Art Classes in Jersey City, NJ for Adults & Kids

Jersey City Art School:
Jersey City Art School at the Thomas John Carlson Art Studio in downtown Jersey City is a visual art school offering classes taught by local artists, weekly figure drawing sessions and lectures by artists showing locally. The Jersey City Art School was founded in November, 2009 by Thomas John Carlson. The first classes that were offered were: Introduction to Painting and Drawing and Introduction to Stained Glass.

8 Week Art Classes:

Introduction to Painting and Drawing:
A series of weekly classes designed to train students to master foundation skills. The exercises include rendering the value scale, gradients, using a viewfinder, sight-sizing, composition, various painting techniques (under-painting, glazing and alla prima), and still-life. Students will also be given optional assignments that will expand on the material presented in class.

Figure Sculpture Workshop:
Understand and explore the three-dimensional human form with this intensive four-day workshop. The first weekend will combine an art historical perspective of the reclining nude, made famous by Giorgione, Titian, and Manet, with hands-on sculpture. Working from a life model, anatomy and proportion will be investigated via the creation of a water clay figure. The following weekend will cover mold making and sculpture casting, turning the clay pieces into finished art works.

4 Week Art Classes:

Jewelry Making with Precious Metal Clay (PMC):
This class will cover the history and myriad uses of different types of PMC—containing silver and/or copper—and how these products are used, stored and fired. Learn how to manipulate this clay-like medium to create unique pieces of jewelry, such as a pendant or cufflinks. Final pieces will be kiln fired and finished using hand techniques and tumbler.

Mosiac Making:
Draft your own design to create a flat or three-dimensional mosaic piece using glass and/or ceramic tiles.

Introduction to Stained Glass:
Design your own pattern and work from it to construct a unique stained glass piece. The class will start with an overview of tools and safety, and continue with design and fabrication. No artistic experience required and all skill levels are welcome.

Introduction to Etching and Intaglio:
This intro to the art of printmaking will explore the various techniques behind etching on copper, focusing on creating an edition of intaglio prints. Learn how to safely operate the printing press, etching procedures and how to produce multiple prints. A historical context of printmaking practices and image-making will also be discussed.

Portraiture:
Master the art of drawing portraits through the analysis of form and anatomy of live models.

Porfolio Building:
Upcoming class for Jr High/ High Schoolers

Weekend Workshops:

Digital Photography Course - Learning to use Your SLR:
Students get hands-on experience in using all the settings and functions of their cameras by creating digital images under the guidance of the instructor. Topics include color space, white balance, the in-camera light meter, and the differences and advantages of shooting in each file format: (RAW, JPEG, and TIFF). While this course will help students familiarize themselves with the technical aspects of their digital cameras, the main focus of the course is to help students learn how to tell a story through pictures. Good composition is the hallmark of any outstanding photograph. You'll learn the rules of good composition, the Rule of Thirds, background and the S Rule. You will also get an opportunity to discuss the images you create during the course of the workshop with the instructor and students.

Holiday Classes:

Make Your Own Glass Ornaments - Lampworking Workshop:
Learn how to create your own hand-blown glass ornaments in this two hour one-on-one tutorial! You will have a chance to work over the torch and learn lampworking techniques from a professional glassblower. Take home 6-8 unique glass ornaments, Discover classic glassblowing techniques including heating and manipulating molten glass. No prior experience is necessary.