Rossmoor Art Association

"Landscapes from Photographs" _with Carol Tarzier_ March 29th - May 31th _Fridays_ 12:30 - 4:30 Studio 1
2024-05-10 12:30 - 16:30, 2024-05-03 12:30 - 16:30, 2024-04-26 12:30 - 16:30, 2024-04-19 12:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
“Landscapes from Photographs” with Carol Tarzier
March 22th – May 24th
Fridays 12:30 – 4:30 Studio 1
$200 (10 sessions)
Rossmoor Art Association is offering “Landscape from Photographs” with artist Carol Tarzier.. Tuition for the 10 sessions is $200.
This series is about using your photographs to create fresh and lively landscapes with the energy and color of plein air work. The series covers color mixing and creating beautiful color tones with warm and cool primaries.
The class will review materials and equipment that make painting fun, and you will learn how to use composition to create depth, how to create space using color and grays, how to create depth using hard and soft edges, and how to use saturation to create the feeling of space, using bright colors in the foreground and creating space and distance with grays.
Carol will also cover mixing colors for specific areas, such as in the sky as it moves toward the horizon, on a flat plane to make it recede into the distance, and to create a dynamic foreground. The class will also cover how to make water look transparent, how to paint waves and how to paint reflections.
You will need to bring photos you would like to work from to each class. These can be image files on a tablet or printed photos.
Oil and acrylic painters of all levels are welcome. Acrylic instruction is individual. Class demonstrations are in oil. Oil painters please use odorless thinner or walnut oil (etc) only. Do not store thinners in a locker, take them home. Class is limited to 20 students.

Beginning with Color and Acrylics...and Onward__ with Marcy Wheeler __ Fridays 9:30-Noon __ Studio 2 __ May 3 to June 14 (one skip day)
2024-05-10 09:30 - 12:00, 2024-05-03 09:30 - 12:00 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
Beginning with Color and Acrylics and Onward with Marcy Wheeler
Fridays 9:30-Noon. Studio 2
May 3, 2024 to June 7
6 classes $120 Members__ $140 Non-members
Acrylic paints are amazing! Learn about the paint and mediums that are essential to a rich and deep acrylic painting.
Acrylics are wonderful and flexible. It washes up with water, but when it dries, it is a water proof polymer, so wear “painting clothes”.
Beginners: This six-week session of Marcy Wheeler’s Friday Morning Class is focused on showing beginners how to mix colors and play with acrylic paints. The beginners will work in the heart of the class together and will be greeted with fun projects to teach them the ins and outs of color and acrylic paints. Beginner’s Material Fee is $50. Paid by check or cash to Marcy Wheeler on 1st class meeting. You get to keep the wonderful Golden Paints (5 tubes) and several new and used brushes. Bring some canvas or heavy paper to paint on.
Ongoing Students continue on their road as “not quite” beginners, intermediate, and advanced painters, and will be cheering beginners on! Learning continues with individual guidance from Marcy, as usual. We often share our work at the end of the class and learn more about our own work from the other class members. If you are an ongoing student, you are in charge of your own material purchases.
Any Student may make up a missed class in Marcy’s Thursday afternoon class (2:30- 5) in Studio 2. A student may also make up a class at her private studio on Boulevard Way, Thursday mornings 9:30 to 12, with advance notice. Contact Marcy at 925 787-9159.

