Drawing Classes
In Boise, Idaho Studio
These courses focus on building fundamental drawing skills. Students will learn basic techniques such as shading, controlling tones, composition and drawing methods. Additionally, we learn how to see with an artists eye and capture what we see on paper. I teach anyone who has the desire to learn the art of drawing. Classes are kept small to ensure individualized attention and instruction. My classes are “skills oriented” and not “project oriented” so my methods are particularly well suited for students who want an arts curriculum that goes beyond crafts. My classes are best for students age 14 to adult; however accommodations may be made for gifted and/or mature students.
*Click the links below or scroll down for course descriptions and current class schedule.
Classes are held in my Boise, Idaho studio.*
Course Description: This is course aimed at teaching the most fundamental drawing skills. Like learning scales and keys in music, in this class we will cover the building blocks for great drawing. We will learn the differences between contour drawings (line drawings) and drawing with value. Other fundamentals will be taught such as understanding different drawing tools, creating gray scales, different techniques for creating value, reductive drawing, various paper surfaces for effect, and many other tips and insights. Unlike many classes we will draw everything from life. This is the best way to learn drawing.
Supplies list needed for class.
Click here to enroll.
Upcoming Beginning Drawing 1 Classes:
Spring/Summer 2013:
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Tues. and Thurs, 10:00 – 12:30, May 7th – May 30th
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Tues. and Thurs, 1:00 – 3:30, May 7th – May 30th
Summer 2013
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Tues. and Thurs, 10:00 – 12:30
July 9th – 23rd, Aug. 1st – 8th
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Tues. and Thurs, 10:00 – 12:30
Aug. 13th – 20th & 27th, Sept. 12th – 24th
8-Week course, 8 sessions, Tues evening 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
July 9th – 16th, Aug. 6th – 27th, Sept. 3rd – 10th
8-Week course, 8 sessions, Sat. morning 9:00 am – 11:30 am
July 6th- 20th, Aug 3rd – 24th, Sept 7th
**Click here to go to enrollment page.**
Course Description: This course is conducted outside in the landscape. Our classes will be held at nearby parks and along the green belt. We will explore the landscape how to capture the landscape in line and value. With the light constantly shifting we will learn to capture the impression of the light before it fades. We also study perspective and how to create depth in in drawing.
Summer 2013
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Tues. and Thurs, 1:30 – 4:00
July 9th – 23rd, Aug. 1st – 8th
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Tues. and Thurs, 1:30 – 4:00
Aug. 13th – 20th & 27th, Sept. 12th – 24th
Course Description: This course is aimed at building on the skills learned in Beginning Drawing 1. If you already have experience in drawing contour drawings and value drawings but want to learn more about the art of drawing this would be a great class for you. In Beginning Drawing 2 we will hone our skills with line and value but also explore local value concepts, one and two point perspective, and ideas for creating the illusion of depth working with detail. We will further explore using basic shape and lines to understand the basic form of an object.
Supplies list needed for class.
Upcoming Beginning Drawing 2 Classes:
Summer 2013:
8-Week course, 8 sessions, Thurs. 6:00-8:30 pm
July 11th, 18th, Aug. 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 27th, Oct. 1st
**Click here to go to enrollment page.**
Course Description: These classes build on the fundamentals of the Beginning Drawing series, and are available depending upon the needs of current students. (Contact the instructor if you have questions.) In this five-course series, we continue working with value and line but focus more on composition and rendering skills. We learn more about human proportions for drawing the figure and drawing the human portrait. We will also touch on drawing landscape and cityscapes or interiors that use perspective.
Prerequisites: Students should be familiar with the skills taught in Beginning Drawing 1 and 2, or receive prior approval from the instructor. Feel free to contact me with questions and I’ll be happy to discuss your readiness for the current class.
Supplies list needed for class.
Course Dates:
Upcoming Intermediate Drawing Class:
Spring/Summer 2013:
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mon. and Wed. 10:00 – 12:30, starts May 6th
Summer 2013
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mon. and Wed. 10:00 – 12:30
starts July 8th – July31st, Aug 5th
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mon. and Wed. 10:00 – 12:30
starts Aug. 7th – 26nd, Sept. 9th, 11th
Fall 2013
4-Week course, 8 sessions, Mon. and Wed. 10:00 – 12:30
starts Sept. 16th – 30th, Oct. 2nd, 9th
**Click here to go to enrollment page.**
Kevin McCain is a professionally-trained artist whose Impressionistic Plein Air paintings have appeared in galleries across the Western United States. He has over 20 years experience as a professional artist, illustrator, and teacher. To see Kevin’s gallery work visit kevinmccainstudios.com
To see his published illustrations visit mccainillustration.com
Contact: For more information, call Kevin at 480-309-0039 or contact me
Drawing is a Human Instinct
From the time of our earliest ancestors we have left our mark with drawings, whether engraved in rocks, painted on cave walls, or even carved in trees. Drawing, or mark making, is a desire that is within every one of us. As children, before we learned to read or write, we made drawings on paper, the floors, or even the walls. Drawing brings so much satisfaction. To know that we made that mark is very satisfying. As an artist, I try to draw with the same joy that motivated me as a child.
I believe everyone enjoys drawing or at least the idea of drawing. It brings satisfaction and accomplishment. As one grows, the expectation of what drawings should look like may change. We want to draw in a way that is more representative of an object, or perhaps express a certain idea. There are approaches to help you achieve those artistic goals. I offer drawing lessons designed to help those who want to improve their skills and draw better.
Why I Teach Art
As a young man in high school I had always wanted to learn how to draw and be an artist. I felt I didn’t have the natural-born talent to become an artist. While in high school I took an art class to avoid taking some other class I didn’t want to attend. Little did I know that the decision to take a Sophomore beginning drawing class would change my life forever.
My art teacher, Mr. Holmes, let us know as students that anything we wanted to do in art was possible if we put our minds to it, worked hard in class, and learned from the best artists. He told us that it didn’t matter what natural ability you had; it mattered how hard you worked. I latched onto that idea. I was inspired by the idea that if I only worked hard and learned from the best artists, I could do the type of artwork I wanted to do. I began working several hours after class and many more still at home. All these years later I have achieved my dream to become a professional artist. It was far from easy, but it was worth the effort. I hate to think how my life would be different if I hadn’t taken that art class. That class was the first step towards achieving my dream.
Creating art gives me so much joy. It is a never ending adventure. It is because of my experience I believe arts education is so important. As an artist, I enjoy mentoring and teaching others how to improve their art skills. I believe it is important, for everyone who has the desire to learn more about drawing and painting, to have opportunities to learn from professional artists.
