Abstract Watercolors

Combine the expressive, personal, object-free vision of abstraction with the smaller, intimate beauty of watercolors. The focus of this class is on the elements of design, color and harmony, line and shape while creating an exciting and compelling painting that expresses a personal inner vision. Often alluding to nature or a state of mind, Abstract Watercolors will carry the painter to the beauty of feelings, spirit, and imagination

• Oct 14, 2025 to Dec 16, 2025 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (8 sessions total), Tuesday
• Fee: $280
• Item: 39841
• There will be no class 11/11 or 11/25
  Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.
  Supplies are required for this class.
  Map and directions to locate your classroom.

Acrylic Painting for Beginners

Discover the art of modern life; learn a new way of thinking and seeing, and create dynamic abstract paintings. Express your inner self through your work with this more personal and expressive mode of painting. This class is designed for all levels of experience. Class process includes discussion of contemporary issues, demonstrations of materials, style, and structure, and the simple concepts behind the actions. In this course you will be painting with acrylics.

• Oct 02, 2025 to Dec 11, 2025 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (10 sessions total), Thursday
• Fee: $350
• Item: 39839

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this class.

  There is no class 11/27

   

Introduction to Drawing

Learn the basic techniques of drawing while working from still life, places in our immediate environment and each other in this introductory drawing class. We will focus on the building blocks of drawing such as composition, measurement, line, shape, value, gesture and mark. You will become familiar with a variety of materials and approaches to drawing by studying artwork both historical and contemporary. Although instruction will be rooted in drawing from observation, we will explore the potential to abstract from what we see and experiment with working from memory. We will engage in group discussions throughout the course.

• Sep 29, 2025 to Dec 01, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm (10 sessions total), Monday
• Fee: $230
• Item: 40359
• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Fall CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.
  Supplies are required for this class. Click for your class supplies here.
  Map and directions to locate your classroom

Introduction to Drawing

Learn the basic techniques of drawing while working from still life, places in our immediate environment and each other in this introductory drawing class. We will focus on the building blocks of drawing such as composition, measurement, line, shape, value, gesture and mark. You will become familiar with a variety of materials and approaches to drawing by studying artwork both historical and contemporary. Although instruction will be rooted in drawing from observation, we will explore the potential to abstract from what we see and experiment with working from memory. We will engage in group discussions throughout the course.

• Oct 02, 2025 to Dec 11, 2025 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (10 sessions total), Thursday
• Fee: $230
• Item: 40360
• There will be no class 11/27.
  Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Fall CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.
  Supplies are required for this class. Click for your class supplies here.
  Mapand directions to locate your classroom

Abstract Oils with Cold Wax Medium and Mixed Media

Discover a new creative medium when you combine the classic, rich surfaces of oil painting with the translucent depth and varied textures of cold wax. Exploring these mediums along with acrylic, charcoal, pastels, and ink, including collage, we experiment, discover and learn new ways to give expression to our inner landscape of forms and color.

• Oct 03, 2025 to Dec 12, 2025 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (11 sessions total), Friday
• Fee: $380
• Item: 40358

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.
  Supplies are required for this class.
  Map and directions to locate your classroom.

Charcoal Drawing

Explore the basics of realism charcoal drawing in this beginner-friendly class. We’ll cover both reduction and additive techniques, focusing on drawing from observation and photo references. You'll master the manipulation of light and shadow by exploring different applications. The course will also introduce realism rendering techniques, emphasizing attention to detail, line, shape, value, and texture. Open to all skill levels.

This class is already in session. Please contact our office at conted@seattlecolleges.edu or 206-934-3705 to inquire about late registration.

Charcoal Drawing

Explore the basics of realism charcoal drawing in this beginner-friendly class. We’ll cover both reduction and additive techniques, focusing on drawing from observation and photo references. You'll master the manipulation of light and shadow by exploring different applications. The course will also introduce realism rendering techniques, emphasizing attention to detail, line, shape, value, and texture. Open to all skill levels.

