In Person Workshops

Hands-On Learning Experiences

Interactive & Immersive

Our team of passionate and kind educators specializes in creating hands-on, interactive classes that inspire creativity and collaboration. With a welcoming approach, they ensure every participant feels engaged, supported, and empowered to learn.

Expert Led Sessions

Learn from guest artists, industry professionals, and skilled instructors who bring unique insights and hands-on expertise to every workshop.

Unique Settings

Step outside the traditional workspace and experience the benefits of learning in refreshing environments. From parks and libraries to creative studio spaces, we offer a variety of inspiring locations across the Bay Area to enhance focus, creativity, and team connection.

Upcoming In Person Workshops:

The Fundamentals of Drawing
Mar
20

The Fundamentals of Drawing

  • The Atherton Arts Foundation - Holbrook Palmer Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In this four-week series, you will build drawing skills in an easy, step-by-step process.  No stress, no judgement, just joy!  Each class ends with an exercise you will be proud to share.  The classes are based on Caroline Mustard’s book The Joy of Drawing: A Beginner’s Manual. Everyone is welcome, from beginners on up. All materials provided!

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Mar
20

Monet in Italy Workshop (In-person)

Friday, March 20, 1 PM - 4 PM at the Atherton Arts Foundation Studio, Holbrook Palmer Park in Atherton, CA.

Travel to Italy with Claude Monet, who visited in 1884 and again in 1908. Learn about the trials and tribulations he faced trying to capture the light, and how he overcame them with a series of stunning paintings from both trips. After a brief lecture, we will paint together using these masterpieces as our inspiration. All materials are included.

Then join us on Wednesday, March 25, at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor and view the paintings for yourself. Meetup is free to participants, but purchase your own tickets for Caroline’s guided tour at 11 am.

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The Fundamentals of Drawing
Mar
27

The Fundamentals of Drawing

  • The Atherton Arts Foundation - Holbrook Palmer Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In this four-week series, you will build drawing skills in an easy, step-by-step process.  No stress, no judgement, just joy!  Each class ends with an exercise you will be proud to share.  The classes are based on Caroline Mustard’s book The Joy of Drawing: A Beginner’s Manual. Everyone is welcome, from beginners on up. All materials provided!

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The Fundamentals of Drawing
Mar
13

The Fundamentals of Drawing

  • The Atherton Arts Foundation - Holbrook Palmer Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In this four-week series, you will build drawing skills in an easy, step-by-step process.  No stress, no judgement, just joy!  Each class ends with an exercise you will be proud to share.  The classes are based on Caroline Mustard’s book The Joy of Drawing: A Beginner’s Manual. Everyone is welcome, from beginners on up. All materials provided!

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Drawing California Wildlife at The Foster Museum
Mar
11

Drawing California Wildlife at The Foster Museum

We’re excited to invite you to a special 4-week drawing series at The Foster Museum in Palo Alto, CA, led by acclaimed instructor Agnes Wong.

Learn how to draw wildlife indigenous to California, from the grizzly bear on the flag of California to the cougar in its mountain lair. Each class will introduce new animals and build skills using graphite, colored pencils, pen and ink, and watercolor. You will master the ability to draw wild animals as well as your own pets! 

Expect to learn the following over the four-week series:

  • Week One: Review your drawing basics and draw your first wild animal using graphite.

  • Week Two: Use colored pencil to draw a different animal and
    learn to use a grid drawing technique that enables drawing your animal any size, bigger or smaller than the original.

  • Week Three: With pen and ink, draw an animal in its native environment.

  • Week Four: In this final class of the series, use watercolor to draw and paint a wild
    animal in its natural habitat.

All materials and animal images are provided, and students may also bring their own. We welcome the use of watercolors, pastels, and colored pencils to add color to your drawings if you wish. 

