Weekly Group Art Sessions
Ongoing weekly group sessions open for adults and teenagers of all experience levels, from beginners to experienced students.
It is a flexible class structure: you can choose one of the Study Focus options (listed below) designed by the instructor, Abby Brown, to teach particular skills, or you can arrange with the instructor your own Custom Study Focus to fit your unique interests and needs.
The instructor will give constructive feedback on a one-on-one basis with each student as they develop their artwork. Students are encouraged to explore a variety of subjects and approaches.
Photo by Maria Cristina Travaglio
Painting:
Painting Fundamentals I (beginner)
Painting Fundamentals II (continuing beginner)
Intermediate Painting with focus area (intermediate)
Independent Projects (advanced)
Drawing:
Drawing Fundamentals (beginner)
Experimental and Multi-Media Drawing (continuing beginner - intermediate)
Drawing the Human Figure and Portrait (continuing beginner - intermediate)
Continued Drawing Studies with focus area (continuing beginner - intermediate)
Independent Projects (advanced)
Other:
Custom Study Focus (beginner - advanced)
Study Focus options
How it works:
You will be together with other students in the studio for each weekly sessions, but every student will work on projects for their chosen Study Focus. The instructor will give you individualized one-on-one feedback, guide you through your projects, and can adjust the approach and pacing to fit your needs and interests.
Flexible start date:
There is no set start date, so you can join the weekly group sessions at any time provided there is space.
Schedule
Class size: 3-6 students
Language of instruction: English, some German on request
Weekly Group Art Sessions meeting on:
Monday Evenings, 6-8pm
Tuesday Mornings, 11am-1pm
Tuesday Evenings, 6-8pm
*The sessions do not meet on public holidays
Instructor - Abby Brown
The weekly group art sessions are taught by Abby Brown, the founder of AB Art Studios.
Her teaching focus is primarily in painting and drawing, as well as many multi-media techniques.
Pricing
€275 for a Block of 8 sessions
A block of 8 weekly sessions,
with up to 3 make-up sessions (block can be used within 11 weeks).
Continuing enrollment discount of €20 for students who start another block within 2 weeks of when their last block of sessions ends.
€38 per Single Session
Pay by the session.
Trial Discount: €20 for a first trial session
Materials Fee
Optional materials fee to use the studios materials.
Painting: €40 per block of 8 sessions / €5 per single session*
Drawing: €15 per block of 8 sessions / €2 per single sessions**
Combination of painting and drawing: €27 per block of 8 sessions* **
*Painting materials fee covers the use of all paints, mediums, palettes, brushes, etc. Canvases are not included and students must provide their own. There are usually small canvas boards available at the studio which can be purchased at cost, but this is not guaranteed and please get in touch ahead of time to confirm.
**Drawing materials fee covers the use of all basic drawing supplies, such as graphite, charcoal, pens, markers, chalk pastels, ink, paper, etc. It is recommended to bring your own A3 sized sketchbook for drawing so all your sketches are in one sketchbook.
Register to join the Sessions!
Block of 8 Sessions
Register for a block and reserve your spot in the sessions
Single Sessions
Please get in touch so we know to expect you for a single session, dependent on space. Email us here: office@abartstudios.com
Trial Session
You are welcome to come for a trial session (discounted price of €20) to see if the studio is the right fit for what you are looking for!
Get in touch to arrange a time and let the instructor know what subject you are interested in. Email Abby at office@abartstudios.com
Study Focus options
Details and Descriptions
Painting Fundamentals I
Best suited for: Complete beginners or review for students with some experience
In this course, designed for beginners but also a good refresher for those with some experience, students will go through a series of projects to develop the fundamental skills for creating successful paintings. We will complete three paintings using primarily still life as a starting point for learning concepts and techniques applicable to all areas of painting. Students can choose whether they would like to focus on oil or acrylic painting, and there is significant overlap in the techniques and processes that apply equally to both mediums.
The first project will use a limited color palette and we will slowly expand to a full color palette as students gain confidence. A strong emphasis will be on light-structure and color theory, and how you can use light and color to convey depth and form. This will be broken down into manageable steps even for complete beginners, and each project will build off the lessons of the last.
Students will also learn about rendering, mark-making, paint layering and composition. By the end of the study, students can expect to complete 3 paintings and have a foundational understanding of how to use the materials and the building blocks for successful painting.
The instructor will provide guidance and constructive feedback on a one-on-one basis with each student as they develop their artwork.
Painting Fundamentals II
Best suited for: Continuing beginners or review for students with some experience
This course is well suited for students who have completed Painting Fundamentals I or who already have some basic experience with painting. Projects will introduce students to different approaches to painting while further building upon student’s fundamental skill set. Students will gain further understanding of color theory, light-structure, composition, mark-making, rendering and use of materials.
Projects are especially designed to explore a variety of approaches to art-making, tapping into creative ways of working from the right side of the brain. We will use approaches that will encourage students to step outside their comfort zone, paint freely and expressively and turn off our overly critical and perfectionistic tendencies, which can create a mental block and impede progress and creativity. One of the main skills students will develop is confidence with color mixing, as the instructor will give them detailed guidance and exercises to be able to mix the exact colors they intend.
Students can work at their own pace, but could expect to finish around 2 paintings during the course as well as some exercises. There is flexibility to choose the exact subject matter for each painting based on individual interest, with at least one painting using a muted color palette for in-depth practice with color mixing.
