Create in various mediums, using multiple techniques or subjects within a studio environment guided by adult art classes, workshops, or events face-to-face within a group setting.
Creativity takes courage!
Henri Matisse
In the Studio
"Studio Art Class" means working in a space with hands-on practice or training in the visual arts. Easels, tables, and chairs are usually provided with some art supplies or consumable materials.
Please help us create a respectful, safe, and supportive environment where we may all share information, discuss openly, or learn from one another.
Be respectful to all others. Disrespectful or rude behavior is not tolerated under any circumstances. We reserve the right to dismiss any student for misconduct or disruptive behavior without the obligation to issue a refund.
No judgment; everyone should feel free to ask questions or share their work without ridicule.
Do not disrupt discussions or lectures. Set up your studio equipment afterward, or wait until formal group discussions have ceased.
Turn off cell phones or put them on vibrate. If you need to take a call, please step outside the classroom so others can concentrate or hear the instructor.
Bring a willingness to learn or, at a minimum, a sense of humor. Attitude is everything!
We strive to maintain a respectful environment when working in the studio.
Painters, inkers, or printmakers are encouraged to use the provided drop cloths over tabletops or underneath their work or palettes.
Once you are done working for the day, please clean the areas where you have worked.
If you made a mess, no worries, but please clean it up. If you need help or cleaning supplies, just ask.
Do not leave the water turned on. Ensure the faucet is turned off after using any sink.
Studio Vocabulary
"The Arts" is a modern umbrella term for a broad category that includes some of the artist's disciplines, such as the performing arts, conceptual art, and the "visual arts." This consists of some vocabulary to get you acclimated.
The "Visual Arts" category includes fine art and applied decorative arts or crafts. Traditional 2D provides drawing, painting, design, printmaking, and calligraphy. Traditional 3D includes sculpture, metalsmithing, woodworking, jewelry making, origami, glass blowing, glass cutting or fusing, ceramics, monuments, and architecture. Modern includes assemblage, collage, mixed media, fiber art, photography, digital art, and installations.
"Studio Art" means working in a place set up for using art supplies or various materials.
A "Studio" is an artist or worker's personal workroom. Studios can be found in various locations, from commercial buildings to home garages. An art school or artist may rent or own them, ranging in size from small, intimate spaces to large, warehouse-like environments.
A single "studio" is an artist's or worker's workroom. The word 'studio' is derived from the Italian word that means to study: studio, from Latin: studium, from studere, meaning to examine.
An "Open Studio" is an environment where individuals work hands-on or independently to practice the Visual Arts within a group setting outside the structure of a formal class.
An Open Studio facilitates social learning and makes participants accountable for practicing or improving their visual art skills. This allows participants, when working with other creative individuals, to directly observe the work that others produce or see the process that was used firsthand.
Life Modeling or figure drawing, sometimes referred to as "Life Drawing Open Studio." allows students the opportunity to practice sketching, drawing, or painting outside of a formal class within a studio setting.
Figure or live model drawing is an academic tradition that evolved in the 18th century. Each session provides a live model where students may directly observe the human anatomy or anatomical features from life. A clothed, costumed, or nude model will pose for a set amount of time. A facilitator or moderator is always present and will set a timer for each pose.
Some life modeling or figure drawing classes are formally structured classes that may use a live model during the session and include a model fee.
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| Life Drawing Class from École des Beaux-Arts, French Art School |
The History
European artists began to form artistic academies in the Renaissance and early Baroque eras. From the establishment of the Accademia di San Luca in Rome in 1577 to the creation of the Académie de Peinture et de Sculpture in Paris in 1648, art academies rapidly developed from merely a network of artists to a relatively systematized sequence of training, where the study of the figure became more codified.
By the late 1700s life drawing was an integral part to studio practice at the Académie in Paris. Mastery in life drawing was considered a prerequisite to painting after Masters like Neoclassical painter Jacques Louis David, advocated for his students to draw from live models for the better part of each day.
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| Early Life Drawing Session, allowing women artists to participate |
Though men were given access to both male and female nudes, women were confined to learning anatomy from casts and models. It was not until 1893 that female students were allowed access to life drawing at the Royal Academy in London, and even then the model was required to be partially draped.
The Policy
There are strick policies when working with a live model, be sure to review the policy below before attending.
An Open Studio for Artists refers to an event inviting the general public to visit an individual artist's studio or group of artists exhibiting in one studio.
This event gives the artists a chance to show & sell their work while the public gets the unique opportunity to learn more about their creative process or the individual artist.
A group critique is a detailed analysis or evaluation of your work where other students and instructors provide position opinions and constructive feedback.
An individual or private critique is a detailed analysis or evaluation of your work where an instructor or mentor provides position opinions and constructive feedback directly to you in private.
An "Atelier" is a French word that translates to "workshop" or "studio" in English. It is commonly used in the art and fashion industries to describe a space where artists, designers, or craftsmen create their work.
