"I have had a joy from which no one can rob me. Can you offer anything to that joy of an artist?" -Mary Cassatt 1844-1926
In our Introductory Program, we concentrate on color, composition, and basic drawing. After students have gained an elementary understanding of design and color theory, we further develop their drawing skills and introduce them to painting.
First time students learn by illustrating a children’s book. Students sketch ideas, improve their drawings, and color their illustrations to create a wonderful keepsake of their artistic beginnings. Returning 7- to 8-year-olds advance into acrylic painting, refining their picture-making skills and exploring painting techniques. All 7-8-year old students sign up for our Basic Elements of Drawing and Design, we place them in the appropriate classroom, Books or Painting.
Through our innovative method of teaching drawing, painting, and design to our youngest students we are best able to prepare them for the advanced drawing, watercolor and oil paintings that they will create when they are older. With faithful attendance, it is not unusual for our 7- to 8-year-old students to advance into drawing and painting exercises reserved for our 9 to 13 year old students as early as age seven.
We are offering a general in-person class for ages 14-18 at various times each week. This wide-ranging class will allow students to continue their training in specific areas of interest as they receive instruction on a one-on-one project basis.
Choose one of these times when registering:
Tue 2:00pm-4:00pm
Wed 2:00pm-4:00pm
Wed 6:00pm-8:00pm
Thu 6:00pm-8:00pm Sat 10:00am-12:00pm
Sat 1:00pm-3:00pm Sat 3:30pm-5:30pm
If you have any questions, please call us (651) 699-1573.
"In the impressionable years of youth it is the eye and the hand that should be exercised." -William Bouguereau (1825-1905)
Our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals class begins with black and white drawing exercises in pencil and pen and ink. After basic skills are learned, children advance to color in watercolor and oil.
Because our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals classes form the core of our children's program, what follows explains our goals for students more fully.
Drawing in Pen and Ink
Throughout history, drawing has always been considered an artist's most prized possession. It is the foundation upon which all other aspects of art are formed. This is true whether an artist chooses to be expressive in a realistic or abstract style. That is why we give the craft of drawing special attention at The Art Academy.
In our 14-18 Fundamentals course, special emphasis is placed on teaching the fundamentals of drawing logically and simply. Our methods promote sound draftsmanship, which dramatically improves a student's drawing abilities both in class and independently. With continued practice students can then achieve higher levels of understanding and success.
Many of our initial drawing exercises are executed in pen and ink so students become familiar with the expressive qualities of line, and aid in improving a student’s control and focus. Students continue to develop their drawing skills when they move on to painting.
After students have demonstrated a basic understanding of drawing they begin painting in watercolor. While we emphasize line in drawing, painting is a medium devoted to the understanding of mass and color. Watercolor is a great medium to learn these concepts.
As with drawing, we approach the study of color in a systematic way. This helps prevent students from spending months or years mixing colors that interact in an unpleasant, unintentional manner. By following revered principles of color theory and color mixing, children create fresh, lively pictures the first time they paint without experiencing any undue frustration.
There is much to learn about painting; watercolor methods easily translate to other forms of painting and color mediums. Students can build upon these skills when they advance into oil painting.
By the time our students are ready for oil painting they have thoroughly grasped the refined drawing, watercolor and design principles that will translate into the oil medium.
Often considered the most challenging form of painting, oils are introduced to students after they've developed a firm understanding of drawing and color mixing.
Our first objective is to pass safe studio methods on to students. We ensure a solvent-free environment where health and safety come first. After learning clean painting procedures students begin to advance their artistic vision by exploring the fascinating world of oil painting techniques.
At The Art Academy we teach several methods of oil painting. This approach allows students to receive a well-rounded education that promotes development of a personal aesthetic based upon time-honored principles of art history.
Indirect Painting and Glazing
Indirect Painting and Glazing are methods of working in oils that were commonly practiced from the fifteenth through the nineteenth centuries. They have proven to be extremely durable techniques. At The Art Academy we teach several variations of glazing and underpainting, including grisaille, verdaccio, bistre, local color underpainting and the mixed tempera-oil technique.
Direct Painting
Direct Painting is a method of working in oils popularized during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It is the technique of nineteenth century Impressionism. One of the hallmarks of direct painting is color mixing through clear observation. It is an excellent way to improve a student's sensitivity to color.
The art supplies listed below can be purchased as kits at the art supply store Wet Paint, 1684 Grand Ave., St. Paul, at a discounted rate.
If you are unable to purchase all the art supplies listed below by the first class, don’t worry. The instructor can loan your child supplies for that lesson.
Basic Elements Supply List – LEVEL 1 is for 5-8 year old children who are attending The Art Academy for the first time:
• 1 – 2H pencil
• Pink Pearl eraser
• Set of 8 Crayola Classic Assorted markers, #58-7732
• Major Accent highlighter 4 pack, with colors yellow, orange, pink, blue
• Major Accent highlighters, green and purple
• Sharpie Ultra Fine Point black marker
• Strathmore 9"x12" 100 sheet, 50 lb sketch book
• Synthetic #4 round watercolor brush
• Synthetic ½" round watercolor brush
• Strathmore 11"x15" watercolor cold press pad, 12 sheets, 140 lb
Household Items:
• Shoebox or Tackle box to hold art supplies
• Roll of Paper Towels (to be left at classroom). Continuing students need to bring a new roll every session.
