Drawing and Mixed Media

Mixed Media Workshops:  Explore, Discover, and Learn!

Monday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30pm, August 3, 10, 17, 24; Cost: $40 each
Email Melanie Stanley, Instructor, at ridingfree2@gmail.com to register and for the Supply List!

August 3:  Explore Drawing and Painting with Mixed Media

“Experience the joy and nuance of using a variety of drawing tools such as graphite, charcoal, and pastel.  Add some watercolor and a few surprises to see what you can create!”

August 10: Mixed Media Mania…or Magic!

“Get ready to mix it all up with drawing, painting, collage…and amazing surprises as you build a colorful piece of artwork!”

August 17: Fun with Tissue Paper, Photos, and Experimenting

“Grab some colorful and white tissue papers along with a couple of photos printed on Xerox paper.  Add a few brushes, pens, and some watercolor and/or acrylic with gel mediums…and watch the creative fun begin!”

August 24: Open Ended Mixed Media (for students with prior experience in mixed media)

“Bring your art tools and materials, and let’s create a colorful, mixed media masterpiece on canvas or heavy watercolor paper. Don’t forget to also bring your sense of humor, imagination, and desire to express your artistic voice!”

Come explore your artistic voice and creativity as you learn different techniques for drawing, painting, and mixed media on a variety of surfaces. Your instructor facilitates your creative journey by demonstrating ways to use watercolor, acrylics, pencils, pens, charcoal, interesting papers, and photos to create both representational and abstract compositions influenced by our environment, imagination, and personal experiences. You will be encouraged to take your art seriously but to also enjoy your exploration of art with a sense of wonder and fun. Laughter is an essential ingredient!

We will explore our inner art voices through introspective understandings of who we are, how we best express our ideas, and why we do this through art. You will learn and practice techniques to build ideas for drawing, painting, and collage using materials of your choice.

As we learn and play, we will listen to the art voices in our hearts and then discover how to listen to those voices! We will explore old and new techniques to incorporate in our work, and we will use paper and canvas to build a body of work in this class. Watercolor paper is a must; canvas is a choice, although I will encourage the use of canvas once you are comfortable working with paper!

Explore, discover, and HAVE FUN as you LEARN in a safe, supportive environment, all levels are welcome!

Mixed Media Children’s Classes

Summer 2015
Explore, Discover, Imagine, and Have Fun…Creating!
Fine Arts and Mixed Media Exploration for the Young Artist

Taught by Melanie and Tim Stanley

Come explore the tools and techniques of a fine artist while having fun discovering! You will learn how to create unique designs using pencils, graphite, caran d’ache, color pencils, pastels, pens, watercolors, acrylics, and gel mediums. Technique, composition, and elements of design will be woven into a fun four days using different artistic applications with interesting papers, canvas, photos and imagination. Young artists will create from environmental designs, still life, animals, surprises, and individual choice. Be ready to draw a realistic scene in one activity and a wild, expressionistic design the next! Learn to observe, think, and problem solve like a fine artist to create the kind of art you enjoy and are proud of. We will sketch, draw, paint, splatter, pour, and collage.

Come have fun exploring…while learning contemporary artists’ techniques with exciting choices and materials presented. Have fun exploring the arts, and bring your imagination with you!  Let the wild art rumpus begin!


Ages 9 to 14 (Younger children are considered with Instructor Permission)
All art materials are included along with a daily, light snack.
Water Fountain is located in the building, and children may bring a water bottle.
Dates for 4 classes: Week of July 20th– Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Time: 9:00am to 12:30pm
COST: $195

Please email Melanie Stanley to register: ridingfree2@gmail.com

A $50 deposit by check will be appreciated by July 1 to ensure a spot for your child/children. Money is refunded if the class is canceled.