Dates/Time:

February 18, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

February 25, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

March 4, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

March 11, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Link to register:

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/8f745fc3/?appointmentTypeIds[]=88299577

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The Fundamentals of Drawing
Mar
6

The Fundamentals of Drawing

  • The Atherton Arts Foundation - Holbrook Palmer Park (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In this four-week series, you will build drawing skills in an easy, step-by-step process.  No stress, no judgement, just joy!  Each class ends with an exercise you will be proud to share.  The classes are based on Caroline Mustard’s book The Joy of Drawing: A Beginner’s Manual. Everyone is welcome, from beginners on up. All materials provided!

View Event →
Drawing California Wildlife at The Foster Museum
Mar
4

Drawing California Wildlife at The Foster Museum

We’re excited to invite you to a special 4-week drawing series at The Foster Museum in Palo Alto, CA, led by acclaimed instructor Agnes Wong.

Learn how to draw wildlife indigenous to California, from the grizzly bear on the flag of California to the cougar in its mountain lair. Each class will introduce new animals and build skills using graphite, colored pencils, pen and ink, and watercolor. You will master the ability to draw wild animals as well as your own pets! 

Expect to learn the following over the four-week series:

  • Week One: Review your drawing basics and draw your first wild animal using graphite.

  • Week Two: Use colored pencil to draw a different animal and
    learn to use a grid drawing technique that enables drawing your animal any size, bigger or smaller than the original.

  • Week Three: With pen and ink, draw an animal in its native environment.

  • Week Four: In this final class of the series, use watercolor to draw and paint a wild
    animal in its natural habitat.

All materials and animal images are provided, and students may also bring their own. We welcome the use of watercolors, pastels, and colored pencils to add color to your drawings if you wish. 

Dates/Time:

February 18, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

February 25, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

March 4, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

March 11, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Link to register:

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/8f745fc3/?appointmentTypeIds[]=88299577

View Event →
Drawing California Wildlife at The Foster Museum
Feb
25

Drawing California Wildlife at The Foster Museum

We’re excited to invite you to a special 4-week drawing series at The Foster Museum in Palo Alto, CA, led by acclaimed instructor Agnes Wong.

Learn how to draw wildlife indigenous to California, from the grizzly bear on the flag of California to the cougar in its mountain lair. Each class will introduce new animals and build skills using graphite, colored pencils, pen and ink, and watercolor. You will master the ability to draw wild animals as well as your own pets! 

Expect to learn the following over the four-week series:

  • Week One: Review your drawing basics and draw your first wild animal using graphite.

  • Week Two: Use colored pencil to draw a different animal and
    learn to use a grid drawing technique that enables drawing your animal any size, bigger or smaller than the original.

  • Week Three: With pen and ink, draw an animal in its native environment.

  • Week Four: In this final class of the series, use watercolor to draw and paint a wild
    animal in its natural habitat.

All materials and animal images are provided, and students may also bring their own. We welcome the use of watercolors, pastels, and colored pencils to add color to your drawings if you wish. 

Dates/Time:

February 18, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

February 25, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

March 4, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

March 11, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Link to register:

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/8f745fc3/?appointmentTypeIds[]=88299577

View Event →
Drawing California Wildlife at The Foster Museum
Feb
18

Drawing California Wildlife at The Foster Museum

We’re excited to invite you to a special 4-week drawing series at The Foster Museum in Palo Alto, CA, led by acclaimed instructor Agnes Wong.

Learn how to draw wildlife indigenous to California, from the grizzly bear on the flag of California to the cougar in its mountain lair. Each class will introduce new animals and build skills using graphite, colored pencils, pen and ink, and watercolor. You will master the ability to draw wild animals as well as your own pets! 

Expect to learn the following over the four-week series:

  • Week One: Review your drawing basics and draw your first wild animal using graphite.

  • Week Two: Use colored pencil to draw a different animal and
    learn to use a grid drawing technique that enables drawing your animal any size, bigger or smaller than the original.

  • Week Three: With pen and ink, draw an animal in its native environment.

  • Week Four: In this final class of the series, use watercolor to draw and paint a wild
    animal in its natural habitat.

All materials and animal images are provided, and students may also bring their own. We welcome the use of watercolors, pastels, and colored pencils to add color to your drawings if you wish. 

