New Class - Starts October 4, 2025

Fundamentals of Drawing-
Beginner Adult Class

Saturday Afternoon 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
East Studio

$140 per month (4 consecutive classes)

Contact Shawn directly at:
shawnvales@gmail.com or at
973-680-2955 (cell)

We encourage you to stop by and view a class in progress.

Shawn Vales

Course Description: 
This four-session course is a gentle introduction to observational drawing, designed for adults with little or no prior experience. The course emphasizes hands-on learning and perceptual training, helping students develop not only the mechanics of drawing, but also the ability to see with clarity and artistic sensitivity. If you’ve ever felt unsure about where to start—or doubted your ability to draw—this class is designed to guide you step by step through the essentials.

Each week introduces a small set of practical skills, from drawing simple lines and shapes to understanding how light creates the illusion of depth. Along the way, you’ll develop good habits, essential skills, learn how to observe more clearly, and start building trust in your eyes and hands. By the end of the course participants will begin to approach drawing as a meaningful act of perception, not just replication.

This course is about learning how to see, how to move, and how to enjoy the drawing process itself. Through clear demonstrations, guided exercises, and supportive discussion, you’ll build a solid foundation you can carry into any future art practice.

About Shawn: 

Shawn Vales is a classically trained painter working in the tradition of American Impressionism as taught by the Boston School. His formal education includes twelve years of higher study, culminating in an MFA from the Academy of Art University. Following nearly a decade of professional exhibition, he continued his training in a five-year apprenticeship under Paul Ingbretson, a leading authority in the Boston School lineage. Under Ingbretson’s mentorship, Shawn refined his commitment to painting that upholds both the truth of visual impression and the enduring ideals of beauty and craftsmanship.

His teaching emphasizes careful observation, disciplined drawing, and the development of visual clarity through direct perception. With a strong foundation in traditional methods, Shawn guides students toward a structured and repeatable practice that fosters both technical skill and artistic insight.

Cast Drawing by Shawn Vales