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Register for our Year-Round Classes and special Workshops below in the Upcoming Events area.  Scroll down to find more events.  You must first become a PHAC member to register for classes or workshops. 

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For detailed information about our year long classes, workshops and instructors please see Course schedule and Workshop pages under the Class/Workshop Information Pull Down Tab on the Home Page.



Upcoming events

    • 05/29/2025
    • 06/19/2025
    • 4 sessions
    • NEW LOCATION: Historic Grant Avenue, 216 S Grant St, Denver, CO 80209
    • 6
    Register

    Thursdays, May 29 - June 19 , 9:00 am - 12:30 pm - 4 Sessions

    Paint Realistic Portraits in Watercolor!

    Bring your watercolor portraits to life! Using fundamental and intermediate techniques, you will learn how to paint portraits in watercolor and bring out the subject's personality. We'll work through multiple exercises to practice how to accurately represent the figure and bring out their expression.

    Drawing experience is recommended.


    LEVEL

    Intermediate


    SUPPLIES INSTRUCTOR WILL PROVIDE

    Spray bottle

    Brush soap

    Paper towels

    Extra reference photos


    SUPPLIES TO BRING

    Watercolor paper (*** for best results, bring Arches)

    Watercolor palette

    Watercolor brushes – 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 round (instructor recommends Princeton & Co.)

    Watercolor paint (instructor recommends Daniel Smith or Winsor & Newton)

    Required:

    Cadmium Yellow Light

    Cadmium Red Medium

    Alizarin Crimson

    Ultramarine Blue

    Phthalo Green Blue Shade

    Yellow Ochre

    Burnt Sienna

    Burnt Umber

    Payne’s Gray

    Sketch book

    Pencils in various hardness, with at least one 2H

    Kneaded eraser

    Paper towels

    Water cup or jar

    Reference photos – Personal photos or magazines


    ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

    Lisa Riannson is a Colorado artist and experienced art instructor who loves helping people explore their creativity. With a knack for breaking down techniques and making art approachable, she’s taught workshops, private lessons, and community sessions for artists of all levels. Lisa’s teaching style focuses on building confidence while having fun, whether she’s guiding beginners through watercolor basics or helping more advanced students refine their skills. She believes art has the power to connect people and bring joy, and she’s passionate about sharing that with her students.


    QUESTIONS

    Please direct questions to Lisa at lisa@lisariannson.com.

    • 06/04/2025
    • 06/25/2025
    • 4 sessions
    • NEW LOCATION: Historic Grant Avenue, 216 S Grant St, Denver, CO 80209
    • 13
    Register


    Wednesdays, June 4 - 25, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm - 4 Sessions

    Recreate Animals in Brilliant Color!

    Step by step learning approach to paint colorful animals with unique style and colors. Mickey will offer different projects than her previous workshops. 

    LEVEL

    Any


    SUPPLIES TO BRING

    Please read carefully. I have students buy the wrong things and it's so disappointing when they cannot return them as they were opened!

    Watercolor Paint: Any quality watercolor paint will work just fine. I am known for my colors so if you want to mimic my colors, I am listing my paints that I will be working with in class (and use consistently with all my art). FYI, I find my students end up buying my paints after our first class as they like them so much so if you don't already have your paint, you may want to consider buying off my list!

    Guiry’s, & Meiningers carry my paints locally and they are also available on the internet from Amazon, Jerry’s Artarama & Blick Art Materials. These suppliers are good sources for all my supplies.

    Dr. PH Martin Hydrous watercolors: I only use the following colors!

    These paints come in sets and not all these colors come in one of the sets so I buy individual bottles of only these colors!

    • 5H Quinacridone Magenta
    • 9H Cobalt Violet
    • 2H Gamboge
    • 16H Cobalt Blue
    • 1H Hansa Yellow Light
    • 8H Ultramarine
    • 34H Turquoise Blue

    Dr. Ph Martin’s Bleed Proof White

    Ecoline liquid watercolor: (this is only used in the last project so I will provide this paint for your use. I am listing the product so you can find it later should you like the process.

