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Painting Classes Chicago

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Unlock your inner artist and explore the world of painting with a diverse range of classes in Chicago. From beginner to advanced, discover new techniques, develop your skills, and gain the confidence to create beautiful works of art.

22 classes have spots left

Peonies: Watercolor with Pastoriza-Piñol

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

John Pastoriza-Piñol, an award-winning botanical artist with a doctorate in botany from the University of Vigo, Spain, travels from Australia to teach techniques for achieving the intricacies of fine detail. Explore clever compositions, painting techniques, and color theory as you paint a full plant portrait of a peony.  Expand your knowledge on applying paint from wet-on-wet to dry brush technique. Properly protecting critical edges in your...

(122) Intermediate 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$499

3 sessions

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Learn How to Paint Fall Leaves in Watercolor

Chicago Botanic Garden

This class is designed as an introduction to the art of painting fall leaves in watercolor. Study will be given to the characteristics and structure of leaf shapes, texture, and venation. Learn how to effectively develop and apply the appropriate color palette for the leaf in question and the basics of sound paper and color selection as you develop a sense of simple leaf composition and design.  A supply list will be sent.

(122) Beginner 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$312

6 sessions

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The Sky in Watercolor

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

Skies create mood, drama, light, and emotion in your paintings. They are among the most important elements of landscape painting. Learn to express a vast variety of dynamic clouds, sunsets, and foggy days using techniques like wet-in-wet, and dry-brush. We'll study how each type of sky, its mood and its light, has an effect on simple elements of landscape, and makes your landscapes stand out of the crowd.

(122) Beginner 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$399

8 sessions

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Explore Art Private Group Events

Explore private group events and team building activities ranging from cooking to art, escape rooms, trivia, and more

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Family Watercolor Workshop in American Sign Language

Evanston Art Center @ 1717 Central St, Evanston, IL

How many times have you heard it said that watercolor is a tough medium to learn? Watercolor is fun and easier than you would think.  Learn various techniques and color theory while exploring different ways to combine light, composition, color, and textures in watercolor painting.  The instructor, using American Sign Language (ASL), through step-by-step demonstrations, will show you how to create landscape.

(83) All levels 11 - 18 years old
No upcoming schedules

Color in the Autumn Landscape

Chicago Botanic Garden

Autumn at the Garden is inspiring. Working in the Garden, you will learn how painters think about composition and color in nature.  A review of light and gesture will help you use new techniques to represent the landscape. You will create small paintings in the medium of your choice, including gouache, acrylic, watercolor, and oil. Dress for the weather.  A supply list will be sent.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Watercolor: The Bounty of Fall Colors

Chicago Botanic Garden

If you’ve ever wanted to express yourself boldly with colors, fall is the ideal time. Drawing upon the richness of colors both in the Garden and in a classroom pumpkin and gourd still life, we will push the boundaries of color saturation. Value and color are the two main “engines” that drive all painting.  A supply list will be sent.   Prerequisite: Some painting experience.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

This Bud's For You: Orchids Magnified

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

You will create a 22- x 30-inch painting of one large orchid or a grouping of different colored orchids. With this high impact painting, you will learn how to compose, how to scale up from studies and how to use large brushes for maximum effect. You will work from both live orchids and photos.  All media welcome.  A supply list will be sent.  Prerequisite: Botanical Drawing 1 or similar coursework and painting experience. ...

(122) Beginner 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$312

4 sessions

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Meditations in Ink: Zen Bamboo

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

Bamboo is the symbol for flexibility, longevity, and strength—a true dance of energy and ink! This workshop will be a relaxing, meditative exploration into learning the nature and techniques of Asian brush painting and calligraphy. Through step-by-step demonstrations and hands-on brush painting projects using the "four treasures" (bamboo brushes, ink, inkstone, and rice paper), students will explore the ancient and elegant art of painting bamboo....

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$187
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Open Studio Saturdays

Ingrid's Originals Inc.

Are you too busy and tired during the work week to have time for your creative endeavors? Tired of fighting rush hour traffic? Ingrid's Saturday morning OPEN STUDIO Session is just the thing for you.   Come and create in a professional artist's studio, work on your projects, bring in work for a critique, for three hours of uninterrupted time.  Ingrid will be available for your questions and help throughout the Saturday morning...

