Creative Classes

Class Description:

In Watercolor: The Rocky Mountain Landscape students will follow in the footsteps of artists who have captured the landscapes of the Rocky Mountains both on location, en plein air as well as in the studio. Students will learn fundamental landscape painting skills such as perspective of the landscape, value structures in the landscape, and color theory while studying excellent examples from the Denver Art Museum’s collections. Students will gain a great foundation for lifelong appreciation of landscape painting, particularly of the Rocky Mountains!

What to Expect:

Students will be exposed to watercolor materials and techniques through demonstrations. The main emphasis of the class will be learning and building fundamental landscape painting skills. Students will learn the basis of technique in this workshop in order to go forward exploring the wonderful medium of watercolor. Students will practice techniques in the classroom setting and visit the Western American Collection of the DAM to see examples of how artists use the fundamentals of landscape painting to create original works.

Educator Bio:

J.R. Monks is a contemporary visual storyteller of the West. He works both directly in the field and in his studio and strives to be honest and bold in his approach creating images that speak to the beauty, grit, and spectacle of the Western United States. J.R. is a 4th generation Colorado rancher and maintains a studio in his small hometown on the eastern plains near the ranch where he was born and continues to live. J.R. feels a deep connection to the landscape and those who live closely in harmony with her, and his art is a humble homage to the infinite complexity of nature. J.R. is a Signature member of the Montana and Colorado Watercolor Societies, with his work included regularly in juried shows across the country.

https://www.jrmonks.com/

Refund and Class Cancellation Policy:

The Denver Art Museum adheres to a no-refund, no-exchange policy. If you are unable to attend, please consider your payment a tax-deductible donation.

If a class or workshop is cancelled by the Denver Art Museum due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a make-up day will be scheduled on a FRIDAY or SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Accessibility Statement:

To request large print materials, a sign language interpreter, CART or any other accessibility service, please email Access@DenverArtMuseum.org at least ten (10) business days in advance of the program. We will make every effort to provide accommodation for requests made outside of that window of time.

Please see further information about accessibility, parking, and directions to the DAM here: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/accessibility

Class Description:

In this course, students will explore both expressive and representational techniques in watercolor. Using seasonal, botanical subjects such as branches and flowers, students will complete drawings that incorporate texture, color, and depth. Students will learn a variety of water media techniques including mixing colors, creating washes, and building transparent vs. opaque layers. Through instruction and gallery visits, students will connect to works in the DAM’s Arts of Asia Collection and look at contemporary uses of watercolor in the DAM’s Modern and Contemporary Collection, including drawings by Los Carpinteros and Laura Ball.

What to Expect:

This class welcomes both beginners and students who have some drawing or painting experience. Students will visit the galleries together to discuss water media work in the DAM's collections and then spend time learning new techniques in small studies in the classroom. They will then use these new approaches in a larger, finished drawing from observation of botanical subjects. Students will have the option to work outdoors from life in the Sensory Garden or focus indoors on seasonal flowers, branches and leaves.

Educator Bio:

Mindy Bray is a painter and muralist based in Denver, CO. Her work investigates the intersection of natural and built environments through pattern, reduction, and physical space. Bray earned her Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Iowa in 2005 and has taught drawing and foundations at the University of Denver and Metropolitan State University. Her work has been exhibited nationally at galleries including Goodwin Fine Art, Rule Gallery, Ironton, and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art. She has been featured in New American Paintings, The Denver Post, Modern in Denver magazine, art ltd., and Luxe Interiors and Design. Bray’s public commissions include permanent works at the Westin Hotel at Denver International Airport and the Colorado Convention Center, and her private commissions can be found in commercial and residential spaces throughout Denver. Bray is a current member of Tank Studios and serves on the board of Tilt West.

https://www.mindybray.com/

Refund and Class Cancellation Policy:

The Denver Art Museum adheres to a no-refund, no-exchange policy. If you are unable to attend, please consider your payment a tax-deductible donation.

If a class or workshop is cancelled by the Denver Art Museum due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a make-up day will be scheduled on a FRIDAY or SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Accessibility Statement:

To request large print materials, a sign language interpreter, CART or any other accessibility service, please email Access@DenverArtMuseum.org at least ten (10) business days in advance of the program. We will make every effort to provide accommodation for requests made outside of that window of time.

Please see further information about accessibility, parking, and directions to the DAM here: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/accessibility