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

Family Workshops | Young Artists: Youth (12 and Under) | Young Artists: Teen (12 - 17) | Young Artists: Vacation Camps |

Amy Leidtke

Come join the fun as we create "micro kites" -- small flying toys that can actually be flown indoors (and outdoors, too)! This interactive workshop begins with an historical and cultural survey of kites, followed by a look at contemporary kites, then culminates with an interactive design/build experience. Participants have the opportunity to make and fly a variety of designs, experimenting with materials, surface treatment and construction techniques. All are encouraged to bring in their own kites for show and tell. Appropriate for kite enthusiasts of any age. Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over, and adults and children must register separately.

Amy Leidtke

Amy Leidtke

Everyone loves a kaleidoscope! You can spin it, turn it and shake it, then voila -- a new mini masterpiece of sparkling color, shape and design every time! This hands-on make-and-take workshop introduces participants to a variety of kaleidoscopic elements, such as optics, reflection and tessellating patterns. We experiment with mirrored geometric volumes, building a variety of hand-held toys. Each participant designs and constructs a kaleidoscope, kaleidoviewer and kaleidocycle. All are encouraged to bring in their own kaleidoscope for show and tell. Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over, and adults and children must register separately.

Emma Tripp

In this class, anything-goes young artists learn to use the video camera as a fun and versatile tool for personal expression. Rather than focusing on the technical side of video production, students use sketch cameras to shoot in new and unusual ways: as a TV interviewer, a YouTube diary or even a bird! Each week, we learn about an experimental video technique, participate in a creative shooting exercise, and take home our results on provided USB drives. At the end of our six-week experiment, we hold a screening of all our work and students leave with a DVD of their individual exercises and a class reel. If you're ready to shoot outside the box and teach your camera to see in new and exciting ways, come experiment in the VideoLab!

Ellen Blomgren

In this introduction to building with clay, the focus is on fun as younger students explore many ways of constructing basic ceramic art works. Children discover how easy it is to make inventive forms using the pinch, slab and coil methods to create oodles of inventive objects, and enjoy squishing their hands into this fabulously tactile medium! Students finish their projects by adding surface patterns and colored glazes and then, through the magic of fire (safely contained in the kiln), their raw materials are transformed into cherished works of ceramic art. Children's creativity explodes through this rich approach to making sculptural and even functional art.

Steven Hayes

Artist Keith Haring once said, "Drawing is still basically the same as it has been since prehistoric times. It brings together man and the world. It lives through magic." Young artists in this workshop discover the nature of that magic, as they take command of the marks they make, and are provided with a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of drawing and sketching. Assignments utilize a rich array of drawing materials, while expanding on traditional subject matter: still lifes, landscapes, cityscapes and portraits, as well as both observational and abstract applications of making marks. The course is ideal for students with little or no experience who want to explore the magic of drawing. Group discussion and one-on-one instruction are provided to meet the specific needs of each student.

Barbara Voccola

Here is a chance for young artists to emulate the art that exists in nature as they define for themselves the nature of art. Students in this course visit RISD's Edna Lawrence Nature Lab and The RISD Museum in search of animals, birds and more. They then use the visual forms and artworks they discover as inspiration for a variety of creative projects. In the process, the course develops art and natural science awareness, builds basic art and design skills, and encourages young artists to explore a variety of media.

Melissa Cardillo

This early art experience introduces young children to a variety of materials and basic art concepts, such as color, line, shape and texture. Storytelling is integrated with drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. A nurturing environment stresses experimentation and fun rather than end product as the course aims to heighten sensory awareness and build confidence in basic artmaking skills. Most especially, the course serves as an exciting introduction to the world of art and all its possibilities.

Lauren Minco

You may not know the term, but you've seen the style that is typical of the characters from Pokemon, The Powerpuff Girls or even LEGO mini figures. They are all chibi style, and while they may be adorably cute, these melon-headed, mitten-handed characters can be challenging for aspiring cartoonists to draw. All it takes is for students to embrace the rules of proportion and cartoon anatomy that are vital for creating characters in the super-deformed style popularized in manga and anime. An understanding of the foundations of two-dimensional principles is emphasized as students learn to draw model sheets and turnarounds. The history of manga form serves as a backdrop for topics explored in class, so that bit by bit students learn to become better draftsmen and storytellers capable of creating original chibi cartoon critters.

