Classes and Workshops
Click to see photos of our new studioLearn traditional realism techniques for oil painting and drawing from classically trained instructor Sadie Valeri.
Sadie creates an open and friendly environment for serious, focused study of classical realist technique.
All levels welcome! Traditional methods are an excellent foundation for beginners, and experienced artists will significantly advance their understanding of proportion, structure, and light with these time-tested techniques.
Classes are small and each student receives individual instruction tailored to their needs. Classes are for adults, with exceptions made for mature youth who are interested in pursuing a professional art career.
Weekly Classes
Drawing and Painting classes meet on Saturdays for 6 weeks. Classes are for both the beginner who wants a manageable introduction, and for the experienced artist who wants to refine their realist skills. Students must take one of the Drawing classes as a pre-requisite to the Oil Painting class.
Drawing Fundamentals August 11 - Sept 22, 2012
Figure Drawing Sept 29 - Nov 3, 2012
Oil Painting November 17 - December 22, 2012
Workshops
Workshops are intensive full-time study for a short period of 1 to 10 days. Workshops are offered a couple times a year at Sadie’s San Francisco studio, and occasionally at other locations.
10-Day Workshop: Still Life Drawing and Oil Painting July 2012
1-Day Workshop: Drawing Fundamentals August 4, 2012
1-Day Workshop: Blocking-In the Figure August 5, 2012
Advanced Open Studio
Students who have completed one or more group classes have the opportunity to continue their studies through personal drawing and painting projects, with instruction and critique from Sadie.
More about Advanced Open Studio
Guest Instructed Workshops
Sadie Valeri Atelier hosts Realist artists to travel to San Francisco to teach workshops. Upcoming guest workshops:
Susan Lyon, July 2012
Mario Robinson, August 2012
Stephen Early, October 2012
Guest Instructed Classes
Sadie Valeri Atelier hosts weekly classes taught by local Realist artists
Upcoming guest instructed classes:
Carl Dobsky: Perspective Drawing, 2 Sunday evenings - FULL
Felicia Forte: Alla Prima Painting, 6 Wednesday evenings, May 23 - June 27
Figure Model Sessions
Open model sessions are non-instructed, and are designed to be an affordable way to practice working from a model in a long pose.
More about Figure Model Sessions
Cast Drawing
Paint or draw from our collection of plaster casts of antique sculptures.
More about Cast Drawing
Comments from Students
“Thank you for all your great instruction, encouragement, and generously sharing your process. You pushed us to break through to higher levels of close observation and control of materials. It’s inspiring to have a teacher that freely admits that she herself has struggled, and continues to study and refine her art. Any pursuit worth doing is not easy, and I see why students, without the proper guidance in their development, will flounder and give up, thinking they’re not talented. I have the tools and the discipline now to continue to improve and mark my progress.”
- Paul
“Your passion and intensity in what you do and love are evident in what you teach.”
-Sheila
“All of a sudden, all things I want to do suddenly converged on a pencil point!You gave me direction and book recommendations that now will last me for a year’s worth of self-study.”
-Eileen
“The workshop was so inspiring and informative - you have a wonderful gift for teaching, besides your gift for painting.”
-Connie
“You were able to give us so many new thoughts, ideas and processes in such a short time. Not only informative - but so patient, pleasant and fun to be with - all in all a great experience.”
-Sandy
“You are one of those people who is an amazing blend of outstanding artist and gifted teacher. Generous, kind,and knowledgeable, you are one of a kind! I have learned so much during these five days and I feel that my experience will create a life changing turn in my work.”
-Loriann
“I had studied figure drawing with Anthony Ryder for several years before taking a class with Sadie, and I can say she has a similar high level quality of attention, care, generosity and seriousness as a teacher and fine artist. Bottom line, San Francisco is lucky to have her, and your time with her will be well worth it.”
-David S.
Sadie’s instruction re: methods and materials is very precise and clearly communicated… she guides you through processes you would be very unlinkely to discover on your own - secrets she has discovered are revealed.
-Cheryl
See more student comments on Sadie’s Yelp page