Scottsdale Artists' School

Studio Practice: Approach Oils with Confidence with Mike Garcia

Already comfortable with the fundamentals of oil painting but not sure where to focus next? This class is designed to help you pinpoint your growth opportunities and take your work to the next level.

In the first week, Mike will demonstrate the steps used to capture the essence of a subject - recording color, value, edges, and proportion - along with strategies for composition, time management, and choosing the right techniques for your subject. In the following weeks, students will work on a multi-session painting (from a still life or their own photo reference), with extended critiques and guidance as the project develops.

Mike Garcia is an award-winning painter and art instructor based in Phoenix, AZ. He studied classical drawing and painting under Matt Dickson at the Loft Studio in Tempe, and regularly teaches drawing and painting classes at Scottsdale Artists’ School. Mike primarily paints portraits and the human figure, and his work resides in private collections both locally and internationally.

📅 September 3 – 24, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Thursdays
📊 Level: All Levels
💰 Tuition: $220 (not including fees)
🖌️ Medium: Oil

Learn more about Mike: www.mikegarciafineart.com

Register now: https://reg129.imperisoft.com/SAS/ProgramDetail/3538383732/Registration.aspx

Modern Renaissance Portrait with Nanci France-Vaz

Do modern backgrounds in a classical portrait feel intimidating? Learn how to seamlessly fuse classical technique with contemporary realism in this 4-day workshop!

Working from a live model using classical oil painting methods, Nanci will demonstrate and provide individual instruction as students learn to incorporate modern tools and techniques into a classically painted portrait — uncovering the secrets of creating texture and movement in the background. From concept to design, you’ll walk away understanding the key elements of color harmonization, lighting, value, edges, and mood needed to combine tradition with a modern twist. This is a fun way to elevate your traditional skills, whether working from life or photo reference. Students will work from a limited palette.

Nanci France-Vaz is a contemporary realist painter and an Art Renewal Center Living Master, with 6 of her paintings held in the permanent collection of the ARC Museum . Born in Brooklyn, New York, she trained at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan , and her figurative and portrait paintings draw inspiration from classical traditions, particularly the Pre-Raphaelites and Naturalist painters, while remaining deeply contemporary in voice . She’s known for her masterful use of light, subtle color harmonies, and psychological nuance .

*Prerequisite: Students must have traditional life drawing and painting skills.

📅 October 12 – 15, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | 4 Days
📊 Level: All Levels (Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
💰 Tuition: $575 (not including fees)
🖌️ Medium: Oil

Learn more about Nanci: www.nancifrancevaz.com

Register now: www.scottsdaleartschool.org

Extended Studies: Studio Painting & Drawing with Michael Little

Ready to take your skills beyond the basics? This observationally-based course is designed to reinforce and deepen your drawing and painting fundamentals, working across still-life, portrait, and figure subjects.

Students will draw from direct observation as well as photographic source material, with plenty of room to experiment with scale, subject matter, and media - using art as a tool for invention, conceptualization, and idea development. This extended format also gives students the chance to explore materials in greater breadth and depth than a typical class.

Taught by Michael Little, who holds a BFA in drawing and printmaking and an MFA in painting from the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island School of Design, and Cooper Union. Mike has continued to grow and evolve through numerous workshops and classes at Scottsdale Artists’ School, and believes strong drawing skills are the foundation for everything - with every artist’s unique style and voice emerging through practice and intuition.

📅 August 31 – September 28, 2026
📊 Level: All Levels
💰 Tuition: $300 | Model Fee: $50

📌 Please note: No class Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)

Supply list available on the class registration page. Spots are limited - register today!

➡️ https://reg129.imperisoft.com/SAS/ProgramDetail/3631313639/Registration.aspx

Autumn Workshop in the Grand Tetons with John Hughes

Join John Hughes for an unforgettable destination workshop painting en plein air in the stunning surroundings of Grand Teton National Park!

The week kicks off Monday morning at the National Museum of Wildlife Art with an intensive lecture and visual presentation, laying the groundwork for the week ahead. (Returning students — this year’s experience offers something entirely new, not a repeat of past workshops!) From there, the group heads into Grand Teton National Park to paint one or two field studies, with John stopping by each easel throughout the afternoon for personalized guidance. Strong emphasis will be placed on scene selection and solid design choices.

