Leanza – Wednesdays, Oct 14th – Oct 28th, 6:30pm-9pm

Our world is changing at record-breaking speed – we are making history, right & left. But left to the news media, the story is likely to be reduced to colorless sound bites. In class, you’ll get to chronicle your own rich, personal history/her-story for posterity – visually!

Techniques will be offered to help you sort out your thoughts & feelings, and turn your passionate opinions into strong visual statements.

OK, so what is “Op-Ed”, anyway?“An op-ed article is …[one] in which the author states their opinion about a given topic, often with a view to persuade the reader of their way of thinking…” – Benjamin Spall

The job of an op-ed illustration, then, is to capture the crux of the opinion, (in this case, yours).

This is not a drawing class, but basic drawing skills are all you need. Each student will get individual guidance (using Zoom’s break out rooms). Artwork will be shared via Google Photos. We’ll have on-camera demos and group critiques in each class.

Students will pick a topic that interests them or affects them personally, and create an illustration that reflects their own perceptions, opinions, & feelings.

Weeks 1 & 2: Concepts & rough sketchesMaking many rough sketches will help students to formulate and clarify ideas / concepts. So will discussion & critique. Students will work “in class” and at home on their illustration. There will be individual guidance offered in Zoom “Break-out” rooms.

Week 3: Gestalt / Group CritiqueStudents will “bring in” their finished illustration(s) for group critique & discussion. There may also be time for polishing up their final work & individual guidance.

MATERIALS:

1st week -Thumbnail Sketches – Pencils Cheap office paper 8.5 x 11”; or sketchbook 9 x 12” or similar size, for sketches Kneaded eraser, if you have it. Or any other kind will do.

Add for 2nd week – Roughs – Tracing paper; 9 x 12” minimum **Drawing &/or painting medium(s) of your choice. Choose a medium you are already familiar with. *If you’re using paint, you may need thicker paper. 80# sketchbook paper is fine.**

For Final Illustration: 80# paper or illustration board; either 9 x 12” or similar size. (Your paper depends on the medium(s) you’ll use. You can wait & get this after class starts.) **Artwork could be done on computer instead. (as long as you know how to do it!).**

** Order paper from Dick Blick if you like: https://www.dickblick.com/items/10209-1079/

About the instructor:

Stacye Leanza is a professional muralist & illustrator, with a BFA from Parsons School of Design in NYC. Her cartoons for kids have been published locally and her editorial illustrations nationally. Her murals are scattered around the Triangle; she has the distinction of having painted the largest mural in Chatham County. She has taught drawing and art to grown-ups and kids, privately and in classes and workshops in both instructional and therapeutic settings. Her focus in the drawing class is on learning how to see, by accessing the creative, perceptive Right Brain. The immediate result is the ability to draw more realistically. Visit her Facebook page at “Leanza-art, etc.,” or her website: www.leanza-art.com.

This class is conducted online! A computer with audio, video, and internet functionality is required. Student gives permission for The ArtsCenter and for instructor to use their image and comments in class recordings for promotional non-commercial purposes. Refunds and exchanges are not offered for online classes.

All ArtSchool registrations have a $3 processing fee added upon check-out.

ArtsCenter members receive 15% off of the cost of this course!