Kate is an amazing and patient teacher. She really took the time to explain techniques and critiques in a very constructive and compassionate way. Let us find our style.
— Student from Main Line Art Center
Kate is a superb artist and educator who we are are lucky to have in our Education Program.
— Jimmy Leslie, Colart/Winsor&Newton Resident Artist/Education Director ‑ Marketing North America
Kate is an extraordinary teacher, very engaged, and enormously helpful in mentoring.
— Student from Main Line Art Center

I had a great experience with this class. Kate is an inspiring artist and positive instructor. She is clear and descriptive on techniques and material options with demos. She inspires with helpful reference of how a diverse range of watercolorists approach subjects. Kate kept a productive pace with about half the time demo, prep and clean-up, and half student practice with Q&A.

- Student from Philadelphia Sketch Club

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414 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA 19086

See It, Mix It, Paint It: Oil Painting for Beginners

In this class you will learn to paint what you see in oil: how to look at a subject, mix the colors in front of you, and build a painting you are happy with. Each session helps you develop the confidence to interpret form and design, deepen your understanding of color, and complete a finished work.

This six-week class is built around three still life paintings, each developed over two sessions. In the first session you block in your composition and establish your color. In the second you return with fresh eyes, making corrections and pushing toward a finished result.

Mondays, October 5 - November 11, 2026, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM EDT Register here

746 Panmure Road · Haverford, PA 19041

Fall classes a the Mainline Art Center (MLAC).

Light First: A Step-by-Step Introduction to Oil Painting

Are you an artist who feels overwhelmed by color and wants a clearer foundation? This six-week, step-by-step class introduces the basics of oil painting by focusing first on light and the relationships of light and dark that make a painting successful. Working in black and white, you will simplify the process and build confidence from the start.

Through guided exercises, you will create a value scale, practice mixing consistent tones, and learn how to organize a painting using clear value relationships. Designed for absolute beginners and anyone looking for a calm, structured introduction, this class offers an approachable way to begin painting with oils.
Wednesdays September 16 – October 21, 2026, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Register Here.

Sketch to Paint: Intro to Oil Painting

From first line to finished painting, this six-week class guides you through the full process of creating an oil painting from scratch. Working from a still life setup, you will learn practical strategies for simplifying a scene, establishing composition, and building value and shape. Sketchbook drawing comes first, giving you a strong foundation before the brush ever touches the canvas. As your drawing and painting skills develop together, you will leave with finished, compelling paintings and the confidence to keep going. Designed for beginners, this class requires no prior drawing or painting experience.

Wednesdays September 16 – October 21, 2026, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Register here.

Let It Go: Expressive Watercolor
Kennett Copy and More
Fridays, September 11, 18, 25 & October 2, 2026, 12:00–3:00 PM
Level: Intermediate

For painters ready to move beyond the basics. Each session centers on the brush, building confidence, variety, and personality in your mark-making, with unexpected tools like drinking straws, sticks, and collage opening up new possibilities. Working from in-room still life and photo references, each week is a self-contained exploration, so there’s no falling behind. You’ll leave with a growing mark-making vocabulary and a clearer sense of your own painting voice.
To register, call Kennett Copy and More at (484) 732-8066 and ask for Lori.

Urban Sketching: Sundays in the City

  • When: Sundays, 10:00am–12:00pm

  • Dates: September 20 – October 25, 2026

The class blends traditional drawing technique with urban sketching practice, moving through different neighborhoods and vantage points each week. Sessions focus on the built environment, figures, light, and color, with students working outdoors when weather allows.

Locations:

  • Week 1 – Sept 20: Philadelphia Sketch Club

  • Week 2 – Sept 27: Rittenhouse Square

  • Week 3 – Oct 4: Washington Square

  • Week 4 – Oct 11: City Hall

  • Week 5 – Oct 18: Rail Park (BSL to Spring Garden)

  • Week 6 – Oct 25: Wilson Park / Christ Church Yard (MFL to 2nd Street)

*If it rains, we'll meet at the Philadelphia Sketch Club or Reading Terminal Market.

Register here