Each day brings a new demonstration - sometimes morning, sometimes afternoon - so students experience painting in a variety of lighting conditions throughout the week. One special session will feature a timed half-hour speed-painting drill, designed to loosen up your brushwork and build spontaneous, confident mark-making.

All skill levels welcome for this incredible art journey in the Tetons this fall!

📅 September 28 – October 2, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | 5 Days
📊 Level: All Levels
💰 Tuition: $710 (not including fees)
🖌️ Medium: Oil | Off-Site Destination Workshop

📌 Please note: Portable equipment and transportation required. Registered students will receive lodging recommendations.

Learn more about John Hughes: https://www.johnhughesstudio.com/

Register now: https://reg129.imperisoft.com/SAS/ProgramDetail/3538343336/Registration.aspx

Luminous Portraits: Impastos and Glazes with Gustavo Ramos

Ever wonder what gives a masterful oil painting that jewel-like glow and lasting freshness? Join local award-winning artist Gustavo Ramos for a 3-day deep dive into the techniques behind luminous, professional portraiture.

Working directly from the model, Ramos will demonstrate his unique method of dissecting visual information into a rich, dynamic likeness - walking students through his portrait process from the ground up. You’ll explore his sensitive color palette and signature brush-handling technique, learning to lay thick impastos alongside translucent shadow glazes.

With one-on-one instruction throughout, you’ll internalize key principles of light, structure, shape design, tonal abstraction, and broken color - building the skills to create your own luminous, professional-quality portraits.

📅 August 10 – 12, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | 3 Days
📊 Level: All Levels
💰 Tuition: $365 (not including fees)
🖌️ Medium: Oil

Spots are limited — register today!

https://reg129.imperisoft.com/SAS/ProgramDetail/3538383733/Registration.aspx

Fundamentals of Landscape Painting with Paul

Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or you’re a seasoned painter, this workshop is all about learning to see like a painter. Through direct observation, we train our eyes to recognize shapes, colors, and texture - then translate what we truly see onto the canvas with accuracy and confidence.

This class dives into drawing, color mixing, and value studies to help you create more successful, impactful work. Paul will demonstrate his impressionistic landscape techniques, with plenty of one-on-one guidance along the way. Everyone will paint from photographs - bring your favorites, or use ones we provide!

Come ready to work, learn, and have fun - this is a real creative growth experience for painters at every level.

📅 Mondays
🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📊 Level: All Levels
💰 Tuition: $435

Registration ➡️ https://reg129.imperisoft.com/SAS/ProgramDetail/3538383639/Registration.aspx

Figurative Painting Workshop with Milt Kobayashi

Ready to break free from linear thinking and dive deep into the art of oil painting? Join us for a week-long intensive with acclaimed artist Milt Kobayashi!
Milt will guide students through the full arc of an oil painting - tackling problems as they arise, embracing unexpected solutions, and following creative tangents wherever they lead. Morning demos dig into design, composition, values, and how light shapes form. By midweek, you’ll be working through Milt’s own painting process firsthand.
This is a hands-on, practical exploration of creative problem-solving - perfect for intermediate to advanced painters ready to push past their comfort zone.

📅 September 28 – October 2, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM MST, Mon–Fri
📊 Level: Intermediate-Advanced
💰 Tuition: $825
🖼️ Model Fee: $70

Spots are limited — register today to secure your place!

Register ➡️ https://reg129.imperisoft.com/SAS/ProgramDetail/3539323232/Registration.aspx

All Levels
9:00 AM-4:00 PM I 3 Days
$365 (Not Including Fees)
What is it that gives a masterful oil painting its jewel-like quality, mysterious luster, and lasting freshness? The extensive properties of oil paint have enabled the creation of iconic portraits that prove difficult to decipher. Ramos will walk students through his award-winning portrait method from the ground up. Working from the model, Ramos will demonstrate his unique way of dissecting visual information into a rich and dynamic likeness. Students will experience Ramos’ sensitive color palette and particular brush-handling technique to lay thick impastos and translucent shadows. One-on-one instruction will be given to internalize the principles of light, structure, shape design, tonal abstraction, and broken color. Discussions and focused time on the easel will equip the student with an arsenal to create luminous professional portraits.