If you have painted in watercolors before and want to jump to the next level while painting with a supportive group to go deeper into your work, we will paint and discuss the works developed in the class to ask questions and share thoughts. Composition, value study, and texture will be discussed. This class will include painting from references of places you love, some still life work from your own keepsakes, and perhaps painting outside when the weather permits. This is an in-person class; makeup class, if needed, 01/28/25.

Watercolor Materials list available here soon. 

Mary Laury served as the founding Executive Director of Schoodic Arts for All, an award-winning non-profit organization celebrating the arts and culture in Downeast Maine for over 20 years. The botanical subjects and dynamic nature of Maine are Mary's passions. An experienced teacher, she has taught painting and drawing in classrooms and in the field for many programs throughout her career, and has been recognized for her work by the Maine Arts Commission. 

Learn to capture the human figure as it naturally moves through urban spaces. In this class, students will develop skills in quick sketching, capturing movement, and conveying mood and atmosphere by observing people in public settings—parks, cafés, streets and work sites.

In addition to live observations, we will also draw from online resources, personal sketches, and photos to further enrich our study. We will explore how to incorporate figures into compelling compositions that reflect the energy and narrative of urban life.

This class welcomes artists of all levels, offering a supportive environment to enhance your figure drawing abilities.  This an in-person class

Urban Sketching Materials List:

• Pencils and eraser 
• Portable sketchbook: A pocket-size or medium sketchbook. You can find a 9x11" mixed media pad at Reny's for $6.99 (optional). I use either a pocket-size sketchbook or I divide a 9x11" into four sections. 
• Newsprint or any paper : Newsprint for quick sketches (12 x 18) , or 8.5x11" printing paper works fine.  
• Fineliner 0.2 or 0.3: Waterproof ink preferred. A pen and ink can also work, but fineliners are easier to carry. We’ll discuss other options like fountain pens.  
• Portable stool.  
• Weather gear: Hooded sweater (for wind), cap (for sun), sunscreen.  
• Watercolors: Reny's has a $2.99 student-grade watercolor set, which is good for washes (see below). 
• Palette or plastic plate (You can use recycled plastic containers as well)   
• A container for water   
• Brush: The larger the better. Watercolor synthetic brushes #10 or #12, or a Chinese calligraphy brush works as well.   

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I'll also bring extra materials for you to try and decide what works best. Reny's Art and Craft section carries the brand "Sargent" watercolors for $2.99—make sure it says "watercolor."

France Hilbert has taught classes at College of the Atlantic since 2018. She is a professional artist and art educator with an extensive resume of training and experience including major commissions and installations. Her artistic education began at the age of seven, when she was taught by her grandfather, the late artist Jaro Hilbert. From him, she received a thorough education in the classical tradition. She pursued her formal education at the National Fine Art Academy of Paris, France, (ENSBA), was an artist in residence in Copenhagen, studied German Expressionism in Berlin, and traveled extensively to paint and study around Europe and abroad. At the Art Students League of New York, she received a Merit Scholarship to master portraiture in painting and completed a Certificate in Sculpture. She was selected for “Model to Monument”, a sculpture program at The Academy of Art, Newington Cropsey Foundation, Hastings on Hudson, NY and received an Edward G. McDowell Travel Grant from the Art Students League of New York. Of her many public and private commissions, some are permanent installations. “Talma”, a 7-foot bronze sculpture is installed in the public square of the Theatre of the Valley of L’Yerres, in Brunoy, France. A pair of 4-foot bronze relief sculptures entitled ”The Calling” are installed at the Georgetown University Medical School building in Washington, DC.

You can learn to paint just like Bob Ross does on TV - in a few hours! Classes are suited for beginners; you need no previous experience to attend. Annette Babcock is a Certified Ross instructor® and is certified to teach the Ross Landscape Method®.  

Purple Splendor is from Joy of Painting ® Season 4 Episode 1.  We will create an elegant night scene on a 16 x 20 canvas using a limited palette of 4 colors.  We will create some "happy little trees" as Bob said and also discover the secret to easy reflections.  Genuine Bob Ross Inc ® materials are used and provided.  Students are asked to bring a roll of paper towels for their personal use.  This is an in-person class.

Students will learn the fundamentals of portrait drawing. You will study individual features, learn proportions, and anatomical structure.  You will be challenged to make decisions as you work to express your perspective and personal interpretation, culminating in a life-size portrait. This class will also involve sketching from a live model, drawing the full forms, learning about movement, volume, and composition.  This is an in-person class.  No class 02/19/25; makeup class, if needed, 03/19/25.

For supplies, we will use large drawing pads, pencils, pens and charcoal.  

