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Seattle art classes
Sprinq Quarter 2012
Nils Osmar, instructor 

• Sponsored by the University of Washington's Experimental College and other programs
• All classes are held on or near the University of Washington campus, about five minutes from downtown Seattle.
• For details, CLICK THE COURSE TITLE or scroll down this page. All classes have openings unless marked "full"
• Questions? Call 206-420-1309 or email

CLASS 210: Drawing for Absolute Beginners
When: Saturdays 10 a.m.-12 noon, April 21-May 12 (four meetings)
Where: University of Washington campus in Seattle
Course fee (tuition): General Public: $99
UW Students with current ID: $95
This class has free art materials
Sign up now

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Anyone can draw... this means you! In this class, aimed at total beginners, we'll work our way through a number of exercises designed to train your eye, hand and imagination to work together. You'll learn to how to draw objects based on simple underlying shapes, then add shading and textures to make your drawings look real and three-dimensional. Whether your goal is to be able to draw from life, photos, or imagination, the class will help. You'll have fun, learn a lot, and get off to a good start. Most students notice striking improvement in their artwork by the end of the second or third meeting. Nothing to buy or bring; all materials are provided by the instructor. A great class for people who have not drawn before, as well as those would like a refresher in the basics.  About the instructor ~ More info about this class

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this enjoyable class, open to everyone, students will learn how to draw realistic, recognizable faces and portraits using an easy step-by-step method. We'll start out by sketching in the shape of the face, learn the proportions, then add the features. Plus: draw male and female faces, angles, facial expressions, how to draw hair, and how to get a good resemblance when drawing from life or photos. The method taught in this class is fun, easy, and works. Nothing to buy or bring; all materials are provided. Total beginners welcome! About the instructor ~ More info about this class

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this enjoyable introductory class, aimed at folks who've never painted before, you'll learn how to mix and blend colors, use brushes, and paint some simple objects. You'll learn a few basics about color theory and composition, and how to paint using acrylics. We'll then move on to paint things like trees, mountains, clouds, rocks, and still lifes, using an easy step-by-step method. Even if you don't know an artist's brush from a toothbrush, you'll have fun, learn a lot, and get off to a good start. Total beginners welcome! (Note: the class runs for two hours, then we have 15 minutes for cleanup, packing up our paints, etc., before we need to be out of the classroom.) About the instructor ~ More info about this class

CLASS 220: Figure Drawing workshop
This class has free art materials**
When: Saturday February 18th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (one meeting)
Where: University of Washington campus in Seattle
Course fee (tuition): General Public: $99
UW Students with current ID: $95
Sign up now

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this fun ONE-DAY WORKSHOP you'll learn how to draw realistic human figures using an easy step-by-step method. Open to everyone - total beginners welcome! We'll start out by drawing some figures based on simple shapes, learn about the proportions, then add finishing details. Plus: how to draw hands and feet; male and female figures; foreshortening; how to draw muscles; and more. The method taught in this class is fun, easy to learn, and works great whether you're drawing from life, photos or imagination. Nothing to buy or bring; all materials are provided. About the instructor ~ More info about this class

CLASS 270: Cartooning for fun and profit
This class meets on a Sunday, so it has free parking
When: Sundays, 10 am.-12 noon, April 22-May 13 (four meetings)
Where: University of Washington campus in Seattle
Course fee (tuition): General Public: $99
UW Students with current ID: $95
Sign up now

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this class you'll learn how to create your own cartoon characters and show them in action, even if you've never drawn before. It's fun and easy; anyone can learn.  You'll learn how to draw cartoon faces and figures; human and animal characters; and more. Plus: how to get published and make money from your cartooning. Whether you're interested in gag cartoons, greeting cards, humorous illustration, drawing comic books or newspaper strips, or are in it just for fun, this class will help. Total beginners are welcome! About the instructor ~ More info about this class

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Whether you draw or paint professionally, or just doodle for fun, knowledge of Perspective can make your artwork look more realistic and three dimensional, and solve common artistic problems. In this easy, step-by-step workshop, you'll learn the basics of one, two and three point perspective, including: vanishing points and horizon lines... how to make some objects in your drawings look close to the viewer, and make others look further away. Plus, you'll learn ways to add a sense of depth to your drawings and paintings, even in those times when you may not want to use formal perspective. Total beginners welcome! About the instructor ~ More info about this class

Class 290: Drawing in pen, brush & ink
This class meets on a Sunday, so it has free parking
When: Sunday March 4th only, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (one meeting)
Where: University of Washington campus in Seattle
Course fee (tuition): General Public: $99
UW Students with current ID: $95
Sign up now

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Ink drawings can be striking and beautiful. Come spend a fun day exploring this fascinating art form. In this class you'll learn to use brush pens, inking brushes, felt tip pens and nib pens to create striking high-contrast images. You'll learn how to do feathering, hatching, cross-hatching, and more. About the instructor ~ More info about this class

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Some people are afraid of trying charcoal, but it's actually really fun, if you find the right kind and learn a few things about using it. It's quick, easy to use, and great for doing quick expressive drawings and sketches. In this class we'll start with some exercises to find out how charcoal "works," then spend the day drawing from photos and still lifes, using soft vine charcoal. You can either bring your own vine charcoal, paper and erasers, or buy a materials kit from the instructor in class for $10. (The kit includes 11 x 17 drawing paper, several sticks of soft vine charcoal, a kneaded eraser, a soft lead drawing pencil, and an art gum eraser).About the instructor ~ More info about this class

ACTING CLASSES
CLASS 110: Beginning Acting
CLASS 300: Let's Make a Movie
CLASS 120: Actors workshop: Auditioning

ART CLASSES
CLASS 210: Drawing for Absolute Beginners
CLASS 220: Figure Drawing
CLASS 225: Drawing clothing and drapery
CLASS 230: Drawing Faces and Portraits
CLASS 240: Perspective drawing for artists
CLASS 250: Acrylic Painting for Beginners
CLASS 270: Cartooning for fun and profit
CLASS 285: Exploring Color
CLASS 290: Drawing in pen, brush & ink
CLASS 295: Fun with charcoal

FILM AND VIDEO CLASSES
CLASS 300: Let's Make a Movie
CLASS 310: Filmmaking 101
CLASS 320: Documentary Filmmaking
CLASS 550: Start writing your screenplay

SOFTWARE CLASSES: PHOTOSHOP
CLASS 400: Photoshop for Beginners

WRITING CLASSES
CLASS 510: Writing fiction & short stories
CLASS 550: Start writing your screenplay