Adult WINTER Classes
The West Hartford Art League holds year round art instruction for adults and youths in the form of weekly daytime and evening classes Monday - Saturday in the fall, winter and spring. Special weekend and one time workshops are held throughout the year taught by a varied group of instructors.
WINTER 2025 Session:
Our Winter 2025 session of classes will begin the week of January 6th
Registration will open Friday November 1 at 10 am for members.
Non-member registration will open 2 weeks later on Friday November 15th at 10 am.
Membership is $50 for one year and gives you a discount on classes, as well as early registration privileges.
Join HERE
View our class policies here.
WINTER adult CLASSES
Painting Fundamentals (10 weeks)
Mondays, January 6 - March 10
10:00 -12:00pm, Zbigniew Grzyb
Painting class for beginner to advanced artists. We will focus on composition, balance of elements, and harmony of painting. The teacher will work individually with each student, giving constructive feedback.
Monday Night Pottery (10 Weeks)
Mondays, January 6 - March 10
6:15pm - 9:15pm, Mary Bramble Scott
The course will cover basic pottery wheel throwing techniques where students will develop or continue to improve, their skills in centering, throwing and trimming pottery forms. Students will learn to make the two most common forms from which almost all pottery stems; a cylinder and a bowl. From there we will learn more advanced skills and how to embellish our pieces with carvings, handles, additions and or other accents.
Drawing Basics (10 weeks)
Tuesdays, January 7 - March 11 No Class 2/20
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm , Amanda Surveski
A beginner's drawing class designed for aspiring artists with little to no prior experience, and those who want a refresher. We’ll work toward developing and expanding our observational and rendering skills using a variety of subject matter. Working from life, we will learn basic techniques such as contour and gesture drawing, shading, controlling tones, composition and different drawing methods that will provide you with a solid starting point to embark on your artistic journey
Beginning Watercolor (10 weeks)
Mondays, January 6 - March 10
5:30pm - 7:30pm, Brianna Colbath
A class for absolute beginners. Learn how to apply water and paint to paper as you learn various techniques. The instructor will guide you as you paint and gain confidence in your abilities. From starting with the right supplies to building color into a finished work, this class is for those wanting to get started with support from an experienced watercolor artist.
Portraiture (10 weeks) Tuesdays, January 7 - March 18 No Class 2/18
1:00pm - 4:00pm, Antony Zito
Open to all ages and skill levels, this course will guide you through the creation of an in-depth portrait using acrylic paint and collage. Our main focus will be to achieve a balanced sense of proportion and a distinct likeness, while exploring expressionistic mark-making techniques, and learning to blend the borders between collage and paint.
Figures in the landscape
Wednesday, January 8 - February 5
(5 weeks)
9:30 am-12:30 noon , Karen Israel
In this course, we will explore the landscape through its many seasons and working from photographic references, where possible, we will incorporate the figure in the landscape. There will be much discussion on interpreting the pitfalls and benefits of photography and discussion of proportion and perspective when it comes to placing a reasonable figure in the landscape.
Painting Animals in Oil (10 weeks) Monday, January 6 - March 10 1:00-4:00pm, Mike Laiuppa
In this class, you will learn how to capture the soul of any animal in oil paint. Using a fusion oftraditional and non-traditional techniques, we will learn how to paint everything from their expressive eyes to the soft pads of their feet. Painting animals is more than just covering the canvas with copious amounts of fur, and this class will teach you the methods needed to paint a successful animal portrait.
Watercolor Workout
Tuesdays, Jan. 7 - February 25
(8 weeks)
9:00am - 12:00pm, Robert Noreika
This class will focus on simplifying the subject: seeing the simple values and then sketching them into a full color painting. Learn how to take an unsuccessful watercolor and recreate it with fluid acrylics. Many techniques will be demonstrated including ink and watercolor wash.
