ART 101
For SRAL Members Only
Are you a beginning artist and want to learn the basics about different mediums, design, and color? Are you an artist that has wanted to learn a different medium? Then Art 101 is perfect for you. The Art 101 classes offered this fall and winter will be presented by SRAL members volunteering to share their time and expertise. If you have questions regarding any Art 101 classes contact Darilyn Ronn, Art 101 Co- Chairperson, at DarilynR@SantaRitaArt.org or Debra Nealy, Art 101 Co-Chairperson, at DebraN@SantaRitaArt.org. If you need to cancel a registration, contact Darilyn (DarilynR@SantaRitaArt.org) or Debra (DebraN@SantaRitaArt.org) and Susan Ettl, SRAL Web Manager, at SusanE@SantaRitaArt.org to remove your name from the attendance list.
- Each class will be held in the SRAL studio, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
- Materials for classes will be provided by SRAL and include paints, paper or canvas, and an appropriate paint brush.
- Participants will need to bring a water container, paper towels, an apron, or any
appropriate working clothes.
- The class size is determined by the instructor; generally, 12 – 18 people. We encourage members to sign up for only one media class per month to enable everyone to participate. This will ensure participants a fuller mastery of the new medium and allow us to accommodate more members.
- Registration for each class will be on this page. A small material fee of $10.00 is required to complete and validate your registration. Each class list is compiled on a first-come first-served basis. You will receive notification after you have registered. You will then be notified about how and when the material fee is to be paid.
Drawing for the Absolute Beginner
(Or Anyone Wanting to Improve Their Skills)
Instructor: Nanci Sheppard
This class will focus on taking time to slow down and see. Seeing is the imperative to improving your paintings. And drawing is the skill one needs to be successful.
Biography
Nanci is a self-taught artist. She began drawing at age four and never stopped. She had art as a major in college and dropped out due to health problems which landed her in the hospital for a month. She took the semester off and married the next year. Her son was born a year later and a job basically ensured that there was little time to devote to art. She took local classes and some classes at Art Center School of Design in Pasadena, Ca.
Nanci became an oil painter during High School and continued that medium until she found that pastels are her favorite. She taught pastel at Quail Creek Art Center for 5 years. She is a member of the Tucson Pastel Society as well as Santa Rita Art League (SRAL). She participates in Portrait and the Figure Drawing SIG and is the chairperson of the Plein Air SIG..
Date: January 10, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: SRAL Studio
Maximum Number of Participants: 15
Material Cost: $10 collected at the beginning of class.
Drawing for the Absolute Beginner admission
Sold Out
"Drawing for the Absolute Beginner" is currently sold out.
Please check back again later, as spots may become available.
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Drawing for the Absolute Beginner
January 10, 2026
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Perspective Drawing
Instructor: Darilyn Ronn
This class will give you a better understanding of Perspective Drawing. The understanding of basic principles of perspective will help you understand how to create buildings, landscapes, and roads that look like they belong in your art. It is an understanding of how space works and how to create it in your artwork. This will help to sharpen your observational skills as well. We will cover one point, two point and three point perspective. This class will share the technical aspects of perspective for an understanding of it. However, in your artwork you do not need to be so technical, as it is a foundation to build on.
Biography
Darilyn’s personal experience is that she was a K-12 art teacher for 28 years and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
Date: January 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: SRAL Studio
Maximum Number of Participants: 20
Material Cost: $10 collected at the beginning of class.
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Perspective Drawing
January 17, 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Introduction to Cold Wax
Instructor: Jeani Gustafson
In this class, we will work with cold wax medium and oil paint. Students will learn to mix the paint with cold wax and many of the ways the paint can be applied to the substrate. The process will be intuitive which may lead to an abstract or representational painting.
We will work with a triadic color scheme applying and compressing the paint in many layers. We will mask out areas, use stencils, carve out areas and impress textures. We will work with silicone applicators, palette knives and brayers.
Biography
Jeani Gustafson has 40 years of experience using and experimenting with a variety of art methods and materials. Through her gallery, she has taught workshops and beginning art classes.
Date: January 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: SRAL Studio
Maximum Number of Participants: 12
Material Cost: $10 collected at the beginning of class.
Introduction to Cold Wax admission
Sold Out
"Introduction to Cold Wax" is currently sold out.
Please check back again later, as spots may become available.
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Introduction to Cold Wax
January 24, 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM