The start of a new year is a good time to brush up on or learn new skills, and there are a number of classes offered in the community to help artists in a variety of mediums.
Perfect Portrait Profile Drawing with Lisa Russo
Artists who want to learn how to capture the uniqueness of facial features can join an upcoming class to sharpen their drawing skills at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala.
The adults class “Drawing a Portrait in Profile with Lisa Russo” is from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 and led by Lisa Russo.
During the class, she will guide students with step-by-step instructions on how to perfect drawing from a side-view perspective. Cost is $60 for Appleton members and $85 for nonmembers. All materials will be provided. For information or tickets, visit appletonmuseum.org or call 352-291-4455.
Use Watercolors to Bloom Batik Blossoms
During an upcoming workshop, you can learn how to use masa paper, also known as Japanese rice paper, and watercolors to create textured flowers.
The “Batik Blossoms: Hollyhocks on Masa Paper” watercolor workshop will be taught by Beverly Hennessy and Wanda Boyd, co-directors of the Villages Art Workshop.
The all-day adult class is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26 at Villages Art Workshop, 10935 SE 177th Place, Suite 406-407, in the Spruce Creek Professional Center in Summerfield. There will be a 30-minute lunch break.
“I actually learned how to do it from Bev back around Christmastime,” Boyd said. “We did our first class and it was very well-received.”
Nearly 30 people are able to fit into one workshop, with 16 people already signed up for the Jan. 26 workshop.
Students can learn the batik technique behind laying vibrant watercolors on masa paper to create blended colors on crinkled textures.
Supplies needed for the workshop include a flat wash brush, Elmer’s glue, paper towels and watercolor paper. The masa paper and tracing paper will be provided.
“(The masa paper) feels like a sheet of copy paper, but when you wet it, the material becomes very delicate,” Boyd said. “When it’s wet, you gently spread it out and glue it to the watercolor paper. Then you can start to use watercolors and the colors blend together on the wet paper.”
Boyd said the classes provided by the Villages Art Workshop provide a place for community and brings people together as they take on new skills.
“You see them blossom because they are learning something new,” she said.
For more information about the workshop and what supplies are needed, visit villageartworkshops.com.
Piece Together Your Pottery and Glass Art Skills
The Pottery Wheel 2025 workshop classes at Picasso’s Palette, 106 SW 17th St., Ocala, are recurring one-day classes that take place Sunday, Monday and Tuesday during the first two weeks of February.
“We try to keep our classes small so that way everybody gets individualized hands-on teaching experience,” said Darlene Gilhousen, owner of the art studio. “The class is for any person who wants to give pottery a spin.”
Students will start the class with 1.5 pounds of raw clay before they are taught how to work the clay into crafted ceramics.
“The clay will usually mandate what the final product will be,” Gilhousen said. “Most people walk away with a bowl, mug or vase.”
Students have the option to glaze their pottery before it is fired in the kiln. The pottery will be fired after the class and artists will be called when the piece is ready to be picked up.
Cost is $60 per person. For more information about the classes, visit picassospalette.com or call 352-789-6670.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