    • 337 Magenta
    • 508 or 522 Blue

    Misket: I use Grumbacher liquid frisket (this is be used only in the last lesson)

    Frisk Masking fluid remover (also called glue and residue eraser or adhesive remover) If you have a bottle that is old, I recommend replacing it after testing it on a sheet of paper as it goes bad and will tear your paper when you try to remove it from you project.

    Art Ruling Pen: (Used in last class only) Available at Amazon.com. 2 pack Kasteco brand is available for $6.99. I bought a supply and if you want to buy one from me the cost is $3.80.

    300 lb Watercolor paper. I use Fabriano 300 lb cold press paper. I do not recommend 140 lb paper for my projects. We will work on 8” x 10” paper so be sure to add an extra 1/2” boarder around your paper so you can mount your finished piece! Guirys and Meinigers carries large single sheets that you can cut down to size or you can buy bulk at Jerry’s Artarama for a good price.

    Watercolor brushes: Good quality brushes are highly recommended. If you want to try out brushes and get help you can do so at Guirys or Meininger’s. I use Steve Quiller / Richeson Professional 7000 brushes which are good quality and reasonably priced. They are sold at Jerry’s Artarama off the internet and may be found at Meiningers, I'm not sure. For our classes, we will use round size 4 and 6 and a flat 1” or 1.5” watercolor brush (we can share the large flat brush if you don’t have one as it is only used for our last class).

    Other Supplies:

    MASKING TAPE, PENCIL, FINE POINT BALLPOINT PEN, FINE POINT PERMANENT MARKER PEN, ART ERASER, WATER CONTAINER, PALLET TO MIX PAINT AND BACKING BOARD TO TAPE YOUR PAPER TO

    I use blue 1” painter masking tape. I use foam board backing board just larger than my sheet of paper. This is available at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. I recommend laying wide packing tape strips over the foam board so the masking tape does not tear the form board and can be reused indefinitely! I find larger size triangular white porcelain tasting plate from World Market works the best for hydrous watercolor paints. I use Vanish brand erasers found at all the art supply places listed above. I use Copic Multi Liner size 0.3. There are several great brands out there but the finer the point the better!

    Scrubber brush: This is a very valuable tool that I use on almost every painting I do! I use Royal & Langnickel #2 model Z83SC. I ordered several and if you want, you can buy one from me for $4.50. I will demonstrate the magic of this tool.

    Pentel Metallic MED Gel Pen: This pen is sold in dual packs with silver or gold or both. I use the silver pen the most. It's super helpful in doing animal whiskers! Michales and Hobby Lobby carry them.

    Tracing paper: Saral graphite transfer paper, 12” roll. MAKE USE TO BUY ONLY THE GRAPHITE TYPE. I buy this from Amazon.

    Glue residue Eraser: This is used to lift masking fluid off painting once done. I have several for your use or buy from me.

    Finetec Pearlescent, F0600 paint set. This set cost around $28 at Amazon. However, I find I use primarily the Olympic Gold (F0621) or Beach gold which can be purchased separately for around $10.00 from Amazon, Meiningers or Guiry’s. This is optional but it really enhances a painting! We will only use this gold paint in our first lesson.

    NOTE: I WILL HAVE EXTRA SUPPLIES IF YOU FORGET SOMETHING.

    Click here to download suggested supply list.


    ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

    I have created art for most of my life, but I actually became a professional artist 15 years ago. I have a strong background in watercolor painting, and I teach a step-by-step approach so that anybody can learn my Methods. I provide the students with tricks of the trade that aren’t often taught by other artists!

    I have been very active in the art community since I became a professional artist.

    I have participated in numerous shows and I’m currently in two mountain co-op galleries. I have won several awards for my art over the years.

    My promise is to help each student achieve their goals and to make the classes fun!

