SPRING TERM CLASSES
Introductory Courses
Oil Painting for Beginners
Unlock your artistic potential and delve into the captivating world of oil painting with teaching artist Lisa Leskien. This course is specially designed for beginners who are eager to explore the versatile medium of oil painting using water-mixable oils. Throughout this engaging and hands-on course, students will learn fundamental techniques and principles of oil painting, guided by Lisa's expert instruction and supportive feedback. Each class session will include demonstrations by Lisa, individualized instruction, and plenty of time for hands-on practice. Students will have the opportunity to experiment with different subjects, from still life to landscapes, and develop their own unique style under Lisa's guidance. One of the unique aspects of this course is the use of water-mixable oils, which offer the rich, vibrant colors and buttery texture of traditional oils while allowing for easy cleanup with water. Students will learn how to effectively work with this innovative medium, exploring its advantages and techniques to achieve stunning results. Teaching Artist: Lisa Leskien Mondays from 5:30pm - 8:30pm | April 29 - June 17 (6 weeks) Pro-rated option available |
Intro to Gouache Painting
Embark on a creative journey with our "Introduction to Gouache Painting," where you not only learn the fundamentals of this captivating medium but also discover the essence of gouache itself. Gouache, a water-based paint that combines the best of both watercolor and acrylic, offers a unique opacity and versatility. In this hands-on course, delve into the world of gouache as we guide you through fundamental techniques, color mixing, and brushwork tailored for beginners. Teaching Artist Carleigh Milburn will provide a supportive environment for you to explore and express your artistic vision, ensuring a solid foundation for creating stunning, opaque artwork. Whether you're an emerging artist or simply curious about the magical properties of gouache, this course promises an immersive experience that unlocks the potential of this remarkable medium
Teaching Artist: Carleigh Milburn
Thursdays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm | 11 April - 6 June (9 Weeks)
Pro-rated option available
Embark on a creative journey with our "Introduction to Gouache Painting," where you not only learn the fundamentals of this captivating medium but also discover the essence of gouache itself. Gouache, a water-based paint that combines the best of both watercolor and acrylic, offers a unique opacity and versatility. In this hands-on course, delve into the world of gouache as we guide you through fundamental techniques, color mixing, and brushwork tailored for beginners. Teaching Artist Carleigh Milburn will provide a supportive environment for you to explore and express your artistic vision, ensuring a solid foundation for creating stunning, opaque artwork. Whether you're an emerging artist or simply curious about the magical properties of gouache, this course promises an immersive experience that unlocks the potential of this remarkable medium
Teaching Artist: Carleigh Milburn
Thursdays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm | 11 April - 6 June (9 Weeks)
Pro-rated option available
Acrylic Painting for Beginners
Are you a beginner artist who has the desire to learn acrylic painting fundamentals and has little to no prior experience? Then this course is a great opportunity for you to build your foundational art skills and create your own portfolio! We will build these skills by learning about different painting techniques, colour theory, value, composition, and experimenting with subject matter.
Mondays from 10am - 1pm | 15 April - 17 June (8 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Lisa Leskien
Drop-in and pro-rated options available
Are you a beginner artist who has the desire to learn acrylic painting fundamentals and has little to no prior experience? Then this course is a great opportunity for you to build your foundational art skills and create your own portfolio! We will build these skills by learning about different painting techniques, colour theory, value, composition, and experimenting with subject matter.
Mondays from 10am - 1pm | 15 April - 17 June (8 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Lisa Leskien
Drop-in and pro-rated options available
Drawing the Portrait
This course focuses on capturing the most individualistic part of a person - the face! In our quest to capture a likeness, students will be guided through creating studies of the head and facial features, and learn techniques for effective drawings. We will wrap up the course with a finished portrait, for which students will provide their own reference.
Mondays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm | 15 April - 24 June (10 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Floriana Ehninger-Cuervo
This course focuses on capturing the most individualistic part of a person - the face! In our quest to capture a likeness, students will be guided through creating studies of the head and facial features, and learn techniques for effective drawings. We will wrap up the course with a finished portrait, for which students will provide their own reference.
Mondays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm | 15 April - 24 June (10 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Floriana Ehninger-Cuervo
Head to Toe
Working in dry media, you will create a series of studies of the human body! Through these, you will develop an understanding of the forms and movement of the body, and learn to simplify the structures of the figure for compelling and effective drawings. Starting with the head and portrait, this course will cover body parts in isolation, before putting it all together. Throughout the course we also discuss and problem-solve a variety of topics such as foreshortening, posing, capturing a likeness, expression, and more!
