Virtual Arts Workshops

Painting Workshops with Chris Ferguson

Sampling Workshop: Saturday, July 25th, 2-4pm: This FREE introductory sample oil painting class on the zoom platform will focus on painting from life in your own home environment. Set up a still life, paint an interior scene of a favorite spot in your home, look out a nearby window and paint what you see outside, or – if you really want to get crazy! – you can even go outdoors on your property to paint. Details: HERE.

Extended Workshops: Saturdays 8/15 - 9/5, 2-4pm: Each week, this Zoom art class will focus on finding subjects of interest in and around your home. The class will meet on Saturdays, 2-5pm, from August 8th - August 29th. You can sign up for an individual workshop, a few, or all four! Each week the students will have the chance to focus on a specific area, as follows:

  • Week 1 (8/15): Look out your window and paint what you see outside.

  • Week 2 (8/22): Set up a simple still life

  • Week 3 (8/29): Choose an interior scene to paint in your house.

  • Week 4 (9/5): Your choice! Perhaps you'll even venture outside to paint plein-air?!

Chris will paint along with students, offering basic guidance, such as instruction on how to lay out a color pallet, color mixing, picking a good scene and setting up a basic still life, as well as different aspects of working with the oil paint medium.

Note: Preregistration is required for BOTH workshops. Register HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/painting-workshops-from-home-with-chris-ferguson-tickets-112899637856. Once your space is reserved through Eventrbite, you will then receive a link to also register via Zoom for a private link to join the class. The cost is $10 per class.

Eligibility: This workshop is open to all skill levels, from beginners and hobbyists, to those with ample experience. The course is intended for adults, though young adults, and mature teens, are also welcome.

MATERIALS LIST: Before class, please gather the below materials:

  • Canvas or canvas board (any size, though 8"x10" is recommended; 4 total, 1 for each week)

  • Brushes: ideally an assortment of Bristle and Taklon brushes in a variety of sizes

  • Basic set of oil paints, including: Titanium White, Ivory Black, Crimson Alizarin, Cadmium Red Hue, Yellow Ochre, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow Hue, Viridian Hue, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue Hue, Cobalt Blue Hue, Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Raw Umber

  • Pallette paper (Grey Matters Paper recommended)

  • Linseed Oil

  • Turpenoid

  • Two glass jars w/ lids (think, recycled salsa jar, etc. – baby food jars are the best)

  • Rags (1-2 old rags for cleaning and wiping brushes)

  • Easel (ideal, but not necessary)

  • Recommended: To prepare canvases, 1 small bottle of white gesso and sandpaper.

Note: If you would like to take the class, but acquiring the materials is a hardship, please reach out to: arteconinitiative@gmail.com.

About the Instructor: Chris Ferguson remembers enjoying drawing ever since he was a small child. During high school, he attended E.C.A. (Educational Center for the Arts) in New Haven, CT, an experience that he says allowed him to explore his creativity in new ways. He then went on to earn a degree in Illustration from Paier College of Art in Hamden, CT, with the intention of embarking on a career in children's book illustration. However, he quickly realized his heart belonged to fine art, and has been painting and exhibiting his work for the last 20+ years. His work has been shown in local venues in and around New Haven, including DaSilva Gallery and Kehler Liddell Gallery. Currently, his primary focus is on local scenery and landscapes.

Please Note: This workshop is presented by ArtEcon Initiative (www.ArtEconInitiative.org), whose mission is to produce free, or low cost, arts and community programs in the Westville-West Rock neighborhoods of New Haven, CT. If you have the means, we would be grateful for any and all additional contributions, so that we can continue to offer accessible programs to all.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! This workshop is made possible with support from the Pincus Family Foundation, NewAlliance Foundation, The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, the City of New Haven Mayor's Community Arts Grants, the State of Connecticut Office of the Arts, and Kehler Liddell Gallery.