ActonArt

Drawing School

Single and Multi-Day Workshops

Workshop descriptions below include age ranges, number of days, hours each day, and tuition totals. Please contact us at info@actonart.com if you have any other questions.

Art School Workshops

Our Art School Workshops run every week of the summer!
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JUNE 24 - 28
JULY 1 - 3*
JULY 8 - 12
JULY 15 - 19
JULY 22 - 26
JULY 29 - Aug 2
Morning, Afternoon, and
Full Day options available

Morning: 9am-12pm
Afternoon: 1pm-4pm
Full Day: 9am-4pm
Ages 7 & up

Tuition $430 half day / $740 full day
* 3 days due to 4th of July holiday ($290 half day / $450 full day)
We do not recommend a student takes this workshop more than once because projects will repeat.
Art School Workshops are designed for those full-on “art kids” who can spend hours with a variety of art supplies and emerge with smiles and excitement.

Instead of being themed like the rest of our workshops, we hand pick a variety of different projects that have the highest appeal and give children the most opportunities to create their own art, the way they want it.

All kind of amazing animals, objects, vehicles and people may be result of a fun day at the studio. Plus we always provide guidance and assistance to anyone who needs a little bit of extra support. Participants can expect to work with a wide variety of materials including pens, colored pencils, markers, pastels, watercolor paints, colored papers, and more!

We recommend that participants bring a snack/drink so we can refuel everyone mid-way through each day. Creating master works takes lots of energy! Those who choose the
Full Day Workshops need to bring a lunch and drink.
WEEK ONE: JUNE 24 – 28

Manga Crashcourse

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JUNE 26–29
Ages 10 & up
4 day workshop/12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $355

This workshop teaches the popular drawing style known as Manga or Anime. Artwork like this can be seen in many forms, from the comic books “Manga” to the television shows “Anime” and many other products like toys and games. Though this artwork has a very broad appeal, and is cartooned it is also quite challenging to master. Throughout this workshop students will learn the fundamentals of how to draw Anime and Manga. We will go through how to draw everything from eyes, faces and hands, to full action poses and cute chibi characters. Students are encouraged to draw their own characters throughout the workshop, and will be shown how to make exciting images with them in it.

Constructing Castles

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JUNE 26–29
Ages 8-12
4-Day workshop / 12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $355

Whether you've always wanted a castle fit for a princess, haunted by ghosts, or defended by medieval knights, this workshop is perfect for everyone. Students will design and build a realistic 3-D castle using basic materials such as cardboard, tissue paper, and glue. Non-washable paint will be applied once built, so make sure to wear clothing you don't mind getting messy!

Anatomy for the Artist

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JUNE 27–29
Ages 13 & up
3-Day workshop / 9 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $300

In this summer drawing program, we focus on the face, hands and full body from both the muscular and skeletal structures as well as the surface layer. Studying what the human body is composed of often brings a stronger understanding to the parts of the body we see everyday! This three day workshop involves the use of well-known artist tools such as graphite, charcoal and color pencils.

Printmaking for Kids

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JUNE 26–29
Ages 9-12
4-Day workshop / 12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $345

The only thing more fun than making a beautiful work of art is making exact copies of it! And printmaking is the way to do it. This workshop will introduce participants to a number of ways to make prints of their art. Students will get to choose from a variety of subjects chosen as ideal for printmaking. Polar Bears, Puppies and Penguins may rule, but there will be many other options too! We’ll be using a variety of materials including foam and block cut sheets to create our “masters”. We be printing on paper as well as transparent sheets that let us create faux stained glass panels. This is a great workshop for anyone who wants to gift their works of art to family members on holidays or simply make personalized cards for special occasions.
WEEK TWO: JULY 1 – 3

Handmade Paper Workshop

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JULY 5–6
Ages 12 & up
2-Day workshop/ 6 hrs total
9am-12pm daily
Tuition $190

This two day workshop will show the basic process of making paper. Students will learn how to recycle existing paper products into new and interesting paper which can be used for many artistic purposes. The resulting paper can be thick or thin, and colored to the students desire, allowing for very unique outcomes. Once finished not only will participants have beautiful papers, but will also be able to use these skills on their own to make more at home.

(Due to hand made paper taking time to dry students will need to pickup some paper the week after the workshop concludes)

Musical Instruments & Animals

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JULY 5–6
Ages 7 & up
2-Day workshop/ 6 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $200

If you’ve never seen Violin Giraffes or Flute Snakes you’ve been missing out on some of the most fun animals ever!  Art and music both flow from similar parts of our brains but it’s rare that we’re able to combine them together in ways that are this interesting. Imagine a Cheetah with musical notes instead of spots, or a Mandolin Goose flying overhead! This wildly imaginative workshop encourages kids to use their imaginations to see things in new ways. By combining the appearance of real animals or musical instruments through their imaginations kids begin to see beyond the pre-built, pre-conceived, pre-designed world we live in today. And just like that we get French Horn Cobras and Lyre Piglets!

