FINE ART CLASSES & WORKSHOPS 2026-27

Please scroll down this listing for fuller descriptions of workshop and classes OR click on the menu on the right to go to specific classes and workshops to register.

WEEKLY CLASSES

 PRIVATE MENTORING: By arrangement
Contact mira: mira@mirawhitefineart.com
$85 hr w/2 hour minimum

BEGINNING WATERCOLOR(  7 sessions) ( Full)
Winter Session. 1/05-2/23
Tuesdays 6:30-9:30 pm
Studio One Art Center
365 45th St. Oakland, CA 94610
Register:https://www.studiooneartcenter.net/ 510 597-5027
Tuition: $317( resident)

CONTINUING WATERCOLOR (7 sessions)
WINTER SESSION 1/07-2/25 Thursdays  6:30-9:30 pm,
Studio One Art Center, 365 45th St. Oakland, 9461
Register: https://www.studiooneartcenter.net/ 510 597-5027
Tuition: $317( resident)

PAINTING WITH SOFT PASTELS :
WINTER SESSION 1/09/27-2/27
Saturdays 10 am-1 pm
Studio One Art Center
365 45th St. Oakland, CA 94610
Register: https://www.studiooneartcenter.net/ 510 597-5027
Tuition: $317( resident)

WORKSHOPS 2027

NEW!ABSTRACT INTENTIONS WITH OIL & COLD WAX
JANUARY 23, 24, 25, 2027 Friday-Sunday 10 am-4 pm
Studio 55, 55 Howe Road, Martinez, CA 94553
Register: https://www.studio55martinez.com
Tuition: $350 PLUS $30 MATERIALS FEE TO INSTRUCTOR

WONDROUS WAX: Melted Wax meets Mixed Media 
MARCH 20-22,2027 Friday-Sunday 10am-4 pm,
Studio 55, 55 Howe Road, Martinez, CA
Register: https://www.studio55martinez.com
Tuition: $ 400 plus materials fee to instructor ( see materials listStudio 55, 55 Howe Road,

To register for my private classes & workshops: 925 -282-5045 mira@mirawhitefineart.com

REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY FOR MY PRIVATE  CLASSES & WORKSHOPS: Cancellation will yield a refund only if cancellation occurs no later than 2 weeks before said workshop.

Abstract Intentions in Cold Wax, Oil & Pigment Sticks

                                          January 22, 23,24, 2027

Friday-Sunday 10 am-4 pm
Studio 55, 55 Howe Road
Martinez, CA                                      
Tuition: $ 350 Additional $30 materials fee directto the instructor
 Pre-register:https://www.studio55martinez.com
 More info: mira@mirawhitefineart.com
       

This workshop will  focus on a variety of innovative  techniques with oil /cold wax and pigment sticks. During our time together we will work with a variety of mixed media methods with the wax, exploring its diversity.  You will leave the workshop with at least 3 panels that can work separately or together as a triptych. For continuing painters familiar with oil media. 

  • You are fascinated with Abstraction as a way to bring more personal meaning, excitement and  drama into your work.
  • You are obsessed with color, texture, and design and want to incorporate these elements more fully into your work:
  • You are fascinated with layering processes and the possibilities of layering and excavating- it is kind of an archeological dig.
  • You want to learn how to combine  pastels and oil pigment sticks in a way that enhances rather than muddies.
  • You want to experiment with  mark making, doodling and develop a  more personal   calligraphy and visual vocabulary.

   
      

MATERIALS LIST 7You will need 300 lb w/c paper or 4 or 8 ply museum board – 1 full sheet cut up in 6 “ squares for exercises You should  have about 15 6″x6″ pieces for samplers. You can also use Arches Oil Paper

  1. The materials fee will cover Gamblin cold wax, gamsol, assorted oil pastels , soft pastels, pigment sticks,
  2. Bring Your collection of oil  and collage materials including:

    Oil paint, Watercolor crayons, charcoal, oil pastels, water based graphite pencils, colored pencils, Oil paint sticks, graphite pencils. Wax loves Oil. NO ACRYLIC PAINT
  3. I use R&F Pigment sticks; also workable are Shiva, Winsor Newton & Sennelier
  4. 3  Additonal Surfaces to work on:  Must be Absorbent and Inflexible

