Summer Camps & Workshops

Summer Camps & Workshops 2026

We will be hosting two Summer Camps and Workshops this Summer. The first workshop for ages 13 to adult will focus on outdoor drawing and painting and conclude by taking a sketch to completion on location at a professional artist’s studio in St. Paul. The second workshop will be held at The Art Academy and is reserved for older teens and adults. It will be a four-day figure drawing workshop in pencil. Both are taught by our dear friend and superb artist, Stuart Loughridge.

Van Gogh Self Portrait — "If you hear a voice within you saying 'You are not a painter,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."
-Vincent Van Gogh
1853-1890

In this summer camp & workshop section we advertise workshops for teens, young adults, and adults by local artists we dearly admire They stand with dedication to pass on traditional methods in practical ways to the next generation of Minnesota painters. Many of the students who join these camps find that their skills progress very quickly because of the steady routine a daily workshop offers.

Attendees will receive individual instruction and work at their own pace in a non-competitive environment. Student to teacher ratio is always low to ensure a successful learning experience.

All camps and workshops are open to both new and continuing students. The course description, date, time. and cost for each workshop is listed below.

Dates and costs are also listed on our registration page.

Stuart Loughridge Summer Camp & Workshop 1: Outdoor Landscape Sketching in Pencil and Watercolor, In-Studio Compositional Development and Workshop with an Emphasis on Finish, Ages 13-Adult

Stuart Loughridge
A Series of Watercolor River Sketches dating from March 8th, 2020, through April 11th, 2020
(A bicycle was the mode of transport used when Stuart went out to paint these sketches.)

Monday August 10th – Friday August 14th*
*This camp & workshop meets 9:30 am – 4:30 pm each day.

Minnesota Artist Stuart Loughridge takes outdoor art education to a whole new level. We are proud to advertise that he will teach students how to draw and create pencil, ink, and watercolor sketches outdoors using a limited number of supplies for maximum portability. After students complete a few plein air studies they will meet at Stuart’s studio off 7th Street in St. Paul and learn how to take their sketches done from nature and transform them into memorable finished work. Much emphasis will be placed on the study of compositional motifs and advanced techniques to enrich the aesthetics of the final image. Stuart’s individual tutorials will serve as invaluable lessons to all budding artists taking this workshop.

This five-day workshop will be held at Stuart’s St. Paul Studio at 274 Goodrich Avenue and nearby Cherokee Park Picnic Grounds.

Stuart is one of the finest landscape artists in the Twin Cities, so DON'T miss this unique opportunity to study with this dedicated artist!

Stuart Loughridge Summer Camp & Workshop 2: Figure Drawing Workshop in Pencil, Ages 16-Adult

Stuart Loughridge
Detail of a figure drawing, executed in pencil

Monday August 18th – Wednesday August 20th*
*This camp meets 9:30 am – 2:00 pm each day. (there will be a ½-hour break for lunch each day)

This workshop is geared toward older teens and adults.

Students will meet at The Art Academy to study from a live, nude model for four hours each day. Stuart will begin each session by giving a demonstration to the class as the model poses to help clarify goals and techniques for each daily session. Students will then begin to draw from the model as Stuart critiques everyone individually. All work will be executed in pencil, done from nature and translated into finished work. Importance will be placed on the study of the techniques and thought process to enhance the beauty of complete visual impression.

The cost is $400 (This includes the model's posing fee.)

Take both of Stuart's Summer Camps & Workshops for $750. That’s a $50 discount!

Manga and Superheroes

Drawing Manga, Superheroes and Fantasy Figures for Ages 12-18

We are offering these classes online.

Please visit:

https://theartacademy.net/online-class-list/

for descriptions of these classes.

If you have any questions, please call us (651) 699-1573.

Thank you for your interest.

Register for Current Term

Character Supply List
Comics Level 1 Supply List (for new students)
Comics Level 2 Supply List (for returning students)

Drawing Manga, Superheroes and Fantasy Figures is designed to correlate with our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals program. Students may take the two classes together to learn complementary information, thereby accelerating their skill development considerably. However, it can be taken on its own, and there is no prerequisite.

Our Drawing Manga, Superheroes and Fantasy Figures class features two complimentary programs to satisfy everyone’s creative needs.

Character Design and Development

"… It is my belief that the function of human anatomy, with an emphasis on its role in the process of emotion and intent, has been sorely neglected by young artist learning the practices of comics and sequential art."
-Will Eisner (1917-2005)

The program centers around the figure, where anatomy, construction and movement are studied in conjunction with each other. Children and teens with a strong interest in Japanese animation (Anime), superheroes, comics and role-playing art are especially drawn to this class. For examples, we look to professional artists to set a standard of excellence. The accumulated knowledge of these fine anatomists, draftsmen and painters inspire our students to produce work of higher quality. In addition to figure construction, students learn about costume design, gesture, facial expression, inking and color techniques. After these skills are understood, they are encouraged to create their own Manga, Super Hero, and Fantasy Figure characters from local artists who excel in figure design.

