Price range: $130.00 through $145.00
12 available
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 11:30 am–3:30 pm
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Location: Glen Arbor Arts Center Classroom
Skill: Beginner to Intermediate
Discover the art of watercolor portraiture in this hands-on class. You’ll explore essential skills such as understanding facial proportions, mixing a range of skin tones, and layering translucent washes to create depth and dimension. Eleonora will guide you step by step through techniques for capturing light, shadow, and texture, helping you bring your subject’s personality to life on paper. With watercolor’s fluid and expressive qualities, you’ll learn how to add mood and character to your portraits while developing greater confidence in your painting process. This class is designed for both beginners eager to try portrait painting techniques and those with some experience who want to refine their approach. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with new techniques, a deeper understanding of portrait painting, and a finished watercolor portrait to take home.
Objective: Skill Development
Outcome: Creation of Artwork
Eleonora has been painting and drawing since childhood. Growing up in Bulgaria, she learned how to draw and paint like the old masters. In the USA, she was introduced to contemporary methods and theory and earned her MFA in painting and drawing. Living in Northern Michigan for over 20 years, she is drawn to the beauty and serenity of the surroundings. Eleonora’s work has been shown in the Grand Rapids Art Prize competition since 2013. She has been teaching art classes for kids and adults for 20 years at various organizations, including CMU, MMCC, Midland Center for the Arts, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Oliver Art Center, NMC Extended Education, College for Kids, and TCAPS.
Watercolor Paint Colors: Hansa yellow light, permanent red, permanent rose, cobalt blue, ultramarine, sap green, phthalo green, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, Indian red, and raw umber
or a watercolor set with a selection of colors (there are some inexpensive sets)
Watercolor brushes (soft round brushes) Number 2, 5, and 10 (small, medium, and large)
Watercolor paper
Container for water
A few sheets of sketch paper
Please read the GAAC cancellation and refund policy here: http://glenarborart.org/terms-and-conditions/