Melanie P. Brown

In this course, students explore a variety of traditional and contemporary painting techniques. Projects include painting from observation and the imagination, as well as experimental approaches to mark-making. Students explore a wide range of materials, such as pastels, acrylic and watercolor paint, charcoal, graphite, gouache, and colored pencils while developing skills in rendering, composition, use of shading, color blending, and layering processes. Regular visits to the Art Institute of Chicago to observe and sketch from paintings and sculptures inspire studio work. This course is designed for all levels.

This course offers an introduction to drawing as an exciting means of expression through writing, discussion, sketchbooks, and individual and group projects. Students explore a variety of drawing techniques and approaches, including essential elements of 2D design and art, as they develop an understanding of line, shape, shading, and light. Visit the Art Institute of Chicago to gain inspiration from a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and objects. This course is designed for beginning students as well as those who want to continue developing their skills and confidence in drawing, and can be repeated for continued skill and idea building.

This advanced course is for students who have taken the Middle School Program Drawing Studio class or have previous drawing experience and want to explore a wide range of materials and processes to expand their work in new directions. While continuing to build on technical skills, students will focus on drawing as a tool for organizing thoughts, feelings, and sharing their ideas. Students will work with a wide range of materials including pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, and mixed media. Digital drawing using Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator and tablets may also be used. Students visit the Art Institute of Chicago to observe and sketch from a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and objects that are used as inspiration for studio work.

This advanced camp invites students with prior drawing experience to explore various materials and techniques that will expand their artistic abilities. While continuing to develop their technical skills, students will focus on using drawing to organize their thoughts and feelings and express their ideas. Students will work with various materials, including pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, and mixed media. Visiting the Art Institute of Chicago will allow campers to observe and sketch from a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and other objects to inspire their studio work. Students will explore endless possibilities in a supportive environment that fosters growth and artistic confidence¿whether experimenting with innovative processes or refining their unique style.

This camp allows students aged 12-13 to focus on their drawing and painting skills in a highly creative and challenging environment. Through individual and collaborative projects, students explore a range of traditional and experimental materials and techniques. They will learn various drawing methods, building their technical, spatial, and creative abilities while focusing on essential elements of 2D design and art. Students investigate contemporary subjects and themes using pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, gouache, water-based paint, and mixed media through skills such as line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour. Inspiration comes from visits to the Art Institute of Chicago Museum to observe and sketch various paintings, sculptures, and objects. This camp, designed for beginners and those looking to develop their drawing and painting skills further, can be repeated for ongoing skill enhancement and idea building.

This camp allows students aged 12-13 to focus on their drawing and painting skills in a highly creative and challenging environment. Through individual and collaborative projects, students explore a range of traditional and experimental materials and techniques. They will learn various drawing methods, building their technical, spatial, and creative abilities while focusing on essential elements of 2D design and art. Students investigate contemporary subjects and themes using pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, gouache, water-based paint, and mixed media through skills such as line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour. Inspiration comes from visits to the Art Institute of Chicago Museum to observe and sketch various paintings, sculptures, and objects. This camp, designed for beginners and those looking to develop their drawing and painting skills further, can be repeated for ongoing skill enhancement and idea building.

This course offers an introduction to drawing as an exciting means of expression through writing, discussion, sketchbooks, and individual and group projects. Students explore a variety of drawing techniques and approaches, including essential elements of 2D design and art, as they develop an understanding of line, shape, shading, and light. Visit the Art Institute of Chicago to gain inspiration from a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and objects. This course is designed for beginning students as well as those who want to continue developing their skills and confidence in drawing, and can be repeated for continued skill and idea building.