Dates/Time:

February 18, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

February 25, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

March 4, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

March 11, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Link to register:

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/8f745fc3/?appointmentTypeIds[]=88299577

View Event →
Monet's Winter Workshop & Tea
Dec
12

Monet's Winter Workshop & Tea

A new Learn From The Masters workshop at the Atherton Arts Foundation studio in Holbrook Palmer Park, Atherton, CA. Here you will learn about Monet’s paintings of winter scenes - the colors he used and how he created the sensation of light upon snow. All materials are provided along with a special English tea party.

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Learn from The Masters" Matisse Cut-Outs
Sep
26

Learn from The Masters" Matisse Cut-Outs

Join us on Friday, September 26, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at the Atherton Arts Foundation Studio in Holbrook Palmer Park, Atherton, CA, for the next in out Learn from The Masters Series where we will explore the world of Henri Matisse Cut-Outs Learn about the final period in his artistic career when he created his seminal paper cut-outs. We provide all the materials so you can create your own cut-outs inspired by Matisse in the final section of the workshop.

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Monthly Sketch Meet-up at Stanford’s Cantor Museum
Aug
27

Monthly Sketch Meet-up at Stanford’s Cantor Museum

Join us for our August Sketch Meetup at the Stanford Campus outside the Cantor Museum. Wednesday, August 27, from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Make it a day out and meet us at 11:00 am in front of the museum so we can visit it and eat lunch in the cafe! Fee: $25

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LEARN FROM THE MASTERS: RUTH ASAWA FLOWERS
Aug
15

LEARN FROM THE MASTERS: RUTH ASAWA FLOWERS

Pen & Watercolor: Join us on Friday, August 15 from 1-4pm at the Atherton Arts Foundation Studio in Holbrook Palmer Park, Atherton, CA. Learn from Ruth Asawa’s drawings and paintings of nature and flowers using pen and watercolor. Asawa loved drawing nature in all its forms in her Noe Valley garden in San Francisco. From the outset of her artistic career she was fascinated by the patterns in nature which in turn inspired her seminal sculptures.

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Landscape Drawing for Beginners (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)
Aug
6

Landscape Drawing for Beginners (Copy) (Copy) (Copy)

Hosted by the Foster Museum in Palo Alto, which houses the watercolors of internationally acclaimed British artist and explorer, Tony Foster, the operative word for this introductory landscape drawing series is JOY sure to be a component of each class.

No prior experience is needed, just a willing and interested heart! Artist Tony Foster begins his en plein air painting process by drawing on paper and completes it with watercolor. For many artists, drawing landscapes is an important first step or, often, the end point!

In this four-week series of 2-hour workshops, you will be introduced to the basic skills needed to draw landscapes from photographs, other artworks, and  "en plein air" (in the open air).

In the final class, we will put it all together with an outdoor sketch walk at nearby Baylands Nature Preserve. 

All materials are provided, though you may bring your own. We welcome the use of watercolors, pastels, and colored pencils to add color to your drawings if you wish. 

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Landscape Drawing for Beginners (Copy) (Copy)
Jul
30

Landscape Drawing for Beginners (Copy) (Copy)

Hosted by the Foster Museum in Palo Alto, which houses the watercolors of internationally acclaimed British artist and explorer, Tony Foster, the operative word for this introductory landscape drawing series is JOY sure to be a component of each class.

No prior experience is needed, just a willing and interested heart! Artist Tony Foster begins his en plein air painting process by drawing on paper and completes it with watercolor. For many artists, drawing landscapes is an important first step or, often, the end point!

In this four-week series of 2-hour workshops, you will be introduced to the basic skills needed to draw landscapes from photographs, other artworks, and  "en plein air" (in the open air).

In the final class, we will put it all together with an outdoor sketch walk at nearby Baylands Nature Preserve. 

All materials are provided, though you may bring your own. We welcome the use of watercolors, pastels, and colored pencils to add color to your drawings if you wish. 

