Students may draw in charcoal, conte or pastel pencils. Topics will include:

• The gesture: The secret to making the form dynamic.
• Shadow shapes: The secret to creating volume.
• Key anatomical landmarks: The secret to showing you know your craft.
• Line quality: The secret to a beautiful drawing. When to use what type of line. 
• The importance of edges. The secret to conveying what our eyes really see. When to keep edges, when to lose them.  

WHEN: Tuesdays, Jan. 17-Mar. 6. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon. Spring class: Tuesdays, April 10-May 29, 9:30 a.m. to noon.

WHERE: My studio, No. 37B, third floor of The Artisan's Building, 118 E. Kingston Ave. (in SouthEnd), Charlotte, N.C.

COST: $320

MATERIALS: Students provide easels, paper and drawing materials. A supply list will be sent upon registration

CLASS SIZE: Maximum 7 participants

TO REGISTER: $100 non-refundable deposit must be received to hold your space. Please feel free to e-mail me about space availability. Mail to: Miriam Durkin, 3811 Churchill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28211. Please include your e-mail address for further communication about materials and class details.

QUESTIONS? E-mail me at mmdurkin@carolina.rr.com or call me: 704-756-9837. I am happy to answer questions!