Short-term Classes in Austin

At Atelier Dojo, we are dedicated to fostering the next generation of artists. We offer 6-week classes led by nationally recognized artists in an intimate and welcoming environment in Austin. We believe art education should be accessible to everyone which is why we offer classes to all skill levels with evening and weekend flexibility! Our immersive adult art classes focus on the fundamentals and classical skills of realism art through drawing and painting. From figure drawing and painting to portrait painting, our art classes in Austin can help artists discover their artistic potential and learn valuable skills. Explore our upcoming classes below and register today! 

Have any questions about our classes? Get in touch with us for more information!

Figure Drawing

Thursdays 6:30 - 9:30 pm

6 classes: $450 (includes model fees)

Starts October 24, 2024 (skips week of Thanksgiving)

Instructor: Danny Grant

Prerequisites:

None

Class Description:

This class is designed to teach students a step-by-step process for approaching every figure drawing. We'll learn to take our drawings from a series of simple, flat, two-dimensional shapes to clean, organic line drawings and, ultimately, to fully rendered three-dimensional figure drawings. We'll use tools like comparative measuring, and learn to judge relationships better by focusing on points, tilts, and shapes. Students will also learn to judge value relationships better by studying the nature of the various forms of the figure and how they relate in space to the light source.

Supply List:

• Graphite pencils - 2B, B, HB, H, 2H (more HB than the others)

• Strathmore 400 Medium Drawing Paper 18 x 24 (Brown cover)

• Kneaded eraser

• Pencil sharpener

Still-Life Painting in Oils (FULL)

Mondays 6:30 - 9:30 pm (3 hours)

6 classes: $450

Starts October 28th, 2024 (skips week of Thanksgiving)

Instructor:

Pedro Cardoso

Class Description:

We’ll start our class studying simple forms in black and white, move to a limited palette, then a full palette, working on one painting for 2 sessions each. The class will cover basic drawing and composition principles, oil painting materials and preparations, and how to mix and apply paint in an effective way. Pedro will also discuss and demonstrate how to block in a painting with a simple statement, how to paint different materials and simplify complex objects, and how to add accents that bring your painting to a finish.

SUPPLY LIST:

• A big sketchbook (9x2) and either graphite or charcoal pencils.

• Flat or Filbert Brushes sizes 2 to 8. I recommend a pair of each size.

• A palette knife

• New Wave 11x16 Neutral grey paper palette or similar palette surface.

• Masterson Sta-Wet Artist Palette Seal 12"x16"

• Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits and Silicoil Brush Cleaner Tank 12oz. We will not allow any kinds of Turpentine or other toxic of solvents.

• Galkyd Lite gel medium, or other preferred medium.

• Refined linseed oil

• 3 11x14 canvas panels or primed panels.

• Paper towels. thicker paper towels are preferred.

• Oil paints:

  • Titanium White

  • Cad Yellow Light

  • yellow ochre

  • Alizarin Crimson

  • Transparent Oxide Red

  • Ultramarine Blue

  • Ivory black

Portrait Painting ESSENTIALS

Tuesdays 6:00 - 10:00 pm (4 hours)

6 classes: $575 (includes model fees)

Starts October 29, 2024 (skips week of Thanksgiving)

Instructor:

Karen Offutt

Prerequisites:

Students must be experienced in both drawing and painting from life. 

Class Description:

In our efforts to understand painting as a visual language it is important to see what we will paint as an abstract form.  To eliminate our preconceived assumptions of what we see and break them down into parts.  These essential elements will give us the foundation to understand what we see and allows for a more intuitive paint application.  The goal is to achieve a 3 dimensional likeness with a simple block-in of the larger shapes and then to build on that by carving out the smaller shapes.   Along the way she will discuss, in more detail, the use of value, color and temperature as well as how to adjust edges to create a sense of atmosphere within the painting.

Supply List:

• Canvas boards/panels/canvas paper.