Drawing from Observation/Life

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JULY 5–6
Ages 14 & up
2-Day workshop / 6 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $190

Do you want to go out into the world and draw what you see? Do you want to draw like the old masters and set up a wonderful studio to draw in? Then this workshop is for you! In this two-day workshop students will explore the process of drawing from real objects, and observing three dimensional space. Subjects will include still lives and live models, and we will be working with a variety of materials which are conducive to this method of art. Drawing from observation in this way has many overlaps with drawing from photos, but is in many ways a completely new experience. If you are interested in trying this fun and challenging classic method of drawing then this is the workshop for you.

Canvas Stretching

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JULY 6
Ages 13 & up
1-Day workshop / 3 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $95

Have you always wanted to be able to stretch your own canvases but didn't know how? Hated to always be reliant on pre-made ones only available in a limited amount of sizes? Or wanted to experiment with different canvas weaves?

Now is your chance to learn!

In this one day canvas stretching workshop, you will not only learn how to stretch your own canvas, but also about all of the varieties, sizes, stretchers weights, canvas weights, weaves, textures and materials. Not to mention the different types of gesso, what it is used for and why, and also how to save a warped or puckering canvas.
WEEK THREE: JULY 8 – 12

Cartooning & Chibi

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JULY 10-13
Ages 9 & up
4-day workshop/ 12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $355

This 4-day workshop will take students through the drawing process for variety of popular cartoon characters. Starting with western cartoons, from classic to modern, and moving to eastern “chibi” style characters we will talk about how to construct and complete a finished drawing. When done students will have an understanding of the basic methods of how to draw in these popular styles.


Printmaking

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JULY 10–13
Ages 13 & up
4-Day workshop / 12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $390

This 4-day workshop will take students through the print-making processes of Monoprinting, Linocut, and Drypoint. Making prints is especially fun since there’s always that anticipation and surprise of the FIRST print made! Monoprints are ALL first prints, but Linocuts and Drypoints offer students the opportunity to create repeat prints and variations. Subject matter will be student’s choice. There’s nothing quite like print making where one “original” can make multiple pieces of art.

Glue Line & Pastel Drawing - Ages 8-11

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JULY 10-13
Ages 8 to 11
4-day workshop/ 12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $345

Glue line workshops have been part of ActonArt’s summer programs for nearly 20 years, and they’re still among the most popular! We start with large drawings of animals such as sea turtles, giraffes, elephants, etc. on black paper. Then apply fine lines of glue directly on top of the drawn lines and give them overnight to dry. The next day we can begin to fill in the background with richly colored pastel which does not stick to the dried glue. In the end the resulting artwork features bold dark lines of the drawing with brilliant rich colors. Each glue line drawing is unique and result are often strikingly beautiful. We can honestly say this workshop is always be a big hit with participants.


Portraits & Style: Cartooning

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JULY 11-13
Ages 12 & up
3-day workshop/ 9 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $300

Do you already have a comfortable grasp on drawing faces realistically, but want to know how to adapt those skills into a more cartoony style? In this workshop, students will discover how to simply the face, then warp and contour it to their hearts content! We look at several different approaches and styles over the course of the three day workshop, and try several kinds of media to abstract and stylize the human face. Previous drawing skills (specifically with the facial features) highly recommended.

WEEK FOUR: JULY 15 – 19

Ink & Scratchboard Drawing

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JULY 17–20
Ages 12 & up
4-Day workshop / 12 hrs total
9am-12pm daily
Tuition $355

This four day workshop will focus on the methods used to create beautiful artwork in both ink and scratchboard. Over the course of the week students will be introduced to the various techniques commonly used by artists for these mediums. Working with materials ranging from simple ball point pens to special artists dip pens, and introducing the unique qualities of scratchboard students will work through a number of semi guided projects. Using simple to advanced shading once the workshop is complete students will be familiar with these wonderful materials. If you are interested in learning how to create compelling and beautiful artwork in black and white this is the workshop for you.

Drawing for Teens Workshop

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JULY 17–20
Ages 12 & up (7th grade or higher)
4-Day workshop / 12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $355

This is a 4-day condensed version of one of our most popular classes, Intro Drawing for TEENS, which is designed specifically for NEW teenage students who want to learn core drawing skills. This population is frequently age sensitive and this class addresses that issue by grouping only older students together. This class offers a continuing focus on visual training, planning and process. These older students seek both naturalistic realism and an opportunity for creative expression. Class projects develop visual perception and drawing skills while exposing students to a wide variety of techniques and media. Subject matter may include: animals, landscape, still life, the human form, as well as various artists and art periods. Students will be encouraged to develop their own style and creative approach.

