Workshops

You are only as good as you draw.  In fact, there is NOTHING beyond drawing.  Since drawing is the top, everything else, artistically speaking, is subjected to it.  Regardless of how well you paint, you are only as good as you draw.  In light of these truths, I have designed this class to unpack my 35-year approach to drawing using classical instruction, a hint of caricature and exaggeration fused with passion, and an ever increasing, intense love for drawing. 

“Listening to you was like catching a flame…you were burning!”  - Ralf Ricker

I’ve drawn for everyone from Mad Magazine to Time Magazine, The New York Times to Disney.  I also teach drawing and painting classes online for Schoolism.com.  Teaching is a natural extension of who I am and what I do.  When I teach these workshops, it’s ultimately an opportunity for us to interact and revel in the wonders, the difficulties and the joys of drawing.

We all want to get to the next level and that’s what this drawing and painting workshops are all about.

Come and join me as we help build each other up in the love of drawing and painting, catch the flame and combust together!

After all, it’s so stinkin’ cool to be alive and drawing and painting!

UPCOMING workshops

Drawing Paris Outside: Bringing Inanimate Objects to Life

July 22-25, 2023 - Paris France

A 4-day intensive of outdoor drawing goodness. I share with you my 40 years of experience and work with you where you are as an artist. The main emphasis of this workshop is to help you to create expressive dynamic drawing. In this workshop, I’ll explain how I use “wonk”, i.e. the ability to push and pull the subject in a quirky, off-kilter way to make illustrations come to life! All levels welcome.

 Important: Each student will receive a pdf prior to the class date to study and familiarize themselves with various concepts and teachings so that when I unpack them, they are already familiar with them.

WORKSHOP - €590

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Saturday: The Studio Day

We’ll meet in the studio and all get to know each other.

I’ll demo and unpack to you my drawing approach using the 901 indigo Bleu pencil. My goal is not to have you draw like me but rather to understand classical drawing techniques handed down through the ages, mixed with a touch of exaggeration and how I push and pull and what exactly is my thinking.

I explain my “blind-contour-not-really” approach and we’ll chat about the power of expressive drawing. We’ll draw objects in the studio and discuss how we can bring them to life by exaggerating certain elements.

Sunday, July 23, 2023

Sunday: The First Outdoor Drawing Day

Sunday will be spent drawing outdoors in the beautiful city of Paris! We’ll find fascinating objects and draw together. I’ll explain my thinking throughout the drawing process and explain how we can infuse inanimate objects with a little bit of magic. There will be plenty of time to work one on one and receive personalized feedback on your drawings!

Monday, July 24, 2023

Monday: The Second Outdoor Drawing Day

Monday will feature more outdoor drawing because it is just so stinkin’ cool to be outdoors and drawing in Paris! Emphasis will be placed on shape design, hard vs. soft edges, and the role of exaggeration in telling a visual story. We’ll draw together, learn together, and grow together. There is nothing quite like drawing and learning in a small workshop group alongside a master. This is the premier way to take your skills as a visual artist to the next level.

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Tuesday: The Critique Day

We’ll begin the day with more drawing goodness outdoors! It’s draw, draw, draw! Then we’ll head back to the studio for an indoor critique. You’ll receive detailed feedback from me as well as your peers. You'll have the chance to compare and contrast your decision making with my own, and hear my thoughts behind each of those choices.

The Masterpiece and the human figure in Paris, France

July 27-30, 2023 - Paris, France

This 4-day workshop zeroes in on the masters’ work, with special emphasis placed on drawing the human figure. I’ll pull from my 40 years of drawing experience to teach you the fundamentals of dynamic drawing. We’ll draw in the Louvre itself, studying from the masters and applying the very concepts that made their work successful.

Basic knowledge of human anatomy and proportions is encouraged.

WORKSHOP - €590

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Thursday: The Studio Day

Students arrive at the studio and we get to know each other. I’ll introduce myself and my “blind-contour-not-really” approach to drawing. We’ll discuss the plan for the next three days and get ready to draw with the masters.

Friday, July 28, 2023

Friday: The Day at the Louvre!

This is the big day! Who doesn’t want to spend a day at the most famous museum in the world drawing from Masters? This day will consist of demos and drawing from the Masters’ paintings. We’ll take pics to draw from and create the final piece which we will work on in the studio. There will also be demos and critiques throughout the day. Participants will choose a painting they want to draw and push and take pictures to work from.

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Saturday: The Studio Masterpiece Day

Saturday will be spent drawing from the masterpiece painting you selected on Friday. You’ll use your knowledge of exaggeration to push and pull the painting and create a drawing that’s rich with personality and life! I’ll offer my advice throughout the drawing sessions and work with you one-on-one to help you infuse your drawing with energy.

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Sunday: The Costumed Figure Drawing Day

The final day! Students will finish up their drawings and we can draw from a costumed model. I’ll walk the room and offer insights on drawing clothing, adding a body to a head, and other key figure-drawing concepts. We’ll finish the day with a group critique of our masterpiece renditions and costumed figure drawings!

The DUTCH FLeMiSH Approach~ Saint Paul Workshop

August 25-27th, 2023 - Saint Paul, Minnesota

A 3-day intensive workout of the Dutch Flemish approach!

I am super excited to unpack the Dutch Flemish approach. Thursday night kicks off a meet and greet. We start on Friday with the Drawing and the Underpainting Phase. Saturday is the Color phase, ending on Sunday with the Adjustment phase. Three full days of learning the master approach known as Dutch Flemish. Brought to you by The Art Academy of St. Paul, located at: 651 Snelling Avenue St Paul, MN 55116

WORKSHOP - $375.00

Supplies to be announced

Limited seating - register now!