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 2026 Session:
Our Winter 2025 session of classes will begin the week of January 5th.
Registration will open Friday October 10th at 10 am for members.
Non-member registration will open 2 weeks later on Friday October 24th 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 5 - March 9
10:00 -12:00pm, Zbigniew Grzyb
This painting class is for beginners, or for those who want to get back to the basics. We will focus on the building blocks of composition, balance of elements, and harmony of painting. Students can choose to create representational or abstract paintings. The teacher will work individually with each student, giving constructive feedback and support.
Tuesday Pottery (10 weeks)
Tuesdays, January 6 - March 10
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Mary Bramble Scott
This class welcomes students at all levels. 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.
Wednesday Wheel Throwing (10 weeks)
Wednesday, January 7 - March 11
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.
Beginning Watercolor (10 weeks)
Mondays, January 5 - March 9
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 6 - March 17
1:00pm - 4:00pm, Antony Zito
No Class February 24th
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.
Pastel for the Beginner (5 weeks)
Wednesday, January 20 - February 17
9:30 am-12:00 noon , Karen Israel
The vibrancy of the soft pastel medium is unparalleled and it is both a drawing and painting medium. During this 5 week class, Learn how to paint and draw in pastel. Beginner class but all levels are welcome. One on One attention is promised!
Monday Night Pottery (10 Weeks)
Mondays, January 5 - March 9
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.
Watercolor Workout (8 weeks)
Tuesdays, Jan. 6 - February 24
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: Beginner (8 weeks)
Wednesday, January 7 - February 25
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 5 - February 23
1:00pm-4:00pm, C. Dianne Zweig
Intermediate to Advanced, Instructor Approval Required for New Students
Classes will continue to focus on innovative approaches to making contemporary abstract art. The Winter session, “RE-MIX” a pastiche of artistic explorations on paper influenced by nature, fiber-textile arts and Postmodern designers such as Lucienne Day, Jacqueline Groag, Alex Girard, Anni Albers and others. Students will continue to be introduced to the work of noted contemporary artists and art movements. Weekly assignments will integrate the use of wet and dry media, pen and ink products, painting and collage, and assemblage.
Drawing I: The Basics (10 weeks)
Thursdays, January 8 - March 12
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.
Confident Landscape Painting (10 weeks)
Wednesdays, January 7 - March 11
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.
Beginning Painting (10 weeks)
Wednesdays, January 7 - March 11
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.
Thursday Wheel Throwing (10 weeks)
Thursdays, January 8 - March 12
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 - (10 weeks)
Tuesday, January 6 - March 10
6:30 pm - 8:30 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 13
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. Bring a camera phone or tablet to each class to take photos of your work in process and to access assignments. It is highly recommended that advanced students take and work from photos they take. Creating your own personal photo library is important. Working from black and white reference material is critical for correct value patterns.
Drawing - The Essential Ingredient (10 weeks)
Wednesdays, January 7 - March 11
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.
Drawing II (10 weeks)
Tuesdays, January 6 - March 10
4:30pm - 6:30 pm , Amanda Surveski
Build off your basic understanding of drawing and work on perfecting your use of composition, line, volume, and value while drawing more complicated forms and objects. In this course we will touch on a variety of topics including creating textures in black & white, perspective, human proportion, animal anatomy and more. Each will expand your knowledge of drawing and help you improve on your ability to draw objects and forms accurately. We will work both from life and from photos.
Students who are interested in taking this course should have taken Drawing I or already know how to create contour and gesture drawings, visually measure objects, create full black and white values drawings, and know the basics of composition.
Oil Painting - (10 weeks)
Thursdays, January 8 - March 12
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 9 - March 13
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. Student's can choose either Acrylic or Oil paints.
Absolute Beginners…An introduction to Abstract Intuitive Painting (10 weeks)
Thursday, January 8 - March 12
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.
Art for Everyone: A Creative Journey (10 weeks)
Thursdays, January 8 - March 12
1:00pm - 3:00pm, Zbigniew Grzyb
This all-levels painting class is designed for beginners looking to explore their creativity, as well as experienced artists seeking to refine their techniques. Whether you're picking up a brush for the first time or returning to your artistic practice, you'll receive individual guidance to help you grow as an artist.
Watercolor In layers(10 weeks)
Thursdays, January 8 - March 12
6:15pm-8:15pm, Mo Myra
Learn how to paint a building in the snow using a slow layering method. Mo will help to guide students through the drawing process and through the painting. Creating representation watercolors in this method is a slow process and requires lots of love for drawing. For students who have not had much practice with watercolor the first class is dedicated to an introduction of the medium, a basic understanding of drawing is recommended for this class.
Sketchbook 101 - (10 weeks)
Sundays, January 11 - March 15
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.
Watercolor Landscapes II - (10 weeks)
Tuesdays, January 6 - March 10
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Douglas Fortin
Week 1: Revisiting the Essentials, Week 2: Composition & Planning, Week 3: Atmospheric Skies & Weather, Week 4: Water Reflections & Movement,Week 5: Trees & Foliage Variations, Week 6: Architecture in the Landscape, Week 7: Seasonal Landscapes, Week 8: Nocturnes & Limited Palettes, Week 9: Mood & Abstraction, Week 10: Personal Project & Critique
