Live from Portland, Oregon
Narrative Ecological Painting & Drawing
with Ardis DeFreece
6 classes | Sundays 5 PM - 7 PM PST | May 31-July 12
*Online- Live on Zoom
$25 per class
Register by Saturday at midnight prior to class below
Workshop Summary:
Learn to create a compelling Ecologically centered drawing or painting of your own!
In this class, students will learn how to take complex ecological concepts, ideas and images and
combine them to create a compelling work of art. The course is open to all levels as students
will work on their own pieces with tutorials, demonstration and discussion with the instructor.
Materials will include: a sketchbook for ideas, drawing paper and graphite pencils or charcoal,
Larger drawing paper and media for a drawing project and canvas or panel with painting media
for a painting project. Materials lists for various projects are available. Students who want to
work through the process as fully as possible can attend all 6 classes.
Students who are unable to attend all six classes may drop in each week.
Dates of class: May 31st, June 7, 14, 28, & July 5, 12
Level: all levels, adults
Drop ins welcome: Pay $25 per class or $150 for series of 6 classes
Materials needed:
1. Sketchbook, newsprint or larger drawing pad
2. Graphite pencils or charcoal.
3. Computer with video & good wifi connection
4. Optional Reference. Feel free to share photos, clippings from publications, ideas for areas of concern or
subject matter for class. This is not required, but can be helpful in creating your composition
within the 2 hour class.
$25 per class
Register by Saturday at midnight prior to class below
Register by Saturday at midnight prior to class below
Syllabus/Schedule:
Week 1: May 31st- Ideas, research, planning & composing
Students will learn how to combine their ideas and research to create a compelling composition.
We will look at the work of multiple artists and discuss strategies for narrative and design.
Students will learn different methods for planning a complex work of art from composite images,
written work, field work and imagination.
Materials: sketchbook, newsprint or larger drawing pad, graphite pencils or charcoal.
Week 2: June 7th- Working from sketches and photos
Students will learn how to transfer a sketch for larger work and how to leave room for changes
along the way. Students will begin their pieces and work in individual media and subjects. The
beginning phase includes lessons on drawing, color and color mixing, different media, shading,
volume, composition, etc.
Materials: Previous sketches & photos for reference, large drawing paper & graphite or charcoal
for a drawing or watercolor project, or canvas/panel with acrylic or oil paint, brushes, etc.
Week 3: June 14th- Developing the narrative, theses and middle phase of work
Returning students will continue their pieces or drop in students will begin working. We will
continue to work with drawing and painting composition, shading/value, color, volume, and
narrative in each piece.
Materials: Previous sketches & photos for reference, large drawing paper & graphite or charcoal
for a drawing or watercolor project, or canvas/panel with acrylic or oil paint, brushes, etc.
Week 4: June 28th- The Middle Phase
Returning students will continue their pieces or drop in students will begin working.
Some artists call it the “ugly middle,” that part of the work when you are unsure where the piece
is going and not sure if you like it! We will work through this phase together and I will
discuss/demonstrate strategies for overcoming issues at this point in the work.
Materials: Previous sketches & photos for reference, large drawing paper & graphite or charcoal
for a drawing or watercolor project, or canvas/panel with acrylic or oil paint, brushes, etc.
Week 5: July 5th- Developing Values and Forms
At this point, students should be able to work on bringing out the most important elements in the
piece and resolving issues and making changes as needed.
Week 6: July 12th- Finishing the work
By this point, students will be able to work on finishing details, adjusting the contrast through
various techniques, resolving areas that are unclear or need to be changed in some way. We
will work on methods for finishing the work and media that may be needed to present and
prepare the work. We will discuss how to work in a series if that is desired aWe will conclude
with an online show of the work for those who wish to participate and discussion on how to
share one’s work with a larger audience.
Materials: Previous sketches & photos for reference, large drawing paper & graphite or charcoal
for a drawing or watercolor project, or canvas/panel with acrylic or oil paint, brushes, etc.
Week 1: May 31st- Ideas, research, planning & composing
Students will learn how to combine their ideas and research to create a compelling composition.
We will look at the work of multiple artists and discuss strategies for narrative and design.
Students will learn different methods for planning a complex work of art from composite images,
written work, field work and imagination.
Materials: sketchbook, newsprint or larger drawing pad, graphite pencils or charcoal.
Week 2: June 7th- Working from sketches and photos
Students will learn how to transfer a sketch for larger work and how to leave room for changes
along the way. Students will begin their pieces and work in individual media and subjects. The
beginning phase includes lessons on drawing, color and color mixing, different media, shading,
volume, composition, etc.
Materials: Previous sketches & photos for reference, large drawing paper & graphite or charcoal
for a drawing or watercolor project, or canvas/panel with acrylic or oil paint, brushes, etc.
Week 3: June 14th- Developing the narrative, theses and middle phase of work
Returning students will continue their pieces or drop in students will begin working. We will
continue to work with drawing and painting composition, shading/value, color, volume, and
narrative in each piece.
Materials: Previous sketches & photos for reference, large drawing paper & graphite or charcoal
for a drawing or watercolor project, or canvas/panel with acrylic or oil paint, brushes, etc.
Week 4: June 28th- The Middle Phase
Returning students will continue their pieces or drop in students will begin working.
Some artists call it the “ugly middle,” that part of the work when you are unsure where the piece
is going and not sure if you like it! We will work through this phase together and I will
discuss/demonstrate strategies for overcoming issues at this point in the work.
Materials: Previous sketches & photos for reference, large drawing paper & graphite or charcoal
for a drawing or watercolor project, or canvas/panel with acrylic or oil paint, brushes, etc.
Week 5: July 5th- Developing Values and Forms
At this point, students should be able to work on bringing out the most important elements in the
piece and resolving issues and making changes as needed.
Week 6: July 12th- Finishing the work
By this point, students will be able to work on finishing details, adjusting the contrast through
various techniques, resolving areas that are unclear or need to be changed in some way. We
will work on methods for finishing the work and media that may be needed to present and
prepare the work. We will discuss how to work in a series if that is desired aWe will conclude
with an online show of the work for those who wish to participate and discussion on how to
share one’s work with a larger audience.
Materials: Previous sketches & photos for reference, large drawing paper & graphite or charcoal
for a drawing or watercolor project, or canvas/panel with acrylic or oil paint, brushes, etc.
ABOUT INSTRUCTOR:
Ardis DeFreece -
"I have been a working artist and art educator for more than twenty years. Currently, I work as an Assistant Professor at Pacific Northwest College of Art. My paintings focus mainly on ecological concerns and memory. I am currently working on a picture book of native plants from the Portland area. My passion for nature makes its way into every aspect of my life. I truly hope to inspire others to gain a deeper relationship to nature through art making, writing and activism. Teaching people to make art is one of the great joys of my life. My love of making art and teaching that have led me to be a curious traveler and my curiosity is insatiable."
Website & Instagram @ardisdefreece
Ardis DeFreece -
"I have been a working artist and art educator for more than twenty years. Currently, I work as an Assistant Professor at Pacific Northwest College of Art. My paintings focus mainly on ecological concerns and memory. I am currently working on a picture book of native plants from the Portland area. My passion for nature makes its way into every aspect of my life. I truly hope to inspire others to gain a deeper relationship to nature through art making, writing and activism. Teaching people to make art is one of the great joys of my life. My love of making art and teaching that have led me to be a curious traveler and my curiosity is insatiable."
Website & Instagram @ardisdefreece
