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Drawing for absolute beginners
Acrylic
painting for beginners
How
to draw people
The
Artist's Way
Cartooning
Hello. I'm Nils Osmar. This page has information about my art classes, which are held in Seattle, Washington.
The classes meet on the University of Washington campus, about five minutes by freeway from downtown Seattle. They are sponsored by the University of Washington's ASUW Experimental College, a non-credit program for the general public.
When I'm not teaching, I work as an artist, writer and filmmaker. My artwork has been internationally published.
My philosophy as an instructor is that anyone can learn to draw or paint. We all have an impulse to draw, but we sometimes need help to get off to a good start. "Talent" is less important than training. My classes are designed to take students through a series of easy, step by step exercises intended to develop foundation skills. Most students see dramatic improvement by the second or third meeting of a class. (Some even tell me that they've learned more than they had about drawing or painting in their lives, after only one class session).
Most of my classes include the art materials at no additional charge. I bring in drawing pencils, paper, erasers, etc., for students to use in class. You don't have to pay any extra for them, they're free for you to use. The exception is the Acrylic Painting for beginners class. For that class, I have an arrangement with a local art supply store, the University Bookstore, so that students can pick up a pre-made kit before the class, including brushes, paint, a palette and watercolor paper. You just go into the store and say you want the kit for my class, and they'll give you one that's all made up. The store is just a few blocks from where the class is held, so most students just pick up the kit on the way to the first class. The kit should last most students for months of painting.
Note: I also teach classes in writing, acting, filmmaking, and photoshop. For a full list of my classes, visit this page.
Upcoming art classes:
Drawing for absolute beginners
Anyone can draw... this means
you! In this class, we'll work through a number of exercises designed
to train your eye, hand and imagination to work together.
It's fun, easy, interesting, is guaranteed to improve your drawing,
and may change the way you see the world around you. Nothing to
buy; all materials provided. Most students notice striking
improvement in their artwork by the second or third meeting. Now registering for fall quarter!
Saturdays, October 16-November 6, 9-10:45 am (four meetings) Tuition:
$99 More
info/sign up now
How
to Draw People
In class, you'll learn how
to draw realistic, recognizable faces and figures, using an easy
step by step method, even if you've never drawn before. We'll
start out by drawing some figures based on simple underlying shapes,
then add details and shading. Plus: action, proportions,
how to draw realistic, recognizable faces, facial expressions,
and techniques for getting a good resemblance when drawing from
life or photos. (This course combines our popular classes, "Figure
Drawing" and "How to Draw Faces," into one streamlined
four-week course.) "Absolute beginners" welcome. Now registering for fall quarter!
Saturdays, October 16-November 6, 11 am-12:45 pm (4 meetings)
Tuition: $99 More
info/sign up now
Acrylic painting for beginners
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. Now registering for fall quarter! Sundays, October
17 through November 7, 12:30 pm-2:30 pm (4 meetings) Tuition:
$99 More
info/sign up now
Cartooning
Cartooning is fun! In this
class, you'll learn how to create your own cartoon characters,
and draw them from different angles. Whether you're interested
in drawing Manga comics, superheroes, or characters like Garfield,
Cathy or Doonebury, this class will help. Plus: comic books, newspaper
strips, and how to make money as a cartoonist. Now registering for fall quarter!
Sunday, October 17 through November 7, 10 am-11:45 am - (4 meetings)
Tuition: $99 More
info/sign up now
The
Artist's Way
This class, based on the
life-changing book by Julie Cameron, is for anyone looking for
ways to overcome a creative block and free up his or her creativity.
It's not just for visual artists; the concepts and exercises are
also helpful to writers, musicians, people considering career
changes, folks who "wish they were artists," and those
who are looking to reconnect with their intuition and spend their
lives in a more meaningful and creative way. Now registering for fall quarter!
Sundays, 10/17-11/7, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. (four meetings) Tuition: $99
More
info/sign up now
Photoshop for Beginners (this one isn't technically an art class, but
a lot of artists love using Photoshop, so I've listed it here)
Photoshop is fun! Whether you're a total beginner, a home
user or a graphics professional using Photoshop on the job, this
class will help. You'll learn the key elements of the program,
including scanning, layers, channels, filters, color correction
and more. Class includes six hours of group instruction
(demonstration, not hands-on), PLUS one FREE hour of hands-on
private instruction (a $75 value) for each student, in which the
instructor will meet individually with students outside of class
to help with problems or individual projects. To sign up now,
call 206-420-1309 or click on the course title to use the registration
links on the class page. Dates,
times & tuition
- Go
to Photoshop class page
Private instruction
Private instruction and small-group instruction is available in
the topics above, as well as: Drawing comics and graphic novels;
Drawing storyboards; and other topics. Call
206-420-1309 or email for rates and information.
Team-building classes and workshops
If you own or manage a Seattle area business, and are looking
for an enjoyable team-building or morale event for your employees,
or instruction and training in one of the topics on this web page,
we can help. Call 206-420-1309 or email for rates and information.