Intermediate/Advanced Watercolor Painting with Ron Pratt _ March 21st to May 23rd_ Thursdays_ 12:30pm-3pm _ Studio1
2024-05-09 12:30 - 15:00, 2024-05-02 12:30 - 15:00, 2024-04-25 12:30 - 15:00, 2024-04-18 12:30 - 15:00 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
Intermediate/Advanced
Watercolor Painting
Spring 2024
Ronald Pratt
Gateway Complex, Painting Studio 1
Regardless of your choice of favorite subjects to paint, springtime offers up a great bounty of visual inspiration to motivate the artist. The creative juices just seem to flow more when we are surrounded by the growth of new flowers, green foothills and the return of the migratory songbirds. You can smell spring in the air.
If you are the type of artist that gets inspired by the wonders of spring, The Rossmoor Art Association is offering a class on Thursday Afternoons designed for motivated watercolor painters. This creative, social atmosphere is a great way to let your creative muses out. This class is for people with some background in the medium and focuses on teaching people the fundamentals of design and composition in watercolor painting and encourages people to explore their own creativity thru class projects. This is a fun class that encourages the freedom of expression while developing your design skills in a fun and relaxing environment.
This watercolor painting class will be at the Rossmoor Activities Center, Painting Studio 1 on Thursday Afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:00pm. This 10 week class will run from March 21st to May 23th at a cost of $140. For Non-Rossmoor Residents the class fee is $160. Priority will be given to Rossmoor Residents. Brings your art supplies to the first class.
To register go to the Rossmoor Art Association Website and click on classes on the header bar. Scroll down until you come to Intermediate/Advanced Watercolor Painting with Ron Pratt and follow the instructions to enroll. The class maximum is 20 students due to space limitations so get your registration in to reserve your seat in the class.
To see Ronald’s Watercolors go to www.ronaldpratt.com. Please direct questions to Ronald at ronpratt14@gmail.com or call him at (510) 366-7740. Further information on all RAA activities can be found at www.rossmoorart.com.

Beginning/Intermediate Watercolor Painting with Ronald Pratt _March 21st to May 23th_ Thursdays _9:30am to 11am_ Studio 1
2024-05-09 09:00 - 11:30, 2024-05-02 09:00 - 11:30, 2024-04-25 09:00 - 11:30, 2024-04-18 09:00 - 11:30 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
Beginning/Intermediate Watercolor Painting with Ronald Pratt
Spring 2024 3/21-5/23
10 classes, Thursdays

Gateway Complex, Painting Studio 1
When new growth starts to appear on the flowers and trees and the fading winter rains have left the hills and meadows a bright green, I know spring is just around the corner. This is a very exciting time for me because it is the advent of a new cycle of growth in the landscape around me and in the painting studio. I’m always motivated to paint this time of year the many new subjects springing up around me.
If you are like me and find inspiration from the bounty of subjects to be found at this time of year the Rossmoor Art Association is offering a watercolor painting class at the Activity Center on Thursday Mornings designed for you. The focus of this class is the fundamentals of painting. You will be given step by step demonstrations of watercolor painting to inspire you while in a friendly atmosphere that will encourage you to explore your own individual creativity. Subject matter will include spring flowers, mountain meadows, coast scene and a still life subject.
This watercolor painting class will be at the Rossmoor Activities Center, Painting Studio 1 on Thursday Mornings from 9 am to 11:30 am. This 10 week class will run from March 21st to May 23th at a cost of $140. For Non-Rossmoor Residents the class fee is $160. Priority will be given to Rossmoor Residents. Suggested materials will be discussed at the first class.
To register go to the Rossmoor Art Association Website and click on classes on the header bar. Scroll down until you come to Beginning/Intermediate Watercolor Painting with Ron Pratt and follow the instructions to enroll. The class maximum is 20 students due to space limitations so get your registration in to reserve your seat in the class.
To see Ronald’s Watercolors go to www.ronaldpratt.com. Please direct questions to Ronald at ronpratt14@gmail.com or call him at (510) 366-7740. Further information on all RAA activities can be found at www.rossmoorart.com.

Acrylic Painting with Marcy Wheeler__ May 2 to June 6 _ Thursdays 2:30- 5:00_ Studio 2
2024-05-09 02:30 - 17:00, 2024-05-02 02:30 - 17:00 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
Acrylic Painting with Marcy Wheeler on Thursday Afternoons

May 2 to June 6 (6 weeks)

Studio 2

Thursdays 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm

All levels. If you are really JUST beginning, think about taking my Starting with Color and Acrylics class on Friday mornings.

