See Something Say Something
Jul
10
to Aug 7

See Something Say Something

Online 4 - Week Class

Date: Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24 & August 7, 2025 (no class July 31)
Time: 10:00am-12:30pm Pacific Time (1:00pm-3:30:00 pm Eastern Time/6:00-8:30 pm London Time)
Level: All levels welcome
Medium: Acrylic or oil

In this dynamic 4-session workshop, we will become storytellers and transform an idea or experience into a multi media painting. For inspiration, we will look to poetry, memories, social issues, novels, song lyrics—you name it. We will refine an idea, and execute it using unconventional tools, along with familiar painting techniques, incorporating paper, ephemera, found objects, etc. to build rich, layered paintings. Suitable for working in Acrylics or Oils.

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Dramatic Interiors
Apr
22
to May 13

Dramatic Interiors

Dramatic Interiors

4 Week Online Class Mondays April 22 - May 13, 1:00-3:30pm

Our personal surroundings offer endless opportunities for interesting and compelling work; sharing these spaces can be especially rewarding for both artist and viewer. Chris will begin with the concept of Notan, a strong light and dark pattern, and employ perspective and color to walk students through the necessary elements to depict a dynamic interior. Throughout the course, we will consider historical and modern examples, explore design approaches and painting techniques, and work through a series of exercises designed to help master the interior. Ideally suited to oil, acrylic, and gouache.

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Conquering the Quick Draw
Apr
14
10:00 AM10:00

Conquering the Quick Draw

One-Day In Person Workshop

Sunday, April 14, 10:00-3:00pm

Get ready for the Plein Air season with a primer on the “Quick Draw.” We will cover setup, site selection, and successful strategies for this exhilarating (or sometimes exasperating) component of most Plein Air events. With a bit of preparation, practice, and a solid plan, finishing a painting in under two hours can be surprisingly manageable. Bonus—the skills acquired for the Quick Draw will likely improve other plein air work as well. Minimum of 5 students, maximum of 10.

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Introduction to Cold Wax Painting
Apr
13
10:00 AM10:00

Introduction to Cold Wax Painting

One-Day In Person Workshop

Saturday, April 13, 10:00-3:00pm

Want to loosen up and make more expressive work? Palette knife painting and cold wax or other heavy bodied mediums are a great place to start. We will explore traditional and unconventional techniques for working with pallete knives, scrapers, shaping tools, and thick paint. This class is suitable for work in acrylic or oil. Minimum of 5 students, maximum of 10.

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Beyond The Brush
Mar
16
10:00 AM10:00

Beyond The Brush

One-Day In Person Workshop

Saturday, March 16, 10:00-3:00pm

Ready to get your hands (or gloves) dirty? This workshop will focus on creative ways to build a painting, using a wide variety of techniques and tools, in addition to just brushes. Participants will be introduced to techniques like frottage, stenciling, masking and collage, and experiment with unconventional tools, including rollers, squeegees, sponges and more. Minimum of 5 students, maximum of 10.

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A Practical Guide to Plein Air
Mar
11
to Apr 1

A Practical Guide to Plein Air

  • Online - Winslow Art Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

4 Week Online Class Mondays March 11 - April 1, 1:00 - 3:00 pm Online

For the artist and nature lover, there is nothing like painting out in the landscape. However, painting in “Plein Air” is challenging as well. In this course, accomplished plein air painter Chris Rapa will guide you through the selection of equipment and tools, setup, materials required, and strategies for successful outdoor painting. Whether working in oil, acrylic or gouache, a bit of planning and practice can make plein air painting a uniquely enjoyable experience.

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Conquering the Quick Draw Online
Mar
4
12:00 PM12:00

Conquering the Quick Draw Online

One-Day Online Workshop

Monday March 4th, 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Get ready for the Plein Air season with a primer on the “Quick Draw.” We will cover setup, site selection, and successful strategies for this exhilarating (or sometimes exasperating) component of most Plein Air events. With a bit of preparation, practice, and a solid plan, finishing a painting in under two hours can be surprisingly manageable. Bonus—the skills acquired for the Quick Draw will likely improve other plein air work as well.

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Let There Be Light
Jan
15
to Feb 5

Let There Be Light

In nature, light creates color, but in our studio, it is the color that creates light. Learn to use color and manage lighting together to create more dynamic still life paintings.

