Visual Arts and Bookbinding

E-mail: cearts@mtroyal.ca
Information: 403.440.6012
Register: Start here
Location: Lincoln Park Campus, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW

Bookbinding Courses | Student Testimonials

Note: A supplies list for each course will be provided upon registration. Beginners are welcome in all classes.

Drawing, Introductory
Learn to draw with expert hands-on guidance from your instructor. Get started with the basic principles of seeing and drawing and learn to master line, value, texture, composition and perspective through the use of pencil, conte and charcoal. Unleash your creativity with lots of help in class. Beginners welcome.

Painting With Watercolours
Create a world of colour and light by applying watercolour paints to a variety of subjects. Explore dry brush, wash and wet-on-wet techniques as you explore perspective, line, colour and form. Beginners welcome.

Painting with Acrylics, Level 1
Express your creativity and discover for yourself why acrylics are the preferred medium of artists today. Discover the basics of colour, composition and texture to use with this versatile water-based paint. Beginners welcome.

Increase Your Confidence with Acrylics    
Be introduced to a style of painting called alla prima, meaning to complete a painting in one sitting. Learn to squint away the details and focus on the main shapes. Mornings will consist of exercises aimed at loosening up your brush. Bring a landscape photograph (one of your own) to work from in the afternoons.

Painting with Acrylics, Level 2: A Continuation
Expand your knowledge and experience with acrylic paints in this continuation of the Painting with Acrylics course. Focus on different elements of landscape such as a figure in landscape, portraiture, and advanced still-life techniques such as painting glass and metal. Enhance your ability to express your own personal creativity with acrylics.
Note: We strongly recommend completion of Painting with Acrylics, Level 1 before registering in this course.

Chalk Pastels
Chalk pastel art is often described as a blend of drawing and painting. Discover the pleasures and challenges of working with chalk pastels. Acquire techniques such as blending, cross-hatching and layering, and practise them in projects including still life, portraits, animals and landscapes.
Note: We strongly recommend completion of an introductory drawing course before registering in this course.

Drawing with Pencil Crayons      NEW!
Bring your compositions to life with the rich, vibrant colour of pencil crayons. Explore this versatile media through a variety of techniques including blending, hatching and masking. Enhance your knowledge of colour theory and composition through plenty of guided practice.

Abstract Painting with Acrylics
Explore your creative side through the expression and spontaneity of abstract painting. Develop a variety of techniques to create images ranging from landscapes to portraiture to pure emotive abstraction. Understand the basic concepts behind colour theory, paint mixing, application, composition and balance.
Supplies: list provided upon registration.

Portrait and Figure Drawing
Beginning with the basics of drawing, explore portraiture and the human form with a variety of drawing media and techniques. Experimenting with line, value, foreshortening, setting and lighting, you will progress to drawing from a live model with confidence. 

Artistic Excursions
Personalize your drawing or painting style and challenge your creativity in this rewarding and relaxing course. Join an experienced artist on local trips to country settings where you will work on seeing and drawing/painting the world in new ways. Draw or paint scenes with a sense of depth, defining shapes and textures, and contrasting light and dark.
Note: You are responsible for your own transportation and parking. You must sign a waiver form. Admission fees may apply.
Note: We strongly suggest beginner to intermediate painting/drawing skills before registering in this course. 

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Bookbinding Courses

Note: A supplies list for each course will be provided upon registration. Beginners are welcome in all courses. Classes are limited to 15 students.

Introduction to Bookbinding and Book Arts
Discover the history of bookbinding and explore various book models to illustrate different styles and techniques used in book art. Identify types of materials, supplies and resources used to create basic bookbinding techniques. Explore the new developments of bookbinding including altered books and artist books.
Note: Techniques acquired in this course are helpful in further bookbinding courses.

Accordion Artist Book
Create your own one-of-a-kind accordion artist book filled with handmade paper, suitable for a journal, photo album or artist book. Discover how to fold paper, identify paper grain and score paper. Design a book cover using book board. 

 Mini-Coptic Binding with Wood Covers
Create your own unique artist book by using ancient non-adhesive techniques to create a mini-journal complete with exotic wood covers. Suitable for gift giving, as a travel journal or just as an unusual decorative piece.

Japanese Side Sewn Book
Produce a Japanese side sewn journal using unique handmade papers. Cut the text block to size, manufacture paper covers and sew the book using ancient Japanese techniques. Gain some simple bookbinding skills such as folding, cutting paper and simple sewing techniques. Subject code: XPVA 10035.

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Student Testimonials

Chalk Pastels
“I had a wonderful time; I got pushed to explore and advance my skills and got encouragement and instruction as to how to begin/improve/fix them. I felt extremely empowered in this class.”

Susan Chipperfield, Chalk Pastels student

Painting with Acrylics
“...A wonderful introduction to the world of art and effective techniques to produce some!”

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