  • (2-3) 12"x16"s

• Palette - Masterson Sta-Wet Artist Palette Seal - 12" x 16" x 1 3/4" (link)

• New Wave Posh Glass Tabletop Palettes (link)

• Steel palette knife

• Gamsol

• Container for the Gamsol

• Paper Towels - (Viva is great)

• Small container of Linseed Oil, Walnut Oil or Oleogel from Rublev

• Brushes – assorted. Try hog and synthetic blends

  • Filbert 2, 4, 6, 8

  • Flat 2, 4, 6, 8

• Oil colors  (Gamblin is an inexpensive brand with low toxic paints)

  • Titanium White

  • Cadmium Yellow

  • Yellow Ochre

  • Cadmium Red

  • Alizarin Crimson

  • Transparent Oxide Red

  • Manganese Blue

  • Ultramarine Blue

  • Viridian Green

  • Burnt Sienna - (preferably by Michael Harding)

  • Burnt Umber

  • Ivory Black

Constructive Figure Drawing (FULL)

Wednesdays 6:30-9:30 pm (3 hours)

6 classes: $450 (includes model fees)

Starts October 30, 2024 (skips week of Thanksgiving)

Instructor: Pedro Cardoso

Prerequisites:

None

Class Description:

In this class we will cover many different aspects of Figure Drawing such as Gesture, Structure, Composition, Value, Line Drawing, Mass Drawing, and Anatomy.

We will discuss and practice Gesture as movement, with lines that follow the direction of the contour describing Gesture. Structure complements the gesture, and lines and marks made against the contour will give volume to our drawings, as well as simplify the form into geometric or graphic shapes. Both of these aspects come together when Composing a page, a long pose drawing or a personal project. We will talk about using value to describe form with light and shadow, as well as limiting the value range in our compositions. We will cover Line Drawing and Mass Drawing, and how both can be combined for expressive purposes, either making a drawing more graphic or more naturalistic. Throughout these topics we will investigate the Anatomy of the human body, and familiarize ourselves with muscles, bones and landmarks of the figure.

The goal of learning these topics is to understand drawing as a tool for expression, and how to conceptualize an image and bring it together on paper with marks that will be lively and thoughtful.

Supply List:

• 18x24 newsprint drawing paper

• 18x24 drawing paper Strathmore 400 series

• vine charcoal, and compressed charcoal

• charcoal pencils General’s 2b and HB 

• drawing stumps

• kneaded eraser

• sand paper and a exacto knife.

Plein-air painting

Saturdays 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

6 classes: $450

Starts November 9, 2024 (skips week of Thanksgiving)

Instructor: Jeff Markowsky

Prerequisites:

Students must have some experience in both drawing and painting from life. 

Class Description:

This course takes us outdoors to study natural light where we will put emphasis on the importance of the initial abstract design, seeing the dominant shapes in a painting before paint is even applied to the canvas. Good design hinges on understanding the dynamics of large to middle to small ranged shapes. The importance of drawing is discussed, practiced and emphasized including the use of Notans (small simplified sketches). Goals of the course include; learning about the fundamentals of Value, Hue, Saturation and Temperature. Throughout the course, discussions on creating Atmosphere and Color Harmony to depict the illusion of depth in our paintings will be investigated.

Supply List:

• An Outdoor easel and paintbox is required for this course.   

  Three suggested options are:

  John Coulter system (http://artboxandpanel.com/)

  Strada Mini. https://www.stradaeasel.com

  Daytripper easel. https://www.prolificpainter.com

  But there are many options available on the market.

• Gamsol mineral spirits

• Cup/clip holder for Gamsol

• Brush cleaner container

• Paper towels / or rags (I use blue shop towels from Home Depot)

• Brushes: I prefer Princeton or Rosemary filbert and long flats, bristle hair, sizes 6,8,10,12,14,16. I also use Rosemary Long Flats (sables-soft brush) sizes 3,5,8 (an assortment is fine and any brand is acceptable)

• Panels: (Suggested: Centurion, Source Tek or RayMar). An assortment of panels ranging in sizes (such as: 8 by 10, 9 by 12 or 12 by 16 inches). You will need approximately 10-12

• Sketchbook and drawing materials. I use a Strathmore 400 series 5.5 by 8.8 inch sketchbook Toned Tan, Design Ebony pencil, eraser pen and white charcoal pencil (Generals brand), but any sketchbook and materials you prefer will work.

• Oil Paints - I use Gamblin, Rembrandt and Williamsburg most often. I recommended these basic colors

  • Titanium white

  • Lemon Yellow

  • Cadmium yellow medium

  • Yellow Ochre

  • Cadmium red

  • Quinacridone Red

  • Transparent red oxide

  • Viridian

  • Ultramarine Blue

  • Cobalt blue (optional)

  • Chromatic black (I use Gamblin)