    See more about Mickey at https://mickeylafave.com.


    QUESTIONS

    Please direct questions to mickeysfineart@gmail.com.

    Class will be limited to 20 students so sign up early!

    ** Photo does not necessarily reflect actual class project but similar concepts!


    • 06/04/2025
    • 06/25/2025
    • 4 sessions
    • NEW LOCATION: Historic Grant Ave, 216 South Grant Street, Denver, CO 80209
    • 6
    Register

    Wednesdays, June 4 – 25, 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm - 4 Sessions

    Dive into Color!

    The use of color has challenged painters for centuries...Claude Monet referred to color as his "obsession, joy and torment". In this class we'll look for more joy and less torment! We'll explore the practical uses of color in your paintings, without losing sight of the other important elements such as shape and value. We'll explore how you can better understand your pigments and how you can use color as a design tool in your work (but we'll avoid any deep dives into color theory or the science of color).

    We’ll start with brief comments by the instructor and a short demo, but plan to spend most of the class time working on your own art. This class is open to all levels, though a little bit of painting experience is helpful. If you’re looking for a first-time-ever oil painting class then there are probably some better choices out there. This is an oil painting class, and while many issues are the same in any medium, the instructor will be better able to help you if you're working in oils.

    I like to keep the atmosphere in my classes relaxed, friendly and supportive, and normally do not do group critiques at the end of the session. You'll be working on your own painting ideas so bring whatever you are most jazzed up about painting!

    LEVEL

    All Levels


    SUPPLIES THAT INSTRUCTOR WILL BRING

    Students will bring their own supplies. I may have some extras on hand if needed.

    SUPPLIES TO BRING

    Please bring:

    • small sketch book: 8" x 10" or smaller
    • pencils of varying hardness. I use 2H, HB and 3B
    • Photo references or other ideas to work from. Bring several!!
    • 1 - 2 canvases. If in doubt bring small ones, like 8" x 10" or 11" x 14". But bring the size you like to work with.
    • Brushes of various sizes. I mostly work with Brights #2, #4 and #6, but I also use a #0 round for small details and an old filbert for getting rid of edges. And a #8 or larger to slather in washes in large shapes. But again if you've got favorites, bring them!
    • Oil Paints. Bring the colors you like to work with but not too many. If you're not sure, I think that a good limited palette is:

    Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Cadmium Red Light, Quinacridone Rose OR Permanent Alizarin, Cobalt Blue OR Ultramarine Blue, and a neutral such as Raw Umber or Burnt Umber.

    • An easel (tabletop or standing)
    • Paper towels or rags (I use Viva paper towels)
    • Odorless mineral spirits like Gamsol (NO TURPENTINE PLEASE) and a small container to use them in (I use something called "SILICOIL") PLEASE NOTE: Students are required to bring a container for oil paint waste and will need to take it home to dispose of properly. It CANNOT be poured down the drains at our new location. Students are also encouraged to wipe brushes clean.
    • Palette (I use a 12" x 16" plastic palette box with a thick glass surface inside the box)
    • Palette knife or knive

    Rodgers gets most of his supplies at Meininger's or Guiry's, but they're largely available online, too.


      QUESTIONS

      Email or call instructor at rnaylorstudio@gmail.com or 

      303-562-7554 (text or call).


      About the Instructor

      Light and depth are woven throughout Rodgers Naylor's oil paintings, and are always foremost in his mind as he paints. His landscapes reflect his love of exploring the world's natural and cultural wonders. Rodgers studied drawing at The Atelier in Minneapolis and painting at The Art Students League of Denver. The Atelier provided a rigorous approach to accurate drawing while at the Art Students League he learned a loose and painterly style of painting. These influences remain strong, and he enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge with his students. Rodgers exhibits his work in galleries, juried shows, art festivals and other venues. He teaches both workshops and classes, including teaching for several years at the Park Hill Art Club.

