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Lydia Bratton
in Instructor
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.
Foundations of Drawing for Young Artists (9-12)
with Lydia Bratton
Ages: 9 - 12
Designed for upper-elementary and middle school artists ready to build a strong artistic foundation, this course focuses on integrating the fundamental Elements of Art (line, shape, form, texture, value, color, and space) and Principles of Design (balance, contrast, emphasis, pattern, and proportion) into every lesson.
Each Monday evening, students explore new concepts through guided skill-building exercises and studio practice. Every project begins with foundational pencil drawing skills before expanding into versatile mixed media techniques—utilizing heavy-weight multimedia, watercolor, and toned papers alongside graphite, charcoal, pen & ink, soft pastels, and gentle watercolor background washes. Students will learn to break down complex subjects, render dynamic textures, build strong compositions, and manipulate light sources with confidence.
Ages 9-12
Mondays 6-8 pm
November 2-30
Registration Fee: $190 Supply Fee: $5
Saturday Toons! (9-12)
with Lydia Bratton
Ages: 9 - 12
Bring your original characters to life from concept to published comic strip! In this modern cartooning lab, students will learn core character design, expressive line work, and visual storytelling techniques. Working directly on digital drawing tablets (or traditional paper, based on student preference), young artists will create their own original cartoon figures and story panels.
Using cutting-edge tools like Google Gemini AI as a creative assistant, students will see their custom artwork instantly transformed into dynamic multi-panel storyboards, complete with read-aloud voice-overs and AI-generated script ideas.
Every student will leave the class with printed, full-color copies of their finished comic strips to take home!
Ages 9-12
Saturdays 3-5 pm
November 7-28
Registration Fee: $152
Foundations of Drawing for Young Artists (9-12)
with Lydia Bratton
Ages: 9 - 12
Designed for upper-elementary and middle school artists ready to build a strong artistic foundation, this course focuses on integrating the fundamental Elements of Art (line, shape, form, texture, value, color, and space) and Principles of Design (balance, contrast, emphasis, pattern, and proportion) into every lesson.
Each Monday evening, students explore new concepts through guided skill-building exercises and studio practice. Every project begins with foundational pencil drawing skills before expanding into versatile mixed media techniques—utilizing heavy-weight multimedia, watercolor, and toned papers alongside graphite, charcoal, pen & ink, soft pastels, and gentle watercolor background washes. Students will learn to break down complex subjects, render dynamic textures, build strong compositions, and manipulate light sources with confidence.
Ages 9-12
Mondays 6-8 pm
December 7-21
Registration Fee: $114 Supply Fee: $5
Foundations of Drawing for Young Artists (9-12)
with Lydia Bratton
Ages: 9 - 12
Designed for upper-elementary and middle school artists ready to build a strong artistic foundation, this course focuses on integrating the fundamental Elements of Art (line, shape, form, texture, value, color, and space) and Principles of Design (balance, contrast, emphasis, pattern, and proportion) into every lesson.
Each Monday evening, students explore new concepts through guided skill-building exercises and studio practice. Every project begins with foundational pencil drawing skills before expanding into versatile mixed media techniques—utilizing heavy-weight multimedia, watercolor, and toned papers alongside graphite, charcoal, pen & ink, soft pastels, and gentle watercolor background washes. Students will learn to break down complex subjects, render dynamic textures, build strong compositions, and manipulate light sources with confidence.
Ages 9-12
Mondays 6-8 pm
January 4-25
Registration Fee: $152 Supply Fee: $5
Foundations of Drawing for Young Artists (9-12)
with Lydia Bratton
Ages: 9 - 12
Designed for upper-elementary and middle school artists ready to build a strong artistic foundation, this course focuses on integrating the fundamental Elements of Art (line, shape, form, texture, value, color, and space) and Principles of Design (balance, contrast, emphasis, pattern, and proportion) into every lesson.
Each Monday evening, students explore new concepts through guided skill-building exercises and studio practice. Every project begins with foundational pencil drawing skills before expanding into versatile mixed media techniques—utilizing heavy-weight multimedia, watercolor, and toned papers alongside graphite, charcoal, pen & ink, soft pastels, and gentle watercolor background washes. Students will learn to break down complex subjects, render dynamic textures, build strong compositions, and manipulate light sources with confidence.
Ages 9-12
Mondays 6-8 pm
February 1-22
Registration Fee: $152 Supply Fee: $5