Classes, A Workshop, A Talk ... And More

 I just got back in town on Monday (from a two-week trip to London) and there are lots of preparations and stuff going on in the Banks household... getting ready for this Friday's talk, the start of classes at the beginning of next week (May 2 & May 3) and hanging the 100 Faces in 100 Days exhibit at the Great Falls Library on May 3. A bit nerve-wracking.

Talk on "Building and Engaging Your Art Clan" on Friday, April 28
I'll be talking on "Building and Engaging Your Art Clan" this Friday, April 28 from 10:45 to Noon at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Drive, McLean, VA. The talk is sponsored by the McLean Arts Society and is free and open to the public.

Also, check out info on classes I'm teaching through the Great Falls School of Art. It's getting down to the wire to sign up... please email me if you're sending in your registration and check. Go to my web site: www.jillbanks.com and click on my Classes page for more info, links to supply lists and info on registration. I give a demo the first day of class. Continuing students can choose to watch the demo or paint. For new students, that gives you one more week to gather your supplies.

Portrait Painting and Drawing 

"John," oil on linen, 40"h x 30"w, private collection

This course covers the basic elements of painting and drawing the portrait: composition, mood, gesture, form, structure and features. Emphasis is placed on creating sound and compelling paintings (or drawings) as well as achieving a likeness. Beginning students will work in grisaille or charcoal – concentrating on accurate values and form. Intermediate and more advanced students will learn how to paint beautiful skin tones through color studies and to place the figure in space. For information on the instructor, see Jill’s blog at http://jillbanks.blogspot.com or www.jillbanks.com. Model fees are extra and are to be paid directly to the instructor the first day of class.  For real beginners (new to oil painting or with limited drawing experience), I suggest taking my still life painting class for a few sessions before taking this class.

8 Class Sessions - Mondays, May. 2 - June 20, 10:00am-1:00pm  $280 plus

model fee (model fee to be paid directly to the instructor)

Still Life Painting in Oils

"Sunflowers and Gladioli," 30"h x 24"w, by Jill Banks

Still life provides a great tool to hone skills. Students of all levels welcome.  Beginners will learn the fundamentals including laying in lights/darks (grisaille), color, materials and form.  More advanced students will apply skills to increasingly complex subject matter (metals, textures, water, flowers), refine color and produce finished paintings, learn to see as artists, simplify forms into abstract shapes and how to construct compositions. Some classes will concentrate on drills/exercises to get at the essence of single objects and loosen brushstrokes and style. Want to learn something in specific? Email me at jillbanks1@aol.com and we’ll work that into the instruction. Information on the instructor can be found at www.jillbanks.com and on her blog at http://jillbanks.blogspot.com.

8 Class Sessions - Tuesdays, May 3 - June 21, 10:00am-1:00pm

$280 plus materials fee (materials fee paid directly to instructor)

WORKSHOP

Mastering the Business of Art 

"Dining Alfresco" on cover, April 2011

Creating a successful art career requires more than just creating appealing art.  This two-part workshop covers the fundamentals of planning and establishing a career as a professional artist.  Topics include goal setting, studio setup, purchasing supplies, pricing your work, exhibiting and selling, grants, marketing, social media and more!  Jill began art classes in 2003 and has successfully built a rewarding art career through sales, commissions, awards, a grant, gallery representation and teaching.  This popular class is held once a year.  Do not miss this opportunity!  For more information on Jill visit www.jillbanks.com.

Wednesday, May 25 and Thursday, May 26, 6:30-9:30pm

$100 plus $20 booklet fee (booklet fee paid directly to instructor)

School Address for classes and workshops: 1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA 22066

To register, complete the registration form (you can download all the course listings and registration form at www.greatfallsfoundationforarts.org or print the registration form on my site and mail with full payment to: Terri Parent, Great Falls Foundation for the Arts, Inc., 1144 Walker Road, Suite D, Great Falls, VA 22066. Questions? Contact school registrar Terri Parent, 703-433-5358 or parent.terri@gmail.com

I have a few more drawings from London to show you ... sometime soon. I'm hoping to paint again on Friday afternoon! Can't wait!