Classes and Workshops

Watercolor with Margaret Fanning                                                                                           Thursdays, 2:00 pm – 4:00pm                                                                                                       8-week session                                                                                                                 
$235 members / $240 non-members  (materials provided)                                                                    
Register here 

Learn to control watercolor with a variety of techniques, from basic washes to more experimental approaches. Paint a landscape, a portrait, or an abstract design. Bring your own reference photos if you’d like. Beginner or intermediate painters!

In-Person Classes held at Farmstead Arts Center in Basking Ridge, NJ

Material List

• Watercolor paints (tubes preferable)
• Jar for water
• Paper towels
• 140lb (or higher) cold press Arches watercolor paper
• Practice watercolor paper pad
• Drawing board (unless you are using a watercolor block-pad)
• pH neutral masking tape (preferably black)
• Brushes: 4 sizes of rounds (Sable, Squirrel, or a synthetic blend of sable or squirrel)
• 1 scrubber brush
• Palette with deep wells
• Something to control amount of water used (such as a syringe or eyedropper)
• Sketch pad
• HB or #2 pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Reference photos to paint from

Watercolor with Margaret Fanning                                                                                           Thursdays, 10:00 am – 12:00 Noon                                                                                               8-week session                                                                                                                     $225 members / $240 non-members  

Register here                                                                                      

Learn to control watercolor with a variety of techniques, from basic washes to more experimental approaches. Paint a landscape, a portrait, or an abstract design. Bring your own reference photos if you’d like. Beginner or intermediate painters!

Virtual Classes held via Zoom – link and passcode will be sent out prior to class start date.

Material List

• Watercolor paints (tubes preferable)
• Jar for water
• Paper towels
• 140lb (or higher) cold press Arches watercolor paper
• Practice watercolor paper pad
• Drawing board (unless you are using a watercolor block-pad)
• pH neutral masking tape (preferably black)
• Brushes: 4 sizes of rounds (Sable, Squirrel, or a synthetic blend of sable or squirrel)
• 1 scrubber brush
• Palette with deep wells
• Something to control amount of water used (such as a syringe or eyedropper)
• Sketch pad
• HB or #2 pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Reference photos to paint from

Master the Art of Colored Pencils with Doug Schiller
Mondays, 10 am – 12 pm
6-week session
$170 members / $185 non-members

Register here

Drawing and painting principles will be applied in the mixing and blending of colors on paper, overlays, washes, and value judgments. Choices of still-life arrangements, landscapes, and personal compositions. Appropriate for beginners and beyond.

Virtual Classes held via Zoom – links and passwords will be sent out prior to class

Materials List

• 2H drawing pencils, eraser
• Drawing paper, 11″ x 14″ minimum
• Blending stick
• Watercolor colored pencils
• Pencil, eraser

Oil Painting with Doug Schiller 
Mondays, 2pm – 4pm
6-week session
$170 members / $185 non-members

Register here 

Basic skills and materials will be reviewed as still-life arrangements, landscapes and personal imagery are developed. Demonstrations and personal attention will be given. All levels welcome.

Virtual Classes held via Zoom – links and passwords will be sent out prior to class

Materials List

• Set of oil paints
• Turpenoid
• Palette
• Palette knife
• Canvas board, 11″ x 14″ minimum
• Assorted paint brushes
• Pencil, eraser

Trompe L’oeil with Doug Schiller 
Tuesdays, 10 am – 12 pm
6-week session
$170 members / $185 non-members

Register here

Learn how to manipulate color, light, and shadow to create optical illusions that make you question your initial perception of what is real. No experience necessary.

Virtual Class held via Zoom – link and password to be sent prior to class start date

Materials list

• one Bristol drawing pad. 11″ x 14″ or larger, 100 lb minimum
• 2H & 2B drawing pencils
• one blending stick
• one “colorless blender” blending pencil
• soft charcoal pencils or sticks
• one drafting eraser (“Vanish” brand recommended)
• one small piece sandpaper

Intro to Watercolor with Doug Schiller
Tuesdays, 2 pm – 4 pm
6-week session 
$170 for members /$185 for non-members

Register here 

Still life and landscapes will be explored, as elements of composition, design, and basic skills will be refined through color, shading, value, and proportions. No previous experience required.

Virtual classes held on Zoom. Link and password provided before class start date.

Materials List

• one watercolor drawing pad, 11″ x 14″ or larger, 140 lb.
• one set watercolor drawing pencils (Derwent recommended)
• one drafting eraser (“Vanish” brand recommended)
• assorted soft oil pastels
• one piece sandpaper
• one set tubed watercolor paints (optional)
• one 1/2″ soft bristle flat paint brush
• one soft bristle pointed paint brush

Intro to Pastels with Doug Schiller
Wednesdays, 10 am – 12 pm 
6-week session
$170 members / $185 non-members

Register here 

A course in chalk pastels which will introduce students to the basic principles of this medium, as well as experimental techniques. Students will learn how to develop their imagery, working from direct observation and photographic references. No previous experience required.

