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:

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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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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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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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. 

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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. 

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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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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.