Marcy Wheeler focuses on individual instruction, group discussion and occasional class demonstrations. Students learn the quick and creative qualities of acrylic paints and mediums and how to turn acrylic paints into a flexible and luscious way to paint.
Acrylic paints are amazing! Learn about the mediums that are essential to a rich and deep acrylic painting.
Wheeler encourages students to try new tools, explore new ways of working and move toward their own style. She gives the encouragement needed to stay with a painting until it exceeds the student’s highest expectations. And she helps some students learn how to stop when it is finished!
Tuition is $120 for six classes for RAA members, for non-members, tuition is $140.
In addition to teaching at Rossmoor, Wheeler has taught at Lafayette Studio, Walnut Creek Civic Arts, Yosemite Art Center and for more than 22 years at her own studio. Wheeler has a BFA in Painting from the University of Illinois, and she studied for many years in the studio of Louise Smith, a painting instructor at UC Berkeley. She is a founding member of Bay Area Studio Artists
Contact: Marcy@marcywheeler.com See more of Marcy’s work at MarcyWheeler.com

Ongoing Costumed Portrait Lab__ N0 Instructor__ until 6/26__back in the fall
2024-05-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-05-01 13:00 - 16:00 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
Ongoing Costumed Portrait Lab
Wednesdays 1-4 pm
Studio 2
Beginning Wednesday May 1st
Ongoing, sign up through the website for the first 5 sessions. New session in mid summer. Reserve your space!
After you use up your first 5 sessions, purchase as drop-in for $25, cash or check made out to RAA, from the Lab Monitor.
Models will be set up by the Lab Monitor.
Bring your own supplies, no solvents please!

Nature Drawing with Afsaneh Michaels__May 1 - June 12 (7 weeks)__ Wednesdays 9:30-12:00 Studio 1
2024-05-08 09:30 - 12:00, 2024-05-01 09:30 - 12:00 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
Nature Drawing with Afsaneh

May 1 – June 12 , 2024 (seven weeks)
Wednesdays 9:30-12:00 Studio 1

Nature drawing has a way of bringing your body and soul in sync with nature and helps you stay in the calm and quiet of the moment. Drawing helps you concentrate your mind and gives you an understating of the visual world like no other art. Drawing is the kind of art practice that you can bring into your home, on vacation, outdoors with friends, anywhere you wish with just a small sketchbook and some pencils.
This course teaches the fundamentals of drawing in a detailed and methodical way over several weeks with a lot practice and attention from the instructor. You will learn about form, shading, line weight, and composition and make lively, interesting and beautiful drawings. A wide range of materials and mediums are introduced slowly as part of the class in demos.
In this class you learn and work in a cohesive environment where you get to see and appreciate a variety of art and inspire each other. You draw as beginners, intermediate students, and more experienced students all in one class, each group working on material appropriate to their group.
Beginners learn the basics of form, line and value/shading and learn to draw branches, leaves, small flowers, fruits or vegetable, and an animal, bird or insect. At the end of class you’ll have at least one drawing with three or four components in it.
Intermediate students draw more complex scenery or a still life with natural elements in it, and learn to use color (optional) with colored pencils, pastels, or watercolor. This group produces several drawings, some in color and some in graphite or charcoal pencil.
More advanced students work with scale, perspective, tonal variation and more detail and color and scale.
We will use pencils, charcoal, colored pencils, pens, or pastels and to lesser extent watercolor ( always combined with pencils or pens). Great emphasis is on drawing real specimens and not necessarily working fro photos. Small things are brought in to the studio or 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. You can also contact the instructor at least one week (or more) ahead of time to buy you a basic kit.

Instructor: Afsaneh Michaels. AfsanehAm@gmail.com
Dates: May 1- June 12, 2024
Wednesdays: 9:30- 12:00
Class Fee: $205.00 Members. $225.00 Non-members
Place: studio 1
Number of students: 18
Materials: Sketchbook: 93-120 Ibs. weight of your choice. Pencils: 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, F, H, 4H, 6H. Set of charcoal pencils. Pink/white eraser. kneaded rubber eraser. Pencil sharpener. Gray scale. Blending stumps. Small ruler
Set of colored pencils if you choose color.

