People Person
Subjects| Contemporary Explorations for Painting Human Figures
Capture the moment.
OVERVIEW
This two-hour beginner's class focuses on painting human figures in a simple, contemporary style, exploring why people are the most consistently common and compelling subject throughout fine art history, as they provide the ultimate vehicle for exploring identity, emotion, narrative, and social commentary.
In this Painterly class, students will learn techniques for simplifying complex anatomy into essential shapes and expressive lines (drawing inspiration from artists like Matisse and Modigliani), focusing less on photographic accuracy and more on conveying mood and posture. We will cover basic proportion, utilize bold outlines and color fields to quickly define the form, resulting in a minimalist yet powerful human portrait or study.
Painterly Original works will be provided to fuel the creative process and stoke the imagination. No experience or artistic skill required!
PRICING
All classes are $100 per canvas with a ten (10) student class minimum.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to counteract the age of disposable experiences by teaching genuine creative skills. Painterly’s framework promotes the creation of keepsake artwork that carries lasting personal value, rather than becoming clutter. In a world where art is often mass-produced or prohibitively expensive, we offer an affordable and intentional pathway for our students to create their own meaningful, display-worthy creations rooted in solid artistic foundations.
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Because we’re going to make it easy, and we’re not striving for accuracy or perfection. We’re just looking for YOUR interpretation of the human form, which is actually what makes art interesting.
Moreover, the representation of people has been important to fine art because the human form serves as the most potent and accessible vehicle for exploring universal themes like identity, spirituality, and the full spectrum of human emotion. Throughout history, the figure has anchored art in narrative and social reality, allowing artists to tell stories, document history, and convey philosophical ideas about humanity itself.
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Well, Henri Matisse is a great example. Matisse focused a lot on representing the shape and feel of people, rather than an accurate representation of a subject. Some other artists who have simplified painting humans include Kathrine Bradford, Paul Klee, and even Keith Haring.
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Guided group demonstration
Personalized instruction
Premium 12 x 16 gallery wrap canvas
Workshop guide
Shared class supplies (brushes, paints, etc.)
Fresh, frameable art compositions
Deeper understanding of art history
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AGES | All ages welcome but 13+ is recommended to benefit the most from instruction.
PREREQUISITE | None. No prior artistic skill required, either.
ARRIVAL | Please allow an extra 15-30 minutes for mingling to ensure you are settled when instruction begins.
ATTIRE | Heavy-duty canvas aprons are provided for class, but because accidents happen sometimes, we do recommend wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting a tad messy.
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TO BOOK | Click here to book a painting event at the location of your choice. Once your booking is confirmed, a 25% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your event.
RESCHEDULING + CANCELLATION POLICY | 72-hour notice is required for a 75% refund of prepaid class bookings; bookings may be transferred to a future class before the 72-hour notice timeframe by contacting events@painterly.co. If cancellation or a request to rebook occurs after 72- hours before the start of class, no refund will be provided regardless of reason (note: this policy enables Painterly to protect our artist instructors, who are directly impacted by last-minute cancellations).