In the past, training in the traditional visual arts was through a variation of an apprenticeship, a workshop system called an "Atelier" under a master artist, or, in modern times, through an art school or an art program under a university or college. However, in the 21st century, art education has forged a new path with various options, including in-person classes or online tutorials.
Studio Logistics
Studio art classes occur within a space where students work on their pieces under supervision from the instructor.
We are Tucson, Arizona's most memorable mobile art school. We rent spaces around Tucson, Arizona, or in the surrounding area.
We do not own a dedicated building. The registration or enrollment form will list the location for each event.
Click to visit the locations page for a list of all current locations.
A supply list or any materials are posted on the enrollment form.
If there is anything specific the instructor would like you to bring besides what was listed on the enrollment form, they will email you directly.
Expect this communication the week before the first class. Please check your spam folder for any communications from the instructor.
If you do not receive an email, all materials or supplies will be provided on the first day of class.
Consumable materials are available for experimentation. This includes paint, ink, glue, etc.
Wear comfortable shoes if you plan on standing at an easel. Depending on the medium, you may get dirty, so bring an apron or an old shirt suitable for getting stained, soiled, or ruined.
If you are taking an 'On Location' or Plein air class, bring a hat, plenty of water, and wear sunscreen or insect repellent. The instructor will email you the location, address, directions, or instructions the week before the class or workshop begins.
Shop Local Art Supplies
Most locally-owned art supply stores will give you a 20% discount if you are enrolled in an Art Verve Academy class. Be sure to inquire at check out. Some may ask for proof or the receipt of your enrollment.
We partner with local art suppliers in Arizona!
Partnerships are brokered between the Art Verve Academy and small businesses within Arizona to provide awareness, leverage collective resources, or introduce new products, materials, or art supplies. Our local promotional partners include:
In the Studio Policy
We strive to maintain a safe environment when using equipment or working in the studio. If you need clarification, just ask the instructor.
We strive to maintain a safe environment for all. If you need clarification, just ask. We are not responsible for injuries sustained due to careless or improper use of tools or equipment.
Please pay careful attention when using sharp tools, such as cutting tools, razor blades, or X-ACTO knives.
We follow Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) laws and regulations.
- Do NOT pour chemicals down the sink at any time or location.
- NO dumping chemicals in the storm sewers at any time or location.
- Any brush cleaning should be done in a janitorial sink or at home.
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Solvents
We do NOT allow Turpentine to be used or stored anywhere. It is a solvent used for thinning oil-based paints.
Instead, odorless minerals or white spirits must be used, a common organic solvent or petroleum-derived clear liquid, allowing oil painters to utilize traditional techniques without compromise. Gamblin Gamsol is recommended as one of the safest odorless mineral spirits.
Oily Rags
Dispose of oily paper towels or painter's rags in the red can marked for safe disposal of solvent-soaked materials. They are highly flammable and may ignite without a spark within severe heating conditions.
Oil Paints
To clean your palette, wipe any extra paint off with a paper towel and throw it in the red can marked for safe disposal of solvent-soaked materials.
Publicity Waiver
We retain the right to photograph or video any event, activity, or student work at its discretion without incurring obligations.
Unless informed otherwise, we will consider photographs or videos taken in class or any workshop permissible for publication for informational, marketing purposes, web, or social media.
No Photography of Nude Models
Live Model Nude Photography is NEVER allowed. Refer to the section on live models for more information on policy versus etiquette.
Find Reference Photographs
When working with reference photography, look for a Creative Commons license.
What is a Creative Commons License?
It is one of several public copyright licenses that enable the free distribution of an otherwise copyrighted "work." This license is used when an author wants to give others the right to share, use, and build upon a work they have created.
- Pixaby is a site that offers images that have a Creative Commons license.
- Unsplash has freely usable images powered by creators everywhere.
- MorgueFile free images for creatives, by creatives,
Copyright Laws
The general rule in copyright law is that the work's author is also the copyright owner. Photographers hired on an independent contractor basis or for a specific job are usually the copyright owners of the photographs, even if the pictures were taken for a client.
Policy
Life drawing sessions in class or by open studio has its one set of policies and etiquette.
DO NOT's
- NEVER touch the model or correct the model's pose.
- Photography is NEVER permitted during a nude session. Taking a shot of any model while posing nude is NOT allowed under any circumstance, with no exceptions, even if the model agrees! We will ask you to delete the image and leave it immediately.
Etiquette
Live Model Etiquette refers to some basic guidelines when working with a live model.
DO's
- Tip the model. It is encouraged. If you liked the model's poses or felt they did well, please tip them when the session ends.
- Be quiet while they are posing. Too much movement or noise makes it hard for them to hold the pose.
- Remember, the model is here to do a job. Please respect their break time and limit your conversations accordingly.
Situational Awareness
- Photography is ONLY permitted during a clothed or costumed session and at the model's discretion. If you want to take reference photographs of them, please ask them first! They may or may not charge a fee for each picture, as this is their profession, and they are entitled to do so.
