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Lydia Bratton
in Instructor
Figures in Motion: Sculpting Animals and Anatomy
with Lydia Bratton
Ages: 13 - 18
Unlock the secrets of professional sculpture in this intensive, one-week studio!
Figures in Motion moves beyond basic clay modeling to teach the “inside-out” method used by master sculptors. Students will learn to engineer custom wire armatures-internal skeletons that provide the strength and balance needed for dynamic, gravity-defying poses.
Whether your interest lies in wildlife, human anatomy, or character design, this class provides the technical foundation to bring your vision to life.
With three hours of daily studio time, students will have the “creative breathing room” to focus on anatomical accuracy, structural engineering, and fine surface textures. The workshop is designed to support individual goals, allowing students to work at their own pace to produce a portfolio of work or a single, highly refined sculpture.
Ages 13-18
Monday-Friday, July 20-24
6-8 pm
Registration Fee: $190 Supply Fee: $15
The Drawing Lab
with Lydia Bratton
Ages: 8 - 14
This foundational course is designed to sharpen young artists' observational skills while introducing them to the Elements of Art (line, shape, form, color, value, texture, and space) and the Principles of Design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity).
Through hands-on exercises, students will learn how to intentionally apply these "building blocks" to create more dynamic and balanced compositions. Whether sketching from life or imagination, participants will build a technical toolkit that serves as the base for all future artistic endeavors.
Ages 8-14
Mondays 6-8 pm
August 3-24
Class Fee: $152 Supply Fee: $6
Cartoon Character Development
with Lydia Bratton
Ages: 9 - 12
Great cartooning is more than just drawing—it’s about writing and world-building! In this expanded two-session workshop, students follow a professional creator’s protocol: first,designing a character’s "soul" and silhouette; second, developing a unique storyline; and finally, placing them into a detailed indoor or outdoor setting.
By focusing on the architecture of a character rather than rushing into full comics, participants will master dynamic posing andpersonality development to ensure their creations are ready for any adventure.
The workshop takes place in our Digital Arts Lab, offering students the best of both worlds. Whether they prefer drawing manually or want to explore our professional desktopworkstations and drawing tablets, they will have the tools and time needed to refine theirwork.
Students will walk away with a complete character "blueprint" including varied poses, a narrative foundation, and a background scene—the essential first steps for any aspiringcartoonist or storyteller.
Ages 9-12
Saturdays 3-5 pm
August 22-29
Registration Fee: $76 Supply Fee: $6
Digital Painting and Composition
with Lydia Bratton
Unlock the power of digital color and form in this immersive painting session. Utilizing professional tablets and Krita, students will learn to translate traditional painting concepts-like balance, focal points, and the rule of thirds-into the digital realm.
Whether starting with geometric abstractions or fluid organic shapes, participants will focus on building 'beautiful compositions' from scratch. The workshop culminates in a high-quality print of your final digital masterpiece to take home.
Ages 18+
Fridays 6-8 pm
September 11-25
Registration Fee: $114
Sculpting Your Inner World: Expressive Clay Figures
with Lydia Bratton
2026 is the year to give back to yourself, and there's no better place to start than our ARTful Wellness series!
This workshop is an invitation to explore your emotions and intentions through three-dimensional form.
Using simple sculpting techniques, you will create a small, abstract or figurative sculpture from earthenware clay that represents a feeling, a goal, or a part of your inner world. The focus is on intuitive expression, not realistic representation.
This is a powerful and cathartic exercise in self-reflection. You'll take your finished clay piece home to air-dry and finish as you wish.
Ages 15+ (Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)
Sunday, September 27th
2-5 pm
Registration Fee: FREE!
This free wellness class is brought to you in collaboration with UVA Health.