Drawing Classes
These courses focus on building fundamental drawing skills. Students will learn basic techniques such as shading, controlling tones, composition and drawing methods. Additionally, we learn how to see with an artists eye and capture what we see on paper. I teach anyone who has the desire to learn the art of drawing. Classes are kept small to ensure individualized attention and instruction. My classes are “skills oriented” and not “project oriented” so my methods are particularly well suited for students who want an arts curriculum that goes beyond crafts. My classes are best for students age 14 to adult; however accommodations may be made for gifted and/or mature students.
Click the links below or scroll down for course descriptions and current class schedule.
Beginning Portrait Drawing Workshop
Course Description: This is course aimed at teaching the most fundamental drawing skills. Like learning scales and keys in music, in this class we will cover the building blocks for great drawing. We will learn the differences between contour drawings (line drawings) and drawing with value. Other fundamentals will be taught such as understanding different drawing tools, creating gray scales, different techniques for creating value, reductive drawing, various paper surfaces for effect, and many other tips and insights. Unlike many classes we will draw everything from life. This is the best way to learn drawing.
Supplies list needed for class.
Upcoming Beginning Drawing 1 Classes:
Spring 2012:
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00 – 3:30 pm, April 23 – May 16
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 – 3:30 pm, April 24 – May 17
MINI course, 4-week course, 4 sessions, Tuesdays, 6:00 – 8:30 pm, April 24 – May 15
Fall 2012:
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mondays and Thursdays, 10:00 – 12:30, August 27 – Sept 24 (no class Sept 3, Labor Day)
8-Week course, 8 sessions, Tuesdays, 6:00 – 8:30, August 28 – October 16
8-Week course, 8 sessions, Wednesdays, 10:00 – 12:30, August 29 – October 17
8-Week course, 8 sessions, Wednesdays, 1:00 – 3:30, August 29 – October 17
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mondays and Thursdays, 10:00 – 12:30, October 1 – October 25
Winter 2012:
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:00 – 12:30, November 26 – December 19
**Click here to go to enrollment page.**
Course Description: This course is aimed at building on the skills learned in Beginning Drawing 1. If you already have experience in drawing contour drawings and value drawings but want to learn more about the art of drawing this would be a great class for you. In Beginning Drawing 2 we will hone our skills with line and value but also explore local value concepts, one and two point perspective, and ideas for creating the illusion of depth working with detail. We will further explore using basic shape and lines to understand the basic form of an object.
Supplies list needed for class.
Upcoming Beginning Drawing 2 Classes:
Spring 2012:
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:00 – 12:30 pm, April 23 – May 16
Fall 2012:
8-Week course, 8 sessions, Tuesdays, 1:00 – 3:30, August 28 – October 16
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mondays and Thursdays, 1:00 – 3:30, October 1 – October 25
Winter 2012:
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 – 12:30, November 27 – December 20
**Click here to go to enrollment page.**
Beginning Portrait Drawing Workshop
Course Description: This special class is not part of my regularly-offered courses. Class size is limited so sign up early to reserve your space. In this 4-Day workshop, we will learn the fundamentals of portrait drawing from a live model, which is a very different prospect than drawing from photographs. Students will learn portrait proportions, approaches to capturing likeness, translating accurately from a 3-D model to a 2-D surface, and other portrait drawing skills.
Prerequisites: While this is a beginning portrait drawing class, students should be familiar with the skills taught in Beginning Drawing 1 and 2, or receive prior approval from the instructor. Feel free to contact me with questions and I’ll be happy to discuss your readiness for this introductory class.
Supplies list needed for class.
Course Dates:
4-Day course, 4 sessions, Monday – Thursday, 9:00 – 12:00 pm, October 29 – November 1
**Click here to go to enrollment page.**
Course Description: This special class is not part of my regularly-offered courses. Class size is limited so sign up early to reserve your space. In this 4-Day workshop, we will learn the fundamentals of portrait drawing from a live model, which is a very different prospect than drawing from photographs. Students will learn portrait proportions, approaches to capturing likeness, translating accurately from a 3-D model to a 2-D surface, and other portrait drawing skills.
Prerequisites: Students should be familiar with the skills taught in Beginning Drawing 1 and 2, or receive prior approval from the instructor. Feel free to contact me with questions and I’ll be happy to discuss your readiness for this class.
Supplies list needed for class.
Course Dates:
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00 – 3:30 pm, Nov 26 – Dec 19
**Click here to go to enrollment page.**
Kevin McCain is a professionally-trained artist whose Impressionistic Plein Air paintings have appeared in galleries across the Western United States. He has over 20 years experience as a professional artist, illustrator, and teacher. To see Kevin’s gallery work visit kevinmccainstudios.com
To see his published illustrations visit mccainillustration.com
Contact: For more information, call Kevin at 480-309-0039 or contact me
Drawing is a Human Instinct
From the time of our earliest ancestors we have left our mark with drawings, whether engraved in rocks, painted on cave walls, or even carved in trees. Drawing, or mark making, is a desire that is within every one of us. As children, before we learned to read or write, we made drawings on paper, the floors, or even the walls. Drawing brings so much satisfaction. To know that we made that mark is very satisfying. As an artist, I try to draw with the same joy that motivated me as a child.
I believe everyone enjoys drawing or at least the idea of drawing. It brings satisfaction and accomplishment. As one grows, the expectation of what drawings should look like may change. We want to draw in a way that is more representative of an object, or perhaps express a certain idea. There are approaches to help you achieve those artistic goals. I offer drawing lessons designed to help those who want to improve their skills and draw better.
Why I Teach Art
As a young man in high school I had always wanted to learn how to draw and be an artist. I felt I didn’t have the natural-born talent to become an artist. While in high school I took an art class to avoid taking some other class I didn’t want to attend. Little did I know that the decision to take a Sophomore beginning drawing class would change my life forever.
My art teacher, Mr. Holmes, let us know as students that anything we wanted to do in art was possible if we put our minds to it, worked hard in class, and learned from the best artists. He told us that it didn’t matter what natural ability you had; it mattered how hard you worked. I latched onto that idea. I was inspired by the idea that if I only worked hard and learned from the best artists, I could do the type of artwork I wanted to do. I began working several hours after class and many more still at home. All these years later I have achieved my dream to become a professional artist. It was far from easy, but it was worth the effort. I hate to think how my life would be different if I hadn’t taken that art class. That class was the first step towards achieving my dream.
Creating art gives me so much joy. It is a never ending adventure. It is because of my experience I believe arts education is so important. As an artist, I enjoy mentoring and teaching others how to improve their art skills. I believe it is important, for everyone who has the desire to learn more about drawing and painting, to have opportunities to learn from professional artists.