Materials and Supply List – Level 2
The art supplies listed below can be purchased as kits at the art supply store Wet Paint, 1684 Grand Ave., St. Paul, at a discounted rate.
If you are unable to purchase all the art supplies listed below by the first class, don’t worry. The instructor can loan your child supplies for that lesson.
Basic Elements Supply List – LEVEL 2 is for 5-8 year old children who have advanced into acrylic painting.
Have your child bring all of the LEVEL 1 Supplies to class, plus the following:
• Sharpie Fine Point black marker
• Set of 10 Crayola Broad Assorted Markers, #58-7725
• Synthetic #4 round watercolor brush
• Synthetic ½" round watercolor brush
• Strathmore 11"x15" watercolor cold press pad, 12 sheets, 140 lb
Household Items:
• Shoebox or Tackle box to hold art supplies
• Roll of Paper Towels (to be left at classroom). Continuing students need to bring a new roll every session.
• Smock or big shirt for painting
• 1 – 2H pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Pink Pearl eraser
• Ice Dome double sharpener
• Faber-Castell STIK eraser
• Pigma 8 pen assorted set – Black ink
• Prang Oval 8 watercolor set
• Synthetic #4 round watercolor brush
• Synthetic ½" round watercolor brush
• Strathmore 9" x12" 100 sheet, 50 lb sketch book
Household Items
• Shoebox or Tackle box to hold art supplies
• Roll of Paper Towels (to be left at classroom). Continuing students need to bring a new roll every session.
The art supplies listed below can be purchased as a kit at the art supply store Wet Paint, 1684 Grand Ave., St. Paul, at a discounted rate.
If you are unable to purchase all the art supplies listed below by the first class, don’t worry. The instructor can loan you supplies for that lesson.
Traditional Drawing and Painting Supplies
• 1 – 2H pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Dr. Ph Martin's Black Star Hicarb waterproof India ink
• Crow quill pen nib Hunt #107 and small pen holder
• Crow quill pen nib #512 and large pen holder
• Prang Oval 8 watercolor set
• Loew Cornell Plastic palette round 10 well
• Synthetic #4 round watercolor brush
• Synthetic ½" round watercolor brush
• AA Multimedia Sketch 8.5” x 11”
• Phano China Marker Red
• Phano China Marker Blue
• Pigma Micron 01 Black
• Pigma Micron 03 Black
• Pigma Micron 08 Black
• Pentel Hybrid Technica Pen 0.3
• Pentel Hybrid Technica Pen 0.5
• Pentel Hybrid Technica Pen 0.8
• Pitt Artpen Fine Black
• Pitt Artpen Brush Black
• Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Brush Black
• Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen >>Big Brush<< Black
• Factis Black 18 Eraser
Household Items
• Shoebox or Tackle box to hold art supplies
• Roll of Paper Towels (to be left at classroom). Continuing students need to bring a new roll every session.
The art supplies listed below can be purchased as a kit at the art supply store Wet Paint, 1684 Grand Ave., St. Paul, at a discounted rate.
If you are unable to purchase all the art supplies listed below by the first class, don’t worry. The instructor can loan you supplies for that lesson.
Renaissance Drawing and Painting Supplies
• 1 – 4H pencil
• 1 – 2H pencil
• Pencil sharpener
• Kneaded eraser
• Pink Pearl eraser
• Dr. Ph Martin's Black Star Hicarb waterproof India ink
• FW Burnt Umber waterproof drawing ink
• Crow quill pen nib Hunt #107 and small pen holder
• Crow quill pen nib #512 and large pen holder
• M. Graham 15 ml. Burnt Umber
• Synthetic #4 round watercolor brush
• Synthetic ½" round watercolor brush
• Strathmore 9”x12” 100 sheet, 50 lb sketch book
• HB charcoal pencil
• White charcoal pencil
• The Practice and Science of Drawing by Harold Speed, Dover publications
Household Items
• Shoebox or Tackle box to hold art supplies
• Roll of Paper Towels (to be left at classroom). Continuing students need to bring a new roll every session.
The art supplies listed below can be purchased as a kit at the art supply store Wet Paint, 1684 Grand Ave., St. Paul, at a discounted rate. Please purchase Gamblin oil paints. Do not buy student grade paints. This oil painting kit is an investment and will last for many years.
Required Paint
• Gamblin Titanium White, 150 ml tube
• Gamblin Portland Grey Light
• Gamblin Portland Grey Medium
• Gamblin Portland Grey Deep
• Gamblin Ivory Black
• 3 Sets of 3 – 9”x12” canvas boards (for a total of 9 boards)
Brushes, Mediums, etc.
