New Mexico Art League
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Adult Classes

Upcoming events

    • 07/28/2024
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Art League Studios
    • 0
    Join waitlist

     The New Mexico Art League holds Sunday Life Drawing Sessions each week with either a clothed or nude model.

    We will begin with quick warm-up poses so artists can capture the figure in motion and move to extended poses during the 3 hour session. These drawing sessions are open to artists of all levels. Artists should bring their own materials and drawing surface. Easels and drawing benches are provided for your use. 



    These sessions do require advance registration.  


    Please check your calendar! Payment is not transferable or refundable.

    Please sign up early; each group is limited to 12 artists.

    Payment must be made at the time of registration in order to hold your place. Without payment your place will be cancelled.

    • 07/29/2024
    • 08/02/2024
    • 5 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    • 5
    Register

    Join artist, Susan Roden, in this 5-day workshop and be immersed within nature while capturing the colorful palette of flora with pastels. We will be on location at Los Poblanos, in private and public gardens and the emphasis will be on how-to select visual imagery for developing successful compositions, observation of natural lighting of the sun and the cast of shadows, with in-depth discussion of the basics of this vivid medium. We will be painting in garden settings, both public and private, for three of the five days with the remaining two in the studio for final development of your artwork. This workshop is designed for artists at all levels with individualized attention and demos led by Susan Roden. 


    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students.


    Materials List



    • 08/04/2024
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Art League Studios
    • 5
    Register

     The New Mexico Art League holds Sunday Life Drawing Sessions each week with either a clothed or nude model.

    We will begin with quick warm-up poses so artists can capture the figure in motion and move to extended poses during the 3 hour session. These drawing sessions are open to artists of all levels. Artists should bring their own materials and drawing surface. Easels and drawing benches are provided for your use. 



    These sessions do require advance registration.  


    Please check your calendar! Payment is not transferable or refundable.

    Please sign up early; each group is limited to 12 artists.

    Payment must be made at the time of registration in order to hold your place. Without payment your place will be cancelled.

    • 08/05/2024
    • 08/08/2024
    • 4 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Brush up on your painting sklls with the versatile and luminous medium of watercolor. Still life is a beautiful art form whether approached as an abstract or as photo realistic. Join artist, Tina Stallard, in this 4-day workshop exploring techniques that will help you take your still life paintings to a whole new level. Tina will focus on different ways to create depth and visual appeal in your work. We will cover backgrounds techniques, dramatic lights and darks and how to make a strong arrangement out of your subject material. You are welcome to work from a photo of your own or one that I provide to practice these ideas.  On the last day, if time permits, students may bring in a painting that is in need of some help and we will apply some of the techniques that we have just learned.  The class will include demos, painting time, and individual instruction with each student. All levels are welcome.


    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students.


    Materials list
    • 08/09/2024
    • 08/11/2024
    • 3 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Do you love the outdoors and want to make art inspired by nature . . .while you are on the trail? This 3-day workshop is designed for those who love the outdoors and would like to infuse their art practice with a fresh perspective. These art adventures, during the first 2 days, will include short hikes and creating art on location. We will be stop along the way with drawing exercises incorporating natural materials with our limited art materials all to inspire you to be resourceful and look at things differently. This experience is to get you outdoors, experiencing nature with a new perspective and while stretching the potential of your materials. We will meet at two different mountain trails (easy to moderate) within 20 minutes of Albuquerque. Please allow time for travel and parking. Pack your materials and supplies in a backpack and you are ready to go. Keep in mind ease of set up along the trail, all while staying in the moment of natural inspiration. The final day will be spent in the studio where we will examine the results of the experiential art adventure looking for how it might influence future work or series. Mary Beth has been an artist and hiker for many years and incorporates “outdoor studios” in her own practice. This is going to be great! 

    Please sign up early; class size is limited.


