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Drawing Nature, Still Life_with Afsaneh Michaels_ July 28— August 18_ Tuesdays _ 2:00-4:30 pm _Studio 1

Drawing Nature, Still Life

July 28— August 18, 2026

Tuesdays  2:00-4:30 pm

Studio 1

 This 4-week drawing session focuses on integrating nature into still life compositions. The course aims to empower students by building a solid foundation in observation, technique, and fundamental artistic concepts through methodical practice and individualized instruction.

In a supportive, non-judgmental environment, Afsaneh Michaels will introduce a variety of materials and mediums through demonstrations. The class is designed for all skill levels—beginner, intermediate, and experienced—encouraging collaborative learning and shared inspiration across groups.

All drawing students learn the elements of art and principles of design introduced as foundational vocabulary. These are:  line, shape, value (understanding of light), form (representation of the three dimension), texture, space, composition, and proportion, and learn to draw using a still life composition.

Beginners Will have one or two completed drawings with three or four components. Great emphasis is put upon learning the foundational skills and principles of drawing and design. Teacher chooses all the subject matter.

Beginners come to the first class half an hour early to meet and greet and to receive the beginner materials.

Intermediate students produce more complex drawings of natural materials or scenery or a still life, perhaps work on a series and learn to use color (optional) with colored pencils, pastels, or watercolor mixed with drawing. This group produces several drawings, some in color and some in graphite or charcoal pencil.

More advanced students work with scale, tonal variation and more detail and color and possibly work on a self generated project, ie. A garden of their choice or other subjects.

We will use pencils, charcoal, colored pencils, pens, but a lesser extent watercolor ( always combined with pencils or pens). Great emphasis is on drawing real objects or specimens and not necessarily working from photos. Small things are brought into the studio or from your home as models.

Please come with your materials or at least a sketchbook and some pencils to the first class and learn about materials then.

 

Instructor: Afsaneh Michaels  AfsanehAm@gmail.com

July 28— August 18, 2026

Tuesdays  2:00-4:30 pm

Studio 1

Class Fee: $120.00 Members.   $140.00 Non-members

Number of students: 18

Materials:

1)Sketchbook:  93-120 Ibs. weight of your choice.

2) Pencils: 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, F, H, 2H, 4H.

3) Set of charcoal pencils.

4) Pink/white eraser. 

5) kneaded rubber eraser.

6) Pencil sharpener.

7) Gray scale.

8) Blending stumps. 

9) Small ruler,

10) Set of colored pencils if you choose color (Prismacolor is ideal but other brands work too).

Afsaneh Michaels, Instructor

Afsaneh A. Michaels is a San Francisco Bay Area fine artist, illustrator, graphic designer, and teacher with over 30 years of creative experience. Raised in Europe and the U.S., Afsaneh studied art and design at the Edinburgh College of Art in Scotland and later moved to Florence, Italy, to study drawing and painting. In her early career, Afsaneh worked as an urban and country planner with the United Nations in Africa. She later transitioned into art and exhibit design at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi under anthropologist Richard Leakey, and subsequently worked in exhibit design at the Smithsonian Institution’s Freer Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. A dedicated educator, Afsaneh has extensive experience teaching painting and drawing to students of all ages and levels. She utilizes a coaching and mentoring style to guide each student’s unique vision and direction while building essential foundational skills. www.AfsanehMichaelStudio.com