The instructor will provide guidance and constructive feedback on a one-on-one basis with each student as they develop their artwork.
Intermediate Painting with Focus Area
Best suited for: Intermediate students
This course is for students who have learned the fundamentals of painting, and want to further develop their skills with a focus on a particular subject matter, approach or painting style. The structure of the projects is flexible, and can be individually designed and catered to your unique interests and needs. We can discuss what you wish to accomplish and structure a plan for how you can meet your goals.
Potential areas of focus could include:
Abstract and semi-abstract painting
Collage and Multi-Media painting techniques
Portrait Painting
Figure Painting
Painting the natural world
Landscape and city scape paintings
Exploring color theory
Other focus area or a combination of the above - please get in touch to discuss possibilities
The instructor will provide guidance and constructive feedback on a one-on-one basis with each student as they develop their artwork.
Drawing Fundamentals
Best suited for: Beginners or review for students with some experience
This course is for beginners or a refresher course for students with some limited experience who want to further develop their skills. Students will learn and develop the fundamental skills and principles of drawing in a supportive and creative environment at AB Art Studios. Students will explore different approaches, from increasing accuracy and realism to experimental mark-making that expressively interprets the essence of an object. The student will become confident using a variety of drawing tools and materials, primarily working with graphite, fine-liner pens and charcoal.
Some of the topics covered in the course include: measured drawing for accurate proportions; experimental gestural drawing techniques; structural drawing; expressive and experimental mark-making; perspective and proportions; understanding light and tone for shading.
The instructor will provide guidance and constructive feedback on a one-on-one basis with each student as they develop their artwork.
Experimental and Multi-Media Drawing
Best suited for: Continuing beginner and intermediate students
During this course, students will expand their knowledge of drawing and develop their artistic skills with a focus on experimental and expressive drawing and multi-media techniques. This study focus can be adjusted to be suitable for a range of experience levels, from continuing beginners with some basic drawing experience, through experienced students who are looking to expand their practice through more experimental approaches.
Students will learn to embrace the “mistakes” which are essential to the creative process, freeing their approach to art making and allowing themselves more room for creativity. The instructor will guide students through experimental approaches to drawing that prioritizes expression and aesthetics over accuracy, and how distortions and imperfections can result in more unique and interesting artwork. Students will develop their own artistic voice and style as they bring their artwork to the next level through experimentation.
This course will also explore multi-media techniques combining different materials. In addition to the standard drawing materials, this could include collage, ink wash, watercolor, fine liner pens, pastel, colored pencils, markers, and others. With a combination of materials, students can learn how to work with contrasting textures, layering, and color.
There is flexibility to choose the exact subject matter, materials and area of focus based on individual interest. The instructor will provide guidance and constructive feedback on a one-on-one basis with each student as they develop their artwork.
Drawing the Human Figure and Portrait
Best suited for: Continuing beginner and intermediate students
In this course students will delve into figure drawing and portrait drawing. There is flexibility for students to choose if they want to focus on the whole figure, portrait drawing or a combination of both. This course is best suited to those with some basic drawing knowledge, but can be adjusted to suit a range of experience levels from the continuing beginner through intermediate students.
The first part of the course will focus on proportions and anatomy to develop an understanding of form. Students will then explore both expressive approaches as well as more accurate and studied approaches to drawing the figure and portrait. The approach and materials used for each project is also flexible and can be tailored to fit the experience and interests of each student.
By the end of the course, students will have explored gestural and expressive approaches, as well as having strengthened their understanding of anatomy and proportions for more realistic and accurate figurative and portrait drawings.
Continuing drawing studies with focus area
Best suited for: Continuing beginner and intermediate students
This course is for students who have learned the fundamentals of drawing, and want to further develop their skills with a focus on a particular subject matter, approach or drawing style. The structure of the projects is flexible, and can be individually designed and catered to your unique interests and needs. We can discuss what you wish to accomplish and structure a plan for how you can meet your goals.
Potential topics could include:
Abstract and semi-abstract drawing
Illustration drawing
Architectural and perspective drawing
Developing accuracy and realism in drawing
Drawing the natural world
In-depth study on working with a chosen medium(s)
Custom focus are or a combination of the above - please get in touch to discuss possibilities
The instructor will provide guidance and constructive feedback on a one-on-one basis with each student as they develop their artwork.
Independent Projects
Best suited for: Advanced students
For experienced students who are looking for guidance and feedback on their artwork, they can come to the weekly sessions to work on independent projects. You can focus on drawing, painting, multi-media processes or any other medium, provided there is overlap with the instructor's artistic background so they can fully support your process. You can discuss with the instructor what you wish to accomplish and structure a plan for how you can meet your goals. The instructor will provide guidance and constructive feedback on a one-on-one basis with each student as they develop their artwork.
Custom Study Focus
Best suited for: All levels
The instructor is happy to offer guidance on a variety of artistic topics, as long as it fits within their field of experience. This can be arranged for students of any experience level from beginner through advanced students, and can be individually designed and catered to your unique interests and needs. We can discuss what you wish to accomplish and structure a plan for how you can meet your goals.
The instructor will provide guidance and constructive feedback on a one-on-one basis with each student as they develop their artwork.
If you’d like to discuss possible options, please send the instructor, Abby Brown, an email here: abby@abartstudios.com