Please check back regularly for new workshop dates and themes!
Focus on Drawing: Adolescents (level 10 – 20 years old)
My training in education started by working as a highschool art teacher. My teacher certification is in secondary art instruction. However much of my life I have taught adults. Over the years many parents phoned me asking if I taught young people privately. I usually referred them to art school programs involving young people.
However, these programs do not focus on drawing skills. Many young people like to draw, and they do not have access to a trained professional artist to help. Elliot Eisner, a famous Harvard art educator wrote many articles on the importance of teaching drawing to young people so I have decided to start working with adolescents who wish to draw.
If you know a young person who is gifted in drawing, or one who really wants to learn how to draw, please contact me.
Time of lessons: To be decided by those who are interested.
Private or Group: I charge $70 per hour of studio instruction. That can mean $70 per hour for private instruction, or $35 per hour for two students etc.
Subject matter: I can help students to draw from fantasy or from reality. It is the student who will decide the subject matter. I will teach them to make it more powerful or more real.
The Power of Light (Drawing and Design course)
Offered at The Griffintown Art School
Thursdays 7:30-9:30pm
6 weeks, starts October 27th
Prerequisite: Some drawing experience.
In this course students will learn how to design light for their paintings to create a sense of drama and visual focus. They will begin by studying the light in one Italian Renaissance painting by tracing and shading it in pencil. Principles of light use will be explained and explored.
Next students will choose one of their own subjects (either abstract or realist) and they will design the light to create a dramatic effect and visual focus. The teacher will help student to acquire good pencil techniques. During the course the students can design light for a number of paintings.
For more information: http://griffintownartschool.ca/?page_id=396
Griffintown Art School
1844 William St., Montreal, QC., H3J 1R5
514-937-7388 /info@griffintownartschool.ca
2) Drawing from the Nude Model
Offered at Loisirs Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens
Mondays: 7-10pm
10 weeks, starts September 26th
Level: Beginner to intermediate
In this course there will be five classes with the model and five classes dedicated to doing exercises (including anatomy) to better understand the human body. Although the instructor is trained in Renaissance drawing techniques at a high level, she will begin by teaching line drawing techniques, designed to help students draw with focus and confidence, but without stress.
Technical aspects of composition, light, and creating volume will be slowly introduced. Different materials and drawing techniques will be used including charcoal, conte and paint. All techniques will be demonstrated by the teacher.
Cost: $275
3) Portraiture Drawing Course
Offered at Loisirs Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens
Tuesdays: 7-10pm
10 weeks, starts September 27th
This course will be oriented to the beginner and intermediate levels of students.We will learn about the human head. There will be 5 courses with models and 5 courses without models where the teacher will explain aspects of anatomy and proportion of the features.
One class each will be dedicated to learning how to draw the eyes, nose, or mouth. When the model is in class we will try to put everything learned together. Drawing group materials will include different kinds of paper, pencils, conte, charcoal and paint.
Cost: $275
A note to my students from the west island: If you are interested in taking courses in portraiture or live model drawing, they will be offered at St. Martyrs Canadien for Fall 2016. It takes about 30 minutes to arrive at the centre, even in traffic (via route 13 to route 440, driving east until exit 19 that will bring over the bridge to Papineau St).
Loisirs Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens
10125, rue Parthenais, Montreal, QC, H2B 2L6
514 872-5333
Sign-ups: September 12 and 13th, from 7-10pm
Cheque or cash (if you’re registering after the inscription period, the centre only accepts cash)
4) Oil Painting Class (for new and existing students)
If you are interested in taking oil painting classes this Fall, please contact me at: deirdre@deirdremccay.com or 514-639-6157. I will be putting together a small group at the studio depending on the availability and scheduling of students.