Ellen Blomgren

Here is a welcome opportunity for children to design and create pots, cups or boxes to contain their favorite snack or keepsake, or perhaps form and decorate clay tiles or sculptures that tell a story. In this course, students continue to develop their clay building skills and explore the fundamentals of sculptural and functional ceramic art. They also pose a few new questions: Can a sculpture have a useful function, or can a ceramic mug or bowl be a sculpture? As they refine their skills in using the pinch, slab and coil methods of clay construction, students dig deeper into the function of their clay works and finish their pieces with surface decorations, embellishments and glazes.

Matthew E. Paquin

Let's animate! This course exposes students to the many faces of animation, which, at its core, is the art of creating the illusion of moving pictures. But whether it's one of the Totoros of Miyazaki, Disney's winter fairies creating poetry on ice, or the wacky instructional animations of Sesame Street, animation is an art form that wears many masks. Each week, students in this course explore a different style of animation, functioning as animator, actor, camera operator and editor. Using a variety of drawn and two-dimensional media, they go on to create several exclusive short animations. Ultimately, students are introduced to a variety of techniques, including drawing, cut-outs, and pixilation, and learn to combine images with sound, producing a DVD of their work to share with family and friends.

Naomi Messier

Have you ever wanted to use weird, wild, fun, and even ridiculous things to create artwork? Let's make art go crazy on this roller coaster ride through nontraditional artistic media. We create one-of-a-kind compositions, fabulous 3D formations and magnificent or monstrous manipulations by using unusual items like plastic bottles, artificial flowers, found objects, plates, rope, foam, and even teaspoons. The sky's the limit when we combine these out-of-the-ordinary materials with our treasure trove of conventional artistic media including paint, glitter, papier-mache, markers, pastels and more, winding up with out-of-this-world results! Join us to become a mixed media maniac and explore the exciting world of imaginative art where there are no limits placed on your creativity.

Steven Hayes

"Drawing is the art of taking a line for a walk," said artist Paul Klee. This workshop teaches young artists the fundamentals of drawing and sketching as they learn to interpret "line" in their own way. Drawing assignments include still lifes, landscapes, cityscapes and portraits, all of which serve to expose students to work in pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, felt-tip marker and charcoal. This course is ideal for students with little or no experience who want to discover the sheer fun and satisfaction of drawing. Group discussion and one-on-one instruction are provided to meet the specific needs of each student.

Kurt Van Dexter

This course serves as an introductory experience for students interested in exploring the exciting field of architecture -- where innovative design, aesthetics, practicality, cost and materials all intersect. Topics to be covered include directly relevant issues such as the design process, design development and presentation preparation, as well as secondary issues such as protecting and enhancing the fabric of the community, working with recycled materials and using cutting-edge "green" approaches. Video/DVD documentaries featuring key architects are presented in brief each week to enrich the students' learning experience, and to help provide a sense of context. In the process, we view both historical and contemporary examples of notable architecture to help us address issues of style, space and materials. During the last class, students present their completed projects.

Christopher McInerney

The path of heroes is a complicated one, filled with dangerous obstacles and malevolent villains. Batman has to contend with the Joker's schemes and Wolverine and Sabretooth seem destined to battle forever. This advanced cartooning class focuses on illustrating the conflict between the good and the bad (not to mention the ugly) as we discuss the characters that make popular movies, games and comics worth buying. The examination begins with a look at their motivations and origins while learning to draw their heroic, frightening or awe-inspiring anatomy. Pose and gesture are just some of the lessons learned as you perfect your ability to draw larger-than-life super-powered teams, their gear, gadgets and their gallery of rogues.

Applies to the following certificate programs: YA, YC, YG

Cynthia Ross-Meeks

Fashion designers can find inspiration for a collection from almost anything: nature, literature, pop culture, masterpieces of art and architecture, the weather or even geometry. This intensive fashion design "think tank" focuses on the kind of idea development professional designers use in assembling a fashion collection. From concept to critique, illustration, theme boards, fabric selection, sources of inspiration and methods of fabrication, many variables play a role in creating a consistent and memorable line. Students in this course develop concepts for thematic collections while viewing and discussing notable industry trends by designers past and present. By the final session, students should have a solid foundation in critical thinking as well as a portfolio of work that may one day lead to a fabulous fashion collection!