(If you have purchased oil painting supplies for our Traditional Drawing and Painting or Renaissance Drawing and Painting Techniques and Beyond classes you should already have these brushes and mediums)
• Silver Bristion round #0 (or equivalent)
• Signet round bristle brushes, #0, 2, 4, 6 (or equivalent)
• Signet filbert brushes, #1, 2, 4, 6 (or equivalent)
• Signet flat brushes, # 2, 4, 6 (or equivalent)
• Richeson watercolor brush, #1 (or equivalent)
• Richeson watercolor brush, #0 (or equivalent)
• M. Graham Walnut Alkyd Medium, 4 oz.
• “The Masters” Brush Cleaner #101
• Richeson 36×36 cm brush mat or any other brush holder
• Richeson #894 palette knife
• 1 pint Gamsol
Household Items
• Shoebox or Tackle box to hold art supplies
• Roll of Paper Towels (to be left at classroom). Bring a new roll every session.
• 3 small jars with tight fitting lids
The art supplies listed below can be purchased at Wet Paint, 1684 Grand Ave., St. Paul. Some household items will help round out your needs.
If you are unable to purchase all the art supplies listed below by the first class, don’t worry. Pencils, erasers, and paper are all the materials needed for the first drawing lesson.
Basic Drawing and Painting Supplies (can be purchased at Wet Paint)
• 1 – 2H pencil
• 1 – H pencil
• Pencil sharpener
• Kneaded eraser
• Pink Pearl eraser
• Faber-Castell STIK eraser
• Micron Pigma Pen set of 8 (005, 01, 02, 03, 05, 08, and also includes the Pigma Brush and Pigma Graphic pens)
• Strathmore 9"x12" 100 sheet, 50 lb sketchbook or equivalent
• Jack Richeson 9"x12" tracing paper pad
• FREEHAND FIGURE DRAWING FOR ILLUSTRATORS – Mastering the Art of Drawing from Memory, by David H. Ross, published by Watson Guptill.
Household Items
• Shoebox or Tackle box to hold art supplies
• Roll of Paper Towels (to be left at classroom). Continuing students need to bring a new roll every session.
The art supplies listed below can be purchased as a kit at the art supply store Wet Paint, 1684 Grand Ave., St. Paul, at a discounted rate. This oil painting kit is an investment and will last for many years.
Oil Painting Supplies
We suggest Gamblin oil paints, but Norma, La Franc, Sennelier, Winsor and Newton, Holbein, M. Graham, Old Holland, Willamsburg and Rembrandt are also acceptable. Please do not buy student grade paints.
• Titanium White, 150 ml tube
• Cadmium Yellow Light
• Yellow Ochre
• Raw Umber
• Venetian Red or English Red Light
• Alizarin Crimson Permanent
• Cadmium Red Light
• Ultramarine Blue
• Viridian
• Ivory Black
• Portland Grey Medium
• Transparent Earth Yellow
• Transparent Earth Orange
• Silver Bristion Round #0 (or equivalent)
• Signet round bristle brushes, #0. 2. 4. 6 (or equivalent)
• Signet filbert brushes, #1. 2. 4. 6 (or equivalent)
• Signet flat brushes, #2. 4. 6 (or equivalent)
• Richeson watercolor brush, #1 (or equivalent)
• Richeson watercolor brush, #0 (or equivalent)
• M. Graham Walnut Alkyd Medium, 4 oz.
• "The Masters" Brush Cleaner #101
• Richeson 36×36 cm brush mat or any other brush holder
• Richeson #894 palette knife
• Fredrix Oil Primed Linen Canvas Board 11×14
Household Items
• Shoebox or Tackle box to hold art supplies
• Roll of Paper Towels (to be left at classroom). Continuing students need to bring a new roll every session.
The art supplies listed below can be purchased as a kit at the art supply store Wet Paint, 1684 Grand Ave., St. Paul, at a discounted rate. This oil painting kit is an investment and will last for many years.
Oil Painting Supplies, We strongly suggest Gamblin oil paints ~37ml Tubes
• Titanium White
• Hansa Yellow Medium
• Yellow Ochre
• Raw Umber
• Venetian Red
• Alizarin Crimson Permanent
• Napthol Red
• Pthalo Geen
• Ultramarine Blue
• Mars Black
• Silver Bristlon round #1, 2 (or equivalent)
• Signet round bristle brushes, #2, 4 (or equivalent)
• Signet filbert brushes, #1, 5 (or equivalent)
• Snap! Synthetic white long handle brushes, #0, 2 (or equivalent)
• M. Graham Walnut Alkyd Medium, 4 oz.
• “The Masters” Brush Cleaner #101
• Richeson #894 palette knife
• Fredrix Oil Primed Linen Canvas Board 11×14
• Gamsol, 2oz.
Household Items
• Shoebox or Tackle box to hold art supplies
• Roll of Paper Towels (to be left at classroom). Bring a new roll every session.
• 2 small jars with tight fitting lids
Optional Items
• Brush holder
• Oil Paintings Techniques and Materials by Harold Speed, Dover Publications
• Transparent Earth Yellow
• Transparent Earth Orange
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