    Materials List
    • 08/14/2024
    • 08/17/2024
    • 4 sessions
    • Main Studio
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Join John Reger for this 4-day workshop offering an in depth study of the fundamentals of academic ‘long-pose’ life drawing. Perfect for all artists, beginners or advanced, we will focus on developing an understanding of the classical tradition of realistic figure drawing. Students will be introduced to the manual, procedural, and analytical techniques of a refined, articulate, realistic approach to pencil drawing. Presented with an immersive drawing experience, students will progress with the most effective learning tool,  the multi-level experience of drawing itself.  Participants will be introduced to a refined, articulate drawing style in which drawings are built up methodically through a succession of linear and tonal stages: (1) the envelope:a simple, foundational shape encompassing the whole figure, (2) the block-in: the complex, abstract shape of the figure, (3) the contour: the specific, linear description of the silhouette of the figure, (4) drawing on the inside: the tonal description of the form of the body within the confines of the contour.  The focus is on patience, craft, observation, and understanding of drawing principles. You will be amazed at what you can learn in 4 days! 

    Please sign up early; class size is limited.



    Materials List


    • 08/19/2024
    • 08/23/2024
    • 5 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    • 4
    Register

    Are you a tree lover AND an artist? Then this workshop is for you! Trees, which have been a venerated subject matter in art for centuries, will be our primary focus as we investigate a variety of materials and methods for art making. Exploring color, composition and form in a dynamic way, students will discover multiple ways to create beautiful tree images. We will incorporate traditional monoprint making processes, painting techniques and collage with contemporary materials like stencils, spray paint and modeling as we explore the many ways to render trees. Class includes a lecture and demon-strations as well as hours of fun painting trees. Students at all levels are welcome.

    Please sign up early; class size is limited. 


    Materials List


    • 09/03/2024
    • 10/22/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    • 5
    Register

    This class is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to paint portraits in watercolor using multiple transparent layers for ultimate depth in their work, with the goal of painting more realistically. Students will learn the basics of handling watercolor paints and brushes, and explore a variety of techniques: glazing, layering, methods for saving the white of the paper, juxtaposing color, key techniques in creating the perfect neutral color, softening and/or losing a few edges, the importance of incorporating the background-color as foreground-shadows, and others. Our portraits will be painted from carefully selected photos, instructor’s choice first, then photos provided by students, learning the importance of working from great, vs. bad photo references. We will also touch on the basic fundamentals of composition, contrast of values, the essentials of a good initial drawing, and how to achieve perfect chiaroscuro. Several technical demonstrations will complement your studio work. The goal of this class is to give students the basic tools necessary to begin their own realistic portrait work.

    Please sigh up early; class size is limited. 

    Materials List

    • 09/03/2024
    • 10/01/2024
    • 5 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    This 5-week class will focus predominantly on clouds and skies in the landscape. The principles of composition, color temperature shadows, brush strokes, thickness of paint, edges, philosophies of painting and centers of interest will be incorporated. You will learn why the sky is blue, why sunsets orange and yellow, how shadows take on certain hues, how to capture atmospheric perspective, and how to paint different types of clouds with an understanding of how they form. Interspersed will be lessons on how to avoid muddy colors, how to maximize the impact of the colors you use and which combinations of color please the eye. We will also explore the techniques of alla prima, multi-step painting, realism and impressionism. This course will be flexible and tailored to the students needs giving ample time to work on paintings in class. Dick will demonstrate techniques on a regular basis and whenever requested. Instruction will be constructive and positive at the level you are comfortable with. The goal is for every student to deepen his or her knowledge about painting while enjoying the learning process. Expect to have fun. Plan on producing works you will be proud of. Painting experience is recommended. 

    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students. 


    Materials List
    • 09/03/2024
    • 10/22/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    This class is designed for those who have a strong desire to paint but are not sure how to begin. Students will learn the basic tools of painting in either oil or acrylic beginning with how to set up your palette and the basics of composition. We will learn to mix color by working at first with a limited color palette and then, as we progress, adding more colors. Proportion, object placement, value, shape and perspective are a few of the elements of art that will be covered.  After focusing on both painting from life and painting landscapes from photographs individual students will choose the subject of their final painting. If you are interested in trying abstraction as this time then go for it! Instruction will include primarily individual guidance along with demonstrations. You will be surprised at how much fun it is to learn to paint!