Tuesdays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm | 9 April - 18 June (10 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Floriana Ehninger-Cuervo
Working in dry media, you will create a series of studies of the human body! Through these, you will develop an understanding of the forms and movement of the body, and learn to simplify the structures of the figure for compelling and effective drawings. Starting with the head and portrait, this course will cover body parts in isolation, before putting it all together. Throughout the course we also discuss and problem-solve a variety of topics such as foreshortening, posing, capturing a likeness, expression, and more!
Tuesdays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm | 9 April - 18 June (10 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Floriana Ehninger-Cuervo
Introduction to Printmaking
This course offers an introduction to the complex world of print media, allowing
students to express their ideas while learning advanced printmaking skills, techniques, and history. Students will learn the basics but will be given the space, time, and opportunity to go beyond.
Wednesdays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm | 10 April - 12 June (10 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Michaela Zinmeister
Pro-rated option available
This course offers an introduction to the complex world of print media, allowing
students to express their ideas while learning advanced printmaking skills, techniques, and history. Students will learn the basics but will be given the space, time, and opportunity to go beyond.
Wednesdays from 6:30pm - 8:30pm | 10 April - 12 June (10 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Michaela Zinmeister
Pro-rated option available
Explore Natural Dyeing
Students will learn about modern dye traditions and processes, pretreating and
preparing fabric for dyeing, dyeing with natural extracts and local raw materials, and using these processes for a variety of projects including dyed socks, embroidery thread and yarn, and painted bandanas
Saturdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm | 1 June - 22 June (4 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Jill Glatt
Pro-rated option available
Students will learn about modern dye traditions and processes, pretreating and
preparing fabric for dyeing, dyeing with natural extracts and local raw materials, and using these processes for a variety of projects including dyed socks, embroidery thread and yarn, and painted bandanas
Saturdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm | 1 June - 22 June (4 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Jill Glatt
Pro-rated option available
Learn to Crochet
Go from zero to crochet hero with this "Comprehensive Crochet" Course for complete beginners to learn to crochet. Learn how to hold the hook, how to chain, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, slip stitch, and increasing and decreasing stitches. You will learn the basics of reading crochet patterns starting with reading one that Facilitator Lisa Leskien created. Projects that you will create will be: a washcloth, a granny square bag, crochet in the round for an adorable bear hat, and our final project will be the student's choice where Lisa will guide you through your choice of crochet creation. Come join us for a fun class of crochet creations!
Tuesdays from 11:00am - 1:00pm | 16 April - 11 June (8 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Lisa Leskien
Go from zero to crochet hero with this "Comprehensive Crochet" Course for complete beginners to learn to crochet. Learn how to hold the hook, how to chain, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, slip stitch, and increasing and decreasing stitches. You will learn the basics of reading crochet patterns starting with reading one that Facilitator Lisa Leskien created. Projects that you will create will be: a washcloth, a granny square bag, crochet in the round for an adorable bear hat, and our final project will be the student's choice where Lisa will guide you through your choice of crochet creation. Come join us for a fun class of crochet creations!
Tuesdays from 11:00am - 1:00pm | 16 April - 11 June (8 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Lisa Leskien
All Levels Welcome
Exploring Realism with Charcoal
Learn to create realistic drawings with clarity and expressiveness. Students will
use photographs and from-life references to explore the principles and techniques of how to render light and form to produce believable drawings in charcoal. Subjects will include portraits, still life, landscapes, animals, etc. This course focuses on using charcoal as a medium and is not a technical drawing course. Geared towards beginners but open to all.
Teaching Artist: Brandon Liesen
SESSION 1
Monday from 6pm - 9pm | 22 April - 24 June (9 Weeks)
Drop-in and pro-rated options available
SESSION 2
Monday from 1pm - 4pm | 22 April - 24 June (9 Weeks)
Pro-rated option available
Learn to create realistic drawings with clarity and expressiveness. Students will
use photographs and from-life references to explore the principles and techniques of how to render light and form to produce believable drawings in charcoal. Subjects will include portraits, still life, landscapes, animals, etc. This course focuses on using charcoal as a medium and is not a technical drawing course. Geared towards beginners but open to all.
Teaching Artist: Brandon Liesen
SESSION 1
Monday from 6pm - 9pm | 22 April - 24 June (9 Weeks)
Drop-in and pro-rated options available
SESSION 2
Monday from 1pm - 4pm | 22 April - 24 June (9 Weeks)
Pro-rated option available
Art Safari
Go on an Art Safari with KSOA! Each week discover a new art medium to explore and experiment with, with talented and experienced instructors to guide you on your journey!
