​Bristol Art Museum Announces Winter Classes

BRISTOL, Rhode Island—The Bristol Art Museum offers several classes this winter to provide experienced and new artists and others opportunities to expand their craft and talents. All classes are held in person at the Museum, 10 Wardwell Street, and include discounts for Museum members.

For additional information, please visit the Museum’s website or email classes@bristolartmuseum.org

Negative Painting and Lost Edges
Thursday, December 5 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fee: $40 Members/ $45 Non-Members
Watercolor is a transparent medium; mastering negative painting is critical to creating depth and dimension. In this session, students will explore making lighter elements stand out by applying darker hues around them. We'll also demonstrate techniques for softening and 'losing' edges, seamlessly blending them into the background for a more natural and integrated look.
Those interested in this class may register here.

Masking Fluid, Reserving The White and Textures
Thursday, December 12 |10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fee: $40 Members/ $45 Non-Members
This lesson will focus on using masking fluid to preserve the white areas of the painting, allowing washes to flow freely without affecting the main subject. Students will gradually build up the painting using various techniques such as salt application, scraping, and dry brushing to create texture and depth.
Those interested in this class may register here.

Warm Winter Palette
Thursday, December 19 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fee: $40 Members/ $45 Non-Members
Using a limited palette is crucial to prevent a painting from becoming muddled or unclear. In this lesson, we’ll explore mixing transparent and opaque pigments while developing a cohesive color palette to create a warm, vibrant winter scene.
Those interested in this class may register here.

Oil and Acrylics - Optical vs. Conceptual: Translating Photos into Paintings with Bill McLane
Fridays, January 17, 24, 31, & February 7 | 1 to 3 p.m.
Fee: $140 Members/$180 Non-Members
Many artists rely on photographs as references for their paintings, but photos often fail to translate directly into compelling artworks. This is because photographs are flat, two-dimensional, and monoscopic—captured through a single lens, lacking the depth and dimension we naturally perceive with two eyes.

Unlike a camera, we see the world stereoscopically, with depth and spatial relationships. The challenge for an artist is to transform a flat, two-dimensional photo into a three-dimensional image on the canvas. The photo serves as a starting point—a reference to visual reality—but remains optical. The painting, on the other hand, is conceptual.

In this workshop, we’ll explore using photos to enhance and develop a creative vision for the canvas. Instead of being constrained by a photograph's “freeze-dried” reality, we will focus on building a strong conceptual framework for the painting before the brush ever touches the canvas.
By learning to bridge the gap between the optical and the conceptual, participants will discover how to bring depth, dimension, and creativity to their artwork. This is the essence of the workshop.
Those interested in this class may register here.

Porcelain Jewelry with Cindy Gordon
Saturday, February 22 | 1 to 4 p.m.
Fee: $130 Members/ $140 Non-Members
Individuals are invited to unlock their creativity and join us at Bristol Art Museum for this special one-day workshop where they will craft up to 3 heirloom-worthy porcelain jewelry pieces! Whether individuals are novices or just looking to try something new, this class is perfect for all skill levels! In this hands-on workshop, participants will:

• Master the ancient art of sgraffito to add intricate designs and patterns to your pendants and pieces.
• Learn hand-building techniques to shape and mold your creations.
• Enjoy personalized guidance in a creative and supportive environment.

Finished pieces will be lovingly bisque and clear glaze fired by our expert instructor, then carefully gift-wrapped.
Those interested in this class may register here.