INTRODUCTION TO CLASSICAL DRAWING

September 20th to October 19th

Saturdays and Sundays 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

September 20th to October 19th

Saturdays and Sundays 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 the classical oil painting

November 1st to November 30th

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.

Figure painting level 1

November 1st to November 30th
Saturdays and Sundays from 4-7PM

In this workshop students will work from photo reference, master copies and live models as we discuss the challenges and fun of figure painting. Join us as we work our way through a systematic approach to maping out our figure, blocking in our painting, and adding the finishing touches. Some familiarity with figure drawing and oil painting is recommend, but not required, as all skill levels are welcome.

Construction drawing and artistic anatomy

January 17th to February 15th

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.

Plein Air Landscape Painting

January 17th to February 15th

Saturdays and Sundays from 2-5PM

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.

Introduction to Classical Drawing

February 21st to March 22nd

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.

Anders Zorn Master Copy Workshop

February 21st to March 22nd

Saturdays and Sundays from 4-7PM

Discover the secrets of one of Sweden’s greatest painters by creating your own copy of a work by Anders Zorn. Celebrated for his luminous brushwork and the famous four-color “Zorn palette,” Zorn’s direct painting approach makes his work uniquely accessible for study. In this workshop, students of all levels will learn how to prepare a canvas, mix colors with confidence, and handle paint with clarity and simplicity, all while gaining insight into Zorn’s technique and artistic vision. With demos, lectures, and personalized guidance, this class offers a rare chance to sharpen your oil painting skills through the eyes of a master.

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.

John Singer Sargent master copy workshop

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.