Thursday from 7:00pm - 9:00pm | 11 April - 27 June (12 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Various Instructors
Pro-rated option available
Go on an Art Safari with KSOA! Each week discover a new art medium to explore and experiment with, with talented and experienced instructors to guide you on your journey!
Thursday from 7:00pm - 9:00pm | 11 April - 27 June (12 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Various Instructors
Pro-rated option available
Plant Life Watercolour
In this beginner-friendly workshop, we will explore the basics of watercolour painting to create portraits of our beloved house plants (or the botanicals of your choice). We will explore watercolour techniques such as colour mixing, brushstrokes, and creating textures. We will cover basic strategies for creating loose watercolour paintings of botanicals. Reference photos will be provided, but feel free to bring your own (or a live house plant model)!
Saturday from 3:00pm - 5:00pm | 13 April - 4 May (4 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Alyce Soulodre
In this beginner-friendly workshop, we will explore the basics of watercolour painting to create portraits of our beloved house plants (or the botanicals of your choice). We will explore watercolour techniques such as colour mixing, brushstrokes, and creating textures. We will cover basic strategies for creating loose watercolour paintings of botanicals. Reference photos will be provided, but feel free to bring your own (or a live house plant model)!
Saturday from 3:00pm - 5:00pm | 13 April - 4 May (4 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Alyce Soulodre
Botanical Watercolours
In this four-week course you will explore the beautiful world of botanical painting. A variety of plants will be interpreted expressively and/or studied in detail. The properties and uses of tools, paints and papers will be discussed, for you to make informed choices. Basic colour theory and pleasing colour schemes will be introduced. Demonstrations will include colour mixing, wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet and dry-brush techniques. Photos and natural specimens will be used as reference. All levels are welcome.
Tuesday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm | 9 April - 30 April (4 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Marta Scythes
Pro-rated option available
In this four-week course you will explore the beautiful world of botanical painting. A variety of plants will be interpreted expressively and/or studied in detail. The properties and uses of tools, paints and papers will be discussed, for you to make informed choices. Basic colour theory and pleasing colour schemes will be introduced. Demonstrations will include colour mixing, wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet and dry-brush techniques. Photos and natural specimens will be used as reference. All levels are welcome.
Tuesday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm | 9 April - 30 April (4 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Marta Scythes
Pro-rated option available
Learn to Draw
Ideal for both beginners and intermediate students, this workshop offers a
comprehensive exploration of drawing techniques. The class covers the fundamentals of drawing from still life, progressing from basic copying of angles and shapes to a nuanced understanding of perspective, light, and shadow. Participants can expect a technically thorough experience that hones skills in various aspects of drawing.
Wednesday from 10:00am - 12:00pm | 10 April - 12 June (10 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Rena Karanouh
Ideal for both beginners and intermediate students, this workshop offers a
comprehensive exploration of drawing techniques. The class covers the fundamentals of drawing from still life, progressing from basic copying of angles and shapes to a nuanced understanding of perspective, light, and shadow. Participants can expect a technically thorough experience that hones skills in various aspects of drawing.
Wednesday from 10:00am - 12:00pm | 10 April - 12 June (10 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Rena Karanouh
Plein Air Alive!
Spring is a favourite time to engage in painting outdoors. Each week we chose a different meet-up location selecting places that offer exciting mixtures of urban and rural scenes. Spring rains could, of course, force us to work inside. But both indoors and out, the focus is on making painting en plein air an enjoyable and comfortable experience. Tools, material & comfort suggestions, and specific instructions encourage students to work in oils, watercolours, or mixed media of their choice. This course is open to all levels.
Wednesday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm | 15 May - 19 June (6 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Nancy Steele
Drop-in and pro-rated options available
Spring is a favourite time to engage in painting outdoors. Each week we chose a different meet-up location selecting places that offer exciting mixtures of urban and rural scenes. Spring rains could, of course, force us to work inside. But both indoors and out, the focus is on making painting en plein air an enjoyable and comfortable experience. Tools, material & comfort suggestions, and specific instructions encourage students to work in oils, watercolours, or mixed media of their choice. This course is open to all levels.
Wednesday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm | 15 May - 19 June (6 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Nancy Steele
Drop-in and pro-rated options available
Self-Directed Life Drawing
Welcome to the Friday evening life drawing!
This is an excellent opportunity to work on your observation skills and techniques with uninstructed life drawing. Easels, tables, and chairs are provided for everyone and you are welcome to bring whichever drawing media you like. We will work from a variety of models and the poses will vary in length from quick gestures to longer sustained poses. Facilitator Nicholas Crombach will happily guide those who haven’t life drawn before and provide feedback to anyone at their request.