(1) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Botanical Watercolor: Exquisite Orchids

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

Intricate shape, intense color, elegant line…an orchid has all that charm. Excited by orchid fever and inspired by 19th-century orchid painter, Miss Drake, students will be able to create a botanical watercolor painting with old world charm.  Instructor will show how to prepare palette for easy and efficient painting to create rich colors of orchids.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$289
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Chicago Summer Watercolor

Ingrid's Originals Inc. @ 3729 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL

This eight week course is designed for ALL levels of watercolor painters. Those who are new to watercolor painting will find Ingrid's patience and understanding of the learning process, from her previous teaching career, extremely valuable.  Through her lectures, painting demonstrations, and personal attention to each student, the students will be exposed to the elements and principles of design, the importance of value relationships in painting,...

(1) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$320

8 sessions

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Painting I, Oil

Aartwerk Studio @ 1141 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL

Oils are back! There is a revival of interest in oils, and we understand why you are eager to jump into exploring this beautiful medium. However, if you you are entirely new to painting, we recommend (but don’t require) taking Acrylics I first. (Should you wonder why, please read the course description for Acrylics I.) The course will commence with an introduction to the medium. Students will learn the rules for proper usage and develop an understanding...

(12) Beginner 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$280

8 sessions

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Introduction to Oil Painting

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

Open to all levels, this class will immerse you in the painting process from day one. Students will learn how to select, compose, and paint based on strong design, values, and colors. This wonderful medium allows for extended manipulation and nuances of interpretation. Required Supplies: Paints, 37 ml tubes • Alizarin crimson • Cadmium red light hue • Cobalt blue • Ultramarine blue • Cadmium yellow light • Yellow ochre • Viridian...

(122) Beginner 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$298

6 sessions

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Chicago Winter Watercolor

Ingrid's Originals Inc. @ 3729 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL

This course is designed for ALL levels of watercolor painters. Those who are new to watercolor painting will find Ingrid's patience and understanding of the learning process, from her previous teaching career, extremely valuable. Through her lectures, painting demonstrations, and personal attention to each student, the students will be exposed to the elements and principles of design, the importance of value relationships in painting, color mixing,...

(1) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$320

6 sessions

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Winter Watercolor Classes with Ingrid

Ingrid's Originals Inc. @ 3729 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL

This six-week course is designed for ALL levels of watercolor painters. Those who are new to watercolor painting will find Ingrid's patience and understanding of the learning process, from her previous teaching career, extremely valuable. Through her lectures, painting demonstrations, and personal attention to each student, the students will be exposed to the elements and principles of design, the importance of value relationships in painting, color...

(1) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$320

6 sessions

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Painting Enchanting Woodlands

Chicago Botanic Garden

Explore an oak woodland as the ephemeral wildflowers blanket the ground and the light cascades through the canopy highlighting 400 different plant species.  Learn how to observe and simplify the shapes in nature to convey the essence of the landscape into your painting. You can complete a finished artwork each class session.  All media welcome. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.  A supply list will be sent.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

English Watercolor Techniques

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road, Chicago, IL

Students will use live plant materials and build on techniques learned in Watercolor I. Emphasis is on realistic portrayal of botanical subjects and traditional methods of dry brush watercolor painting, with attention to detail and color accuracy. Demonstrations and individual instruction will be given. A supply list will be sent. Prerequisites: Botanical Drawing 1, Color Mixing, and Watercolor 1.

(122) Intermediate 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$374

6 sessions

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Autumn Plein Air in the Gardens

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, Chicago, IL

Capture the rich fall colors as the trees, flora, and fruits dress up for the season. Experience different Garden areas and translate that beauty and inspiration into your paintings. Painting from life will allow you to truly see the autumn hues and thus represent the colors accurately in your plein air and studio artwork. Infuse your artwork with your creative interpretation of nature as you decide what to emphasize and omit. All media welcome....

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$299

3 sessions

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Rare Plants and Orchids in Watercolor

Chicago Botanic Garden @ 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, Chicago, IL

Discover the enchanting world of exotic flora as you master the art of watercolor painting. Immerse yourself in the rich textures and vibrant colors of ferns, cacti, succulents, orchids, and more, as you learn to capture their unique beauty in stunning detail. Unleash your creativity and bring these extraordinary plants to life on paper.

(122) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$299

3 sessions

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Painting For All

Aartwerk Studio @ 1141 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL

Unlock your artistic potential at Aartwerk Studio's inclusive painting sessions—Painting For All. Whether you're a novice or seasoned artist, experience a supportive Monday environment where beginners follow the Painting I program while mingling with experienced peers. Embrace the relaxed atmosphere and witness the creative synergy that emerges from a diverse blend of artistic journeys.

(12) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$280

7 sessions

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Painting Classes in Chicago are rated 4.4 stars based on 218 verified reviews from actual CourseHorse.com purchasers.

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