      • 06/05/2025
      • 06/19/2025
      • 3 sessions
      • NEW LOCATION: Historic Grant Avenue, 216 S Grant St, Denver, CO 80209
      • 19
      Register


      Thursdays, June 5 - 19, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm - 3 Sessions

      Make your own personal journals!

      In this three-week class you will step into creating personal journals/books without any extra book-binding tools.

      Learn to make your own beautiful journals/books with materials you have at home.

      Various types of fun and unique journals/books will be constructed by using paper, buttons, and envelopes just to name a few.


      LEVEL

      Beginning


      SUPPLIES INSTRUCTOR WILL PROVIDE

      • various sizes and types of paper
      • various sizes of envelopes
      • assorted buttons
      • various decorating/painting supplies


      SUPPLIES TO BRING

      • ruler
      • favorite painting/decorating supplies, (instructor will have some on hand)
      • pencil


      ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

      Cindy is a member of the Park Hill Art Club and has participated in several Park Hill Art Shows. She has a wide range of teaching experience from middle school to adult education. She is a prolific and a self-taught artist and has several certifications: Creative Depth™Coach, Zentangle™ Teacher, SoulCollage™, and Intuitive Art. She is also a 2-time best-selling author. She believes that everyone is creative and facilitates folks in experiencing and exploring their path to creativity. She is inspired by art courses, art clubs, other artists, and her intuition.


      QUESTIONS

      Please direct questions to Cindy at cwinsel2457@gmail.com.

      • 08/06/2025
      • 12:00 PM
      • 08/20/2025
      • 3:30 PM
      • NEW LOCATION: Historic Grant Avenue, 216 S Grant St, Denver, CO 80209
      • 15
      Register


      Wednesdays, August 6 - 20, 2025, 12:00 - 3:30 pm - 3 Sessions

      Get Expert Advice on Any Work in Progress

      Students are invited to bring in any piece of work in progress — all media and styles of art. It can be acrylic, watercolor, oil, pastel, or mixed media — abstract to realistic, landscape to still life. You create it and bring it in for a critique or advice on how to proceed to finish and continue in class. When time allows, Cliff will give a demo and talk about an aspect of art, design, composition, mark making, materials, etc. that students inquire about. Students will be limited to two paintings for a critique so that everyone can have time to paint and observe. This will be a very interactive class in which students and instructor will work intuitively together. 


      Student Level

      All levels


      Supplies Students BrinG       

      Student brings their own painting and supplies.            

      PLEASE NOTE: Students are required to bring a container for acrylic and/or oil paint waste and will need to take it home to dispose of properly. It CANNOT be poured down the drains at our new location. Students are also encouraged to wipe brushes clean.


        CLASS CAPACITY

        Minimum of 6 students, Maximum of 10


        Questions

        Email or call instructor. cliffaustin@comcast.net or 720-401-3496.


        About the Instructor

        Cliff Austin is a graduate of Denver Institute of Technology and the Rocky Mountain School of Art. He lives in Aurora Colorado. He has been painting and illustrating since 1980 when he graduated from RMSA. He has affiliation with many Colorado art organizations such as the Pastel Society of Colorado, the Plein Air Artists of Colorado, the Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionists Society. His work can be seen at Mary Williams Fine Art Gallery, Boulder CO. After many years working in the corporate field, Ball Aerospace to Douglas Aircraft, the love of landscape painting never diminished. The core of Cliff’s art is the relationship of light on shape using line and tone and color as it wraps and flows around the landscape and cityscape. He has won many national awards in Pastel and Oils. 

        www.cliffaustin.com 
        cliff@cliffaustin.com

        www.pastelsocietyofcolorado.org
        www.pleinairartistscolorado.com
        www.americanimpressionistsociety.org
        www.oilpaintersofamerica.com

        • 09/10/2025
        • 12:00 PM
        • 10/01/2025
        • 3:30 PM
        • NEW LOCATION: Historic Grant Avenue, 216 S Grant St, Denver, CO 80209
        • 20

        Wednesdays, September 10 - October 1, 12:00  - 3:30 pm - 4 Sessions

        Free up your Watercolors this Autumn!

