Classes

✍️ Figure Drawing Foundations: Portrait

Learn to draw the human head and face with clarity and expression in this eight-week studio course. Students work directly from a live model, creating portraits grounded in anatomy, proportion, and the organization of light and shadow.

Course Date & Time: January 12-March 2, 2026; Mondays 10:00-Noon

Course Rate: $300
Drop-In: $50

Supply List:
18″ x 24″ pad of newsprint paper
Fine point permanent markers
Charcoal, vine, or compressed charcoal (avoid the fat-squared compressed varieties)
Kneaded eraser
Art chamois (chamois from the auto part stores are more economical)

For the first class, bring the first 2 items, and we’ll discuss the rest.

Alla Prima Painting-working with photographs

In this course, students learn to create strong oil paintings from photographs. Emphasis is placed on composition, value, and color temperature, along with a proven color-mixing system. Students also learn how to compose, frame, and photograph reference images for effective use in the studio.

Course Date & Time: Thursdays January 15-March 5, 1:00-3:00.

Course Rate: $300

Suggested Supply List (each artist is welcome to work with their preferred supplies):

Palette paper

Palette 11″x14″ or larger
Palette knife
Brushes, I prefer Flats #4-#6
Rags or paper towels
Solvent-odorless mineral spirits

Suggested Palette:
Titanium White
Cad. Lemon
Cad. Yellow
Cad. Orange
Cad. Red Light
Alizarin Crimson
Ultramarine Blue
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna

Ivory Black

🎨 Alla Prima Foundations: Painting the Still Life in a Single Sitting

Discover the art of alla prima—painting directly and expressively in one session—while mastering the fundamentals of oil painting. In this hands-on still life class, you’ll develop core skills in color mixing, value, temperature, and composition, learning to paint with confidence and clarity.

Through demonstrations and personalized instruction, you’ll complete finished paintings from life and gain a deeper understanding of how to see and translate light, form, and color with bold, painterly brushwork.

🖌️ Join us at AlvarezSchool.com and bring your still life to life—all in a single sitting.

Course Date & Time: November 18-January 13, 2;00-4:00

Course Rate: $300
Drop In: $50

Supply List:

Palette 11″x14″ or larger
Palette knife
Brushes, I prefer Flats #4-#6
Rags or paper towels
Solvent-odorless mineral spirits, I prefer to use walnut oil

Suggested Palette:
Titanium White
Cad. Lemon
Cad. Yellow
Cad. Orange
Cad. Red Light
Alizarin Crimson
Ultramarine Blue
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Ivory Black

Hensche Color Study Intensive with Chris Alvarez and Trevor Thomas

MOST PAINTERS DON’T HAVE A COLOR PROBLEM. THEY HAVE A SEEING PROBLEM.
THIS IS A HANDS-ON HENSCHE-BASED COLOR STUDY INTENSIVE
DESIGNED TO REWIRE HOW YOU SEE, MIX, AND BUILD COLOR SO YOUR PAINTINGS FINALLY CARRY REAL LUMINOSITY, ATMOSPHERE, AND STRUCTURAL HARMONY.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
MIX ACCURATE COLOR FAMILIES
BUILD LIGHT WITH LAYERED COLOR CONTROL TEMPERATURE SHIFTS
CREATE LUMINOUS PASSAGES
TAUGHT BY TWO WORKING PAINTERS WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF COMBINED TEACHING EXPERIENCE.
SCHEDULE

Course Dates: January27-18 Morning 9:00-11:30 Afternoon 12:30-3:00

Course Rates: $90 per session, $160 per day, $300 Weekend

Supply List:
Outdoor easel
Palette 11″x14″ or larger
Palette knife
Brushes, I prefer Flats #4-#6
Rags or paper towels
Solvent-odorless mineral spirits
Sunscreen, hat
Water
Suggested Palette:
Titanium White
Cad. Lemon
Cad. Yellow
Cad. Orange
Cad. Red Light
Alizarin Crimson
Ultramarine Blue
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Ivory Black

Plein Air Painting Retreat!

Immerse yourself in a three-day, three-night retreat at the breathtaking John Wesley Ranch, nestled next to the scenic beauty of Mueller State Park. Enjoy comfortable lodging and expertly crafted meals by High Altitude Taste, featuring the culinary talents of Chef Aubrey. This enriching workshop offers 18 hours of hands-on instruction, complemented by engaging evening critiques to refine your skills.

Camp Date & Time: September 29-October 2

Camp Rate: $960 double occupancy, $1080 single occupancy, $500 instruction and critique only.

Ongoing Classes

Open Figure Drawing Session

Non-instructional figure drawing session focusing on short poses ranging from 1 minute to 20 minutes.

Class Date & Time: Thursdays 6:00 PM-8:00 PM

Monthly Membership Rate: $60
Non-Member Rate: $20 per session

Please be advised:

We request that if you have had a fever, chills, cough, fatigue, or have been exposed to someone with Covid-19 that you do not come to class. Stay home and get well.