    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students.




    Materials List



    • 09/04/2024
    • 10/23/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    The objective of this class is to acquaint students with traditional and contemporary techniques in drawing and painting that will give them the solid background needed to develop their own individual style. Class will progress to the introduction of traditional drawing and painting techniques and fundamental principles of design including composition, perspective and color. Classes will begin with a short lecture and demonstration, after which students will explore these techniques working from still life arrangements or their own photographic material.

    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students. 


    Materials List

    • 09/04/2024
    • 10/23/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    Students will learn how to paint in oils using the time tested methods of the masters. Color theory and its app-lication to landscape painting will be a central focus as Waid helps each student develop greater skills of observation. Meeting each artist at their individual level of skill, Waid encourages self-expression and individual interpretation of the subject while incorporating the fundamentals of composition, depth of field and balance in landscape painting.


    Class size is limited to 12 students; please sign up early.


    Materials List

    • 09/05/2024
    • 10/24/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Main studio
    Register

    “Things are changing in the world of pastel  - I am constantly amazed at how artists are pushing the boundaries of this versatile medium.”

    -Vasili

    Join artist, VASILI KATAKIS, in this 8-week class taking a fresh look at trends in the world of pastel painting. Applying traditional techniques with a new approach takes pastel a whole new level. The goal of any painting is to stir the inner emotions of the viewer. Techniques range from traditional- to hyper-realistic. Understanding the principles and techniques in this class will allow you to paint with greater confidence, thereby giving you more freedom to compose and create. Some of the topics we will cover include- textured marks, fine line marks, blending/back-blending, background as unifier, color transitions, glazing layers. There is no limit to what we can achieve when combining traditional techniques with new ones. Please feel free to contact the instructor with questions, vasilikatakis2@gmail.com.


    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students.


    Materials
    • 09/05/2024
    • 10/24/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    The class will focus on giving students the opportunity to develop their ideas into paintings by first reinforcing basic drawing and painting techniques which make it easier, to create strong works by exploring all the possibilities of combining multiple mediums. There will be short lectures on painting procedures to facilitate and speed up the painting process from beginning to end. Emphasis will be placed on creating works representative of the individual student preferences with new approaches to basic painting and drawing techniques in order  to revitalize works and bring them closer to the envisioned idea. Students will be able to work from their own photographs, sketches or imagination. Class is suitable for all levels, instructor will work with artists individually to help them develop their own style and works that depict the images the artist visualized.

    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students.


    Materials List
    • 09/06/2024
    • 10/25/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    Tired of drawing the same old apples and oranges?  How about creating a shape or presenting a color relationship that has never been seen before? This 8-week class will examine the infinite possibilities of abstraction using various dry drawing materials and water based paint and/or through the painting mediums of oil or acrylics.  Each student will have the option to decide what materials to use and when. The exception being the homework assignments which will always be done on paper. Class can be as structured or as open as desired to enable the creative voice to have its say.  Students who prefer more structure will work on in-class assignments while others may choose to treat the class as an open studio, pursuing individual projects. Contemporary artists as well as artist from history will be discussed to remind us of what is happening and what has happened, renewing our connection to world culture. Class critiques will provide a window into ideas, process and intent. This class will be both challenging and fun as you discover the infinite freedom of abstraction! 


    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students.



