41 Course(s) Found | back to search >>

Advertising Design | Animation + Video | Art and Antiques Appraisal + Connoisseurship | Art, Mind + Spirit | Book + Paper Arts | Business of Art + Design | Culinary Arts + Entertaining | Drawing | Home + Garden Design | In Style | Interior Design | Jewelry + Metal Arts | Landscape Design | Painting | Photography | Design for the Web | Young Artists: Teen (12 - 17) |

Chris Amorosino

Despite whirlwind changes in technology, the goal of copywriting has remained the same: to craft a clear and compelling message. In this course, beginning copywriters (and anyone who writes about their business) learn how copywriting has changed in an online world, and how to write effectively for evolving Internet marketing and social media marketing platforms. Students develop creative strategies for presenting messages that get noticed, building reputation and visibility, and distinguishing their business or product from the competition.

Applies to: AD-E, GR-E, WE-E

Jessica Jennings

Lighting the video image has never been easy, but there are dependable strategies that the low-budget filmmaker can use that will look like a million dollars to the audience. In addition to understanding lighting technology, it is important to know how to design a three-dimensional space for two-dimensional presentation. This intensive workshop covers it all: a tutorial in lighting hardware (meters, lights, doors, scrims and reflectors) framed by discussions of lighting philosophy and aesthetic. A practical demonstration allows participants to work with equipment in a hands-on simulation of the best that is possible with guerilla lighting scenarios.

Applies to: AD-E, AN-E, DI-E, SA-E, VE-E

Brian Tierney

Boston is the home of two of the finest museum collections in the US. In this program for appraisers, we take guided tours of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, both having recently undergone major expansion and renovation that allow more of the collections to be seen and highlighted. Our visit to the MFA focuses on the collections of fine and decorative art in the new Art of the Americas Wing, as well as the contemporary galleries. Following our visit to the MFA (a large public art museum) we visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, a private collection that reflects the taste and intellect of an individual. This eclectic collection of both fine and decorative art remains virtually unchanged from the time Mrs. Gardner assembled and opened it in 1903. These museums' recent expansions of space have breathed new life into both remarkable institutions -- don't miss this opportunity to experience their grand re-awakenings. Free time for individual exploration at each museum is planned. Note: Class meets in Boston; directions are sent to registered participants. Museum admission is included in tuition; lunch and transportation to and from Boston are not covered by tuition.

Applies to: AS-E

Brian Tierney

Louise T. Hall

While successful appraisers have to know all about the art of appraising, they also have to know all about running a business. This intensive, one-day seminar helps prospective career appraisers explore how to establish a professional practice and identity. Louise Hall, a career appraiser, profiles her practice. Judith Vance, ASA discusses her transition from the New York publishing world to a successful fine art appraiser. Janan Archibald, president of Mind Your Manors, discusses her transition from the corporate environment to appraiser and estate liquidator. Participants have ample opportunity to discuss issues relevant to them during question-and-answer sessions with the presenters.

Applies to: AS-E

Cordelia Wheelock

This intensive weekend workshop exposes participants to a variety of hands-on art therapy techniques using drawing, painting and sculpture. These techniques focus on creative self-expression, a fundamental process often used by people to reflect upon themselves and their lives. Students follow individual and group art therapy directives -- designed to explore specific themes or topics of discussion -- and ways that these directives can be used in one's personal or professional life. This workshop is appropriate for students wishing to explore art therapy techniques, both for their own lives or to pursue education in the field.

Suzi Cozzens

Japanese Bookbinding + Suminagashi
BOOK-2164
This workshop begins with an introduction to suminagashi or "ink floating," an ancient Japanese paper marbling technique. After experimenting with various papers and pigments, participants use their papers to make books with Japanese-style bindings. A variety of traditional Japanese stitches is demonstrated, and special attention is paid to the unique proportions of traditional Japanese books. Students leave class with a completed blank book.

Suzi Cozzens

Japanese Box Making
BOOK-2131
Participants construct boxes featuring unique, traditional closures and covers made from beautifully patterned imported Japanese papers. These boxes may be constructed to fit papers and books created in the previous workshops.