Materials List

• one pad 11″ x 14″ minimum heavyweight drawing paper (Strathmore 100 lb.)
• assorted soft pastel sticks
• assorted oil pastels, optional alternative
• 2H drawing pencil
• drafting eraser
• one 1/2″ soft bristle flat paint brush
• one soft bristle pointed paint brush
• one blending stick

Watercolor Painting with Oscar Peterson
Wednesdays, 10 am – 12 pm
6-week session 
$170 Members/ $185 Non-Members

Register here

Using traditional and modern watercolor techniques (wet-on-wet, dry brush, gradations, etc.) students will explore the freedom and precision that the medium offers. Although geared towards realism, this class will also examine abstract means and methods of creating art. Demonstrations provided.

Hybrid class held In-person / via Zoom – Link and passcode provided before class start date for virtual students. In-person instruction will be held at Farmstead Arts Center.

Watercolor supplies (Students may use any supplies they already have)
Watercolor paper (140LB or heavier)
Painter’s tape (or masking tape), Pencils, Medium size jar or cup

Paints – Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue

Brushes – 1/2″ flat brush, Assorted rounds (#2, #7, #10)

Indoor Studio Landscapes with Doug Schiller 
Wednesdays, 2 pm – 4 pm
6-week session
$170 members / $185 non-members

Register here 

Students will complete an outdoor landscape indoors working from direct observation, photographic references and imagination. Step-by-step instructions and demonstrations help develop an understanding of perspective, shading, color and compositional elements as representational three-dimensional spaces are created. Personal understanding and progress reinforced with individual and group critiques. No previous experience required.

Virtual classes held via Zoom – links and passwords will be sent out prior to class start date.

Materials List

• one drawing pad, 11″ X 14″ or larger, 140 lb.
• 2H & 2B drawing pencils
• one drafting eraser (“Vanish brand recommended)
• one blending stick
• one 1/2″ soft bristle flat paint brush
• one soft bristle pointed paint brush
• one :colorless blender blending pencil
• assorted soft oil pastels
• one set watercolor drawing pencils (Derwent recommended)
• one small piece sandpaper

Fundamentals of Drawing with Margaret Fanning                                                                   Wednesdays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm                                                                                             8-week session
$235 members / $250 non-members (materials provided)

Register here                                                                                             

Drawing has been the foundation of art throughout the centuries. This class will help students build and refine the techniques needed for drawing. Learn how to use line, shape, and value to form a composition and how to use your observation skills to bring objects to life on paper.

In-Person Classes held at Farmstead Arts Center

Materials List

• Drawing board
• Kneaded eraser
• White plastic eraser
• 11”x14” or similar sized drawing paper
• Drawing pencils in a range of hardness grades (Recommended: 2H, H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
• Ruler or traceable straight surface, at least 12”
• Vine charcoal
• Charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
• White soft pastel
• Grey Toned drawing paper

Optional Materials:

• Colored pencils or pastels for drawing in color
• Tortillons (Blending Sticks)
• Chamois

Intro to Cartooning with Stefano Junior 
Fridays, 12pm – 2pm 
$170 members/ $185 non-members

Register here

Students will learn the basics of anatomy drawing, expressive line & gesture, cartooning and embellishment techniques through different mediums utilized in illustration, comic books & sequential art. All levels welcome. Suitable for Adults and Teens 16+

Virtual Class held online via Zoom – link and passcode will be sent prior to start date

Materials Needed:

• Newsprint sketch pad (9×12 minimum)
• Vine charcoal
• 2B pencil (and assorted pencils)
• Ruler or T-square (12”)
• Bristol paper
• India ink
• Pitt pens
• Kneaded eraser
• Straedler eraser

Figure Drawing with Oscar Peterson
Fridays, 1pm – 3pm 
8-Week Sessions                                                                                                                
$170 members / $185 non-members                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Register here 

Starting with gestures, then short, and finally, long poses — you will learn how to create form and develop it into a completed drawing. Focusing on rendering and shading, you will discover how to define the image. While learning fundamental principles of light, planes, structure, and proportion, students will learn to construct images that look realistic. Demonstrations provided.

Virtual classes held via Zoom – Link and passcode will be sent out prior to class start date.

