Classes and Events
Methods of OIl Painting Workshop Published artist, illustrator and now fine artist, Sylvia Shanahan, shares her vast knowledge of oil painting, both abstract and representational. Learn how and when to use materials including cold wax, colored grounds and additives. Tips and tricks will be demonstrated including design principles, quick and easy perspective, the power of color and other creative insights. Students will work from their own reference materials under the guidance of the instructor. Landscapes in Oils or Water Soluble Oils Learn the step-by-step process of creating beautiful landscapes in oils (or water soluble oils). Sylvia Shanahan demonstrates and shares techniques on creating desert or mountain landscapes on canvas. Students will work from their own reference photos or ones provided by the instructor. Several styles will be explored including representational, impressionism and and abstract. Wednesdays September 2,9,16 & 23, 2026 9 am - noon Quail Creek Mondays September 7, 14, 21, 28 & October 5, 2026 9 a.m.-Noon Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum Tuesdays November 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2026 1-4 pm Saddlebrook |
Colored Pencil and Illustration TechniquesColored pencil is an addicting form of creating artwork. Why? It’s more versatile than you may think, requires a minimal outlay and doesn’t take up a lot of space. You’ll learn different techniques in colored pencil; shortcuts in traditional hands-on illustration, along with unique color theories to make your work stand out. Also, discover ways to preserve and repair your colored pencil art. For beginners and intermediate.
Saturday, August 22, 2026 10:30 am - 1:30 SAAG Gallery Saturday, October 31, 2026 10:30 am - 1:30 SAAG Gallery Colored Pencil Portraits Mondays October 19, 26, November 2, 9 & 16, 2026 Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum 
Abstracts in Oils and Cold Wax
Discover the versatility and vibrance of oils mixed with oil sticks, cold wax and other additives to create incredible texture, nuance and overlap. Have fun while you interact with materials to make your finished work representative of your own personal style. Mondays November 30, December 7 & 14, 2026 Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum 9 am - Noon |
Creative Art Journaling
Creative Art journaling is a unique way to combine the elements of art and writing into a visual diary of sorts that allows personal expression. It's purpose is to open up to new ideas by experimenting with media, words and techniques. Methods are centered around an individual blend of imagery and text, with no wrong way to approach it. Everything is correct.Classes include fun prompts that to get juices flowing. All water media, watercolor pencils, colored pencils, markers, ink, calligraphy pens, papers, newspapers, magazines, and rudimentary printmaking is acceptable and encouraged.
Tuesdays December 8, 15 & 22, 2026 9 a.m. -Noon Saddlebrook Better Composition Do you struggle with critiquing your own work? Just what is wrong and how do you fix it? In this class you'll develop critical knowledge of composition and design by creating a valuable notebook that you'll refer to often. Find out what works/what doesn't, how to manage focal points and the eight principles of design and how they relate to your work. You'll also gain an understanding on what makes an artwork powerful whether it's your own or the classics. These lessons apply to 2-D art, decorating, interior design, landscape planning, graphic design, cropping IPhone photos.... and just about anything that requires an aesthetic sensitivity and visual communication. Wednesdays November 18, 25, December 2 & 9, 2026 9:00 am- noon Quail Creek |