Suzi Cozzens

Japanese Papermaking
BOOK-2163
Working with Asian fibers such as kozo and gampi, participants learn traditional papermaking methods to create thin, translucent sheets of paper. Flowers, grasses and fibers, or more unusual objects such as silk threads, photos, fragments of text and seed pods, may be layered between these sheets. Participants leave class with a variety of handmade papers.

Glenn Gutmacher

In this highly competitive job market, your plans for landing a better job should include strategies for establishing your own personal brand by tackling the online world. You can showcase your subject matter expertise through social networks (including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter), with an online portfolio, by blogging, and by contributing comments to industry sites. In this course, Glenn Gutmacher, a popular online sourcer, shares methods to build -- or rebuild -- your personal brand on the Internet. He demonstrates how to optimize traffic to your online identity, and to discover what kind of presence your portfolio has online (hint: not just on your own domain). He also illuminates the power of blogging (by having your own blog and posting to others'), and of providing answers to relevant questions on expert networks. The course is perfect for job seekers or career changers, introverts and extroverts, and anyone looking to stand out in the crowd.

Allison Cole

Etsy.com is the artist's answer to eBay, connecting buyers with makers of handmade art and products. Since its start in 2005, this online marketplace has grown into a worldwide community offering alternatives to mass-produced objects. In this workshop, a successful Etsy artist/merchant shows you how to supplement your income by creating a compelling presence for your design works on Etsy. Topics include setting up your shop with an effective shop name, descriptions, key words and photographs; pricing your work; and how to market and publicize your shop. Your Etsy business doesn't have to be incorporated, nor is online sales experience required.

Ari Warsaw

Good knife skills are one of the most important parts of the culinary arts: they help to speed preparation time, prevent accidents, improve the quality of the food you cook by ensuring uniform cooking times, and enhance visual appeal. In this hands-on class, private chef Ari Warsaw begins by instructing students how to select the appropriate knife for the job, as well as how to properly care for a knife including handling, sharpening, edging on a steel and cleaning. He guides students as they practice basic knife cuts such as batonnet, brunoise and julienne, and as they cut an onion, chiffonade basil, bone a chicken or fillet a fish. Note: Students should bring their best knife and personal cutting board.

Evelyn Herman

Topsy turvy cakes add a delightful element to any celebration. Learn to make a stacked cake in the topsy turvy style -- a fun optical illusion that makes a cake appear tilted. Through hands-on demonstration by a master sugar artist, learn how to sculpt, cover in rolled fondant, and stack two small cakes. Students practice construction techniques such as cutting layers and angles, and the use of dowels for support, and are given instruction on how to apply these methods to larger three- and four-tiered cakes. Once the mechanics of the cake structure are complete, we decorate and personalize our masterpieces. With an infinite number of decorative possibilities, these whimsical cakes are suitable for almost any occasion.

Haruki Kibe

Sushi -- popular because it lends itself to creative, colorful and delicious combinations of fish and vegetables -- is a great hors d'oeuvre for your next party, or can stand alone as the perfect entree for a light meal. This hands-on class held at Haruki's flagship restaurant in Cranston, RI offers the opportunity for you to learn from Chef Haruki himself how to make sushi at home. The class begins with an introduction to basic rice marinating for the sushi roll, and introduces tips and techniques for creating a variety of sushi using ingredients that are widely available to the home cook. The class concludes with a lunch at Haruki Restaurant, or participants may choose to take their sushi creations home with them. Note: Class meets at an off-campus location; directions are sent to registered participants.

Kristin Brennan

Boutique cupcake shops are popping up all over the country, each with its one-of-a-kind spin on the classic confections. Students in this workshop get a hands-on opportunity to create their own signature flavor by taking a basic vanilla or chocolate batter and incorporating unique and unusual ingredients for exciting and yummy results -- think Cupcake Wars, without the competition! Basic decorating techniques are also taught so that you can walk away with delights that are not only scrumptious, but beautifully decorated as well. Note: Class takes place at an off-campus location; directions are sent to registered students.