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Rhonda Fargnoli

Seeing Missoni's knitwear collection -- celebrated for its bright, colorful designs and intricate patterns -- may have left you wondering how designers get their inspiration. Participants in this course learn that a designer's inspiration comes from everyday life, as they "build" a collection book to help trigger creativity for their own future knitwear designs. Students study established designers and their collections, learn about the finest fibers the world has to offer, create stitches to form swatches, make sketches and write their own patterns. Also covered are the basic elements of hand knitting (focusing on mastering simple stitches and concentrating on design and color to create beautiful and original pieces), finishing embellishments and hand dyeing wool -- all designed to lay a foundation for a career in textiles/design.

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Gabrielle Portal

If you are a fan of Japanese comics, you know the female characters who transform themselves, speak to animals and have complex lives complicated by their extraordinary powers. Sailor Moon, Sally the Witch and Pretty Sammy are examples of the mahou shoujo style of manga, and the focus of this cartooning course. As the class explores what makes these magical girls so special, each student works on perfecting original designs with proper attention paid to their graceful anatomy, poses and expressions. Lessons in foreshortening and perspective help to make your creation leap from the page as you complete full color illustrations. And let's not forget pendants, wands and such as you learn to integrate objects, costume elements and props into a dynamic portrait of these amazing young heroines.

Applies to the following certificate programs: YA, YC, YG

Cynthia Ross-Meeks

Fashion tells us much about our lives, our values and ourselves. Why else do we make such stars of Michael Kors and his colleagues? Discover what it takes to be a successful fashion designer in this introductory course. Students learn how fashion designers communicate visually by means of color, fabric, texture and pattern. We discuss design elements, styles, trends and couture as students explore sketching, pattern drafting, fabric and color choices. Creative projects include patternmaking, garment design using the mannequin, and designing from fabric swatches. This is a great chance for students not only to learn the basics of designing their wardrobes, but to make a substantial addition to their portfolios. Note: Previous drawing experience is not required.

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Kurt Van Dexter

Here is a chance to capture the sheer exuberance of painting while developing skills in a supportive environment that stresses process and expression, not just end product. Using imagination and a range of media (watercolor, ink, acrylics), students experiment with painting still lifes, interior spaces, the figure and landscapes -- the sky's the limit! Explore concepts of color, composition, line, form, value and texture in order to create ever more complex and expressive works of art. Note: Basic drawing experience is helpful, but not required.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Pat Ubaldi Nurnberger

The rigors of dance require a different kind of design from all other types of clothing. The perfect costume must take into account aesthetic considerations -- visual design elements such as color, line and texture, and fabric choices for creating mood and characterization -- as well as the equally important costume engineering demands of fit and movement. Students in this course explore the history of costumes made for the dance, from the elaborate headdresses of Louis XIV to Isadora Duncan's simple tunics and Pilobolus' high-tech unitards. Using that knowledge, students design a series of costumes based upon specific projects. Finally, each student designs and embellishes their own bodice.

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Nicholas Holcomb

The pop music experience is much more than the tracks on a CD -- it's a billion-dollar industry comprised of live events, endorsements, trademarked merchandise and carefully crafted images designed for the artists and their promoters. Bands become brands, which graphic designers craft with innovative logo design, costuming and display imagery. In this course, students are introduced to design through the scope of popular music history. Students work with the latest digital design tools and software to create artwork for CD jewel cases, tour posters and tee-shirt designs for an imaginary pop music idol or to reinterpret the identity for their favorite band. Whether your taste is for the Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus or the Misfits, this course inspires you as you design to rock.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, YA, YC, YG

Evan Villari

Take a dash of cartoonist and mix well with a dollop of animator and a sprinkle of quirky. The result is Tim Burton, a dark and talented artist who has continually pushed the cinematic envelope and brought Edward Scissorhands, Willy Wonka and Sweeney Todd to the screen of your local multiplex. These and other cutting-edge works of the master filmmaker provide the inspiration for this moviemaking course. After students revisit Burton's memorable scenes, they go on to capture and transform their own concepts into screen magic by using light, color and thoughtful compositions. Working in groups, students get to wear many hats, such as writer, director, cinematographer and audio technician. The outcome is a hands-on, inside-out understanding of the craft of making movies like a master.

Applies to the following certificate program: YM

Christopher McInerney

This course introduces students to the basic techniques of drawing human and animal characters in cartoon style. Students learn to give expression, action and motion to their characters as they create gag cartoons, caricatures and comic strips. The class also reviews the basics of paneling and composition, and studies the widely divergent styles of such classic strips as Boondocks and Calvin and Hobbes. As students gain experience with black-and-white drawing materials, they become more confident draftsmen and become familiar with rendering as a basis for comic exaggeration. Young artists are encouraged to expand upon their drawing and cartooning skills and to develop their own signature styles.

