FALL SEMESTER 2025

Adult Painting & Drawing Classes

7941/8016  Painting from A-Z
Instructor: Sandy Ruda
7941 Mondays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
8016 Tuesdays, 6:30–9 PM
This general painting class places the emphasis on oil painting, but you may work in the medium of your choice. Each class will begin with a short talk or demonstration covering multiple topics. Explore your inspiration and discover your vision!
7941 10 session(s): 9/15–11/24 (no class on 9/22)
8016 10 session(s): 9/16–11/25 (no class on 9/23)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

7940 Self-Expression Through Painting
Instructor: Matthew Langley
Mondays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Express yourself! This comprehensive class embraces all personal styles—figurative, expressionistic, or abstract. The class focuses on oil and acrylic, but you are welcome to use mixed-media, other tools, and other media. The goal of this class is to have you create the best possible piece of art you can, and to express what you have envisioned as closely as possible. It is a “no rules” class relying on the laws of shape, color, and intuition, where you will work on individual projects at your own pace. Individual instruction and class discussion create a warm and supportive atmosphere.
9 session(s): 9/15–11/10
Tuition: member $330, non-member $360

7947 Exploring Color
Instructor: Alicia Cotter
Mondays, 12:30–3 PM
Explore color theory, mixing, layering, usage, and more through demonstrations, exercises, and free-paint sessions with the medium of your choice. Get a better understanding of color by experimenting and building upon new concepts to develop as an artist. This class is perfect for beginners as well as experienced painters.
10 session(s): 9/15–11/24 (no class on 10/13)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

7946 Getting Started: Painting
Instructor: Matthew Langley
Mondays, 12:30–3 PM
Painting can be a fun and enriching pastime. This class will help break down uncertainties and fears that often give new painters problems and turn them into strengths. Designed for beginners or people who have been away from making art for a while, this class will teach how to prepare to start painting in any kind of style, building confidence and knowledge along the way. Learn how to set yourself up for success with easy-to-do exercises that will allow you to confidently handle your supplies and work with acrylic paint.
9 session(s): 9/15–11/10
Tuition: member $330, non-member $360

8118 NEW! Artistic Approaches to Landscape Painting
Instructor: Adam Amram
Mondays, 3:30–6 PM
Discover the timeless art of landscape painting in this comprehensive class that explores nature through three distinctive approaches: representational, impressionistic, and abstract. Whether you’re drawn to realistic depictions, atmospheric impressions, or abstract interpretations of the natural world, this class will help you develop your unique artistic voice. Students will learn the fundamentals of oil painting while exploring the rich traditions of landscape art. Through demonstrations and guided practice, students will master essential techniques in composition, color theory, and perspective. This class will also explore key artistic principles including line, form, value, and texture, building student’s confidence and technical skills week by week. Students will be encouraged to draw inspiration from master landscape artists and participate in engaging presentations that illuminate different stylistic approaches and spark their creativity. Individual attention and supportive guidance will ensure students develop the skills needed to transform their vision into compelling landscape paintings.
10 session(s): 9/15–11/24 (no class on 9/22)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

7979 Introduction to Comics & Graphic Novels
Instructor: Ashley McCammon
Mondays, 6:30–9 PM
Interested in making art inspired by your favorite graphic novels or manga series, but not sure where to begin? Already making comic art, but want to improve your skills? Explore the art of making a comic, from story concepts and designing characters, to panel composition and best practices for page layouts. Students will brainstorm ideas and take them from concept to a 1–4-page story, with all the tools to expand them further at home!
10 session(s): 9/15–11/24 (no class on 9/22)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

7980 The Art of Imitation: Oil Painting Studies
Instructor: Aimee Armstrong
Mondays, 6:30–9 PM
In this class, students will elevate their painting skills by exploring the creative decisions and techniques of renowned artists! Art reproduction is one of the most effective ways to gain a deeper understanding of how master artists use elements like color, composition, and perspective to create exceptional works of art. Students will focus on creating oil painting studies of works by famous artists such as John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, Henri Matisse, and many others. This class offers a fantastic opportunity for artists of any skill level to learn new techniques and strengthen their abilities.
10 session(s): 9/15–11/24 (no class on 9/22)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

7981 Drawing: The Basics
Instructor: Joel Tidey
Mondays, 7–9:30 PM
Develop and expand your observational abilities and rendering skills! Students will obtain methods for sensitively describing objects in terms of line, shape, volume, proportion, and tonality. The instructor will cover basic perspective fundamentals in order for students to create realistic drawings, and students will gain confidence by engaging in various studies. Students will have the opportunity to draw from life and reference photos with their choice of subject matter.
10 session(s): 9/15–11/24 (no class on 9/22)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