    Materials List



    • 09/06/2024
    • 10/25/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    This class will explore the very essence of how ideas are formed from your sketchbook. Practice makes perfect and in this case it is so true. By developing the habit of taking your sketchbook with you everywhere, you will begin to notice more and hone your ability to see and then draw very personal glimpses of life. Regardless of your artistic genre whether it's abstraction or realism, this class will show you how to develop your creative process through a daily record of expressive thoughts.  Sketchbooks can also serve as a place to work out compositions, ideas for a series, preliminary drawing for a painting or any work of art. Sue will guide you through a progression of exercises that will review drawing methods and principals that will become second nature to you as you develop the routine of sketching and drawing every day. Students will be encouraged to incorporate an assortment of markings executed with pencils, inks, adhered ephemera for collage-effects and tints from organic dyes and watercolors. The possibilities are endless! This class is open to artists at all levels.

    Please sign up early; class size is limited.


    Materials List

    • 09/07/2024
    • 11/02/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    This class is for intermediate artists who want to go to the next level. If you are asking yourself “Where do I go from here?”, this class will give you the direction you are seeking. Alice will be working with each student individually to determine how to build on your strengths and how to turn weaknesses into assets. Together you will clarify your visual voice and understand how your personal creative vocabulary is already apparent in your work. Alice will encourage an investigation of the imagery, color choices and composition you are presently using and guide you to a strong individual path in your painting.  Please bring your preferred materials. All media, charcoal and pencil, pastels, oils, acrylics and watercolors, are welcome. 


    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students.



    NO CLASS SEPTEMBER 21

    • 09/07/2024
    • 10/26/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    Do you love to paint and draw? Are you interested in studying art in college or becoming a profes-sional artist one day? Join artist and teacher, Susan Roden, for a comprehensive, skill building course covering many areas of study in two and three dimensional art. Students will have fun exploring multiple painting, drawing and design projects, and finish with artwork that could be included in a portfolio for admission to a university art program. As well as making your own work, you will look at and learn from artists of the past and present to fuel your own unique art. Come ready to ask questions, share ideas and create. This is a no-pressure environment where all levels are welcome. Individual guidance and constructive feedback will be given. 


    Please sign up early, space is limited to 12 students.


    Materials List


    NO CLASS MAY 4

    • 09/09/2024
    • 10/28/2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    Join watercolor painter, Dave Cook, in this 6-week exploration of techniques of sketching in watercolor to create colorful compelling paintings.  Whether your interest is in travel sketches, figures, still life, animals, city or landscapes, we will review basic composition principles using pencil and pen with ink.  Moving on, we will study light values and practice simple watercolor brushstroke techniques.  Combining beautiful transparent watercolors with texture of pen and ink helps produce quick impressions of realism. Students will learn to discover and express their inner creativity. Your self-confidence  will improve and you will immediately see improvement in your ability to achieve striking successful compositions. Each class will include progressive demonstrations and individual instruction, with ample time for painting. This course is designed for students at any level always stressing positive feedback.  Prior drawing and sketching experience is helpful. 


    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students.


    Materials List



    • 09/09/2024
    • 10/28/2024
    • 8 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register


    Autumn is spectacular in New Mexico. Whether we are awestruck by the intensity of the yellow of the wild sunflowers or the range of reds in the hollyhocks growing by the wall, we are equally inspired by this beautiful time if year. Join Cynthia in this eight-week class that will focus on creating paintings that reflect that beauty, drama, and character. This is the perfect opportunity to paint both inside and outdoor subject matter. We will be painting either inside the studio from a still life of fall flowers or outside (weather permitting) composing a landscape of the changing season.The plan is to do four interior sessions and four plein aire sessions. The class is also geared toward individual growth as Cynthia devotes ample time to each student’s personal instruction. You are welcome to use gouache, watercolor, and/or oils, either staying with your tried and true medium or exploring something new!

    *Please note that you are not expected to bring materials for all mediums. Please choose the medium that you prefer.

    Please sign up early; class size is limited.