Applies to the following certificate programs: YA, YC

Gail Saborio

Have you ever looked at a great drawing and thought, "How was that done? It looks so real!" This class uses an easy, step-by-step approach that unravels the mysteries of successful drawing. Emphasizing observation and exercises based on both traditional and innovative techniques, we focus on the concepts that are vital to any artist's education: composition, line, value and perspective. Using a variety of media, including pencils, pens and charcoal, students strengthen their skills through a series of projects from small to large: from beetles and butterflies in the RISD Nature Lab to the architectural panorama of Providence. See how going back to the drawing board prepares you for a future in the world of art and design.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, YA, YC, YG

David Fleurant

Discover the basics of shooting, manipulating and printing your digital photographs in RISD|CE's new digital photo studio. Students first learn about the settings and functions of their digital cameras, as well as the basic techniques of shooting digital photos. Each week, we photograph various subjects and review and critique each others' images. Using scanners and Adobe Photoshop, we import our images into Macintosh computers and learn how to manipulate various elements before printing, offering endless possibilities for special effects. Note: Bring to each class your digital camera and either a disk of Photoshop images or a photo CD.

Applies to the following certificate program: PH

Nicholas Holcomb

"The best defense is a good offense," or is it the other way around? Ask the Spartans, Tony Stark or any member of the New England Patriots who have all wrestled with the need to wear protective gear. Armor is the topic of this class that is part history lesson, part sculpture lab and part cosplay theater. We begin with an examination of the unique forms armor has taken, from the samurai and medieval knights to modern-day designs in video games and sci-fi/fantasy epics. No longer confined to our imaginations, we use sculptural techniques to design customized armor prototypes that require neither hammer nor forge. Students end up with a finished construction that is ready for an in-class studio portrait and, later, for cosplay battle and display on your homepage!

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, YA, YC, YG

Gail Saborio

Drawing and observation are essential skills for all visual artists. This course gives students the opportunity to learn about composition and proportion as they study the techniques necessary to interpret the human form. Working with live models, students experiment with a broad range of drawing materials in a variety of creative exercises, including quick gesture drawings and larger studies. Weekly discussions and critiques introduce students to various aesthetic issues and to the work of important figurative artists. Budding cartoonists can also use this course to better their understanding of the human form. Note: This class uses nude models. Students must be 13-17 ONLY.

Applies to the following certificate programs: AT, YA, YC, YF

David Fleurant

This followup to Introduction to Digital Photography provides more intensive training in a variety of digital tools such as Adobe Photoshop. In this project-based class, students consult with the instructor to choose a photographic theme with the aim of focusing on the many creative possibilities the theme generates. Possible themes include, but are not limited to: landscape, portraiture/self-portraiture, sports, architecture and experimental abstraction. Furthermore, visiting the photographic print collection at the RISD Museum affords students the opportunity to view firsthand and be inspired by the works of many famous photographers. The course is particularly relevant to students in the Photography Certificate Program and others who are building a portfolio.

Applies to the following certificate program: PH

Louis Jannetta

The best draftsmen in history were also the greatest sculptors -- just think of Michelangelo. His work is impressive for its ability to evoke a sense of true mass and weight on the paper; so real it wants to jump out at you. Our contemporary artistic heroes have that same ability: see the pages of a Marvel comic book or examine the design work emanating from the studios of Honda or BMW. In this course, we seek to transform everyday, functional objects into illusions of grand sculptural form. With mere paper and a variety of drawing materials, students begin by studying the variety of objects surrounding them -- stopping to arrange and rearrange and seeing them in new ways -- then attempting to capture their energy in large-scale sculptural drawings.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Blue Wade

If you are a movie lover, you've seen Maya in action. This award winning 3D animation software package has advanced features that allow an imaginative artist to create the impossible, or at least the never considered. Maya has been used to create eye-popping movie effects like the outlaw superheroes of Watchmen or the shape-shifting robots from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. In this course, students are introduced to the basics of the Maya interface and the concepts of 3D modeling. During class, students complete a Maya model that, while only the first step to creating a whole new universe, highlights the possibilities of this unique tool. And given the career possibilities emanating from the study of 3D animation, why not start here?