• Oct 07, 2025 to Oct 21, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm (3 sessions total), Tuesday
• Fee: $105
• Item: 41347

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this class. Click for your class supplies here.

Explore the Mysteries of Color

Are you an artist or designer seeking more understanding of color or a homeowner choosing new paint colors? Does color fascinate or intimidate you? Learn how and why colors change, disappear, or vibrate and enhance each other – and why some don’t! This class will expand your color awareness and help you choose colors with confidence. Featuring hands-on experiments and at-home color studies, we use Coloraid, a ready-made palette of 314 colored papers, for exploring color interactions and effects. Bring your 4.5"x6" Coloraid (314 Sheets) to the first class. A supply list will be provided. No art experience needed; all levels and media are welcome.

• Sep 30, 2025 to Nov 11, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm (6 sessions total), Tuesday
• Fee: $175
• Item: 40670

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this class. Check them out here.

   

Jazz and the Visual Arts: Painting Music

Jazz had an incredible impact on the visual arts during the twentieth century. The jazz performances of the Albert Ammons Trio delighted Piet Mondrian and influenced his painting, “Broadway Boogie Woogie.” We will begin with the early modernism in jazz and art and progress chronologically to include contemporary developments. Through listening to the various styles of jazz as we examine representative art, we will explore the parallels and connections between the two modernist forms. Starting with a brief discussion of the collaboration between Wassily Kandinsky and his theories of sound and color and Arnold Schoenberg and his modernist atonal music, we will progress to the development of the ragtime and blues and proceed to early New Orleans Jazz, Swing, Bebop, and Fusion, as we identify similarities in American and European abstract painting. Included will be jazz greats from Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Mary Lou Williams; as well as the contributions of George and Ira Gershwin, Esperanza Spaulding, and singers Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, June Christy, and Samara Joy. Artists include Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, Deborah Remington, Norman Lewis, Alma Thomas, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Stuart Davis, and Romare Bearden. American modern artist Abraham Walkowitz, a contemporary of photographer Alfred Stieglitz commented on the connection between music and art, “Abstract art…is a universal language, and dwells in the realm of music with equivalent emotion. Its melody is attuned to the receptive eye as music is to the ear.” Throughout our six-week journey together, we will swing to the “Fascinating Rhythm” of music and art.

• Sep 29, 2025 to Nov 03, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (6 sessions total), Monday
• Fee: $140
• Item: 40811

Oil Painting for Beginners

In this class students learn the fundamentals of painting with oils, gaining a knowledge of the materials and a range of approaches both historical and contemporary. Through assignments based in observation, students will explore basic concepts of painting such as composing with color, value, gesture, shape, and line, as well as different ways of applying paint to canvas, panel, and paper with brush and palette knife. Students will learn how to create and work from a still-life, self-portrait, as well as from each other. 

• Sep 30, 2025 to Dec 09, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (10 sessions total), Tuesday
• Fee: $360
• Item: 40362

• There will be no class 11/11.

  Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Fall CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this class.

  Map and directions to locate your classroom

Figure Drawing

Discover the fundamentals of figure drawing in this dynamic class, where we'll explore both observational accuracy and conceptual interpretation of the human form. Rooted in classical drawing techniques, this course will emphasize traditional methods of measuring proportion, constructing the figure with geometric forms, and refining drawings through careful attention to light, shadow, and edge quality. You'll learn to build the body from the inside out—starting with internal structures like the skeleton and layering external forms. We’ll also examine different ways to interpret the figure, encouraging you to push beyond naturalism and develop your own visual relationship with the human form. Open to all skill levels!

• Oct 03, 2025 to Nov 21, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (8 sessions total), Friday
• Fee: $190
• Item: 41348

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this class.