Timothy McFate

Two-thirds of the world's population eats most of its meals from some sort of bowl; for RISD's Chef Tim McFate, that makes for a journey of endless combinations. From China to Mexico, and Italy to India, Chef Tim enlightens and entertains us, as we learn what makes different cultures' comfort foods tasty and healthy. Rice and other grains form the foundation of diet and agriculture, and help to establish community when helpings are served to or from the bowl. Learn the secrets of indigenous stocks, local and regional techniques, historic rituals and even how bowl material choice (wood, clay or metal) can impact preparation and taste. Come discover the many simple hidden treasures in a bowl that are a classic part of the joy of cooking!

Katie McDonald

The raw food movement has grown in popularity, as people have embraced its health benefits and aesthetic appeal. Preparing raw food is a sensory, creative art that enables one to capture the bounty of the season and incorporate the color and diversity of our region's agricultural largesse. After a brief lesson on the philosophy behind the raw foods movement and how it connects us to greater themes, students prepare a vegan raw soup beyond the expected gazpacho or melon; and an appetizer bursting with flavor that paves the way for an entree that is complex in its simplicity. Students leave class inspired to find more innovative ways to create their own fresh, flavorful and beautiful raw food dishes.

Katie McDonald

You don't have to give up dessert if you're a raw foodist. Raw desserts satisfy our cravings for sweetness while quieting the drive to overindulge. Made without processed sugar and with whole ingredients, they leave us feeling nourished and whole. Together, we make ice cream without milk and eggs, pies without processed flours, and cookies without processed sugar. Instead, we look to whole plant foods to satisfy our instinctual sweet tooth. Led by a natural foods expert, this class is for those seeking ways to keep dessert in their lives without undermining a commitment to exceptional health. Additionally, sugar-sensitive people, vegans and those with allergies or intolerances to dairy or gluten will embrace this class with relief and delight!

Jo-Ann Ross

Throughout the ages, famous artists such as Picasso, DaVinci and Renoir have been inspired by wine as a symbol of joy, hospitality and sociability. Now, as wine tasters, we are inspired by works of art. In this workshop, you taste two wine selections, and together we decide which wine best suits our personal response to a work's visual and emotional cues, whether it be the colors, subject matter or other qualities. Expect words like "joyous," "magical," "exhilarating" and "inspired" to come to mind as you describe your experience. Please plan to attend this very inventive, interactive art event pairing wine with art, which may forever change how you look at creative works. Note: Registrants must be 21 or older.

Kaitlyn Roberts

Join the executive chef and owner of Providence-area Easy Entertaining for a tour focused on ecological, cultural and agricultural sustainability. We explore and savor the best locally-raised foods available from small-scale New England farmers, cheesemakers and other food artisans. Class participants accompany Chef Roberts to a local farmers' market, where she discusses aspects of ingredient selection and seasonal specialties. Local growers share their insights on sourcing and item selection, and where to save money without sacrificing healthfulness or quality. The class continues in the studio of Easy Entertaining, where students learn the most nutritious and flavor-enhancing cooking methods for seasonal ingredients. Note: Class takes place at an off-campus location; directions are sent to registered students.

Kaitlyn Roberts

Join the executive chef and owner of Providence-area Easy Entertaining for a tour focused on ecological, cultural and agricultural sustainability. We explore and savor the best locally-raised foods available from small-scale New England farmers, cheesemakers and other food artisans. Class participants accompany Chef Roberts to a local farmers' market, where she discusses aspects of ingredient selection and seasonal specialties. Local growers share their insights on sourcing and item selection, and where to save money without sacrificing healthfulness or quality. The class continues in the studio of Easy Entertaining, where students learn the most nutritious and flavor-enhancing cooking methods for seasonal ingredients. Note: Class takes place at an off-campus location; directions are sent to registered students.