Applies to the following certificate programs: YA, YC, YG

Blue Wade

Are you a fan of manga, cartoons and video games? Before you shout "YES!" ask yourself if you also like action figures. Would you like to make one of your own? Ah-ha! We thought you would, and so we have designed this ten-session course to teach you how to do just that. Even better, you end up with an original prototype of your unique character that has been manufactured according to your specifications. Students begin their figure creation process with sketchbook conceptual designs that are then modeled using Maya. Only when fully satisfied with your virtual model do you produce a version as a one-tenth scale sculpture. The resulting character is a durable record of your ability to turn your imagination into plastic toy reality.

Applies to the following certificate programs: YG

Pat Ubaldi Nurnberger

Paris Hilton needs a six-piece wardrobe to wear in Paris. Ellen Page wants to look regal for her Oscar debut. Beyonce needs an after-Grammy gown that will dance all night! Join us as each week we target a different celebrity and design either a specific piece for a special occasion (e.g. the Oscars), or conceive of a seasonal wardrobe for that person. We study what these larger-than-life figures currently wear, where they sometimes go wrong, and how we as designers can utilize our own aesthetic to create an image that is just right for our celebrity clients. Students can expect to generate a portfolio of concept designs that cover a range of styles and design challenges in response to 'real world' scenarios.

Applies to the following certificate program: YF

Walter Zesk

Transformers, Gundam Fighters and Shogun Warriors: You've seen them stomping around, but where do they come from? In this new course, students are introduced to the tools and techniques of 3D modeling and animation and use Rhino software at a blazing fast computer workstation to design an original 3D robot. Students determine the details -- cannons or crossbows, rockets or tank treads -- as they equip their robot from top to bottom. Particular attention is paid to the accurate depiction of the gleaming chrome, Plexiglas and rusted iron that cover a typical android. But then again, it's unlikely that your "Giant Robot" will be typical!

Applies to the following certificate programs: YA, YC, YG

Frank Piccirillo

The human form is a constant in art, and perhaps its most dynamic subject. After gaining a basic understanding of how to see and describe the figure in visual terms, students in this course investigate expressive and experimental directions in their drawings (and possibly paintings) through the use of a variety of conventional and unconventional materials and processes. Students expand on their understanding of fundamental skills, including drawing composition, figure proportion and anatomy, while learning new strategies for using color and choosing mark-making styles so that their work evokes emotional and/or intellectual responses. Throughout, participants are encouraged to experiment and take risks in order to develop their own expressive interpretation of this classic subject. Note: This class uses nude models. Students must be 13-17 ONLY.

Applies to the following certificate program: AT

Steven Hayes

The historical surrounds of RISD's Tillinghast Farm in the cold grips of winter are the perfect setting for exploring the arts, crafts and amusements from times when kids had no choice but to enjoy toys and games powered by their own imagination. Participants stay warm inside, handcrafting paper and books, and producing puppet shows with puppets they make themselves. We also have fun learning about the games and toys of centuries past by designing and building some of our own, including Hoops and Graces, checker boards and jigsaw puzzles -- with a 21st-century twist, of course! Join in the fun and develop an appreciation for the skill, care and imagination that goes into handcrafting your own entertainment!

Bruce Campbell

There's a world of games out there: on your screensaver, your cell phone and of course, on your home gaming console. So it is our pleasure to announce to all game design enthusiasts, "Your time has come; the fundamentals of game design are within your grasp." Join us to build simple but effective interactive games with Flash as well as to draw, animate and craft interactivity by applying basic programming methods. Although no experience in Flash is necessary, students must be comfortable with computer technology. In a relaxed but thought-provoking environment, you learn the basics of interactivity for game design, including mouse- and keyboard-controlled animation and boundary events. Let the games begin!

Evan Villari

Express yourself through moving images. In this fast-paced course, students learn to make their own independent short films from top to bottom and side to side. Starting from the initial preproduction stage, they work toward the focus of the class -- postproduction -- learning nonlinear video-editing techniques with iMovie. Utilizing fundamental filmmaking applications, participants are challenged to create unique cinematic works in a class involving hands-on video equipment training, open discussions, and screenings of the medium's best examples. After putting together all the pieces students showcase their works for family and friends during the premiere presentation. Note: RISD|CE provides video cameras that can be shared during class time, but if you have a video camera, an existing video and/or CD with video, bring them to class.

Applies to the following certificate program: YM