Fall at Seattle Art Galleries

What better way to celebrate the abundant display of vibrant fall colors than to explore the diverse art exhibited in Seattle galleries. We will meet weekly at local art galleries to hear talks, ask questions, and peruse the space. Following each visit, we will gather for afternoon coffee to discuss the work and share interests. A sampling of galleries includes Greg Kucera, Foster/White, ArtX Contemporary, Stonington, J. Rinehart, Azuma, Patricia Rovzar, Steinbrueck Native Gallery, Woodside/Braseth, Harris/Harvey, and the Seattle Art Museum Gallery. Whether you are a seasoned gallery visitor or a newcomer, please join us to experience this harbinger of fall through the varietal art scene in Seattle.

• Oct 01, 2025 to Nov 05, 2025 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm (6 sessions total), Wednesday
• Fee: $140
• Item: 40803
• Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the field trips.

Watercolors for Beginners

Watercolor is one of the most versatile and approachable painting mediums. In this introductory course we’ll be exploring what the medium can do. We’ll experiment with watercolors and learn how to blend colors, layer, and play with other materials like sugar and soap to achieve different effects. This class will focus on basic techniques so that you walk away with a solid foundation to take to your next fabulous artwork!

This class is already in session. Please contact our office at conted@seattlecolleges.edu or 206-934-3705 to inquire about late registration.

Watercolors for Beginners

Watercolor is one of the most versatile and approachable painting mediums. In this introductory course we’ll be exploring what the medium can do. We’ll experiment with watercolors and learn how to blend colors, layer, and play with other materials like sugar and soap to achieve different effects. This class will focus on basic techniques so that you walk away with a solid foundation to take to your next fabulous artwork!

• Oct 04, 2025 to Oct 25, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (4 sessions total), Saturday
• Fee: $95
• Item: 39844

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this class.

  Students are encouraged to bring a lunch as the MicroMarket is closed on weekends.

Mixed Media Self Abstraction

Discover your own creative language and use it to develop your artistic practice. In this class we will use multiple mediums and learn new techniques to push ourselves in exploring self-expression. This class is perfect for someone who has taken abstract art classes before and is wondering "What next?". We will combine mediums: watercolor, acrylic, collage, pencil, oil pastel, and ink. We will explore the use of symbols, written words, texture, drawing and the use of representational images. The goal of this class is to access ourselves as a source for expression; to find an abstract narrative that resonates with you. 2D abstract class experience is helpful. 

• Oct 15, 2025 to Dec 10, 2025 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (8 sessions total), Wednesday
• Fee: $280
• Item: 39842

• There will be no class 11/26
  Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.
  Supplies are required for this class.
  Map and directions to locate your classroom. 
  There is a $10 cash fee due to the teacher at the start of class to cover various painting supplies such as paints and glue.

Calligraphy for Beginners and Beyond

Improve your handwriting and explore the art of calligraphy in this hands-on, 12-hour workshop. Over three Saturdays, you’ll learn to use calligraphy tools and materials to create beautiful, practical lettering. We’ll cover two distinct styles and work on projects you can use in everyday life. Perfect for beginners or those with some experience, this class will help you build skills and confidence while creating work you’re proud of.

• Oct 25, 2025 to Nov 08, 2025 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (3 sessions total), Saturday
• Fee: $150
• Item: 40921

• $25 for supplies provided by instructor. See what you get here.

  Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

Winter Watercolor Pop-Up Cards

Bring your watercolor paintings to life, literally! In this fun and festive class, you’ll explore winter-themed watercolor illustration alongside the art of paper engineering to create unique pop-up cards. We’ll dive into a variety of watercolor techniques and drawing skills to design charming seasonal scenes. Then, you’ll learn clever folding and paper mechanics to transform your artwork into delightful 3D creations that surprise and delight. Let’s make artwork that truly pops off the page!

• Nov 24, 2025 to Dec 15, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm (4 sessions total), Monday
• Fee: $125
• Item: 39843
• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.
  Supplies are required for this course.

