Classes
Registration is open for classes on a first come, first served basis. If you are interested in any of the classes or workshops listed on this page, please contact the artist directly via the Contact page or via email at patriciamcmahonrice@gmail.com, to obtain a registration form and arrange payment. All classes will be held at Patricia's studio in the Stuart Street Atelier, The Plains, VA.
Summer Drop-In Classes
This class if for any student who would like a once per month class during the Summer. Students may work in any media.
Please contact Patricia directly to reserve a spot.
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Dates:
Wednesdays from 9am-Noon and/or Noon-3pm
May 10, June 7, July 5, Aug 9
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Cost:
$20/hour
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The Atelier Track
The Atelier approach lays a solid foundation in drawing and painting from life, as well as an understanding of the nature of light falling on a three dimensional form, with the close supervision of a master artist. An academic approach to gaining mastering in drawing and painting. This class allows each student to work at their own pace through a selection of the Charles Bargue drawing plates. Students will use pencil and charcoal on toned paper, learning to create and accurate drawing and then rendering of the shadows. Students will then move on to working from plaster casts, making the transition from 2 dimensional references to 3-D. After gaining skill with drawing materials, the student will transition to painting in oil for the cast references as well as still life. At that point it is recommended that the Atelier Student also take the Portrait & Figure from Life class on Saturdays. The program is 6 weeks long, and students can choose to attend either on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
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Fall Session Dates:
Class is held from 9am-Noon on Tuesdays or Wednesdays (student's choice)
Tuesdays: Aug 13, 20, 27, Sept 3, 10, Oct 1
Wednesdays: Aug 14, 21, 28, Sept 4, 11, Oct 2
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Cost:
$300
(NOTE: Casts and Bargue references are included, as well as all drawing supplies. Painting supplies are the students’ responsibility)
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The Independent Mentoring Track
A more self-directed approach, with individualized lessons and critique, the mentoring track allows each student to work in the subject matter and medium of their choice. Students may work on drawings or paintings, bringing their own references or setting up a still life in the studio. Each class has a short demo or discussion by Patricia. Students are welcome to meet with Patricia to plan their personalized program of study, or goals. There may be wildlife, animal, portrait, landscape and still life artists in this class. All levels are welcome. Each class will be 3 hours long, and meet once a week. Students will enroll and pay for a series of 6 weeks of mentoring. They can choose to attend either on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
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Fall Session Dates:
Class is held from 9am-Noon on Tuesdays or Wednesdays (student's choice)
Tuesdays: Aug 13, 20, 27, Sept 3, 10, Oct 1
Wednesdays: Aug 14, 21, 28, Sept 4, 11, Oct 2
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Cost:
$300
(NOTE: Supplies not included. Class fees are paid in full
ahead of time & are non-refundable)
Portrait & Figure From Life
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A new, ongoing class being offered in Patricia's studio, this Life Drawing and Painting class will have one model and pose ever three weeks, giving the student 12 hours of Life Work each month. Each month will have a different focus in terms of Costume & Model (1940’s, a Bouguereau child, and Pre- Raphaelite are a few examples of what is being planned.) The class will be six weeks long. The first three classes will have one model, and the second three another model.
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Winter Session Dates:
Class is held from 9:00-12:00 on Saturdays
First week = Saturday, September 9th
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Cost:
$350
(NOTE: Supplies not included. Model fees are additional and divided among the students +/- $20/6wks)
Workshops
The Figure in Landscape—Children at Play on Alanwood Farm
Inspired by the works of Bouguereau and Winslow Homer featuring children at play outdoors, this workshop will begin with a meet & greet in my studio on Sunday afternoon. In addition to getting to know the other artists who have signed up for the workshop, I will give a demo of the process and share the schedule for the week.
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On Monday morning, we will all meet for a photo session on Alanwood Farm. I have six grandchildren coming in costume, with the girls wearing Prairie costumes and the boys in newsies hats and suspenders. The age range is 3-11 years. There are fields to run in, trees to climb, and woods and creek to explore, as well as chickens, rabbits, and horses.
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Returning to the studio with these photos and using my printing equipment, I will help each student create a variety of black-and-white compositions, and then the group will discuss the relative merits of each. On Tuesday morning, students may choose to return to Alanwood Farm for plein air studies, weather permitting, or work in the studio and begin their paintings. Returning to the farm to paint on location was one of the highlights of this workshop in 2023!
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Students may choose to work on copper panels, and special instructions will be provided on how to do this.
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Workshop Dates:
October 6th @ 3-5pm and October 7th-10th @ 9am-3:30pm daily
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Cost:
$650
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(NOTE: Students who attended the one-day photo session in April will have a $100 credit toward this workshop)
Winter 2024 & Spring 2025 Workshops
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Painting on Copper Workshop
This two-day workshop will teach students how to paint with oil using copper as a canvas. Dates and details TBD.
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