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Art Classes Chicago

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Discover a vibrant array of art classes in Chicago that will ignite your creativity and expand your artistic skills. From painting and drawing to photography and pottery, unlock your artistic potential and gain confidence in your abilities with hands-on instruction from experienced artists.

150 classes have spots left

Nature as My Muse: Painting Water

Evanston Art Center

Fluid, seductive, reflective. . . water is the essence of life. Paint different aspects of water: in the movement of waves, reflections and transparencies, pulling inspiration from lakes and oceans, rivers, waterfalls and marshes, and even underwater.  We’ll examine abstract and representational depictions of water to understand how different artists have captured imagery: from Japanese printmaking to Homer as inspiration. Learn several...

(83) Intermediate 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Natural Dyes Color Mixing

Chicago Botanic Garden

Students will learn how to make a range of colors by mixing just six different natural dyes that are both light- and wash-fast. We will begin by reviewing the mordanting process and then learn about the properties of each of these dyes and how to combine them in the dye bath. Students will work with their own materials to create a color book of samples. A supply list will be sent to students two weeks before the beginning of class. Open to all l...

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Beyond Green: Exploring Color Through Landscape

Evanston Art Center

In this class, we will study the complex colors of nature in landscape painting. Utilizing color theory, students will study techniques such as layering, optical mixture, broken brushstroke, and glazing to break through the limitations of local color in representing the landscape. Studies in Expressionistic, Fauve, and Impressionistic landscape paintings will further augment the students understanding of color. There will be a color theory review;...

(83) Intermediate 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
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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

Explore Art Private Group Events
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Pastel Sampler

Evanston Art Center

This is a unique opportunity to sign up for a single day art class. This is designed for potential students who want to gain basic-level exposure to the visual arts at the Evanston Art Center. We want this to be a low stress, low commitment way to experience EAC offerings. One-day workshops in other disciplines are also available.

(83) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Painting Cityscapes & Architecture in Acrylic Ages 16+

Evanston Art Center @ 1717 Central St, Evanston, IL

Already have experience using acrylic paints? Let's take it to the next level through learning to paint detailed cityscapes and architecture from photos.  Continue to build on the basics of color mixing and various painting techniques, and also learn how to compose representational scenes combining landscape features with more solid/industrial structures.

(83) Intermediate 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$185

7 sessions

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Scratchboard and Claybord with Inks

Evanston Art Center

Explore drawing skills with Scratchbord – India ink on a clay-based paint on top of Masonite.  Claybord is the same thing, only without the India ink.  Special inks made for the board will be explored with unique effects. Skill Level: Beginner This interactive online class is presented via Zoom. Please download Zoom prior to your first class. You will be emailed Zoom meeting instructions, including a unique URL and meeting ID,...

(83) Beginner 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

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.

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

6 sessions

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Painting & Drawing III: Portrait

Aartwerk Studio @ 1141 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL

In this course we shall concentrate on portrait, working from a live model. Students are free to use mediums of their choice, but will be encouraged to follow suggested assignments and approach the subject in different ways. Homework: Students are strongly encouraged to do assigned homework regularly, as continuous practice is crucial to your development. Please be advised: you are welcome to come to Open Studios and work on your homework...

(12) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$380

8 sessions

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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.

(127) 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.

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

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

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.

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Expressive Watercolor: Open Studio

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

The freedom and fluidity of watercolor allow a bolder, larger, looser approach to your work. We will explore wet into wet and wet into dry techniques. This course is designed to build on foundational watercolor techniques with individualized personal instruction.  Prerequisite: Previous watercolor coursework or experience.

(127) Intermediate 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$287

6 sessions

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Intermediate Landscape Watercolor

Chicago Botanic Garden

We will explore a variety of watercolor techniques for landscape painting, concentrating on composition, textures, and washes. Be inspired by the diverse plantings of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Painting II & Drawing II

Aartwerk Studio @ 1141 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL

Elevate your artistic journey with Painting II & Drawing II at Aartwerk Studio. For returning painting enthusiasts, explore and enhance your personal language and body of work in Painting II. In Drawing II, delve into intermediate-level techniques, from basic color theory to diverse materials, empowering you to express your unique artistic voice while encouraging the creation of original compositions.

(12) Intermediate 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
$260

2 sessions

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Drawing in Carbon Dust

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

Carbon dust is a beautiful, versatile, and little-known medium that lends itself to both broad, painterly expression and to extremely fine detail. It is appropriate to all botanical subjects as well as to landscapes and still lifes. Working on various paper with a variety of black pigments (applied with both brushes and pencils, we will focus on botanicals to explore many rich possibilities. The School's CEUs=0.9 Required Materials: • Tracing...

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$159

2 sessions

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Drawing as Meditation

Chicago Botanic Garden

Practice drawing and color techniques as a form of meditation. Slow down the art-making process, creating a peaceful and healing experience. Use intuition to connect to natural, creative forces. Through this meditative practice, enjoy calming, observational drawing of plants or flowers from your own home. Explore using tone and color to create a serene mood with watercolor markers on paper. A supply list will be sent.

(127) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$74

2 sessions

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Abstract Oil Painting I

Ausrine's Arts Room

This is first abstract oil painting class for students who have some basic knowledge of oil paint, materials and methods. Students are encouraged to sign for a block of 5 classes.

(7) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Painting Class

Ausrine's Arts Room

Abstract painting in Acrylic/oil.

(7) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
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