    Materials List
    • 09/29/2024
    • 10/27/2024
    • 5 sessions
    • On Location
    Register

    Let’s paint outside on Sundays! This 5-week class we will bring landscape painters together in new locations in the area during New Mexico’s springtime weather. We will spend four days at different spots painting in nature.  The fifth day is reserved for any finishing touches and a group critique and will meet at the Art League studio. Days on location will start with a demo and a short talk by Alice Webb focussing on information on how to create a dynamic composition, accounting for value, how color theory applies to the landscape and atmospheric perspective. Students will have the rest of the time to paint as Alice checks in with each student to work with them individually. All mediums are welcome: oils, acrylics, pastels and pan or tube watercolors. Since we will be outside for several hours please be sure to use sunscreen and wear a hat. If you have a painting umbrella, that’s great. Also bring water, a snack and a folding chair if you want to sit during demos and breaks. Restrooms may not be available but trees and bushes will be .

    Our destinations:

    • Elena Gallegos (restrooms available)
    • Placitas (no restrooms) We will meet at the Merc in Placitias
    • San Yisidro (no restrooms) - We will meet at the Home Depot in Rio Rancho (on 550) 
    • San Diego Canyon north of Jemez Pueblo - no restrooms  - Plenty of bushes everywhere We will meet at the Home Depot in Rio Rancho (on 550) 
    • New Mexico Art League 

    Please sign up early; class size is limited to 10 students.

    Materials List


    • 10/04/2024
    • 10/07/2024
    • 3 sessions
    • On location
    Register

    Perhaps you’ve learned the basics of painting and you are looking for new inspiration or maybe you have a newly discovered love of painting and you want to work toward making real progress with solid instruction. We invite you to join J. Waid Griffin for three amazing days of painting in the spectacular landscape surrounding Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in Pecos, New Mexico. Waid will apply his vast knowledge of landscape painting and guide you through every step toward creating great paintings plein air. Students will receive personal instruction each day on the beautiful grounds of the Monastery with access to studio space for critique and additional painting time in the evening. The lessons will cover many aspects of the process of on location painting such as: how to SEE, how to analyze and depict the light source(s) and how to select your subject. The tuition includes all costs; your room and meals, so all you have to do is eat, sleep, and paint!


    Please sign up early; class size is limited.


    Materials List

    • 11/08/2024
    • 11/12/2024
    • 3 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register

    Join encaustic artist, Carolyn Berry, in this fun and experimental workshop where the sky is the limit! Encaustic wax is a versatile medium made from beeswax, damar resin and powdered pigments that can be used for traditional painting techniques as well as a way to add texture, layer and join mixed media materials together.  We will explore experimental techniques of painting, drawing, collage, stenciling, photo transfer, wax fusing and surface manipulation. Be inspired to create artwork with a unique surface using melted wax and pigments. Using magazine images, photo images and found collage materials students will achieve successful and personal imagery in this creative medium. No previous art experience is necessary only an adventurous spirit.


    Please sign up early; class size is limited.


    Materials List
    • 11/12/2024
    • 11/15/2024
    • 4 sessions
    • Art League Studios
    Register


    Don’t miss this great opportunity to work with landscape painter, Phil Starke in the 4-day plein aire/studio workshop. Through daily demonstrations and individual instruction, Phil will focus on simplifying the main aspects of painting a landscape. We want to be able to “see” as an artist, not as a camera. Students will learn how to simplify the subject to large masses and values which eliminates the need for too much detail. Using the color wheel, students will learn how to easily mix color that suggests light without trying to copy what we see. The workshop will start in the studio for an introduction and then move outside for 2 days, where we will work on color studies and thumbnail drawings. During the last 2 days, we will turn our attention to studio painting, learning how to turn the outdoor studies into finished paintings, focusing on composition and painting techniques. Phil will do 2 demonstrations a day and work devote plenty of time with each student. Phil’s demonstrations will be in oils but artists working in acrylics and pastel are welcome; the thought process and procedure are the same. Please sign up early; class size is limited to 12 students.


    Materials List



Gallery Hours: 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday - Saturday  505-293-5034

3409 Juan Tabo Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111     Map It  

Mailing address: P.O. Box 16554, Albuquerque, NM 87191                              

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