    3 Wood *or prepared Encaustic panels—8”x8” up to 12”

    * 1/2″  birch or finished plywood is great


    4. 1pint Citra Solv or Gamblin’s Gamsol

    5. 1 tube Gamblin’s G Gel ( optional)

    6. Variety of scrapers, innovative tools: Meissermeister bowl scraper( from Amazon)

    7. Bristle utility   brushes , variety of sizes ½”, 1”, 2” – cheap are fine.

    8.Scissors, Tweezers,

    9. Collage materials: Papers, Threads, Xerox images, photos

    10. Masking Tape for stenciling—11/2 “ , 2-4”

    11. Rags/ Wear crummy clothes, Protective gloves and/ or hand creme

          Nail scrubber and bar soap
         Wax paper

 

WONDROUS WAX: Mixed Media Meets Melted Wax

                                                March 20-22, 2027

This vibrant workshop combines multiple media techniques with melted beeswax on a variety of surfaces, emphasizing unity of design, texture & color.  We work with a combination of both dry & wet media, including soft pastels, watercolor, oil paint/ sticks, charcoal, graphite & collage. No acrylic media. All imagery applicable. Use mediums of choice. Appropriate for continuing painters and collagists. Beginners in Encaustic are welcome.  Instructor supplies the wax medium, wax paint, heating tools, practice surfaces and 1 panel per student. Continue reading →

PAINTING STUNNING ABSTRACTS WITH MIXED MEDIA & SOFT PASTELS

      April 19-20, 2025

Join me for a wonderful opportunity to experiment with multiple water-based media in combination with soft pastels and collage.  We explore the versatility of the soft pastel medium, painting with water & alcohol ( no petroleum-based solvents). We layer with both dry & wet media, possibly incorporating rich texture. Lots of exuberant mark making on several surfaces! Open to continuing artists of all levels & to adventurous beginners wh want to explore the untapped versatility of this stunning combination.  Material list available on both Studio 55 website and my website https://www.miraMwhitefineartworkshops.com

April 19-20, Sat-Sun 10 am-4 pm             Register: https://www.studio55martinez.com  Studio 55, 55 Howe Road, Martinez, CA                     Tuition: $ 375

     

MATERIALS LIST:YOU BRING:

Soft  Chalk Pastels: Your collection of soft chalk pastels, . For this workshopany of the relatively inexpensive sets of chalk pastels ( Koss,  Rembrandt, Alphacolor, Blick) are fine. If you have the richer, highly pigmented brands that i(s also good( Schmincke, Sennelier, or Great American ArtWorks) Just get a set of at least 24 colors  , 

 Papers: Surfaces

  2 sheets  22″x30″140 lb  watercolor paper( can be Strathmore or Arches) that has been prepared with 1 good coat of white gesso on both sides
10 sheets black or lavender 320grit commercial sandpaper  that is 10″x8″( these are for warm up exercises 
Lots of extra paper for collage work( newsprint, sketch paper  , etc

Paints : Your collection of acrylic paints ( preferably fluid),/ colored inks, watercolor paints ( if you use them- tubes, not pan colors)

 Brushes: An assortment of inexpensive hog bristle brushes that can withstand sanded pastel papers,acrylic paint, and painting with rubbing alcohol on a roughened surface.
Contractors pack of smooth foam rollers 3″ or 6# with appropriate handles.

Additional materials:

White Liquitex or Golden Acrylic Gesso 1 pint
Black Liquitex or Golden Acrylic Gesso 1 pint
Liquitex CLEAR  Gesso 1 pint(only this brand)
 Liquitex or Golden Acrylic Gel Medium for gluing collage papers
 70 % isopropyl rubbing alcohol 1 qt.
 Trigger sprayer with variable spray ( 8 oz size) (Amazon)6 20z cosmetic sprayers( misters) Amazon or Bed Bath & Beyond)
 2 “ or wider Masking tape, Bull dog clips , Blending stumps/Q tips

 Surgical/protective gloves/ protective hand creme

 Utility knife
, Scissors
  Drawing board to fit size of paper, ( I use 1/2″ foam core or sturdy cardboard
 Glassine paper for protecting work. and portfolio ( can be homemade & cardboard) for storing work
 INSTRUCTOR BRINGS:


Graphite powder and dry pigments, fixativ
Additional tools and mediums
Extra mark making tools

Mail Order Suppliers:  Dakota Pastels http://www.dakotapastels.com

 

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