This is an ideal class for students who are not able to participate in art classes in public/private schools, but have a desire and aptitude for creative endeavors. No prior experience is needed. Only a positive attitude and an open mind!

Glue Line & Pastel Drawing - ages 12-14

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JULY 17 - 20
Ages 12 - 14
4-day workshop/ 12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $345

Glue line workshops have been part of ActonArt’s summer programs for nearly 20 years, and they’re still among the most popular! We start with large drawings of animals such as sea turtles, giraffes, elephants, etc. on black paper. Then apply fine lines of glue directly on top of the drawn lines and give them overnight to dry. The next day we can begin to fill in the background with richly colored pastel which does not stick to the dried glue. In the end the resulting artwork features bold dark lines of the drawing with brilliant rich colors. Each glue line drawing is unique and result are often strikingly beautiful. We can honestly say this workshop is always be a big hit with participants.

WEEK FIVE: JULY 22 – 26

Manga Crashcourse

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JULY 24–27
Ages 10 & up
4 day workshop/12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $355

This workshop teaches the popular drawing style known as Manga or Anime. Artwork like this can be seen in many forms, from the comic books “Manga” to the television shows “Anime” and many other products like toys and games. Though this artwork has a very broad appeal, and is cartooned it is also quite challenging to master. Throughout this workshop students will learn the fundamentals of how to draw Anime and Manga. We will go through how to draw everything from eyes, faces and hands, to full action poses and cute chibi characters. Students are encouraged to draw their own characters throughout the workshop, and will be shown how to make exciting images with them in it.

Mythical Creatures & Creations

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JULY 24–27
Ages 8 to 12
4 day workshop/12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $345

When kids are attracted to mythology, they’re often times REALLY into it! And we can completely relate! Mythological creatures are fascinating both in their physical appearances and in the history of their origins. We’ll cover a bit of history (because it’s usually pretty fun) and make a lot of artwork. We’ll use a variety of materials to create Chimera, Dragons, Unicorns and more. Plus we may even make a few Chibi versions because they’re especially cute. Register for this one early because it’s likely to fill up!

Portrait Painting Workshop

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JULY 24–27
For ages 13 & up
4 day workshop/12 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $390

Few things will help develop painting skills more than portraiture. This workshop will introduce students to a series of projects intended to guide them through the process of creating a portrait painting that demonstrates dimension, light and color. Students should have an intermediate level of drawing skill (at minimum) and some prior painting experience is recommended. This workshop will include all needed supplies and features acrylic paint and water-soluble oil paints and mediums.

Myths, Monsters & Magic

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JULY 25–27
For ages 12 & up (7th grade or higher)
3-Day workshop / 9 hrs total
12:30-3:30pm daily
Tuition $300


Do you love dragons, wyverns, unicorns and fantastical creatures? Ever wonder how fantasy artists figure out how to draw all that stuff? Well then this is your class! By looking at the weird and wonderful world around us, we can draw inspiration and cook up our very own versions of these popular mythic beasts. This partially guided drawing class will get you started with your own base creature, then give you the opportunity to let your imagination take the reins. While previous drawing skill is not required, it is encouraged. This three day workshop involves the use of pencil, pen, marker and colored pencil.
WEEK SIX: JULY 19 – AUGUST 2

Cartooning & Chibi

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JULY 31–AUGUST 3
For ages 9 & up
4-day workshop/ 12 hrs total
9:00 AM to 12:30 PM daily
Tuition $355

This 4-day workshop will take students through the drawing process for variety of popular cartoon characters. Starting with western cartoons, from classic to modern, and moving to eastern “chibi” style characters we will talk about how to construct and complete a finished drawing. When done students will have an understanding of the basic methods of how to draw in these popular styles.


Portrait Drawing for Beginners

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AUGUST 2–3
For ages 12 +
2 day workshop/ 6 hrs total
12:30 PM to 3:30 PM daily
Tuition $190

Want to draw portraits but every time you try you end up with an emoji smile? This is the workshop for you! Over two days we will go over the fundamentals of facial structure and basic features. We will talk about how and where to put features on a face, as well as how to make a good looking head shape. And when we're done you will have enough knowledge to start drawing portraits with confidence.

Glass Fusing

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JULY 31 - FULL
AUGUST 1 - FULL
For ages 12 +
1 day workshop/ 3 hrs total
12:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Tuition $140

In this one day workshop you will be introduced to the basics of glass fusing. Students will explore the materials needed to shape glass into unique forms, then assemble it into their own artwork. Projects will be beginners level glass fusing, such as coasters, plant stakes, small plates, and decorative beads.

All projects will be fired after class and should be picked up at the school by the end of the week.


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ActonArt: 69 Great Rd, Acton, MA 01720 * 978-266-1600 * info@actonart.com

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