Jeanne Sturim

Notable illustrator and pastel artist Jeanne Sturim shares her knowledge, technique and expertise in this two-day intensive workshop on both drawing and the use of pastels. Jeanne helps students to sharpen their observational skills, develop their own approach to design and build a drawing with pastels. Demonstrations are given on how to begin the drawing with charcoal, followed by a watercolor underpainting to establish light and dark values, and finally on ways of applying pastels. Cross-hatching and layering are discussed in terms of color mixing to achieve a desired luminous effect. Students work from still-life set-ups with the complex combination of subject and medium providing a challenging, exciting and ultimately, rewarding experience. All levels of students are welcome, as participants work at their own speed.

Applies to: CB-E, DS-E, NS-E

Mara Metcalf

Technique and medium are interchangeable in mixed media, where the premise is to mix whatever you want in whatever ways you want, with the most unexpected combinations often yielding the most interesting results. While this class facilitates practice and play to allow for individual discovery, directed exercises ensure a solid introduction to the possibilities of working with charcoal, watercolor, ink, gouache and acrylic. Techniques for gluing, drawing, painting, cutting, transferring, layering, collage and assemblage -- using cardboard, ribbon, paper, fabric, graphite and even found objects -- are investigated. Many artists today work in a wide range of mixed media; the ability to experiment proves invaluable as individuals look for the best medium to optimally express their ideas.

Applies to: CB-E, DS-E, NS-E

Eleanor Sabin

In this class, students learn the fundamentals of mastering mark-making with pen and ink. Students experiment with the tools of the medium including crowquill and brush, on surfaces such as mylar, bristol board and various papers. They learn how to render values, grade tones and apply them to drawing simple objects. Using techniques of line weight variation, stippling, cross-hatching and washes, students establish value systems from subtle to dynamic to create illusions of space, distance and shadow. Laying down washes and building layers, as well as integrating pen work with brush work, are demonstrated and then experimented with. Fundamental issues of composition, scale and proportion are introduced as work is done on different sizes of paper.

Applies to: CB-E, DS-E, NS-E

Michele Noiset

Fresh, pure and instant color -- without tubes to squeeze, paint to mix or brushes to clean -- is the hallmark of pastels. This versatile medium lends itself to a large range of stylistic possibilities, from softly blended surfaces to free, sketch-like layering. Students in this workshop are introduced to materials and techniques, as they learn to create different visual effects depending on the supports (paper, board, etc.) and grounds. Demonstrations are given on the various ways to build drawings, including mapping and mark-making -- such as blocking, optical mixing, scumbling and feathering -- as well as other drawing fundamentals. Working primarily with soft pastels on colored paper, students learn to build composition through light and value, form, tone and color.

Applies to: CB-E, DS-E, NS-E

Cathy Wilkerson

Your windows are your visual channels to the outside world. For this reason, window dressings and treatments, along with knowledgeable choices of fabrics and styles, can add immeasurably to the beauty and comfort of your home. In this class, we explore the range of styles, fabrics and hardware available. We discuss the differences between draperies and curtains, the aesthetic value vs. the practicality of using decorative hardware, as well as the implications of using sheers vs. blinds. Whether you are decorating a home, an apartment or a converted loft space, and whether you have tall, small or bay windows to transform, this class provides stimulating and practical solutions to your design challenges.

Susan Mullins

If you're into flapper dresses, poodle skirts or the "Mod Look", or can't wait for the return of the zoot suit or bell-bottoms, then shopping for vintage clothing and accessories is for you! In this workshop, Boston fashion stylist Susan Mullins helps you to polish your shopping and bargaining skills, and reveals her fashion and wardrobe secrets for women and men, so that you can shop vintage with confidence. We are introduced to basic clothing construction, historic costume, and the skills of buying and collecting -- including where to find vintage stores worldwide. We study popular designers -- from the Victorian era to the "padded shoulder craze" -- and learn about fashionable trademarks. Join us to master the art of shopping for vintage clothing and accessories as you learn to cultivate your own sense of style.

Cathy Wilkerson

Schedule Update: The end date for this course changed after the publication of the Summer 2012 catalog. Class will now meet Mondays, June 18 - July 9 (no class July 2).

