General Painting with Afsaneh Michaels_ all levels_ Nov 3- Dec 15_ Tuesdays _ 9:30am -12:30 pm _ Studio 1
General Painting with Afsaneh Michaels
Landscapes, Still life, Portraits, Abstracts. sketches, photos, etc.
Beginner to Advanced
November 3- December 15, 2026
Tuesday: 9:30-12:30 pm
Studio 1
This course offers an introduction to the artistic process, the essential stages and techniques used by painters to create a work of art. While these methods naturally adapt to the artist’s distinct vision, chosen medium, and subject matter, the basic process remains the same.
You will be guided through every stage from inspiration and conceptualization, gathering of references, composition, to the selection of materials and palettes. You will be guided using sketching and blocking techniques, bringing you ideas together in a painting.
Beginners, always start painting from still life setup in the studio and will do several still life paintings before choosing their own subject matter.
Intermediate and advanced artists may paint several paintings and use more advanced techniques as well as their own subjects and learn to identify the techniques of choice and perhaps develop a style. Any subject of choice is allowed from still life to landscapes, or abstracts. In recent classes some historical schools of painting have been introduced to enhance the painting process.
Come with your existing setup with colors, brushes, pencils, and other tools plus your
sketchbook and canvas. The first class will include a discussion of materials and supports/painting surface (canvas, paper or boards). For questions please email the instructor.
Instructor: Afsaneh Michaels, AfsanehAm@gmail.com
November 3- December 15, 2026
Tuesday: 9:30-12:30 pm
Studio 1
Cost: $210.00 residents, non-residents $230.00
Number of Students: 16
Materials: Your medium of choice and your setup plus your sketchbook and a canvas or a support of your choice. For more information about colors and brushes and other painting materials please email the instructor. AfsanehAm@gmail.com
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.