Acrylic Painting Class

About this event

checklist More Details

comment Description

manage_accounts Instructor Info

info FAQ

program overview

Learn how to paint with acrylics! In this class we’ll practice using black and white to understand value, play with mixing colors to make a color wheel, and experiment with using tints, tones and shades to complete a finished painting.

Please register before November 4th.

• Lesson 1 – value does the work

• Setting up your paints

• Mixing black and white

• Painting a value scale

• What can I use this for?

• Painting a sphere in black and white

• Looking at lit and shadow sides

• Terminator

• Cast shadow

• Highlight

• Lesson 2 – playing with color

• Mixing secondary and tertiary colors

• Making a color wheel

• Mixing tints, tones and shades

• Making color strips

• Mixing mutes

• Making browns

• Lesson 3 – a finished painting

• Painting a simple still life (apple, lemon, etc)

• What colors do you see?

• How is it like a sphere?

• Where are the lights and darks?

• Where are the warms and cools?

• What about saturation – where do you see subtle variations that you can add

instructor Overview

Julie Kirgis

Julianne Kirgis grew up in a family that appreciated art as observers, but not makers. Although she leaned towards painting, drawing and sculpture throughout her life, pursuing art as a career was never something she seriously considered. After finishing a career in higher education, she decided it was finally time to explore her creative side. Julie turned to oil painting full time, starting with taking classes at the local community college. From there, she pursued an MFA in painting and drawing, completed in 2026. While Julie’s work focused originally on portraiture, she has developed her practice to include both figures and fully abstract pieces, using both oil on canvas and oil and cold wax on wood. Julie teaches art online at Shelton State Community College and is an artist member of the Arts Guild of Sonoma.

Membership Has It’s Benefits

All Silver Memberships and above receive 10% off the registration cost for any class purchase over $40. Materials fees are not discounted.

Membership helps support our programs, events, and financial aid programs. Become a member today and find community, connection, and creativity.

Membership Information Join the Studio

Class FAQ

What is the process for cancelling my registration?

We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds , due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.

Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.

All credits must be used within 1 year.

Where can I find your full class policies and guidelines?

You can view our full class policies and guidelines here .

Accessibility Needs & Commitment

The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.

What skill level is right for me?

• All Levels

• Welcomes participants from beginning through advanced. Instructor provides a balanced and flexible curriculum suitable for participants with any level of experience.

• Beginning

• Participant has little to no experience with this medium and needs or expects guidance at every step during the class. Participant wants to learn about materials, techniques, and vocabulary of the medium.

• Intermediate

• Participant is comfortable with the medium and expects both guidance and time to work alone with the medium.

• Advanced

• Participant is very confident with all aspects of the medium. Participant is self-motivated; ready to experiment and develop their artistic voice.

Is there a building map so I can find my room ahead of time?

Click Image to Expand

Click Image to Expand

Do you pro-rate late additions to classes?

Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org to request a late addition.

I am interested in teaching, where can I find more information?

We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here .

Schedule

Saturdays Weekly · 3 Weeks

Date & Time

November 7 – 21, 2026

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

This Session

from

Location

Category

Experience Level

Ages

Registration Cost:

$100

Materials Fee:

Included

Total Registration Cost: