Plaza Artist Materials & Picture Framing Classes, Washington DC

Learn the basics of operating an airbrush with basic airbrush techniques. Students will handle several types of airbrushes and discover the difference between single and double action. A combination of demonstrations and hands-on techniques will be used to teach color mixing, blending, mixed media, stenciling, and how to use different surfaces. All...

Build on the wire sculpting workshop and use your three-dimensional figure as an armature and applying clay over your wire figure to create a professional looking traditional sculpture.

We will be sculpting animals and humans out of 18- or 20-gauge wire, a perfect medium for small to medium size sculptures. We will mostly concentrate on the technique of making three-dimensional wire figures that can stand alone as sculptures

Come discover the joy of painting landscapes in acrylic! We will explore color choices, painting approaches, and acrylic techniques in 2D and 3D. We will discuss options for Plein Air as well.  All levels welcome. Bring a reference photo or use one of the teachers.

Come discover the joy of painting landscapes in watercolor! We will explore color choices, painting approaches, watercolor mixing, and textural techniques. We will discuss options for Plein Air as well.  All levels welcome. Bring a reference photo or use one of the teachers.

Need help with your DIY framing projects? Come by The Picture Framing Studio. We will have mat cutters and other specialized framing tools for you to use for fitting as well as the knowledge and support of a seasoned professional. Instructor will be available for advice and instruction on mat cutting, mounting and fitting techniques....

Learn to create clean, vibrant, dark colors to give your watercolors an extra glow and how proper mixing helps add dynamism to your work. Taught by the lead teacher of the Washington Metropolitan Artist Society. All supplies provided.

Come learn how to use watercolor pencils! Whether you want to use them on their own or combine them with watercolor or in a mixed media collage, watercolor pencils have a lot to offer. They are convenient, portable, and flexible. We will explore many techniques for using them. We will also discuss papers and supports. All supplies provided.

Take your watercolors to the next level! Come learn how to use watercolor mediums! Learn what each one does and when to use them. From thin to thick and smooth to sparkly, there is bound to be one for you. We will experiment, create a reference sheet, and use them in a project. All supplies provided.

Explore memories and ideas for making pictures and symbol imagery that can be fitted together, forming a playful composition by drawing and painting inside, outside, or perhaps all around the Alphabet Letter(s) that you invent. This class is an adventure for individuals to invent, taking from within themselves a story to be told through fanciful, colorful...

What is “Brush Lettering?” Brush lettering is beautiful hand lettering that looks like calligraphy, but is created with a brush pen rather than a dip pen and ink. Brush pens provide a great way to get started with brush/hand lettering without the messy cleanup of traditional calligraphy.  Heather will teach you how to create beautiful and...

Marbling is a fun art with an infinite variety of patterns and color combinations. The process is simple and in addition to bookbinding, marbled papers can be used for picture framing, placemats, notecards, desk sets, collages, origami, lampshades, and for covering just about anything such as boxes and cans. This workshop is a challenge of artistic...

Learn to paint roses, America’s favorite flower, in simplistic strokes with watercolor and white gouache on rice paper in which every stroke becomes a petal or leaf.

Even the mere word “perspective” frightens many beginning or would-be artists, who’ve heard tales of how difficult it is to master this tool basic to success in almost any form of in-depth picture-making technique. Surprise!!! Any reasonably intelligent person with good hand-and-eye coordination can learn this skill through practice and by applying...

Come discover the joy of water-mixable oils! All the easy rework ability of oils and none of the mess! We will explore different approaches to using this versatile paint as well as what mediums to use with it.  All levels welcome!