7988 Drawing 101: The Fundamentals
Instructor: Alicia Cotter
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Are you eager to learn how to draw or want to refine your techniques? Then this class is for you! Students will gain confidence while working in graphite and charcoal to enhance their drawing skills. The instructor will provide demonstrations on the following: turning basic shapes into forms, experimenting with shading techniques, perspective, and more. Repeat students are welcome to register for this class to brush up on their techniques and work independently with the guidance of the instructor.
10 session(s): 9/16–11/25 (no class on 9/23)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8001 NEW! Painting Through Art History
Instructor: Katherine Ivanova
Tuesdays, 12:30–3 PM
Do you enjoy painting and art history? Students will experiment with a variety of painting styles influenced by major historic art movements. Using a single subject matter or theme, students will create a series of small canvases (4–6 in total) in the following five styles: realism, impressionism, cubism, surrealism, and abstract art. Each lesson will include a review of a specific art movement and a painting session in its style. The class will revisit color selection and mixing process, composition, paint application methods, and discover new approaches to painting.
10 session(s): 9/16–11/25 (no class on 9/23)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8017/8080  Drawing the Figure with Confidence
Instructor: Joel Tidey
8017 Tuesdays, 7–9:30 PM
8080 Fridays, 12–2:30 PM
Figure it out! Learn to simplify the complex nature of drawing the human form by getting familiar with basic anatomy to better understand the figure. Because our poses are short, you will be able to focus on how to initiate a figure drawing through basic structuring. Repetition and practice are key elements in expressing yourself with confidence. Please note: This class uses life (nude) models. Students under 18 years of age must have written permission from a parent or guardian to participate. Please contact studioschool@artcenternj.org for more information.
8017 10 session(s): 9/16–11/25 (no class on 9/23)
8080 10 session(s): 9/19–11/21
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402
Materials fee: $73

8023 Introduction to Abstract Painting
Instructor: Matthew Langley
Wednesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
A painting doesn’t need to be realistic to be outstanding. Discover your voice as a painter as you explore non-representational painting techniques to express your visual ideas. Abstract painting is no different than painting from life. You will learn the structure of making images including format, composition, rhythm, color, surface, and texture. A wide variety of painting styles and approaches will be addressed.
9 session(s): 9/17–11/12
Tuition: member $330, non-member $360

8022 Drawing & Pastels
Instructor: Andrea Gianchiglia
Wednesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
This class is perfect for anyone looking to pursue a colored medium with a drawing mindset. Color theory, value, and form will be addressed and demonstrated in both step-by-step and exercise-based lessons to help students learn how to take their drawing skills to the next level while introducing color with pastels.
10 session(s): 9/17–11/26 (no class on 10/1)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8028 Painting: Making Your Creative Mark
Instructor: Andrea Gianchiglia
Wednesdays, 12:30–3 PM
Whether you are an experienced painter or looking to brush up on your skills, this class is perfect for exploring new styles, techniques, and furthering your artistic creativity. Demonstrations in various media such as oil, pastel, acrylic, watercolor, and others will be given throughout the session. Every week a new technique or idea will be discussed and shown to expose students to new ways of tackling painting within their own practice. No matter what your style or medium, all artists will get exposure and inspiration throughout the course while picking up useful tips to experiment with along their painting journey.
10 session(s): 9/17–11/26 (no class on 10/1)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8117 Chinese Brush Painting (Sumi-e): Beautiful Art
Instructor: Diana Hsu Kung
Wednesdays, 12:30–3 PM
Intrigued by Chinese brush painting? Learn to use simple brush strokes to create vivid images of flowers, birds, fish, bamboo, and more while also practicing how to incorporate texture and unique wash techniques essential for landscape painting. Individual attention is given to students of all levels.
6 session(s): 9/17–10/22
Tuition: member $222, non-member $242

8029 Sketching in Paint
Instructor: Matthew Langley
Wednesdays, 12:30–3 PM
Have you ever wanted to create freely? How about wanting to feel more confident in trying new ideas? If you are looking to discover and explore more possibilities in painting, this class will help you develop ideas quickly and refine them before going into your next complete painting. Students will unlock the ideas they have and leave this class with the ability to visualize and generate new artworks.
9 session(s): 9/17–11/12
Tuition: member $330, non-member $360

