In two (2) friendly sessions, students will focus on the principles of painting along with the skills needed for acrylic application. Through structured exercises, students will learn the basics of value, composition, and color along with simple wet and dry brush techniques that will de-mystify the painting process.
Course emphasizes the solid visual tools that every artist needs—offered in a positive, supportive atmosphere.
New students will start with color and value techniques. Returning students are encouraged to enroll, as the instructor will build upon techniques and projects introduced in previous sessions. Each student is coached individually according to their current goals and needs. Beginners work through a series of starter exercises to gain the basic skills necessary to make their ideas appear on canvas, with lots of instruction. Whatever your level of experience, you’ll find expert guidance from a teacher and that respects your uniqueness as an artist, and a community of fellow artists that supports your goals.
SERIES DATES: Mondays, May 11 & 18
FORMAT: In-person classroom
INSTRUCTION METHOD: Hands-on
AGES: Adults 16+
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Beginner
PREREQUISITES: None
WHAT TO BRING: Please plan to bring all the materials on the Instructor’s Materials List
FEE: $50.00 – includes 3 sessions. Please purchase tickets below.
INSTRUCTOR NAME: Susan Falcon- Hargraves
Bio: Born and raised in New York City, Susan Falcon-Hargraves attended the High School of Music and Art and the New York School of Visual Arts, but was bitten by the “dance bug” early in her studies there. Invited to study at the prestigious Julliard School, she instead chose to join a professional company that was started by a teacher at the Martha Graham School.
Susan resumed her fine arts involvement in Arizona, where she earned a B.A. from Prescott College. In the years since she has carved out an artistic niche in the Valley, winning top awards at juried shows and collectors across the country. In 2007 the City of Glendale purchased the “Elephant in the Room” from her Eccentricities series, and she was selected as “Phoenix Magazine’s” Artist of the Month for the March issue of 2008. In that same year she presented a one-woman show at the West Valley Art Museum, and participated in (and was credited with inspiring) the “Table Manners” group show at the Arizona Museum for Youth.
In 2012 Susan traveled to Rome, Italy to show and speak about her work after being chosen by the ARTROM Gallery as one of their Top Ten Women Artists. She taught at BRIO Fine Arts for ten years, from its inception until its closure.
A devout animal-lover and supporter of animal rescue causes, Susan is also well-known for her vibrant and soulful portraits of companion animals and their people, often donating work to rescue groups in the Phoenix area.