Abstract Gelli Printing and Collage

Explore the fascinating world of abstract collage and gelli plate printing in this dynamic beginner's course. Designed for those eager to unleash their creativity, this class blends traditional and modern techniques to create stunning, one-of-a-kind artworks using a gelli plate, acrylic paint, and paper. Delve into the vibrant realm of gelli plate printing, where spontaneity meets technique. Learn the basics of creating monoprints using gelli plates, exploring methods to transfer intricate patterns and textures onto paper. Develop skills in color mixing and layering to produce captivating prints that reflect your individual style. Throughout the course, you will receive personalized guidance and constructive feedback, empowering you to refine your techniques and build confidence in your artistic journey. Whether you are a seasoned artist looking to expand your repertoire or a newcomer eager to explore mixed media, this course offers a nurturing environment to cultivate your creativity and create compelling abstract artworks through collage and gelli plate printing.

• Oct 15, 2025 to Dec 10, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (8 sessions total), Wednesday
• Fee: $280
• Item: 39840

• There will be no class 11/25

  Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this class.

  Map and directions to locate your classroom.

  There is a $10 cash fee due to the teacher at the start of class to cover various painting supplies such as paints and glue.

Screenprinting: Techniques for All Levels

Explore the possibilities of screen printing on paper and other flat surfaces. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to prepare screens and create stencils using paper, photo emulsion, and screen filler with drawing fluid. We’ll cover key tools and techniques, including methods for registering colors and developing original designs. You'll work with water-based inks and experiment with photographic, reductive, and drawing approaches. Class is open to all skill levels. 

• Oct 27, 2025 to Dec 15, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm (8 sessions total), Monday
• Fee: $375
• Item: 41381

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this class.

Introduction to Zine Making

Create your own zine and explore the art of DIY self-publishing. In this hands-on class, you’ll experiment with storytelling and self-expression through words and images. You’ll also learn practical techniques for crafting zines from everyday materials, focusing on simple, creative methods to bring your ideas to life. Perfect for beginners and those looking to reconnect with the zine-making process, this class offers a relaxed space to make something that’s entirely your own.

• Oct 10, 2025 to Nov 21, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm (7 sessions total), Friday
• Fee: $140
• Item: 39849

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies will be discussed in class.

Memory Drawing with Ink

Explore how memory shapes the way we see and interpret the landscape. In this class, you’ll experiment with ink, watercolor, and collage to create works that reflect your experience of a place, a moment in time or an accumulation of observations over time. The fluidity of the materials encourages play and creative invention. This class is open to all skill levels. If you’re looking for a place to start, or you already sketch outdoors and want to build on your work, you will be welcomed! Along the way, we’ll look at artists who use memory in their process and keep a sketchbook to support our own image making. 

• Oct 15, 2025 to Dec 17, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (10 sessions total), Wednesday
• Fee: $360
• Item: 40361

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Fall CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this class.

Introduction to Gouache

Gouache is a favorite medium of illustrators and animators, but it's something that many people may not have used before. If you enjoy watercolor or acrylic painting, gouache is the perfect addition to your kit. Join me on to learn a little about the history of this versatile paint and how you can use it and combine it with other paints to make your own gorgeous illustrations and paintings.

• Nov 01, 2025 to Nov 22, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (4 sessions total), Saturday
• Fee: $95
• Item: 41190

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.
  Supplies are required for this class.
  Students are encouraged to bring a lunch as the MicroMarket is closed on weekends.

Watercoloring Butterflies & Moths

Come to this 6-week watercolor adventure where butterflies and moths take center stage! Perfect for beginners and intermediate artists alike, this class combines the delicate beauty of nature with the expressive magic of watercolor. You’ll learn how to draw realistic butterflies and moths from multiple angles and then bring them to life with luminous color and texture. Along the way, you’ll explore how to build depth with watercolor layering, create volume and shadow, and master techniques for painting fine details like delicate wings and fuzzy bodies. We’ll also dive into tricks for capturing iridescence and playing with creative backgrounds. Whether you’re new to watercolor or just want to improve your skills, this class will help you grow your talent while celebrating the natural world, one wing at a time!

