“The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns,” according to www.zentangle.com. No prior artistic training or ability is necessary to enjoy this workshop. If you can hold a pen and draw simple shapes, you can learn the patterns used. The process of drawing the repetitive patterns encourages a feeling of relaxed focus, which is beneficial in many ways. Students learn and practice the steps of the Zentangle Method®. Materials fee includes drawing materials for the class.
 
Location: Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Instructor: Tess Imobersteg
Cost: $65.00
Sponsor: Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts
Website, email, 608-987-3292

Don’t be afraid of the dark! Extending the Zentangle® experience, which uses structured patterns to create beautiful images, the student will be using various media to draw on dark papers and exploring some new and different Zentangle patterns. The process of drawing the repetitive patterns encourages a feeling of relaxed focus, which is beneficial in many ways. Students receive all materials necessary for this class with enough to take with them to continue at home. Experience level: While it is helpful to have created some Zentangle® drawings, it is not a requirement. Beginners are welcome.
 
Location: Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Instructor: Tess Imobersteg
Cost: $65.00
Sponsor: Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts
Website, email, 608-987-3292

Treat yourself to two days of painting with Lee Mothes! Beginners are welcome, as well as those who want to try new techniques. Each student will walk out on Sunday with at least one finished painting. Lee will start by demonstrating watercolor techniques in capturing cloud patterns, sunlight-on-water, trees and capturing the feel of distant hills. Then the class will start painting. Lee will help each student with setting up colors on a palette, how to use brushes, create washes with colors, plus offer tips on perspective and composition. You may choose to work in graphite pencil, color pencils or ink along with watercolor. You may also bring pastels, color pencils, or ink pens to explore and play with.
 
Location: Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Instructor: Lee Mothes
Cost: $165
Sponsor: River Arts Inc
Website, email, 608-643-5215

We’ve all worked with a graphite pencil, even if it’s just signing our names or writing lists. In this workshop we’ll be training our hands and minds to have a sensitivity to the amount of pressure we use to apply that graphite mark so that we can produce impactful drawings that include the full range from white to black. We’ll initially be inspired by seeing other artists’ graphite drawings. We’ll then do an exercise that stretches your comfort zone to practice applying an almost invisible layer of graphite to white paper moving to almost black coverage. We’ll refine this use of a full polarized value range through fairly fast tiny drawings, and on the second day we’ll review composition.
 
Location: Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Instructor: Rhonda Nass
Cost: $175 + $15 kit fee
Sponsor: River Arts Inc
Website, email, 608-643-5215

Learn to make an accordion folded, standing booklet with your nature illustrations on both sides. We’ll start with a 4×6?, 4-panel prefolded accordion style booklet made from watercolor paper. Cynthia will do several demonstrations to show how to draw, use ink pens, paint in watercolor or use watercolor pens, make collage, and add calligraphy. Each person will create a unique nature art booklet that will stand vertically for display. No previous experience needed.
 
Location: Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Instructor: Cynthia Quinn
Cost: $150 + $10 supply fee
Sponsor: River Arts Inc
Website, email, 608-643-5215

Scratchboard, as in black and white photography, draws its drama by including the widest range of light to dark in each “painting.” The process itself is as basic as drawing with a pencil. The artist uses a knife instead of a pencil and applies the strokes to a panel coated with black india ink over white clay instead of applying to white paper. With each stroke of the knife blade, a scratch removes the black ink revealing the white beneath. The challenge is to remember you are creating various grey tones all the way to white (depending on the amount of scratching you do to remove the black). It is a thrill mid-process because your imagery emerges with each stroke.
 
Location: Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Instructor: Rhonda Nass
Cost: $175 + $15 kit fee
Sponsor: River Arts Inc
Website, email, 608-643-5215

Sharpen your colored pencils for workshop fun in historic, picturesque Lake Geneva, Wisconsin- post-summer rush but still during the mild September weather. Kristy Kutch, a supportive, upbeat teacher, is the author of Drawing and Painting with Colored Pencil and The New Colored Pencil; she is also featured in 4 instructional DVDs. Included are many aspects of this medium and its compatible surfaces. Create effects ranging from soft, transparent, and aqueous to dense and dramatic. Harbor Shores Hotel, located on Geneva Lake, offers fantastic student discounts. Guests enjoy rooms featuring mini-fridges and microwaves. (Lodging reservations should be made separately: 888-746-7371. Mention this workshop for discount.) Bring an extra tote bag for samples; plan for this memorable fall workshop!
 
Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Instructor: Kristy Kutch
Cost: $295, including a class dinner and light snacks, drinks
Sponsor: Kristy Kutch Colored Pencil Workshops
Website, email, 219-874-4688