8045/8059  Watercolor: Pure & Simple
Instructor: Mark de Mos
8045 Wednesdays, 6:30–9 PM
8059 Thursdays, 12:30–3 PM
Create loose, expressive watercolor works based on weekly demonstrations that focus on specific concepts. Work from your own original reference photos and/or sketches or from a reference provided by the instructor.
8045 10 session(s): 9/17–11/26 (no class on 10/1)
8059 10 session(s): 9/18–12/4 (no class on 10/2, 11/27)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8046 Painting in Acrylics for Beginners
Instructor: Alicia Cotter
Wednesdays, 6:30–9 PM
This class is made for beginners who would like to explore the potential of painting in acrylics. The instructor will provide step-by-step demonstrations on painting still lifes and landscapes.
10 session(s): 9/17–12/3 (no class on 10/1, 11/26)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8055 Create & Inspire: Empower Your Art Journey
Instructor: Andrea Gianchiglia
Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Explore your artistic potential in a fun and relaxed atmosphere! Each week, the instructor will provide a demonstration in various mediums delving into form, value, color, texture, and more, which is applicable to the student’s choice of medium. Whether you are a seasoned artist or just starting out, this class is designed to inspire creativity and elevate your artistic skills.
10 session(s): 9/18–12/4 (no class on 10/2, 11/27)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8056 NEW! Introduction to Oil Painting: The Fundamentals
Instructor: Asem Ahmed
Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Discover the beauty and versatility of oil painting in this engaging class designed for artists of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your technique, this class provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of oil painting. Students will explore essential techniques such as color mixing, brush handling, layering, and composition. Through guided exercises and hands-on projects, students will learn how to work with oil paints safely, understand different mediums, and develop their own artistic style. Subject matter will range from still life, landscapes, and portrait studies, allowing students to experiment and express their creativity. This class fosters a relaxed and encouraging environment where students can develop their skills at their own pace.
10 session(s): 9/18–12/4 (no class on 10/2, 11/27)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8061 Painting in Color & Light
Instructor: Andrea Gianchiglia
Thursdays, 12:30–3 PM
Add color to your canvas with instructions on achieving correct color, value, texture, temperature, soft and hard edges, atmospheric perspective, and much more. Demonstrations and topics enhance this fun and relaxed class, where you choose to work from either a still life or a reference photo. All colored media welcome.       10 session(s): 9/18–12/4 (no class on 10/2/, 11/27)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8076 Draw it Like You See it!
Instructor: Aimee Armstrong
Thursdays, 6:30–9 PM
This introductory drawing class will focus on providing students with a strong drawing foundation by learning the basic building blocks while working from life. The main emphasis will be on drawing what one sees versus what one thinks they see. Working in both graphite and charcoal, students will be taught how to use drawing tools, line and shape, gesture drawing, proportions and perspective, and light and shadow. Drawing from still lifes will be the main focus, with the final class being an introduction to portraiture (self-portraiture) using all of the elements we learned in the previous classes.
10 session(s): 9/18–12/4 (no class on 10/2, 11/27)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8077 Learning to Paint Naturally in Oils
Instructor: Joel Tidey
Thursdays, 7–9:30 PM
Whether you are new or experienced, this class will sharpen your painting skills. The focus of this class will be creating artistic studies and smaller paintings while learning the fundamentals of drawing, composition, and color. Students will leave with greater confidence and the knowledge to take on more challenging paintings of their own. Students will use various reference photos of their choice to work from.
10 session(s): 9/18–12/4 (no class on 10/2, 11/27)
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402

8079 Encaustic Painting: the Basics & Beyond
Instructor: Chase Cantwell
Fridays, 12:30–3 PM
Encaustic is the art of painting with molten beeswax combined with colored pigments and resin. The results are like no other medium—mysterious, deep, and translucent. Gain fundamental knowledge of working with encaustics while receiving hands-on time for personal exploration. Informal critiques and discussions are encouraged so students can take risks, let go of preconceived ideas, and most of all, have fun with this beautiful and versatile medium. Some materials supplied.
10 session(s): 9/19–11/21
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402
Materials fee: $137

8084 Techniques in Watercolor and Watercolor Pencil
Instructor: Traci Zaretzka
Saturdays, 10–12:30 PM
This class will explore a variety of techniques that can be used with traditional watercolors and with watercolor pencils, such as creating washes, glazing and layering, and creating textural effects. We will look at the specific properties of watercolors versus watercolor pencils, exploring when to use each and how to use them together to create even more effects. Basic color theory and drawing techniques will be covered as well. Students have the option of painting the same subject as the instructor or working on their own project.
10 session(s): 9/20–11/22
Tuition: member $372, non-member $402