Drawing and Painting Fundamentals for Ages 9-13

SPRING 2024 UPDATE

We are offering a general in-person class for ages 9-13 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:

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

All participants will be asked to follow safety guidelines for preventing the spread of this virus following the CDC, Minnesota, and St. Paul guidelines.

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

Thank you for your interest.

Schedule for Winter – Spring – Fall 2024
Schedule for Summer 2024

Supply List

"Draw lines, young man, many lines … It is in this way that you become a good artist."
– Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780-1867)

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 9 to 13 Fundamentals course, 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.

State Fair Winner!
Zach Goodrich, Age 13
Pen and Ink

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

Ages 9-13 Pen & Ink

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 in an unpleasant, unintentional manner.

State Fair Winner!
Micah Morse, Age 13
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.

Ages 9-13 Watercolors