Materials List (Students may use any supplies they already have)

Drawing paper, and newsprint paper pads (14″x17″ is a good size)
Drawing board
Charcoal and graphite pencils
A small bristle paint brush
Kneaded and plastic erasers
Mat knife and sandpaper (to sharpen pencils)
Paper towels

Landscape & Still Life Painting with Oscar Peterson
8-week session
Fridays, 4:30pm – 6:30pm
$170 members / $185 non-members 

Register here 

Learn how to use color, values, edges and color intensity to create stunning landscape paintings. Also learn what to use when setting up still life paintings, how to create mood, and achieve color harmony. All mediums. Demonstrations provided.

Virtual classes held via Zoom – Link and passcode will be sent out prior to class start date.

Materials – Choose Oil, Acrylic and/or Watercolor (Students may use any supplies they already have)

• Oil or Acrylic Paints (start with a limited palette) – Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, or Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red, Cobalt Blue, or Ultramarine Blue, Ivory Black
• Brushes – Assorted filbert bristle brushes (#2 through #8); Assorted round soft brushes (#2 through #8)
• Medium – Linseed Oil, Artist Quality Odorless Mineral Spirits (OMS)
• Painting Palette – Your choice — Masonite, plexiglass, glass, disposable wax paper
• Painting Surface – Canvas, or canvas panel (with acrylic gesso), no smaller than 8×10 or larger than 14×17
• Misc. – Drop-handle painting knife, Palette cups (water jar for acrylics), Cotton rags and/or Paper towels

Pastel Supplies (Students may use any supplies they already have)
Pastel paper pad, or sheets
Any brand of soft pastel (not oil pastels), minimum of 12 colors
Pastel pencils
kneaded eraser
Foamcore board (larger than paper used)
Binder clips, or tape

Watercolor supplies (Students may use any supplies they already have)
Watercolor paper (140LB or heavier)
Painter’s tape (or masking tape), Pencils, Medium size jar, or cup

Paints – Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Cerulean Blue

Brushes – 1/2″ flat brush, Assorted rounds (#2, #7, #10)

Illustration & Cartooning with Stefano Junior
Saturdays, 11am – 1pm 
$160 members / $175 non-members 

Register here 

Students will learn the basics of anatomy drawing, expressive line & gesture, cartooning and embellishment techniques through different mediums utilized in illustration, comic books & sequential art. All levels welcome.

In-person class held onsite at Farmstead Arts Center 

Materials Needed:

• Newsprint sketch pad (9×12 minimum)
• Vine charcoal
• 2B pencil (and assorted pencils)
• Ruler or T-square (12”)
• Bristol paper
• India ink
• Pitt pens
• Kneaded eraser
• Straedler eraser

http://www.spjcomicart.deviantart.com

Individual Lessons (via Zoom) – 6-week sessions – all levels welcome!

Email admin@farmsteadarts.org to register for classes 

Farmstead Members: $225
Non-members: $240

Materials needed:
A guitar (nylon string or steel string, or electric)
An electronic guitar tuner (clip-on, or app on your phone)

Printed materials and scores, sent as a .pdf via email.

Free Photography Q&A

Tuesday, August 29th  at 6pm 

Free for Farmstead Members and Non-Members

Register here

Virtual Q&A session held via Zoom – link and password will be emailed prior to class.

This is an open Q&A forum for anyone with questions about photography… lenses, cameras, dslr vs. mirroless, applications, software, classes, and recommendations. Bring all of your questions and we’ll give you the answers. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain some insight into upcoming classes, as well.

Beginner Photography I
Wednesdays, 6 pm – 7:30 pm 

September 6 ,13, 20, 27
4 Sessions
$90 Farmstead Members / $105 Non-Members

Register here 

Virtual Classes held via Zoom – links and passwords will be sent out prior to class.

Isn’t it time to get the most out of your dslr or mirrorless camera? In this 4-session class, you’ll learn about aperture, ISO, shutter speed… what they do and what they can do for you.

Recommended for dslr and mirrorless cameras. Not recommended for camera phone users.

Beginner Photography I
Wednesdays, 6 pm – 7:30 pm 

November 1 – 22
4 Sessions
$90 Farmstead Members / $105 Non-Membersz

Register here 

Virtual Classes held via Zoom – links and passwords will be sent out prior to class.

Now that you’ve learned about the exposure triangle, it’s time to get into composition. Through weekly excercises, students will learn about and practice photographic composition rules to help expand photography. Anyone with a camera and understanding of exposure is encouraged to take this class. Open to dslr, mirroless, and camera phone users.

Advanced Photography
Wednesdays, 6 pm – 7:30 pm 
8 sessions
$175 members / $195 non-members

Register here

All classes held via Zoom. Links will be emailed prior to class start.

This is free-form advanced photography class spanning 8 weeks. Every time this is offered, it is different… and every time it will push you into areas of photography you may have never considered exploring. The goal of this course is to keep you growing and can be taken multiple time by students who desire a group learning and critique environment. We will briefly cover post-processing techniques.