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APPROACH

Oil painting is one of the oldest arts. It is alchemy: ground pigment, dug from earth or produced by pressing leaves and petals of plants, floating in pools of oil. The effects one can achieve with oils are as limitless as the techniques: translucent glazing, thickly textured impasto, wet on wet, collaging, and dry brush scumbling to name just a few.For beginners, classes cover composition, drawing with paint, values, and mixing colors. Intermediate and advanced classes for those who have some (or a lot!) of experience with oils we experiment with more mediums, creating a multitude of textures and transparencies with paint. The goal is to develop an individual signature style that feels right for each student.Classes are small, with no more than 8 students, so everyone gets plenty of hand-on individual attention at every stage of the process., with discussions of vision and technique going hand in hand. The goal is to give students the skills to translate what’s in their mind’s eye onto the canvas.(Swan Image: Jamie Bankhead)

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About Charlotta

I’m Charlotta Westergren. I’m a working artist as well as a dedicated teacher. Both of those matter immensely to me, and that should matter to you. Students come to me looking not just for help in mastering techniques, but for another set of eyes to develop their own vision.My solo shows have been reviewed in the New York Times and the Huffington Post, and my work has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, the New Yorker, and the Paris Review. While I’m mainly a painter, I’ve worked in all sorts of media, including installation and video. I started out as an architect, with a degree from Columbia, and then studied art at the Museum School in Boston.I’ve taught at the New School, the School of Visual Arts, Tufts’ Museum School, and other programs. As a teacher, I always try to highlight my students’ work. But iif you want to know more about my work and background, you’re welcome to check it out at CharlottaWestergren.com.If you have questions about classes or private lessons, or anything else, don't hesitate to get in touch. Just email me at [email protected] any time.

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Schedule & Signup

Oil paints are lustrous and sumptuous, the gold standard of mediums throughout the history of art. They can also be intimidating, with their many pigments, oils, varnishes, turpentine and brushes. For beginners, Downtown Painting breaks down the fundamentals of oil painting into manageable blocks. It’s exciting to teach beginners; there is a tremendous learning curve.For intermediate/advanced students, oil painting is a practice that one can continue to hone and develop throughout one’s life. Think of the resplendent transparent glazed portraits of Rembrandt to the thick wildly colored vibrant paintings of Van Gogh, to the tranquil moody pared down work of Hopper. At this level, students may be looking to develop their signature style or make a shift in their work and try something new.I teach classes at both beginner and intermediate/advanced levels. Often I combine the groups so beginners can see more advanced students at work. Many students learn faster watching others work, and find it inspiring to see where they might be headed. If you have any questiions or just want to find out more before signing up, you are welcome to email me at [email protected].

Tuesday - Oil Painting - Manhattan

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Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced Oil Painting meet together Tuesdays, 7.30 - 10:00 pm.
10 classes / Oct. 11 to Dec. 13 / $725.
The combined class is limited to a total of 8 students.

Saturday - Oil Painting - Brooklyn

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Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced students meet together Saturdays 12.30-3:30 pm. Currently on hold.
The combined class is limited to a total of 8 students.

Materials Fee

Materials fees are optional. They cover everything you need for a class. Intermediate and advanced students who continue taking classes will generally invest in their own materials. You're welcome to do that from the start -- I'll provide a list of what you'll need.

• Oil Painting Materials $125

All Downtown Painting classes come with a complete money-back guarantee. If you sign up for a class and it's not what you expected or you are unhappy with it it for any reason, you will get a refund, no questions asked.****If you prefer to pay a $150 deposit to save your spot and pay the balance at the first or second session, just use the code DEPOSIT when registering. (You'll still be able to use any discounts you have later.)

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STUDENT WORK

Ellie Thoren

Amanda Michel

Sonali Rego

Matthew Bieber

Jennifer Vladmirsky

Deborah Nolan

Abigail Gampel

Jamie Bankhead

Krish Sengupta

Heather Garrett

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Private Lessons

Individual work with experienced amateurs, young artists creating art school portfolios, or pros looking to hone a technique or material. I get a specific understanding of your goals, then we design a plan just for you. Lessons can take place at in my studio in Brooklyn, or at your own home or studio. I'm also happy to conduct lessons virtually.An initial 3 hour private lesson is $450. Further lessons are generally $150 an hour, with discounts for packs of several sessions.If you are considering private lessons I encourage you to email me -- [email protected] -- so we can discuss exactly what you’d like to achieve as an artist and plan the best way to get there. Or you can register below and I will give you a call to design your plan.

Sign Up

• Initial three hours - $450

• Hourly Packages - $150/hr

As with all Downtown Painting classes, there is a money-back guarantee. If you are not happy with first three hour lesson, you get an immediate full refund, no questions asked.

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Locations

We’re still called Downtown Painting but for now we’re not really downtown anymore. We just got a beautiful new space in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a creative environment surrounded by many working artists.For those who prefer classes in Manhattan, I hope to resume a once-a-week class on the Upper West Side, at 60 West 90th Street.

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Thanks

Thanks for signing up. You'll get regular updates and special deals in your inbox. If you ever change your mind, just look for the unsubscribe link at the bottom of each email. Hope to see you soon in the studio!
Charlotta(Image: Courtesy of Abigail Gampel)

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