Heather Guidero

Beginning with the basic building block of jewelry design -- the wire jump ring, or starting link of a chain -- this workshop gives students an introduction to a variety of handmade chain options. Using pliers available from any hardware store and easy-to-make jigs, students learn how to form jump rings of all sizes and shapes. Students then use their jump rings to make samples of different chain patterns and select their favorite to create their own necklace, bracelet and/or earrings. Basic wire wrapping techniques, perfect for incorporating stones and found objects, are introduced. Additionally, ways to alter the wire’s surface and texture by hammering, twisting, carving and drilling are presented, and students learn how to apply various finishes to their pieces. Students explore the possibilities for unique forms by going beyond the basic circle chains and hoops. No jewelry experience is necessary, and everything learned in class can easily be practiced at home.

Applies to: JM-E

Elena M. Pascarella

In this class, we examine what causes a landscape to become overgrown, and what to do to reclaim it. Common issues are addressed, including the appropriateness and location of plants, changing conditions and poorly maintained plots. We analyze existing plants in terms of size, shape, location and surroundings, as well as light level, soil conditions and climate. We also identify the major invasive plants and how to best get rid of them. Then we look at what needs to be removed, pruned and changed. Students leave this class with a plan for how to address their own green space and with great online resources to refer to later. Note: Students should bring photos of their landscape to class.

Elena M. Pascarella

We are becoming increasingly aware of the limits of our water supply and the impact that excessive use of pesticides and herbicides can have on our environment. Although many of us desire attractive landscapes for our residential properties, few have the time and resources to properly maintain landscapes that require fertilization, pest management applications and frequent pruning and irrigation. As a result, periodic droughts and insect infestations can cause many landscapes to suffer greatly. A sustainable landscaping approach can be an invaluable way to create a more easily maintainable property that is also more ecologically sound and adaptable to nature's whims. Through slides, handouts and hands-on work, participants learn to appreciate the advantages of a low-maintenance and ecologically sensitive approach to landscaping. Note: Participants are asked to bring photographs of their site for discussion purposes.

Amy Wynne-Derry

From the elegant expanse of lawns, to the extensive plant and flower specimens and the English Country Manor style architecture of the house itself, the seaside setting of Blithewold Mansion and Gardens is an ideal painting subject. In this workshop, specific strategies for working in outdoor conditions -- including fast-moving and sometimes dramatic changes in light -- are explained. Ways to approach direct painting, including how to consider large areas of tiny details (leaves, grass, bricks, plants) and different parts of the landscape such as rocks, water, trees and architecture are covered. On the first day of the workshop, emphasis is on compositional drawings and quick painted sketches. On second day, longer, more sustained studies are made using work from the first day. This course helps to demystify the process, and gives students the skills to approach landscape painting with confidence. Work can be done in either oils or acrylics, depending on the student's skill set; some painting experience is recommended. Note: The lab fee covers daily admission to Blithewold. Class meets at an off-campus location; directions are sent to registered students.

Applies to: CB-E, DS-E, NS-E

Amy Bartlett Wright

Experience with acrylic paint lays a foundation for learning to work with other water-based paint and is invaluable in skill-building for any painter, illustrator or designer. This short format class introduces acrylic painting through examples of work done in this versatile medium, followed by a demonstration on mixing. Students practice simple painting methods, including the application of thin and thick washes of paint. Students first prepare a background wash, then a preliminary drawing, and learn how to transfer the drawing onto that background. Everyone works from the same simple subject, provided by the instructor. Clear, step-by-step instructions enable students to fully understand the process. This workshop is intended for absolute beginners, as well as for experienced painters who want to gain confidence and skill with the medium.

Applies to: CB-E, DS-E, NS-E

Amy Wynne-Derry

Without the right first steps, oil painting can be a daunting medium. This class aims to get students on the right track by emphasizing technique and strategy, while encouraging experimentation and individual development. Students are given an introduction to paint, brushes, medium and palette set-up. They then learn mixing, direct paint application, and consideration of value, color and composition, gaining knowledge and confidence in beginning and sustaining a painting. Learning to quickly establish design elements within a composition and assert a specific point of view, and understanding the importance of directional lighting are crucial to critical first steps. A survey of the fundamentals of representational painting is presented. The class is structured around hands-on demonstrations and painting a variety of subjects.

