Events at Push/Pull Ballard

This is a paid class that requires registration. Sign up here.

Come create a colored pencil illustration--and learn techniques to improve your art!

In this single-session class, students will learn color and pressure techniques to create dazzling still lifes, animal portraits, and cartoon characters. We'll talk about shading, value, and how to apply these fundamentals alongside color theory. Achieve a variation of texture, tone, and color by learning blending and burnishing techniques. At the end of class, go home with one or more finished colored pencil illustrations!

All materials are provided. Students are welcome to bring their own photographs or small object (no larger than hand-size due to our small studio space) to use as references, but we will also have references available. This class is recommended for students ages 13 and up.

Donna Letterese (she/her) loves drawing characters, koalas, birds, flowers, urban sketches, and lots of illustrations with color pencil because of how portable pencils are, and how versatile! She regularly teaches Botanical illustration with colored pencil at BARN in Bainbridge and Olympic College at Bremerton. She loves teaching colored pencil with her cartooning and illustration students at Kitsap Art Center. Find more on Instagram: @drawdvl.

This event is free, but RSVPs are appreciated. Sign up here.

Concerned about the state of... well, everything? Let's join together and use our special weird powers for good!

Be a part of the Riff Raff League, a group of neighbors banding together for mutual aid, community building, and political action. We'll meet weekly for an hour to talk through what's happening locally and nationally and to brainstorm what we can do about it.

Come when you can, provide ideas and solutions, or just listen to what's going on in the neighborhood. This event is free, after-hours at Push/Pull. RSVPs are appreciated, but we will not turn anyone away. You are welcome to bring snacks to share. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

Push/Pull's Director, Maxx FG, will be moderating meetings of the RiffRaff League. Maxx has been passionate about politics from a young age and believes collective action is critical to a functioning democracy.

A group of artists gather bi-monthly (1st and 3rd Tuesdays) at Hattie's Hat for a spirited session of co-inspiration. RSVP for free here!

No skill level required, Sketch Team is an opportunity to hang out in good company and make art in a friendly, supportive environment. Bounce ideas off your comrades, get and give some advice or just hang out and doodle.

Hattie's back room is all ages with full food and beverage service.

And the Team is awesome.

This is a paid class that requires registration. Sign up here.

Join us at Push/Pull for a beginners drawing workshop on the third Wednesdays of the month. Have you always drawn stick figures? Want to impress your friends or work towards drawing illustrations and comics?

In Drawing Techniques, we'll cover different topics each month, so you can choose sessions that interest you, or come to all of them to get a well-rounded drawing foundation!

October: Creating Graphite Value Scales: HB? B? H?? Ever wonder how graphite artists can achieve realism with just a pencil? Learn how to unlock the power of the humble graphite pencil, understand the hardness scale, and apply the rules to create convincing, semi-realistic, grey and white compositions.

November: Drawing From Imagination: Join Max M. and practice drawing from your mind’s eye. We will utilize fun and creative prompts to spur your imagination as we put pencil to paper during this 2-hour workshop.

December: Constructive Sketching: It’s as easy as playing with building blocks! Learn to draw complex creatures and characters by combining simple geometric shapes. Take it to the next level with 3-D thinking, and emerge a more confident artist.

January: Drawing Still Life: Train your eye to see beauty in the mundane, and practice your hand-eye coordination in this still-life course. We will spend 2 hours sketching geometric 3D shapes and fresh produce.

February: Using references: Want to draw subjects from photos? Not sure where to start? Learn to train your eye, use the grid method, and take your drawing skills to the next level. We will supply photo references, but please feel free to bring your own to work from.

All supplies are included! Just bring your sketchbook--otherwise, we'll provide the paper.

Class takes place at Push/Pull, 2000 NW Market St. from 5:30 - 7:00 pm on Third Wednesdays of the month.

"My name is Max Mandell! I've been drawing for work, school, and fun for over 10 years. It's a joy to share my love of traditional (and digital) media with the students at Push/Pull, and I am excited to make cool art with you :-)"