Painting the Natural World with Afsaneh Michaels __May 7- June 18 __ Tuesday 9:30-12:30 pm__Studio 1
2024-05-07 09:30 - 12:00 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
Painting the Natural World
Clouds, Water, Trees, Rocks, Foliage,
Flowers, Birds ……
May 7- June 18, 2024 (seven weeks)
Tuesday 9:30-12:30 pm
This seven-week course is designed for those who want to learn how to paint
clouds, water, trees, rocks separately or within the context of a painting. You
will learn how to compose paintings with elements of your choice rather than
a given image or paint an already composed image of your choice. You might
work from sketches, photographs or still life to bring your ideas together.
You will learn about form, line weight, shading, composition and the overall
handling of the picture space and make lively, interesting and beautiful
paintings. A variety of color mediums (including acrylics, oils, or water
soluble oil colors, colored pencils, oil pastels etc.) can be used on paper as
well as on canvas or board.
Come with your existing setup with colors, brushes, pencils, pastels and
other tools plus your sketchbook or canvas. The first class will include a
discussion of materials and supports (canvas, paper or boards). For questions,
please email the instructor.
Instructor: Afsaneh Michaels, AfsanehAm@gmail.com
May 7- June 18, 2024
Tuesdays: 9:30-12:30
Cost: $205.00 residents, non-residents $225.00
Place: Studio 1
Number of Students: 15
Materials: Your medium of choice and setup plus your sketchbook and a
canvas or a support of your choice. For more information email the instructor.

“En Plein Aire” Painting Outdoors with Afsaneh Michaels May 6- June 17 Mondays 9:30-12:00
2024-05-06 09:30 - 12:00 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
“En Plein Aire” Painting Outdoors
May 6- June 17, 2024 (seven weeks)
Mondays 9:30-12:00

The plein air class taught by Afsaneh Michaels at Rossmoor Art Association (RAA) continues outdoors. Artists will paint directly onto canvas or paper using a medium of their choice (students must be comfortable and familiar with their own medium), and learn how to frame a painting from an outdoor scene, how to capture shadows, paint trees, architecture, water, light, color and other landscape elements. This course will be held outdoors, in bad weather we will move inside into studio 1. We will paint at various locations within Rossmoor and outside of Rossmoor by class agreement. The location of the first class will be emailed before the first session by instructor.
For further information contact Afsaneh Michaels. AfsanehAm@gmail.com

Instructor: Afsaneh Michaels, AfsanehAm@gmail.com
May 6- June 17, 2024 (seven weeks)
Mondays: 9:30-12:00
Cost: $140.00 residents , non-residents $160.00
Place: To be announced by email by instructor
Number of Students: 15
Materials: Your medium of choice and setup (including an outdoor easel and a view finder) for more in formation please email the instructor

WATERCOLORS - When Less Is Plenty with Anna George_ Fridays _ 1 - 4pm _ Mar 15 - May 3 _ Studio 2_
2024-05-03 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-19 13:00 - 16:00 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
WATERCOLORS – When Less Is Plenty with Anna George

Friday afternoons 1 – 4pm

Mar 15 – May 3
8 weeks

Studio 2
members $165__ non members $185
Max spaces 13

If you’ve ever thought to try watercolors or pick up where you left off, and wish for personal attention as you paint, this class for you. At the outset we will pursue an understanding of materials and tools in order to develop strokes and washes. Using simple shapes and techniques to learn how the brush loads and carries water and pigments, we’ll be feeling the difference of “less is more” and “less is enough”. Students will be able to complete a number of studies and paintings in this eight-week series.

Years ago I did a thesis on watercolor. I then I traveled for a year outside the US. The images I brought home were watercolor only, no camera at all. This was my medium for decades. Recently my watercolor work has been on silk as well as cold-pressed Arches paper. I will include a silk demo to introduce the silk superflow, and students can opt to give it a try.

