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. (New classes soon) 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 April 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2026 9 am - noon Quail Creek Wednesdays January 7, 14, 21 and 28 9 a.m.-Noon Quail Creek Fine Arts Club |
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.
Tuesdays March 31, April 7, 14 & 21, 2026 9 a.m. - Noon Saddlebrook 
Private Lessons
Available in oils, colored pencil and graphite for portraits, landscapes and abstracts. Call 330-603-7871 for more details. |
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.
Mondays May 4, 11, & 18, 2026 9 a.m. -Noon Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Composition: The Rules (and How to Break Them Sometimes) 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. Thursdays April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026 9:00 am- noon Arizona Sonora Desert Museum |