• Oct 13, 2025 to Nov 17, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm (6 sessions total), Monday
• Fee: $185
• Item: 41188

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this course.

Still-Life in Acrylic

Learn to paint realistic still lifestyles using acrylic and build a foundation in key painting techniques. You’ll work on a mix of quick studies and longer projects throughout the quarter. Basic drawing and painting experience is helpful but not required. This class is open to beginners and experienced painters alike. By the end of the class, you’ll have more confidence in color mixing and realistic painting methods. Lessons will also include tips on tools and supplies. 

• Oct 03, 2025 to Nov 21, 2025 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (8 sessions total), Friday
• Fee: $280
• Item: 41344

• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Summer CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.

  Supplies are required for this class.

Natural Dyes, Making a Sustainable Studio

Students will explore the art and nature of using plant-based materials to create vibrant, eco-friendly dyes. Over consecutive classes, participants will learn the fundamentals of scouring, mordanting, and dyeing various fibers with natural materials like turmeric, avocado pits, and cochineal. The course will include hands-on activities such as immersion dyeing, shibori resist techniques, and eco-printing, with a focus on sustainable practices and the history behind each dye source. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of natural dyes, how to apply them creatively, and how to integrate sustainable studio practices into their work. 

• Oct 02, 2025 to Nov 20, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm (8 sessions total), Thursday
• Fee: $275
• Item: 41356
• Students enrolled in this class are invited to participate in our Fall CE Student Art Show. Visit our Art Show page for more details.
  Map and directions to locate your classroom.
  Supplies are required for this course.
  There are textbooks required for this course:
  Jenny Dean. Wild Colour
  • Jim Liles. The Art and Craft of Natural Dyeing - Traditional Recipes for Modern Use
  • Dominique Cardon. Natural Dyes: Sources, Tradition, Technology and Science
  • Joy Boutrup, Catharine Ellis. The Art and Science of Natural Dyes: Principles, Experiments, and Results

Landscapes in Watercolor

Elevate your watercolor skills and embark on a captivating journey through the world of landscape painting in this intermediate class! Dive into the exploration of texture, colors, and compositional challenges. Through hands-on exercises, you'll practice watercolor techniques, ultimately discovering your personal direction in the realm of watercolor landscapes.

This class is already in session. Please contact our office at conted@seattlecolleges.edu or 206-934-3705 to inquire about late registration.

Landscape Drawing 2

If you love exploring the natural world during the summer months and have had some experience with drawing OR painting with oils you might be interested in this combined course.  We will make weekly outings into the immediate landscape of the North Seattle Campus and adjacent wetlands and garden areas, learning new techniques to record what we observe outdoors. We will look at examples of landscape drawing throughout art history for inspiration and contemporary work that explores the potential to abstract from the landscape we perceive. Students may choose to draw or paint through the 8 sessions, or end up doing a bit of both. This class involves walking short distances carrying materials, so dress, accordingly, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a backpack or bag.

This class is already in session. Please contact our office at conted@seattlecolleges.edu or 206-934-3705 to inquire about late registration.

Watercoloring Garden Veggies and Fruit

As gardens come to life, it's the perfect time to capture their beauty in watercolor! Join us for this 6-week class where you'll learn to paint vibrant produce and fruits. Designed for beginners to intermediate artists, this course will teach you how to: develop a harmonious color palette, master techniques for creating realistic depictions of veggies and fruit, an understanding of how light and shadow reveal form, and how to create dynamic and engaging compositions. You’ll paint from live specimens to enhance your observational and visual interpretation skills. Come celebrate the season by painting the bounty of summer!

This class is already in session. Please contact our office at conted@seattlecolleges.edu or 206-934-3705 to inquire about late registration.