In this course, Chris will share tried-and-true strategies and techniques to improve design, balance and harmony right from the start. Whether working from life or from reference photos, her process for working quickly and staying loose is user-friendly, and employs a fresh approach to the limited palette concept. Through weekly demos, exercises, group discussion, and individualized feedback, participants will gain new tools and learn to apply skills they already have to make better paintings. This course is ideal for working in oil, acrylic and gouache.

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Alternative Approaches to Painting
Nov
2
to Nov 30

Alternative Approaches to Painting

Making a painting means making decisions—so many decisions. Inspiration draws us in, but before even making a mark, we must consider what to paint, how to begin, what to include, or leave out, and more. Then comes the messy middle; how to stay focused, manage color, convey the idea we started with, correct course when we’ve gotten off track, and so importantly, when to stop. Sound familiar, and perhaps a bit daunting?

In this course, Chris will share tried-and-true strategies and techniques to improve design, balance and harmony right from the start, whether working from life or from reference photos. Developed through years of designing murals and completing large scale commissions, her process for working quickly and staying loose is user-friendly, and employs a fresh approach to the limited palette concept. Through weekly demos, exercises, group discussion, and individualized feedback, participants will gain new tools and learn to apply skills they already have to make better paintings. This course is ideal for working in oil, acrylic and gouache.

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Art Chat with Winslow Art Center
Oct
26
1:00 PM13:00

Art Chat with Winslow Art Center

Martha Jordan, of Winslow Art Center, will be talking with Chris about her process and upcoming class. Whether working from life, or from a photographic reference, every painting begins as a design project. Chris’ signature approach to design has been developed over 2 decades as a decorative and studio painter. Her career began with a favor for a friend, a mural for a large home and garden expo. The surprise success of that project launched a decorative painting company, which morphed into a rewarding studio practice. Chris and Martha will talk about the challenges and triumphs along the way, and about Chris’ latest passion for plein air painting.

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Aug
12
to Aug 13

Workshop - Introduction to Decorative Finishes

  • Google Calendar ICS

Academy Art Museum

Instructor: Chris Rapa
chrisrapastudio@gmail.com
chrisrapa.com
Two-Day Workshop: August 12 and 13
Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-3 pm

Painting Studio
Cost: $180 Members, $215 Non-members
(Plus $45 materials fee paid to the instructor at the beginning of class)

Faux finishes for every decor! From timeless understated elegance to the wow-factor, students will take home 6-8 wall and 2 trim/furniture finish samples, customizable to suit any decorating style. Chris will cover the process of selecting colors and appropriate materials and walk students through the steps necessary to recreate these samples in a full-scale interior space. All tools provided and materials included. Minimum of 5 students, maximum of 10.

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REGISTER

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Jul
30
10:00 AM10:00

Workshop - Art For Everyone

Academy Art Museum

Instructor: Chris Rapa
chrisrapastudio@gmail.com
chrisrapa.com
One-Day Workshop: July 30
Sunday, 10 am-3 pm

Drawing Studio
Cost: $90 Members, $110 Non-members
(Plus $40 materials fee paid to the instructor at the beginning of class)

In this workshop, Chris will share how to consider designs, select a color scheme, experiment with techniques, play with water-based paint and other materials. The goal is for students to leave with a ready-to-hang decorative painting! Suitable for all levels, from the curious novice to the adventurist artist. Participants should bring their most inspirational photos and a gallery wrapped canvas, up to 30 x 40”; all other materials will be provided by the instructor. Minimum of 5 students, maximum of 10.

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REGISTER

 

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Jun
3
to Jun 4

Adventures In Cold Wax - Academy Art Museum

Academy Art Museum

Two-Day Workshop: June 3-4
Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-3 pm
Painting Studio

Cost: $180 Members, $220 Non-members
(Plus $15 materials fee paid to the instructor at the beginning of class)
Not a Member? Join now >
REGISTER

Get ready to have fun with cold wax, a versatile and user-friendly oil painting medium! Chris will demonstrate various techniques suitable for both representational and abstract oil paintings. Students will explore creative mark-making while incorporating oil sticks, pastels, and other compatible media along with traditional oil paints. Ideal for all skill levels, but basic experience working with oil paint is necessary. Cold wax medium, assorted tools, experimental media, and implements provided. Students will supply their own basic oil painting supplies. Minimum of 5 students, maximum of 10.

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