        Join Steve for this ‘Paint Along’ class where he will construct a different landscape painting from start to finish, during each class, while you paint along with him. Steve will take you through the process step-by-step. He will demonstrate how he moves through the steps to create a loose, moving, and evocative painting. Plan to have fun, try some new painting techniques, and see what you can do when you paint with a loose watercolor style!


        LEVEL

        All Levels


        SUPPLIES TO BRING

        Paint

        VanGogh or Daniel Smith brands

        • Ultramarine Deep
        • Permanent Red Light
        • Gamboge
        • Oxide Black

        OR (don’t buy both)

        Cotman (This brand is an acceptable alternative)

        • Ultramarine
        • Cadmium Red Hue
        • Gamboge Hue
        • Lamp Black

        Paper

        1 - 30 x 22 sheet Arches 140# rough OR cold press torn or cut into ¼ sheets

        Brushes

        • #12 AND #14 round brush (Princeton Neptune recommended but not required)
        • 1” Flat Brush

        Miscellaneous

        • 1 16” x 20” Masonite, Luan, or equal board to mount paper
        • 1” roll masking tape
        • 2 water containers
        • 1 box tissue (no perfumes or lotions)
        • 1 cello sponge


        ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

        I've always been a dreamer, a romantic, and an artist. I've been told more than once that I have my 'head in the clouds.' I admit that is true. I see the world differently. Maybe that is why I like watercolor so much. It is fluid and free and has a hard time playing by the rules.

        I received a traditional art education at both Michigan State University and Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, but I just couldn't seem to follow the rules either. I kept asking, "What if I did this?" Or, "What if I changed that?" Early on I developed a loose style of watercolor painting and over time it has evolved to a very loose style. I start a story with my paintings but then, I want the person looking at them to find their own story and finish what I started. That is how I connect with the collector, by creating a story telling relationship. I want to do more than paint a pretty picture. I want to create art that connects us through thoughts, memories, feelings, and beauty.

        Learn more about Steve and his art at his website.

        You can also listen to an interview with Steve and his wife Sue here (use the password PHACArt).


        QUESTIONS

        Please direct questions to Steve at steve@stevegriggswatercolor.com.

        • 09/11/2025
        • 10/02/2025
        • 4 sessions
        • NEW LOCATION: Historic Grant Avenue, 216 S Grant St, Denver, CO 80209
        • 12
        Register


        Thursdays, September 11 - October 2, 2025,  - 9:00 am - 12:30 pm - 4 Sessions

        Learn to draw using contour lines, value, and shading!

        In this Beginners Drawing Class students will learn various techniques of drawing, from linear work to shading!

        We will start with CONTOUR DRAWING. Contour drawing is seeing the contour of objects, subjects, faces, hands, etc. and drawing lines to identify these contours. Modified contour with variation of line and weighted line.

        Then we will proceed with VALUE. Values in drawing means the shading of shadows, drop shadows, while preserving the highlights, etc. These range from the darkest values to the white of page with grays in between giving a drawn subject the illusion of being 3-dimensional. Students will learn to SHADE and create value gradients using three finely sharpened wooden carbon pencils while learning about the varying hardness and softness of these carbons. Then we will use a few erasers for highlighting. Blending values using a stump as well as using differing pressures.

        DRAWING Then you will also learn how to draw and shade a cone, cube and sphere for practice that leads into doing your final drawing of choice using contour drawing and shading with the skills you have learned. You will finish this class with the confidence to draw any subject and to shade it to create a 3-dimensional, beautiful finished drawing you can be proud of.


        LEVEL

        Beginning


        SUPPLIES INSTRUCTOR WILL BRING

        Teacher will bring a few extra sheets or paper and pencils.