Visual Storytelling through Comics and Graphic Novels

"The only way to learn how to write and draw is by writing and drawing… To persist requires a deep love of the work itself, and learning that lesson kept me from ever taking Calvin and Hobbes for granted when the strip took off years later…. To invent your own life's meaning is not easy, but it's still allowed… and I think that you'll be happier for the trouble."
-Bill Watterson (1958- )

This program is designed to teach students how to develop a visual concept through sequential art, which is the largest growth industry within the world of book publishing today. Students explore visual story telling techniques, including: story development, page layout, perspective, camera angles, dramatic lighting, lettering and advanced inking techniques. After these skills are learned, kids create their own comic or graphic novel pages, which are published each term in Bill Hauser’s and David Witt’s Art Academy fanzine, Sandwhich, which comprises their final project.

THESE CLASSES NEEDN’T BE TAKEN IN SEQUENCE.

Character Design Artwork

Visual Storytelling Artwork

Lilliah Campagna, Instructor, Drift/Deadlock, Digital Painting

Mick Kaufer, Instructor, Evil Ways, Digital Illustration

Bill Hauser, Instructor, Jack Ratts Album Cover, Ink and Photoshop

David Witt, Instructor, Morning Coffee Daily Comic Strip Page, Pen & Ink & Brush on Paper

Fantasy Painting

Fantasy Painting for Ages 14+

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.

Thank you for your interest.

Register for Current Term

Supply List

"I hope my work has inspired young artists. I have always tried to maintain my freedom as an artist and I feel it is one of the main reasons I have been successful."
-Frank Frazetta (1928-2010)

The Fantasy Painting Class is designed to correlate with our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals and Drawing Manga, Superheroes and Fantasy Figures programs. Students may take the three classes together to learn complimentary information, thereby accelerating their skill development considerably. However, it can be taken on its own, and there is no prerequisite.

This course provides students with a traditional step-by-step process to create Fantasy, Science Fiction, or other original work in pencil, ink and paint. The core focus is on developing the student’s rough, initial concept into a complete and finished work through the practical use of sketching, references, and incremental studies. Concepts of design, line quality, value and color harmonies will be stressed to ensure each student’s final products are both conceptually and aesthetically engaging.

Initially, students will select inspirational master works to copy and use to study traditional techniques. While developing these essential skills, students will be encouraged to maintain a sketchbook and create original ideas for narratives, subjects, character designs, and settings. With the aid of the instructor, students will then select their best concepts to develop further using anatomical studies, photographic reference and compositional exercises. Each student will explore methods to achieve their unique goals. Advanced students will culminate their learning experience in a finished, fully realized, original painting.

Fantasy Painting Artwork

Drawing and Painting Fundamentals for Homeschoolers

Homeschool Drawing and Painting Fundamentals for Ages 10-18

Currently we are not offering a specific homeschool class.

If you are interested in these classes, please call us (651) 699-1573.

Thank you for your interest.

Supply List

Delacroix, Orphan Girl — "The first merit of a picture is to be a feast for the eyes."
-Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863)

Our Homeschool classes follow the progression of our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals program. Students begin 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. All levels of study, from beginning to advanced students are accepted.

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.

Drawing in Pen and Ink

In our Homechool program, special emphasis is placed on teaching the fundamentals of drawing logically and simply. Our methods promote refined draftsmanship, which dramatically improves a student's drawing abilities. With continued practice children 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. This improves a student’s eye/hand coordination and focus.

Madeline Sorenson, Pen & Ink — Madeline Sorenson, Age 15
Pen and Ink

Students continue to advance their drawing skills when they move on to painting.

Pen & Ink Artwork

Watercolor

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 on paper or canvas in an unpleasant, unintentional manner.

Alice Shea, Watercolor — Alice Shea, Age 15
Watercolor

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; and watercolor methods easily translate to other forms of painting and color mediums. Students build upon these skills when they advance into oil painting.

By the time students are ready for oil painting they have thoroughly grasped the refined drawing, watercolor and design principles that will directly translate into the oil medium.

Ages 14-18 Watercolor

Oil Painting

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.

Ages 14-18 Oil Paintings

Alice Shea, Pen & Ink — Alice Shea, Age 14
Pen and Ink

State Fair Winner!
Sarah Chelstrom, Age 14
Watercolor and Colored Pencil

Drawing and Painting Fundamentals for Teens

Drawing and Painting Fundamentals for Ages 14-18

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.

Thank you for your interest.

Register for Current Term

Supply List

"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

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.

Pen & Ink Artwork

Watercolor Painting

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.

Ages 14-18 Watercolor Gallery

Oil Painting

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.

Indirect Painting and Glazing

Direct Painting

Ages 14-18 Oils Gallery