As a team of classically trained professional artists, we believe in the expression of beauty as well as in the value of creating a deeper awareness of the purpose and meaning of art. Our desire is to offer our expertise to those who have been longing for this type of instruction, and thereby help "revive" some of the disciplines practiced by the Old Masters.

Our Philosophy and Methods
We are convinced that there are no shortcuts when it comes to learning to draw and paint with assurance, accuracy and skill, therefore, both our class and workshop series include opportunities for figure drawing, portraiture, still life and landscape. Students work from life, and as much as possible in natural light.

In drawing, we use both the site-measure method as well as other methods as we interpret what we see from life. Traditional tools such as charcoal, graphite, conte crayon and ink are used. An emphasis will be placed on drawing correct proportions, capturing gesture, portraying light as it affects form and edges, and developing one’s unique artistic approach with regard to style.

We believe that painting is like drawing in many ways except color is involved.
We still interpret what we see in nature but we use the medium of oil paint, in
most cases, to paint correct values, shapes and edges. Much attention will be given to the value of color, color theory and learning to see the cool and warm colors in the dark, middle and light values of what we are observing. Understanding brush handling, oil techniques and the craft of painting is not neglected, but understanding the effects of light on form as well as composition, design and emotion, will be vital to the student’s success in learning to interpret what one sees while using the medium of paint on canvas. Subject matters will also be the figure, the head, the still life and the landscape. In both our drawing and painting instruction, Art History plays an important role as our instructors refer often to the great masters, past and present.

Finally, we aim to provide a variety of styles within the scope of representational art and believe there is value in both the classical realist approach (such as that of Bouguereau) as well as a more expressive style of interpreting realism (such as that of John Singer Sargent). Our instructors believe the process of creating beautiful art is an ongoing adventure for each artist regardless of one's age or experience.

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