Friday from 4:00pm - 6:00pm | 12 April - 28 June (12 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Nicholas Crombach
Drop-in and pro-rated options available
Welcome to the Friday evening life drawing!
This is an excellent opportunity to work on your observation skills and techniques with uninstructed life drawing. Easels, tables, and chairs are provided for everyone and you are welcome to bring whichever drawing media you like. We will work from a variety of models and the poses will vary in length from quick gestures to longer sustained poses. Facilitator Nicholas Crombach will happily guide those who haven’t life drawn before and provide feedback to anyone at their request.
Friday from 4:00pm - 6:00pm | 12 April - 28 June (12 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Nicholas Crombach
Drop-in and pro-rated options available
Sculpting the Portrait from Real Life
Using the model as subject, the fundamental techniques of clay modelling and observation will be introduced. Participants will begin to develop the skills to sculpt the basic structures of the head through a study from the model. Students will learn armature-making techniques, establish an understanding of sculpting gesture, proportion, mass and form and conclude with the creation of a plaster waste mold and plaster cast of the portrait study produced in the course. Fridays from 6:30 - 9:30pm | 12 April to 14 June (10 weeks) Teaching Artist: Nicholas Crombach |
Open Studios
Printmaking Open Studio
Come and explore a wide variety of printmaking techniques in a friendly supportive environment! A supervised studio for printmakers. Facilities are available for creating monoprints, monotypes, etchings, collagraphs, linocuts, and woodcuts.
Available as a full session registration, or as a drop-in program.
Friday from 10:00am - 1:00pm | 12 April - 28 June (12 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Margaret Bignell
Drop-in option available
Come and explore a wide variety of printmaking techniques in a friendly supportive environment! A supervised studio for printmakers. Facilities are available for creating monoprints, monotypes, etchings, collagraphs, linocuts, and woodcuts.
Available as a full session registration, or as a drop-in program.
Friday from 10:00am - 1:00pm | 12 April - 28 June (12 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Margaret Bignell
Drop-in option available
Painting Open Studio
Bring your own supplies and projects and use our studio space, with Teaching Artist Lisa Leskien stationed for guidance and support. This open studio is perfect for artists of all levels to work in a group studio environment and share creativity! Available as a full session registration, or as a drop-in program. Teaching Artist: Lisa Leskien Tuesdays 2pm - 4pm | April 30 - June 18th (7 weeks) Drop-in and pro-rated options available |
Intermediate Classes
Intermediate Acrylic Painting
Do you have some experience with acrylic painting but are looking to enhance your skills? This class will build on what is learned in "Acrylics for Beginners," and you will explore abstraction, work with limited brushstrokes, study and create various compositions, re-create a master's painting, and work on a personal series. Tuesdays from 5:30pm - 8:30pm | 16 April - 11 June (8 Weeks) Teaching Artist: Lisa Leskien Drop-in and pro-rated options available |
Intermediate Oils
Interested in realism? Have some experience in oil painting and are looking to take your abilities to the next level? This course is designed to help you learn the steps and techniques used by oil painters to create realistic paintings. Students should expect to work in layers in an ‘indirect’ manner building their paintings up over several sessions. Through a mix of guided and student driven projects, Brandon will offer technical guidance, advice and direct support to help students grow as oil painters striving to paint realistically."
Wednesdays from 1pm - 4pm | 24 April - 26 June (10 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Brandon Liesen
Pro-rated option available
Interested in realism? Have some experience in oil painting and are looking to take your abilities to the next level? This course is designed to help you learn the steps and techniques used by oil painters to create realistic paintings. Students should expect to work in layers in an ‘indirect’ manner building their paintings up over several sessions. Through a mix of guided and student driven projects, Brandon will offer technical guidance, advice and direct support to help students grow as oil painters striving to paint realistically."
Wednesdays from 1pm - 4pm | 24 April - 26 June (10 Weeks)
Teaching Artist: Brandon Liesen
Pro-rated option available
Course Refund Policy
- Full refunds are available if the school cancels the course.
- Cancellations by the student made at least a week before the class starts will be given a 100% refund, minus a $20 admin fee.
- Cancellations made between 3 and 7 days before the class starts will be given an 80% refund minus the $20 admin fee.
- Cancellations made after the first class but before the second class will be given a 70% refund minus the $20 admin fee. We are not able to issue refunds for cancellations made after the second class.
Feedback Form
Kingston School of Art is requesting your feedback on your recent experiences with KSOA Programming. Your response will help us improve our operations and programming so we can better serve the KSOA Community.