top of page
Classes with NSCAD
Extended Studies Program at NSCAD University
Jack has taught Painting and Drawing classes with NSCAD University's School of Extended Studies since 2014. These non-credit courses offered through the university are open to everyone - you don't have to be an art student to register! Classes can be a great way to pick up new skills, try out different mediums, or just learn more about art!
To register, or for more information please visit: https://make.nscad.ca/
Contact Info:
Phone: 902-494-8224
Email: make@nscad.ca
Past Course Examples
Please see NSCAD's Website for Current/Upcoming Programming: https://make.nscad.ca/
Adult Classes:
Introductory Drawing: This introductory drawing course is open to all wanting to hone their drawing skills or to try something new! The course will cover subjects of the still life, the nude figure, environment, and different approaches to drawing built through observation. A variety of drawing techniques and drawing media will be explored through exercises in studio work, as well as through discussions.
Introductory Acrylic Painting: This course introduces tonal painting and blending, colour theory and colour mixing, composition, paint handling, characteristics of acrylic paint and mediums, lighting, as well as content and narrative.
Landscape Painting: This class is open to painters of all levels and will focus on the technical challenges involved in painting landscape as well as introducing ways of thinking critically about the subject. We will cover a range of techniques allowing students to improve their understanding of perspective, colour, light, composition and space. Students will learn to work with acrylic paint, learn methods of painting from photos and drawings, and participate in group discussions of their work. We will also look at examples of work from prominent historic and contemporary artists.
Urban Landscape: Captivated by the city? In this class we will be using busy streets, building architecture, and urban spaces as inspiration for paintings. This class is open to painters of all levels and will focus on the technical challenges involved in painting urban landscape as well as introducing ways of thinking critically about the subject. We will cover a range of techniques allowing students to improve their understanding of perspective, colour, light, composition and space. Students will learn to work with acrylic paint, learn methods of painting from photos and drawings, and participate in group discussions of their work. We will also look at examples of work from prominent historic and contemporary artists.
Painting the Figure: This course is designed to challenge students by introducing them to a variety of techniques and concepts related to figurative painting, Classes will consist of a short lecture covering examples of historic and contemporary painters, followed by in class projects. Students will explore painting from a live model, painting from photographic sources, and painting using preparatory studies. Students will participate in group critiques and discussions of their work and can expect to leave the course with a better understanding of colour, composition, light, space, and the theoretical issues involved in representing the figure in paint.
Painting like the Impressionists: Want to learn to paint like Monet? Through a series of studio projects and demonstrations students will explore impressionist painting techniques. We will look in detail at the work of several key figures in the movement including Monet, Renior, Morisot, Sisiley, Degas, Cassatt, Pissarro and others. Projects are designed to build confident brush handling and strengthen students understanding of alla prima applications, plein air painting, colour theory, and observational skill. In our final project students will complete a reproduction of an impressionist painting of their choice. Presentations and group critique will be a central part of this class. It is recommended that students have taken an introductory painting course prior to registering, or have equivalent experience.
Observational Portrait and Figure (Drawing and Acrylic Paint): This class is ideal for returning students looking to further explore drawing and painting. The first half of this 8 week course will focus on drawing while the in second half we will be working with acrylic paint. In Portrait and Figure, we’ll take on a series of projects designed to build direct observational skill and confident material handling. We will explore working from photos, portraits from life, self portraits using a mirror, and figure studies using a live model. We’ll look at relevant examples of historic and contemporary art. Students will participate in group discussions of their work and can expect to leave the course with a better understanding of gesture, composition, colour and light, proportion, simplifying complex forms, and the theoretical issues involved in representing the figure. Introductory Acrylic and/or Introductory Drawing are recommended prior to this class.
Youth Classes:
Pre-University Prep: Painting and Drawing (Ages 14-18): This class is designed to provide students with a fundamental overview of painting and drawing with a strong focus on developing observational skill. It will cover perspective and measuring techniques, working from life vs working from photos and drawings, modeling light and shadow, colour theory and colour mixing, and each class will introduce students to both contemporary and historic artists relevant to the days lesson. Additionally, the class will cover all of the classic painting themes, still life, landscape, portraiture, clothed figure, and an introduction to abstraction. Starting with drawing and moving into acrylic paint, students will tackle 10 different projects with the potential to form the basis of a portfolio.
bottom of page