This imaginative drawing course explores some of the themes that have influenced artists throughout history. For examples, we will consider Rembrandt s ink washes, early botanical illustrations, dramatic light and shadow in the Baroque, approaches to colour in Impressionism, and multiple perspectives in Cubism and Futurism. Classes include brief lectures/slide presentations that introduce the various themes. This is an excellent course for artists wishing to explore new themes in their work. Some drawing experience recommended. THURSDAYS, JUL 09 - AUG 13, 10AM - 1PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

In this course, students will be encouraged to connect to their unconscious through drawing. Students explore what happens when they try to let go of conscious thinking and work more intuitively in their art practice. During each class, students will practice automatic drawing (similar to what the Surrealists were doing in the 1920s), free-form drawing and 'no-editing' exercises. The creation of ink blots and doodling will be used as starting points for picture making. The course will also include meditation exercises and drawing inspired from dreams. Drawing materials and process will focus on mixed media and collage. By doing this work, students will explore what lies below the surface in their unconscious while finding new images and techniques for their art practice. This class is ideal for those who love to draw and are curious to see what new images might come up during these explorations. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, JAN 8 - APR 2, 6PM - 9PM IN-PERSON

This workshop will provide all the information you need to use the colour wheel as an effective tool and resource for your painting projects. Exercises will include using various colour combinations and theories of colour harmony. You will learn to create colour schemes based on analogous and complementary colours, as well as how the of use cool and warm colours can enliven your paintings. You will also explore how to mix and blend colours, and discover how our perception of colour is affected by surrounding colours. Knowing how to make use of the colour wheel will give you innumerable options for your future paintings. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 06 & JUNE 07, 10AM - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

This course will focus primarily on contemporary painting because the twentieth century brought radical changes in art which were accompanied by fierce debates regarding the place of painting in contemporary culture. This course will examine how and why the medium of painting has not only persisted in the twenty-first century, but expanded and evolved alongside changes in art, technology, politics, and other factors, developing a unique energy and diversity. Course will include group discussions, image presentations, hands-on activities and gallery visits. This is a required course for Certificate of Visual Arts students, however anyone interested in what is going in the art world today is welcome to register. Contemporary Art I is not a prerequisite for this second part of this course. THURSDAYS, JAN 8 - APR 2, 2PM - 5PM IN-PERSON

This course explores drawing from the 1960s to the present day, focusing on how contemporary artists use drawing as a tool for expression, experimentation, and conceptual exploration. Through image presentations and discussions, students will examine the work of influential artists who have expanded the boundaries of drawing in diverse and innovative ways. Weekly projects will encourage a variety of techniques and materials, from traditional to mixed and experimental media. The course concludes with a final project that reflects each student’s personal engagement with a contemporary approach or idea. This course provides an ideal way to learn about art history and drawing practice at the same time. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, JAN 8 - APR 2, 10AM - 1PM ONLINE

This continuation of Landscape Painting Now I focuses on contemporary landscape concepts such as constructed realities, abstracted topographies and complicated vistas. Instructor will present a selection of artists each week based on these themes including, Gillian Carnegie, Mark Tansey, Cecily Brown, Andreas Erikson, Luc Tuymans and Francis Alys to name a few. Students will select one artist per week to do further research on and make a landscape painting based on something they learned from this artist. Students can paint in a medium of their choice including watercolour, gouache, acrylic or oils. It is not necessary to have completed Landscape Painting Now I, however some painting experience is recommended. FRIDAYS, JAN 9 - APR 3, 2PM - 5PM ONLINE

This course focuses on creating dramatic or subtle effects of light in painting. Students will explore various kinds of tonal ranges in painting by making works that focus only on dark values, others that contain only light values, as well as works that have a wide range of contrasting values of both light and dark. Students will learn how glazing can complicate effects of light and how colour can be used to affect our perception of light and shadows. An understanding of value, which includes light and shadow, leads to strong and dynamic paintings. Some painting experience recommended. TUESDAYS, JAN 6 - MAR 31, 6PM - 9PM ONLINE

In this thematic six-week course you will create a body of new drawings using your personal experiences, memories, and reflections as source material. We will examine several contemporary artists who similarly use a diaristic approach to ground our discussions of selfhood and drawing. We will utilize traditional and exploratory drawing materials as we explore and celebrate personal experience and memory through art. Daily drawing exercises will complement several larger projects that you will develop in relation to weekly discussion topics. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, MAY 21 - JUN 25, 10AM - 1PM(PDT) ONLINE

This six-week course focuses on the concept of slow photography, encouraging patience, careful observation, and a deeper connection to both natural and urban environments. It is a mindful, hands-on course blending historical and experimental techniques with tactile and mixed-media approaches. Techniques explored include cyanotypes, pinhole photography, hand-tinting, and mixed-media storytelling, allowing participants to create unique, expressive works. Whether returning to photography after a break or looking to expand your practice, this course provides space to slow down, observe thoughtfully, and create with intention. Cyanotype paper and Polaroid film are included in the tuition. Suitable for all levels. TUESDAYS, MAY 19 - JUN 23, 10AM - 1PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

Learn to reveal the richness of coloured pencils as a contemporary drawing medium in this six-week online course. Through a guided series of drawing assignments, you will gain a deeper understanding of coloured pencils and how they can be implemented in your art practice. Selected readings, group discussions, and thematic exercises will all lead to the production of a self-directed final project. Contemporary artists to be studied include Annie Pootoogook, Graham Little, Winnie Truong, and Ingrid Calame. Suitable for all levels. THURSDAYS, JUL 09 - AUG 13, 10AM - 1PM(PDT) ONLINE

This two-day workshop will focus on simple line drawings of plants inspired by the work of Ellsworth Kelly and Ruth Asawa, as well as other artists. You will begin with single plants and then develop more complex compositions using ink washes and layering with collage. Projects will also include creating fantastical plants from black and white collage elements and a white pen. This workshop is suitable for people with no drawing experience as well as artists who would like to simplify their focus on plants drawing. Suitable for all levels. See supply list. SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MAY 23 & MAY 24, 1:30 - 4:30PM(PDT) IN-PERSON

In this course, you will discover how your illustrative aspirations and love of cinema can collide to fuel imaginative and compelling drawings. While focusing on a different genre of film each week, students will use drawing to analyze and represent various aspects of cinema through drawing, such as production design, narrative structures, cinematography, and sound design. Through group discussions on film theory, explorations of various drawing materials and techniques, and regular screenings of film scenes, students will develop an understanding of how drawing is used within the cinematic industry and beyond. Suitable for all levels. FRIDAYS, MAY 22 - JUN 26, 2PM - 5PM(PDT) IN-PERSON