View Event →
Landscape Drawing for Beginners (Copy)
Jul
23

Landscape Drawing for Beginners (Copy)

Hosted by the Foster Museum in Palo Alto, which houses the watercolors of internationally acclaimed British artist and explorer, Tony Foster, the operative word for this introductory landscape drawing series is JOY sure to be a component of each class.

No prior experience is needed, just a willing and interested heart! Artist Tony Foster begins his en plein air painting process by drawing on paper and completes it with watercolor. For many artists, drawing landscapes is an important first step or, often, the end point!

In this four-week series of 2-hour workshops, you will be introduced to the basic skills needed to draw landscapes from photographs, other artworks, and  "en plein air" (in the open air).

In the final class, we will put it all together with an outdoor sketch walk at nearby Baylands Nature Preserve. 

All materials are provided, though you may bring your own. We welcome the use of watercolors, pastels, and colored pencils to add color to your drawings if you wish. 

View Event →
Landscape Drawing for Beginners
Jul
16

Landscape Drawing for Beginners

Hosted by the Foster Museum in Palo Alto, which houses the watercolors of internationally acclaimed British artist and explorer, Tony Foster, the operative word for this introductory landscape drawing series is JOY sure to be a component of each class.

No prior experience is needed, just a willing and interested heart! Artist Tony Foster begins his en plein air painting process by drawing on paper and completes it with watercolor. For many artists, drawing landscapes is an important first step or, often, the end point!

In this four-week series of 2-hour workshops, you will be introduced to the basic skills needed to draw landscapes from photographs, other artworks, and  "en plein air" (in the open air).

In the final class, we will put it all together with an outdoor sketch walk at nearby Baylands Nature Preserve. 

All materials are provided, though you may bring your own. We welcome the use of watercolors, pastels, and colored pencils to add color to your drawings if you wish. 

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Sketching Meetup
Jun
30

Sketching Meetup

Meet us at the Yerba Buena Art Center park where we will sketch the huge colorful statues of Mexican spirit animals! It’s right over the street from SF Moma where we can meet for lunch and look at some of the wonderful art ahead of sketching if you like. (The museum is closed on Wednesday which is why we moved the usual date) If you are coming from the Peninsula you there is parking at SF Moma. If you prefer not to drive you can take Caltrain and walk along Townsend to vatch the 45 bus which puts you out directly by the museum and after sketching will take you back directly to the station. When you arrive wander over to meet us in the park or catch us at the cafe on the 5th floor of SM Moma. Free to all and bring your friends.

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Learn From The Masters: Thiebaud
Jun
20

Learn From The Masters: Thiebaud

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP

Date: Friday, June 20th, 1:00-4:00pm PST

Location: Atherton Arts Foundation Studio, Holbrook Palmer Park, 150 Watkins Ave, Atherton, CA 94027

We end the four-part series celebrating the amazing landscapes by Wayne Thiebaud who lives and teaches in Davis and Sacramento, CA.  His use of flat shapes and attention to colors at the edges are themes throughout his work. Learn about his artistic process.

In this workshop, you will learn about his process, influences, and growth as an artist, and then we will execute paintings from his own work and/or from your own based on what you learned. All materials are provided. We use acrylic paint, but you are welcome to bring your own watercolors or oils if you wish!

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Monthly Sketch Club
Apr
30

Monthly Sketch Club

Join The Joy of Drawing Community for our monthly Sketch Club, held in person on the last Wednesday of each month. We will meet at various Bay Area Peninsula locations for outdoor and urban sketching and community building!

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Learn from Diebenkorn
Mar
28

Learn from Diebenkorn

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP

Date: Friday, March 28th, 1:00-4:00pm PST

Location: Atherton Arts Foundation Studio, Holbrook Palmer Park, 150 Watkins Ave, Atherton, CA 94027

Originally from San Francisco and educated at Stanford, Richard Diebenkorn has made a name for himself as an abstract expressionist painter but turned back to more representational painting in the mid-1950s, especially landscapes.  Learn about his approach to abstracting shapes, forms, and use of color.

Members: Apply your member’s coupon code at checkout!

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Upcoming events.