Thursdays, 6:45 - 8:45, 3 week sessions in the Discovery Centre

‍Week #1: Shadows & LightStudents will learn the basic principles of shadow and light in portrait painting. Beginning with a monochromatic painting, we will discuss how shadows create depth while light adds luminosity. Students will be painting a human portrait prop.

Week #2: Highlights & Refracted LightMoving into colour, we will shift our focus to highlights and refracted light on the portrait. Learning these skills will create portraits that are less flat and appear more three dimensional. Students have the choice to paint either a human or animal portrait using photographs provided.

Week #3: Textures & ToneIn the final class we will discuss textures and tones on the portrait using a variety of tools from around the classroom, as well as spending more time mixing paint.

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‍Beginner: April 3, 10, 17 (Thursday evenings - 3 sessions) $95

‍Adult beginners painting class introducing you to colour, material and technique. Through observational painting, artist & instructor Ashlee Trcka will help you gain confidence in working with these basic elements. The focus is on skill-building through the process of painting, rather than the finished outcome.

‍Level Up: June 5, 12, 19 (Thursday evenings - 3 sessions) $135

‍Adult painting class expanding your understanding of the basic principles, materials and techniques using acrylics. Artist & instructor Ashlee Trcka will help you advance from beginner level painting utilizing higher grade materials.

How do I know which class is best for me?

Beginner: To register for this class, no previous painting knowledge is necessary. You will be learning the basic painting fundamentals, including colour mixing and an introduction to materials.

Level Up: This class is an advancement on the beginner’s course. Registrants may have a basic understanding of composition and perspective. The challenge for this course is within observation and how you’re replicating what you see.

‍Please Note: All materials will be provided.‍

‍About the Artist

‍Ashlee is an International award-winning impressionist oil painter. She has exhibited work in numerous international exhibitions and has been represented by galleries in the United States, Canada and Europe, selling her paintings worldwide. Trcka’s artwork depicts various facets of the human experience through fluid brushstrokes. She was trained at Scottsdale Artists’ School in Arizona on a scholarship, Memorial University – St. John’s in Canada, Angel Academy of Art in Italy and the Art Students League of Denver under Ron Hicks, Kim English and Quang Ho. You can also see her work in various magazines including American Art Collector Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine and several books published in Europe. Ashlee resides in Medicine Hat, Alberta with her husband and three young children. She is a board member of the Medicine Hat Autism Society in her local community.

‍A patron may withdraw their registration up to two weeks prior to the start date and will be issued a full refund. No refund will be issued within the two weeks prior to the start date, but withdrawals during that time period will be considered on a case by case basis and may result in a credit applied to the patron’s name. No credit or refund will be issued to any withdrawals within three business days before the start date of the program.