Yes, watercolor painting can be simple, fun, and elegant. Join the RAA for $10, then register for the class. Non-residents please call me for extra details (925) 783 9000. Quality ingredients make all the difference. Please opt for Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton Pro, Schminke. One can start with a handful of select pigments and brushes, plus Arches cold-pressed papers. Welcome aboard–see you as spring unfolds for us and goes full bloom!

Rembrandt-Movie Peacock Hall 1pm
2024-05-01 13:00 - 15:00 | CA
Documentary Film: The Painting Life of Rembrandt Van Rijn
A Free film presentation by RAA and open to all
Check The Events: Movies page on this website for more info.

Paintbox Pursuits in Acrylics & Oils with Anna George_ Tuesdays _ 1:00-3:30 pm_ March 12 to April 30_ Studio 1
2024-04-30 13:00 - 15:30, 2024-04-23 13:00 - 15:30 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
Paintbox Pursuits in Acrylics & Oils
Anna George
Tuesday afternoons

Mar 12 – April 30 1 – 3:30pm
8 weeks

Studio 1

$170/190

Max spaces 16
For website:
Join us in our newly renovated studios with wonderful ambient daylight. Open your paintbox and let your ideas take shape. My style is to offer you constant support at your easel, where you choose to paint what you love. Whether you’re a beginner or hold an MFA, we all along take a fresh look at important painting fundamentals. And we have fun.
A brand-new artist? Are you starting a new painting or revisiting a piece? Discover and work your individual style in oils or acrylics, whether abstract or representational. As you develop your painting you’ll learn to skirt common pitfalls in this convivial class that has run for twelve years.
I enjoying offering good sequencing in the painting process. We simplify new and age-old painting concepts with demonstrations, some handouts, and one-on-one. Classes address form, light, composition, values, atmospheric perspective, color mixing and placement, mediums, etc. When painters request a special focus or demo I’m happy to oblige.
Connect the dots of composition, color partnering, and perhaps try your hand at special techniques that fit your style. You choose source material; I recommend an 8×10 photograph. In the studio we share as we go, support each other, and enjoy some levity, each at our own pace.
Having been an artist for decades, I grew to be self-supporting, and I bring the extent of that experience to classes. In my twelve years teaching here I’ve witnessed a lot of success and feel proud of my students’ artistic growth. We encourage each other, and the final class is all about that. It’s our own little art festival, where we show our work/pieces in progress and complement that with scrumptious bites.
On Tuesday afternoons let go of the outer world and immerse. Beginners please get in touch for a materials list, a consult, plus guidance choosing quality materials. Reach me at 925 783 9000 with questions/enrolment needs. Start by becoming an RAA member ($10) and then enroll. Best to do this well ahead of the start date.
After exhibiting in the U.S. and Italy in galleries, museum shows, etc., I show abstract and representational work online and at various venues. And I offer painted silkwear here in November. See my pieces locally and at annageorgeartist.com and at annageorgeonline.com. Ask about a current show of my work nearby. Welcome to class–see you in the bright light of spring!

Drawing with Charcoal for Painting_ with Carol Tarzier_ March 20 to April 24_ Wed 1-4pm_ Studio 2
2024-04-24 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-17 13:00 - 16:00 | Gateway Art Studio 1, 1001 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, CA, CA, 94595, United States
“Charcoal Drawing for Painting”
March 20- -April 24th_ Wednesdays 1-4 pm (Skips April 3)
Studio 2
5 classes __$90 for members__$110 for non members
Studio 2

This beginning drawing is geared towards artists drawing in charcoal for the first time and/or building charcoal drawing skills. We will work on creating solid forms with charcoal. The class starts with simple shapes like eggs and cylinders, creating the form and on the cast shadow with the emphasis on values, then ellipses and simple perspective. We will move to black and white portraits in the last couple of sessions, working from your photographs.
