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The ENCORE Blog
​Read helpful info, how-to's, and inspiration from Encore's team of diversified music, art, and theatre instructors.

Drawing Classes -- What's the Difference?

3/25/2023

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No matter what medium an artist ends up pursuing, an in depth drawing study will develop the artist eye like nothing else. Our lead drawing instructor, Lisa Cheney, offers multiple drawing based courses. Find a detailed look at each course here.
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​Drawing 1
(Foundations of Drawing) 

In this foundations drawing class, youth will learn the basic principles of drawing and will begin to understand how artists see the world and how they translate what they see onto the paper. The class will focus on helping students develop their natural intuition and feelings, and will teach them how to use the 7 Core elements of Design in their drawings: Line, Shape, Form, Value, Space, Texture, and Color. They will also learn about contour shapes, patterns, and composition, and will have the opportunity to work with a range of drawing media, including pencil, pen, marker, colored pencil, and ink.

Throughout the class, students will be encouraged to practice their drawing skills and to explore their own creativity and style. They will have the opportunity to work on a variety of subjects, such as still life, landscapes, and inanimate objects, and will learn how to use different materials and techniques to create different effects. By the end of the class, students will have developed a strong foundation in drawing and will have gained confidence in their ability to create original drawings.
​Drawing 2

In this intermediate drawing class, youth will build upon the foundation of drawing skills that they have learned in a beginner's class and will gain more confidence in their ability to create realistic drawings. The class will focus on helping students translate what they see onto the paper through both their intuition and feelings, as well as practical drawing foundations. They will learn about perspective, proportions, composition, contrast, shading, texture, fine detail, and the difference between expressive and representational drawings.

Students will have the opportunity to work with a range of drawing media, including pencil, pen and ink, oil pastels, charcoal, and colored pencil. They will learn the unique characteristics of each medium and how to use them to create different effects. Throughout the class, students will be encouraged to practice the skills learned in class and to explore their own creativity and style. They will be required to keep a sketchbook for homework in order to strengthen their drawing skills and confidence. By the end of the class, students will have significantly improved their drawing skills and will have created a portfolio of original drawings.
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Advanced Drawing
(Teen-Adult or by teacher invitation)


This advanced drawing class is designed for teenagers who have a strong foundation in drawing and are looking to take their skills to the next level. The class will focus on helping students further their confidence in their drawing and shading skills, and will explore a variety of techniques and concepts that will help them create more realistic drawings. These will include perspective, proportions, composition, contrast, shading, tonal values, texture, fine detail, and the difference between expressive and representational drawings.

Throughout the class, students will have the opportunity to work with a range of drawing media, including pencil, pen and ink, oil pastels, charcoal, and colored pencil. They will learn the unique characteristics of each medium and how to use them to create different effects. Subject matters will include inanimate objects, still life, landscapes, nature and urban scenes, animals, and portraiture. Students will be required to keep a sketchbook for homework and will be encouraged to practice the skills learned in class in order to strengthen their drawing skills and confidence. 
Throughout the class, students will be challenged to think critically and creatively, and to push the boundaries of their skills and techniques. They will also be encouraged to develop their own artistic voice and vision, and to use drawing as a means of personal expression and growth. By the end of the class, students will have significantly improved their drawing skills and will have created a portfolio of original drawings.
Mixed Media Watercolor

There are countless techniques to watercoloring and each artist has their favorite. In this mixed media watercolor class, students will learn all the different ways that watercolor can be used in combination with other mediums, such as ink, colored pencil, watercolor pencils, markers, and more. The class will be divided into two parts. During the first half, students will be introduced to watercolors and will learn to become comfortable with the medium through creating their own personal color chart and experimenting with different techniques for creating textures. They will then apply what they have learned by creating a stunning painting that incorporates ink and colored pencils.