Applies to: CB-E, DS-E, NS-E

Michele Noiset

Gouache is an often-favored medium for illustrators, art directors, surface and fashion designers for its unique properties of opacity, speed of drying and matte finish. From loose sketches to more formal, rendered work, many exciting and expressive results are possible. It is very easy to control and allows for a rapid and fluid working style, making it a valuable addition to everyone's artistic repertoire. Techniques, including color mixing, wash techniques, and brushwork are explained and demonstrated in this class, allowing students to experience gouache's spontaneity and immediacy. Composition and color theory, integral elements of painting with gouache, are also presented. Students work from direct observation from multiple references in order to gain a solid understanding of the medium's broad applications.

Applies to: CB-E, DS-E, NS-E

Ronald Zincone

Pushing photographic services and products in a highly competitive and over-saturated marketplace requires focus and confidence. This presentation shows you how you can be profitable as a photographer by gaining exposure for not only your artwork but for your talents as an artist. Topics include promotion through online social media, blogging and search engine optimization. Traditional marketing methods such as personal networking and printed materials are also presented to help you to steer your sole proprietorship in new directions.

Applies to: AD-E, DI-E, VE-E

Ronald Zincone

For the photographer new to digital photography, an understanding of raw file capture and processing techniques is essential. Because a raw file contains so much information, it gives you greater control over the interpretation of an image, allowing you to change your mind about settings even after you've taken a photograph. In this class, your instructor presents the various options available, their advantages and disadvantages, and demonstrates conversion and editing workflows. We then shift through the various conventions and formats (RAW, JPEG, TIFF). Students leave the session filled with newfound confidence in their ability to capture and process photographic images.

Applies to: DI-E, VE-E, WE-E

Jennifer Doumato

Shooting weddings and other personal milestones can be the golden goose of a photographer's profession. Documenting these events comes with the unique responsibility for a photographer to apply his or her vision to a subject's cherished history. In this workshop, a successful wedding photographer presents students with a complete picture of the potentials and challenges that come with these once-in-a-lifetime assignments, augmented with an image-rich slide show illustrating aesthetic and technical considerations. Business best practices like promotion, contracts, rights and permissions are also discussed, along with the ethical expectations that are assumed in the role of the wedding photographer.

Applies to: AD-E, DI-E, VE-E

Fred Spencer

The Web landscape changes so rapidly that designers, developers and end users must continually update their skills to stay current. This lecture addresses the most recent seismic shifts in semantics, presentation and behavior (HTML, CSS and JavaScript), with a review of their history, form and purpose. A special focus of this forecast is HTML5 and its role as the new industry standard, adopted for our interactive future. An implementation timeline for these programs is suggested, with a practical estimation of what will change on the Web, when and how. The lecture promises to be lively, content rich and engaging to Web users of varying abilities.

Applies to: AD-E, WE-E

Kristin Street

Every day, in magazines and newspapers, we see models showing off the latest fashions. But what makes the pictures so appealing to look at? The answer lies in the work of fashion photographers, who have a great understanding of photography, color, fashion, lights and location. This intensive one-day class helps develop skills in producing and managing street fashion photo shoots. Following a brief historical tour of fashion photography and a closer look at current trends, students are introduced to narrative styles. They then work as a team on a series of location story shoots, gaining experience with working with a model. Students learn how to light outdoor shoots, from simple flash effects to the manipulation of available lighting sources. Finally, students share in a group critique to select a small body of their best work from each venue.

Applies to: PH, YF

Christina Miles

Drawing architecture is a phenomenal way to strengthen observational drawing, practice rendering three-dimensional form, and develop skills in seeing and representing perspective. Right outside RISD's front and back doorsteps, Providence offers artists one of the most exciting urban landscapes. Historical buildings, modern skyscrapers and Waterplace Park's walkways and bridges create endless subject matter for this one-day intensive workshop. Students spend time both outdoors and in the studio -- working with a variety of drawing materials and through a range of assignments -- to produce a collection celebrating the built environment. Note: This workshop will run rain or shine.

Applies to: AT