Watercolor: Advanced Beginner - Intermediate (10 weeks)
Wednesday, January 8 - March 12
6:00-8:00 pm, Carol Ganick
Students are expected to have recent experience with and an understanding of techniques such as painting washes, glazing, layering, creating textures, masking, edge control, and brush application techniques. (e.g. wet on dry, wet on wet, and dry brush.) Classes will mainly focus on landscape and subjects from nature with emphasis on composition, values, and color mixing. As needed, practice assignments for improving skills in painting techniques will be provided.
This class is for students who have studied with Carol Ganick recently. Others who are interested must contact the instructor at 860-461-2448 to discuss training in watercolor techniques to determine if this class is appropriate.
Contemporary Abstract Art (8 weeks)
Mondays, January 6th - February 24
1:00pm-4:00pm, Dianne Zweig
Classes will continue to focus on innovative approaches to making contemporary art. The Winter session, “Steal Like An Artist” is based on the creative ideas of author Austin Kleon providing students with opportunities to view abstraction in new ways.
Assignments will explore such themes as authenticity, experimentation, imperfection, constraints, inspiration, imitation, iteration and more.
Wednesday Wheel Throwing (10 weeks)
Wednesday, January 8 - March 12
6:00pm - 9:00pm, Deanna Johnson
The course will cover basic pottery wheel throwing techniques where students will develop or continue to improve, their skills in centering, throwing and trimming pottery forms. Students will learn to make the two most common forms from which almost all pottery stems; a cylinder and a bowl. From there we will learn more advanced skills and how to embellish our pieces.
Confident Landscape Painting (10 weeks)
Wednesdays, January 8 - March 12
9:30am-12:30pm, Shauna Shane
Oil or Acrylic. Beginning with an informative demonstration Shauna will show you how to see the world in terms of shadow and light, simplifying the landscape to the most basic masses and values. With specific, individual instruction you will learn the “what, why, and how” of a successful painting. You will learn the steps necessary to be able to express effectively; how to see the world in a new way, and even more, how to achieve the gift of confidence.Known for her positive and enthusiastic teaching style, Shauna will provide instruction, demonstrations, and critique for the most advancement possible in the art of landscape painting. All levels: but some experience with your chosen medium is recommended.
Rendering in Black & White (9 weeks)
Thursday, January 9 - March 6; N0 Class 2/20
4:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Amanda Surveski
In this class learn to accurately render different textures from fur and feathers, to metal and stone, tree bark, and much more. We will reference objects from life and use photos to learn techniques that capture subtle details, bringing more life and three-dimensionality to our drawings
Thursday Wheel Throwing (10 weeks)
Thursdays, January 9 - March 13
6:00pm-9:00pm, Deanna Johnson
The course will cover pottery wheel throwing techniques where students will develop or continue to improve, their skills in centering, throwing and trimming pottery forms. Students will learn to make the two most common forms from which almost all pottery stems; a cylinder and a bowl. From there we will learn more advanced skills and how to embellish our pieces with carvings, handles, additions and or other accents.
Drawing Open Studio - (9 weeks)
Thursday, January 9 - March 6; No Class 2/20
6:15 pm - 8:15 pm, Amanda Surveski
From colored pencils, pens, watercolors and more, this course is an open studio class where students work on their own independent projects while receiving constructive critique and working on independent goals. Perfect for artists of all levels and all media, this course offers the opportunity to develop your drawing skills, receive valuable feedback, and explore your style in a classroom environment.
Friday Watercolor (10 weeks)
Fridays, January 9 - March 14
10:00 am - 12:30 pm, Carol Ganick
This class is open to students who are confident in watercolor application techniques such as wet into wet, wet on dry and dry brush. Critique of completed work will be an important aspect of this course. By sharing and discussing work we gain inspiration, new insights, and different perspectives. Class critique will take place at the beginning of class for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours, followed by painting time. Consideration will be given to composition, color harmony, and value patterns.