In the second half of the class, students will explore more non-traditional techniques and will learn how to mix in additional mediums to create rich and dynamic compositions. They will work from photos, still lifes, and inanimate objects, and will have the opportunity to explore their own creative vision and style. By the end of the class, students will have developed their skills in mixed media watercolor and will have created a collection of original paintings.
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Visual Journaling

Visual journaling is a form of self-expression and reflection through the use of art, writing, and other creative mediums. In this class, students will learn how to create a personal visual journal or sketchbook where they can record their thoughts, ideas, and observations through drawings, painting, collages, mixed media, mandalas, and other visual media.

Students will also have the opportunity to experiment with different art materials and techniques, and learn how to use journal prompts and writing to enhance their visual journaling practice. This class will focus on helping students use visual journaling as a means of self-exploration and personal growth, and will encourage them to express their creativity and emotions through their journals. By the end of the class, students will have created their own unique visual journal, filled with their own original artwork and writing.
1 Comment

People to People, Dream to Dream

3/19/2023

0 Comments

 
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In the age of the rise of virtual learning and local business decline, we want to thank our community for the solid welcome and continued support we have received as Encore Creative Center in Treasure Valley!

It started out as a teenager's dream to have a wonderland of resources and creative teachers who really care and truly inspire and effectively enable. And a couple decades later it's alive and well through what we call Encore. Years of home studios, countless community events, hardcore training and artistic experience later, that dream has always been to enable more dreams, and that is exactly what our whole team is busy doing today. Opening our first commercial center in 2021 and a second one in 2022, nothing is holding back the momentum as we keep building. In 2023 we are grateful to be the creative hub that you can trust to empower your artistic and performance pursuits.


Tuition is our sole source of income to cover facility and showcase overhead, the solid instructor pay their experience deserves, and extensive amounts of art supplies, musical instruments, technologic equipment, and props and costumes. We are essentially self-maintaining -- with every need comes a means, and with every means comes a new need. It's a circle of life, in a way!

When you sign up for lessons or classes at Encore, you are not only leveling up you or your family’s skill sets, you are also part of the growth of something truly beautiful. Our MISSION is to bring down to earth community (joy) together with exceptional creativity (excellence), in many mediums and expressions under the same roof(s). (Joy and Excellence deserve to be paired up more often within the arts!) Our VISION is to refine our processes and expand our offerings and make it possible to eventually open our own performance venue and art gallery as well... but, one step at a time!

From desk staff to instructors to ownership we are working hard (and with joy) every day of the year to meet requests and make everything about Encore a positive place to be. We mean it when we say Encore is a family... and you are part of it.

As we continue to implement more facets of our vision, please continue to make your desires for our future known, people to people. (Read: if you ever say, "What do you think about _____?" I will probably say, "Oooooh...!") Your vision is part of our vision. Thank you for joining the journey as we continue to plant as a pillar in the community.

Keep creating and growing,
Danika
(your director at Encore)

Author

Danika Starrharrt is a music educator, serial songwriter, parent, fearless entrepreneur, and a voice for mental clarity. She loves chocolate and long walks on the beach like every other blogger, and in her spare time she.... realizes there is no such thing as spare time and gets back to Encoring.

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    Encore Creative Center

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​Join the Joy -- Live the Excellence
We are one community and one mission, but two campuses for your convenience.

NORTH CAMPUS
1045 S Ancona Ave #140, Eagle, ID 83616
Desk Hours:
​​Mon-Fri 11:00am-7:00pm
(The center is also open for students during any other scheduled lessons or classes.)
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SOUTH CAMPUS
3017 S Meridian Rd, Meridian, ID 83642
Desk Hours:
​
​Mon-Fri 11:00am-7:00pm
(The center is also open for students during any other scheduled lessons or classes.)
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  • Home
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Values
    • Instructors
    • Testimonials
    • Piano Alive
    • All Class Descriptions
    • What to Expect
  • Private Lessons
  • Fall 2023
    • General Weekly Classes
    • Encore Early Learners
    • Homeschool Dropoff Program
  • Events
  • Paint Parties
  • Field Trips
  • Rental Instruments
  • Books and Music
  • New Student Registration
  • Student Portal
  • Contact