France Hilbert has taught classes at College of the Atlantic since 2018. She is a professional artist and art educator with an extensive resume of training and experience including major commissions and installations. Her artistic education began at the age of seven, when she was taught by her grandfather, the late artist Jaro Hilbert. From him, she received a thorough education in the classical tradition. She pursued her formal education at the National Fine Art Academy of Paris, France, (ENSBA), was an artist in residence in Copenhagen, studied German Expressionism in Berlin, and traveled extensively to paint and study around Europe and abroad. At the Art Students League of New York, she received a Merit Scholarship to master portraiture in painting and completed a Certificate in Sculpture. She was selected for “Model to Monument”, a sculpture program at The Academy of Art, Newington Cropsey Foundation, Hastings on Hudson, NY and received an Edward G. McDowell Travel Grant from the Art Students League of New York. Of her many public and private commissions, some are permanent installations. “Talma”, a 7-foot bronze sculpture is installed in the public square of the Theatre of the Valley of L’Yerres, in Brunoy, France. A pair of 4-foot bronze relief sculptures entitled ”The Calling” are installed at the Georgetown University Medical School building in Washington, DC.

Watercolor Painting is an exciting medium; it flows and moves and does beautiful things. Instructor Mary Laury has been recognized for her work by the Maine Arts Commission.  Participants will do landscapes and seascapes in this 4-session course. If you have never painted in watercolors we will start at the beginning. If you have painted before, you may pick up some new tips and tricks as well. We all learn together!   This is an in-person course; makeup class, if needed, 03/04/25.

The supply list will be available here soon. 

Mary Laury served as the founding Executive Director of Schoodic Arts for All, an award winning non-profit organization celebrating the arts and culture in Downeast Maine for over 20 years. The botanical subjects and dynamic nature of Maine are Mary's passions. An experienced teacher, she has taught painting and drawing in classrooms and in the field for many programs throughout her career.

If you have painted in watercolors before and want to jump to the next level while painting with a supportive group to go deeper into your work, we will paint and discuss the works developed in the class to ask questions and share thoughts. Composition, value study, and texture will be discussed. This class will include painting from references of places you love, some still life work from your own keepsakes, and perhaps painting outside when the weather permits. This is an in-person class; makeup class, if needed, 03/04/25.

Watercolor Painting Class materials list.

Mary Laury served as the founding Executive Director of Schoodic Arts for All, an award winning non-profit organization celebrating the arts and culture in Downeast Maine for over 20 years. The botanical subjects and dynamic nature of Maine are Mary's passions. An experienced teacher, she has taught painting and drawing in classrooms and in the field for many programs throughout her career.

You can draw! Anyone can learn to draw. This 4-week class will teach you how to draw what you see. This class will give you a jump start to drawing accurately and give you confidence to draw for pleasure or as a base for your painting. Get ready for a whole world of seeing details that you have never noticed before!  This is a live, online class using ZOOM.​ 

Makeup class, if needed, 03/04/25.

For supplies, you will need a pencil, eraser, Sharpie, page protector, ruler and paper.  Mary uses computer paper but a sketch book is fine. 

​Mary Laury served as the founding Executive Director of Schoodic Arts for All, an award winning non-profit organization celebrating the arts and culture in Downeast Maine for over 20 years. The botanical subjects and dynamic nature of Maine are Mary's passions. An experienced teacher, she has taught painting and drawing in classrooms and in the field for many programs throughout her career.

In this 8-week course, participants will sculpt a three-quarter-size clay portrait of someone they know, using photographs from various angles. The class will focus on the anatomy of the head, studying proportions and facial features while exploring techniques to capture expression and character. Drawing exercises will complement the sculpting process, enhancing understanding of structure and form.  This is an in-person class.  No class 02/18/24; makeup class, if needed, 04/08/25.

France Hilbert has taught classes at College of the Atlantic since 2018. She is a professional artist and art educator with an extensive resume of training and experience including major commissions and installations. Her artistic education began at the age of seven, when she was taught by her grandfather, the late artist Jaro Hilbert. From him, she received a thorough education in the classical tradition. She pursued her formal education at the National Fine Art Academy of Paris, France, (ENSBA), was an artist in residence in Copenhagen, studied German Expressionism in Berlin, and traveled extensively to paint and study around Europe and abroad. At the Art Students League of New York, she received a Merit Scholarship to master portraiture in painting and completed a Certificate in Sculpture. She was selected for “Model to Monument”, a sculpture program at The Academy of Art, Newington Cropsey Foundation, Hastings on Hudson, NY and received an Edward G. McDowell Travel Grant from the Art Students League of New York. Of her many public and private commissions, some are permanent installations. “Talma”, a 7-foot bronze sculpture is installed in the public square of the Theatre of the Valley of L’Yerres, in Brunoy, France. A pair of 4-foot bronze relief sculptures entitled ”The Calling” are installed at the Georgetown University Medical School building in Washington, DC.