Absolute Beginners (10 weeks)
Thursday, January 9 - March 13
1:00 pm - 4:00pm, Deborah Velasquez
Express yourself with paint, drawing, and collage with intuition as your guide.? Have fun with new tools and techniques. We will paint to music, use prompts, make marks, make our own collage papers, collaborate, and more.? In this class I share techniques and strategies to enhance one's work. All exercises and techniques will sampled in an art journal which can be used as reference at end of class. I will guide you from paper, to paint, to canvas. Great class to begin your painting journey or add to your body of work. By the end of the class you have two ready to hang pieces. Discover your creative potential and style. No experience necessary.
Drawing - The Essential Ingredient (10 weeks)
Wednesdays, January 8 - March 12
1:00pm - 4:00pm, Shauna Shane
The ability to see the world and express it in a beautiful way is a skill that is the foundation for everything we do in art, and once understood, the artistic journey can become one of satisfaction, even joy.This class is for anyone who wants to build the best possible foundation for your personal artistic journey.
Oil Painting - (10 weeks)
Thursdays, January 9 - March 13
9:00 am - 12:00 pm, William Simpson
We can all be better painters, we can all learn how to draw better. You don’t have to take the class to learn the secret – I’ll tell you right now – learn to look closer. Learn to really see what is in front of you. Easy? Not so much. Take my class, and we’ll learn how to see better together.
We’ll also work on composition, and color. Working from your own photos, or choose from the hundreds of images I have. We’ll throw in a still life now and then, and an exercise I particularly enjoy, painting the Schoolhouse interior.
Beginning Painting - (10 weeks)
Fridays, January 10 - March 14
9:00 am - 12:00pm, Mike Berlinski
Learn about painting in a fun and supportive environment. A different basic painting concept will be briefly introduced and discussed for general information each week. Students are encouraged to bring their own images and/or ideas to work from. There will be plenty of individual guidance and help for each student.
Sunday Pottery for beginners & intermediate (10 weeks)
Sundays, January 12 - March 16
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Mary Bramble Scott
The Sunday evening class at West Hartford Art League welcomes students at all levels. All students will have the option to wheel throw or hand build ceramic forms either functional or sculptural. Beginners will learn how to center clay on the wheel, pull the clay into a cylinder with an eye to making bowls, mugs and small vases
Intermediate and advanced students will have the option to focus on their own projects and receive guidance on complex forms and techniques, or participate in graduated assigned projects related to advanced forms such as lidded vessels or teapots. Some tools are available onsite but students should plan to bring their own tools by purchasing a beginner pottery tool set at an art supply store such as Jerry's Artarama or Dick Blick Art Supplies.
Beginning Painting (10 weeks)
Wednesdays, January 8 - March 12
6:30pm-9:30pm, Brianna Colbath
Open to beginners and intermediates,. designed for students with little to no experience in painting, who would like to learn techniques to help develop and improve their own artistic practice. Using landscape as the starting point, students will receive individual instruction as they experiment with different styles and methods of painting. The ultimate goal of the class is for each student to understand the process, and develop his or her own personal style.
Paint Like Monet: American Impressionism (10 weeks)
Thursdays, January 9 - March 13
1:00pm - 3:00pm, Zbigniew Grzyb
Connecticut is rich in the tradition of American Impressionism. Learn to paint in this style and create your own masterpiece with oil or acrylic paint. Students will learn techniques used by the Impressionists, how they captured light on canvas and transforming the color of light into a painting.
Watercolor Landscapes
Thursdays, January 9 - February 20 (7 weeks)
6:00pm-8:00pm, Mo Myra
This session is packed full of information on color mixing, observing, drawing for watercolor, and creating value studies. This session will take place indoors with students learning how to paint a landscape from photo. Photo references limit you and leave you asking a lot of questions, some of this session will take place answering those questions, and talking about how to work around the limitations of photos. Each class features a demo and time for students to complete their own paintings.
Sketchbook 101 - (10 weeks)
Sundays, January 12 - March 16
11:00am - 1:00pm, Joe Nicorici
A class designed to help artists develop ideas and solid sketchbook habits. The class will focus on drawing from life, including still-life, models, drawing from photos, digital images and also journaling and collage. We will also look at Renaissance artists to contemporary artists' sketchbooks and how they developed their ideas and practice.
