2025 Workshops
Drawing Animals From Life I
Thursday-Sunday June 12 – 15, 9am to 4pm
This workshop begins with a presentation on the 19th and 20thc artists famous for the use of animals in their drawing, painting and sculpture. We replicate how these artists were trained and will apply these basic skills to working with live models. Instruction in Constructive and Mass Drawing, essential anatomical features from a fully articulated dog skeleton and other animal species from multiple perspectives all which will enable students to see structures when working from life models. We will also copy an original Bonheur & Arthur Wardle & work from animal casts. We will spend the last day working with 2 live dog models of different color and breed.
This workshop is a suggested preparatory experience to Painting Animals from Life I.
*Sculpture I is also recommended for Drawing and Painting Animals from Life.
$800.00 includes 4 full days of lecture, demos, studio work and animal handler fees. Materials, suggested reading and direction to the workshop will be emailed after we receive your $400.00 deposit.
Introduction to Animal Sculpture I
Thursday-Saturday June 26 – 28, 9am to 4pm.
This workshop provides an introduction to the timeless art of sculpting animal forms, focusing on a classical approach that integrates drawing with sculpture. Students will learn the essential techniques for translating 2D concepts into 3D sculptures, exploring the relationship between form, gesture, and anatomy. The course will cover the foundational steps of sculpting, including using drawings to establish concepts and gestures, creating an armature based on anatomical landmarks, blocking in large forms, and refining details for a lifelike finish.
The course project will center on sculpting a Jack Russell Terrier, and students will have access to a live model for reference when needed. Although the project will focus on this specific animal, the techniques and principles taught are transferable to sculpting any animal form.
Students will work with non-sulfur plastiline clay, a traditional material used for developing conceptual models and preliminary sculptures. Since plastiline clay is not a permanent medium, traditional mold-making techniques will be discussed. Actual mold-making is not included in this workshop.
All necessary materials will be provided for the course, but students are welcome to bring their own sculpting tools if they prefer. Basic tools will be available for use throughout the class.
$600.00 includes animal handling fees and materials.
Painting Animals From Life Models I
Thursday-Sunday July 16-20 2025
It is suggested that students take the DRAWING ANIMALS FROM LIFE WORKSHOP 1 as a Prerequisite for this Painting Workshop. Please ask about discounted “bundle pricing” offered.
This painting workshop begins with students finding a particular mentor from the past to copy. Artists and Illustrators work from the 19th and early 20thc will be presented for students to copy and borrow from to integrate and/or improve their own work.
We will be using 2 limited palettes to work with. Each Palette contains 4 colors. Palettes are from Ned Jacobs and Andre Zorn. Instruction in Mass Painting Technique.
We will be making studies from skeletons and skulls of different species: horses, cows, puma, bear, deer, cats and dogs as well as from casts under different lighting conditions.
We will be painting a live dog and also a live horse the last 2 days of the workshop.
At the conclusion of the workshop the instructor will meet with students individually who look for feedback regarding their work and how to further progress.
Supply list, directions to workshop, suggested reading will be emailed after a deposit is received.
$850.00 includes animal handling fees.
Our workshops are limited to only ten students
It is our belief that a small class size offers our students a maximum learning experience.