• Birds in Mixed Media

    May 5-26, 2026 4-6 PM for adults/13+. Birds in Mixed Media is a four week class focused on drawing and painting birds both from life and from photo references, and is appropriate for people at all levels of art experience. Each session will begin with drawing techniques that can be used in creating field sketches and studies of birds in the wild, and then will focus on a more “finished” work with a photo or video reference. Instruction will cover techniques for using combinations of water-based paints like watercolor or gouache, colored pencil, and ink, however you are welcome to bring other media like alcohol ink markers, watercolor pencils or pastels if you prefer using those instead. As a teacher, artist, and naturalist Allison Donohue puts the emphasis on deep observation, process, and play over perfection. By the end of the course, you’ll have a collection of sketches and paintings of birds, along with a set of techniques and practices you can carry into your own sketchbook practice. Suggested Materials: Drawing pencils in a range of hardness, kneaded eraser, sharpener, Archival Ink waterproof pens in black or sepia, like pigma micron, copic multiliner etc. range of sizes. Watercolors-at least a set of primaries and a palette. A good start would be Ultramarine, Cadmium Yellow Light Hue, Alizarin Crimson Hue and Burnt Sienna. Winsor Newton’s Cotman Series offers decent student level tubed watercolors and sets. Watercolor brushes. A round size 6 or 8 at minimum, but any brushes you have can work. If you have other supplies like watercolor pencils, colored pencils or copic markers, those can be fun for adding texture and layers in later classes. A multimedia notebook with the thickest paper you can get.The Canson Artist Series Mixed Media Books (7x10 wirebound hardcover, 138lb paper) are a great affordable option for light watercolor. The Canson XL Mixed Media Sketchbooks work in a pinch. Otherwise you can bring whatever mixed media sketchbook or watercolor paper you prefer. 30% of this course's proceeds go towards supporting The Aplomb Project's mission, a 501(c)3 organization uplifting trauma survivors through art. At Aplomb Gallery, all courses, workshops, and meetups are trauma-informed. We are dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive learning environment for survivors, allies, and all creative individuals, ensuring that everyone can engage in the artistic process with care and respect. 262 Central Ave, Dover, NH 03820 (free parking in back off Kirkland St).
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        Course Registration

        4 week course

        $160.00
          
        Use Aplomb Materials

        Mixed media materials of your choice for all four classes.

        $15.00
          
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      • About the instructor:

        Allison Donohue spends a lot of time wandering through fields, woods, streams, and shorelines observing plants and animals. She has a particular obsession with the ocean and the many islands that dot the Maine coastline. In recent years, her work has been increasingly done en plein air, and she has taken paintings on treks up mountains, on hundred-mile canoe trips through northern Maine, and on multi-week adventures into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of northern Minnesota.

        In addition to her fine art and plein air work, Allison is passionate about connecting people to the natural world through art and teaches nature journaling and natural science illustration workshops throughout southern Maine. Allison is currently completing the Natural Science Illustration Program through the Yale Peabody Museum. In her spare time, she volunteers as a Maine Master Naturalist.

        Allison works in watercolor, acrylics, and oils.

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