Events at Push/Pull Ballard

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!

April: 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.

May: 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.

June: 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

July: 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.

August: 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.

September: Imaginative Menagerie: Just plain fun! We will mix and match our favorite animals, create gorgeous ink work, and color to our hearts’ delight! Learn some basic construction and imaginative drawing techniques to make some fun stuff!!

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 :-)"

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

Learn the art of capturing the natural environment on paper while getting to know one of Ballard's most beautiful spaces.

Maxx Follis-Goodkind will show you how to look at plants in a scientific way to improve your art. You'll also learn cultural and historical information about plants to help you better appreciate their context in the garden. Beyond drawing, you'll get guidance in selecting paint colors and watercolor sketching techniques.

Classes meet Fridays at the entrance of the Ballard Locks at 11am, rain or shine! We will walk together to a location in the garden/park area to draw and learn. Class ends at 12:30pm.

Get the most out of this Botanical Sketching course by signing up for our Botanical Watercolor classes!

Suggested supplies: Small sketchbook, small watercolor pad or sketchbook, round and flat/wash watercolor or mixed media brushes, variety of graphite pencils, variety of charcoal pencils, pencil sharpener (with container to capture waste), variety of erasers, container for water, watercolor paints, a board to clip work to in the field, clips to hold paper. (Show a copy of your ticket confirmation at Push/Pull to receive a 15% discount on class supplies)

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

Come create paintings with a medium that uses elements of both drawing and painting--oil pastels!

Oil pastels are wonderful for capturing a scene in a more impressionistic way. In this workshop, students will learn about value and color, as well as ideas like temperature of light and temperature of shadow. We will review how oil pastels work, including fundamental techniques like layering, mixing, and scumbling. Students will also learn how to blend the oil pastels. We will go over the differences in creating an image that is entirely in the same color family using analogous colors, how complementary colors can be used to great effect in a piece, and how the principles of color theory can help bring together all the elements of a finished oil pastel illustration.

There will be demonstrations during class and the option to draw either a full still life, a full repetitive pattern illustration, or focus on a single flower or fruit in your own drawing. You will be experimenting and having fun with the medium, learning how to use it, and coming away with one or more finished pieces.

All materials are provided, but if you have an object from home you'd like to draw in the workshop, you're welcome to bring it in. This class is recommended for ages 13 and up.

Donna Letterese (she/her) is a Cartoonist and Illustrator who loves color and the feeling of "painting by drawing" using oil pastels! They are a wonderful medium for being expressive and free while still capturing the color and form of flowers, objects, and the world around us.

****PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT. Please register in advance here.****

Figure drawing sessions are back! Push/Pull now hosts live-model figure drawing after our store hours. Settle in and develop your studies on the human form in a unique art space on Market Street.

Push/Pull provides some drawing supplies, or you're welcome to bring your own favorite materials.

We have a nude model; for this reason, students should be 18 and up.

This event takes place on the third Friday of each month.