Introduction the classical oil painting

April 11th to May 10th

Saturdays and Sundays from 9AM-12

This expansive workshop will cover a wide range of topics related to the classical approach to oil painting. This class will provide, among other things, a structured method for achieving proportional drawing accuracy, understanding values, an introduction to painting mediums and materials, how to prepare a canvas, color mixing, how to utilize a painters palette effectively, still life composition, mixing flesh tones, landscape painting, and an introduction to portrait and figure painting. This is a great workshop for both beginners and experienced artists.

Portrait Painting: Level 2

April 11th to May 10th

Saturdays and Sundays from 4-7PM

Designed for intermediate to advanced students, this workshop dives deep into the art of portraiture through progressively challenging projects. Beginning with guided studies from photos and masterworks, students will refine their skills in likeness, value, and color before advancing to a 5-day portrait painting from a live model. With demos, lectures, and individualized feedback throughout, this course offers both structure and creative freedom—culminating in a finished classical portrait for your portfolio.

Construction drawing and artistic anatomy

May 16th to June 14th

Saturdays and Sundays from 9AM-12

Construction drawing is the best method for drawing figures from imagination. This method is used by comic book artist, animators, concept artists, illustrators, and anyone who needs to create a figure without a reference. The strengths of this method are that, once mastered, an artist can draw a figure in any position, from any angle, performing any action from their imagination. Artistic anatomy and construction drawing dovetail together in this workshop as we build up a three-dimensional understanding of the human form and the muscles of the body.

master copy workshop: John Singer Sargent

May 16th to June 14th
Saturdays and Sundays from 4-7PM

In this workshop, students will learn from one of the greatest portrait artists of all time, John Singer Sargent. We will study his work, his teachings and his technique as we create a master copy painting of one of his portraits from the 1900s. As we work though the stages of this painting, this project will also allow us to discuss oil painting and portraiture more broadly.

Introduction to Classical Drawing

June 27th to July 26th

Saturdays and Sundays from 9AM-12

This is the workshop we recommend to all new students, as it provides the strongest foundation for future study at ZAFA. Through master copies, still life, portraiture, and figure drawing, you’ll learn essential techniques for proportion, value, light, and form. Each project is designed to sharpen your eye, strengthen your skills, and build confidence as you progress. Open to all levels, this course is the ideal first step for anyone looking to grow as an artist.

Introduction to portrait drawing and painting

June 27th to August 15th

Saturdays from 4-7PM

In this workshop, students will work with both charcoal and oil paint as we discuss the underlying elements needed to create a portrait drawing or painting. We will work from photo references as well as live models. Students will learn techniques for taking accurate measurements and proportions, a systematic approach to constructing a portrait, how to effectively organize values, how to identify and utilize anatomical landmarks when constructing a head, how to mix accurate flesh tones, and much more over the course of the class.

Introduction to figure drawing

June 27th to August 15th

Sundays from 4-7PM

The figure is one of the most challenging, and also one of the most fun subjects regularly included within an artist’s training. Join us as we discuss the fundamentals of figure drawing while working from master copies, photo reference and live models. This introductory course is designed to give students a strong foundation upon which to build future figure drawing and painting projects. It all starts with drawing.

Plein Air Landscape Painting

August 1st to September 19th

Saturdays 9AM-12

There’s no better place to learn landscape painting than the Hawaiian outdoors. In this workshop, we’ll head out on location to capture the beauty of our surroundings directly from nature. Students will learn how to choose a site, compose a scene, and work through the plein air process step by step—navigating the unique challenges of changing light and atmosphere. Along the way, we’ll explore composition studies, value and color organization, and practical techniques for creating lively, convincing landscapes. Open to all levels, this class is both a fun experience in the field and a foundation for continuing plein air painting on your own.

master copy workshop: Joaquin Sorolla

August 2nd to September 20th

Sundays 9AM-12

In this workshop, students will study the work and technique of Joaquín Sorolla, one of history’s greatest painters of light. Famous for his radiant beach scenes, Sorolla captured sunlight, water, and atmosphere with remarkable clarity—subjects we are surrounded by here in Hawaii. Students will create a master copy of one of his paintings while learning how to simplify and paint the effects of light, color, and movement, along with foundational principles of oil painting more broadly.