        SUPPLIES TO BRING

        All these supplies are what I have learned helps with drawing artwork

        1- Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad, 9” x 12”, 24 Sheets 

        1- Pencil bag or Ziplock baggy

        1- HB Pencil                   

        1- 4B pencil      

        1- Ebony pencil   

        1- Large Kneaded Grey Eraser w/ Case (Faber-Castell) or another brand

        1-Pink Pearl Eraser 

        1- handheld pencil sharpener w/ container for shavings 

        1-12" clear plastic ruler 

        Extras:                       

        2- blending stumps, small (#1) & large (#3)

        1-Mr. Pen Drafting brush or 2" Chip Paint Brush for dusting off eraser shavings

        All supplies can be purchased at Meininger’s, Guiry's or on Amazon


        ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

        Lara Hooper is a Colorado watercolor painter, oil painter, printmaker and educator.

        Lara has a BFA and a Master’s in Education.

        For the past 27 years, Lara has had a wonderful career teaching High School Drawing, Painting, Printmaking and Metal-smithing for the Jeffco Public Schools. She also taught metal-smithing and photography at Red Rocks Community College. In addition, she taught private watercolor painting lessons.

        She has been exhibited in various Art exhibits including The Annual Juried Jeffco Art Teacher’s Exhibit at the Lakewood Cultural Center receiving awards for her jewelry and printmaking.

        She is a member of the Colorado Watercolor Society and an avid Plein Air painter.

        Learn more about Lara by visiting her website.


        QUESTIONS

        Please direct questions to Lara at larahoops@icloud.com.


        • 09/11/2025
        • 12:00 PM
        • 10/02/2025
        • 3:30 PM
        • NEW LOCATION: Historic Grant Avenue, 216 S Grant St, Denver, CO 80209
        • 15
        Register


        Thursdays, September 11 - October 2, 2025, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm - 4 Sessions

        Master Pastel Landscapes!

        Learn how to paint landscapes with pastels in the Alla Prima style. Techniques for approaching how to paint a landscape will be covered in this class at an intermediate and advanced level. Class will be structured around the drawing, painting and development of expressive techniques of landscape art with students working in  pastels.

        Experience level

        Intermediate to Advanced

        Supplies Students BrinG       

        • Set of 40 half stick Soft Pastels containing both primaries and secondaries
        • Recommended - Sennelier Extra soft 40 assorted half pastels 
        • Uart 400 or 500 texture sanded pastel paper 9 x 12 
        • White Art tape or beige masking tape, Note: Not green frog tape or blue painter’s tape 
        • Drawing Board or backing board like foamcore or Masonite drawing board to tape the paper on to 
        • Landscape photo references 
        • Viva Paper Towels  

        Materials will be discussed at the first class.


          CLASS CAPACITY

          Minimum of 6 students, Maximum of 10


          QUESTIONS

          Email or call instructor. cliffaustin@comcast.net or 720-401-3496.

          About the Instructor

          Cliff Austin is a graduate of Denver Institute of Technology and the Rocky Mountain School of Art. He lives in Aurora Colorado. He has been painting and illustrating since 1980 when he graduated from RMSA. He has affiliation with many Colorado art organizations such as the Pastel Society of Colorado, the Plein Air Artists of Colorado, the Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionists Society. His work can be seen at Mary Williams Fine Art Gallery, Boulder CO. After many years working in the corporate field, Ball Aerospace to Douglas Aircraft, the love of landscape painting never diminished. The core of Cliff’s art is the relationship of light on shape using line and tone and color as it wraps and flows around the landscape and cityscape. He has won many national awards in Pastel and Oils. 

          www.cliffaustin.com 
          cliff@cliffaustin.com

          www.pastelsocietyofcolorado.org
          www.pleinairartistscolorado.com
          www.americanimpressionistsociety.org
          www.oilpaintersofamerica.com

        Email: parkhillartclub@gmail.com

        Mail:
        Park Hill Art Club
        P.O. Box 200572
        Denver, CO 80220

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