Acrylics:  Acrylics are water based paints that may be applied to a painting surface in a manner similar to oil painting or may be applied using watermedia techniques. It is often used for underpaintings for oils or mixed media.

Assemblage:  This 3-dimensional process of creating compositions from materials and objects not intended as art materials, is related to the 2-dimensional process, collage.

Calligraphy:  This ancient art is taught using both traditional and modern tools and media, and even experienced calligraphers will find new ideas and techniques in our workshops.

Ceramics:  From earthenware to Raku, from freeform abstracts to highly sculpted pots, artists working in our ceramics studios produce some of the most remarkable work in the Hill Country – and they are available as instructors throughout the year.

Collage:  An artistic composition consisting of or including flat materials glued on a picture surface. Collage is a fun and subtle way of bringing together diverse materials to create your vision, and our instructors can show you new ways to explore this inspirational art form.

Computer:  Our computer graphics lab is equipped with six loaded Macs, a high resolution scanner, and an array of specialized software for artists. Classes are conducted by artists who use these digital tools professionally.

Creative Writing:  Poetry, fiction, non-fiction, biography, and autobiography are just a few of the genres explored in our writing workshops, facilitated by published writers sharing their working methods and professional secrets with students.

Decorative Art:  The decorative arts are traditionally defined as ornamental and functional works in ceramic, wood, glass, metal or textile.

Drawing:  Pencil, pen & ink, crayon, chalks – our instructors work in all media.

Experimental:  Experimental art can be pursued in any medium. Workshops are designed to encourage students to explore the medium of choice beyond established techniques and create more personalized statements in their art.

Fiber:  One of the most versatile mediums, fiber offers the artist expression for a wide range of creative expression. Whether you want to produce wall hangings, handmade fashion clothing and accessories, or crafts projects you’ll find a workshop that meets your needs.

Gourd Art:  The Hill Country is a great place to grow practically every kind of gourd, and for generations artists have been carving, burning and painting these wonderful artifacts of nature to produce everything from practical utensils to decorative art for the home.

Jewelry:  From basic to advanced techniques, students have the opportunity to work with metals, gems, glass, stones, ivory and every conceivable medium for creating jewelry and adornments for the connoisseur.

Life Casting:  Life masks offer artists a way to capture the nuances of the human form as well as the fine details found everywhere in nature, and our instructors offer students many different opportunities to experiment with this art form.

Metal Embossing:  Whether you want to work with etching solutions or delicate tools, our metal embossing classes offer you new ideas and techniques as well as the opportunity to improve existing skills.

Mixed Media:  A term to describe the combination of two or more media to create artwork that could apply to either two-dimensional or three-dimensional artwork. Some examples are the combination of a painting medium with collage for 2D and the combination of clay with found objects for 3D.

Oil Painting:  From representational to abstract – working with oils is a passion with our instructors.

Once-a-Week Classes

Pastel:  Pastels offer artists an excellent medium for capturing the nuances of nature, the human form, and the lucent quality of the light in our Hill Country environment – often compared with the light of Provénce in Southwestern France.

Photography:  Whether you want to explore conventional or digital photography techniques, you’ll find what you’re looking for in our schedule or workshops.

Plein Air:  Working outdoors in the Hill Country is a pleasure and an inspiration, and some of the areas most beloved artists work in this way.

Pottery Making

Printmaking:  Whether you want to work in the traditional formats for printmaking or in the new digital format you will find what you’re looking for in our workshop schedule.

Sculpting:  Metal, clay, ceramics, recycled materials – you’ll find a sculpture class to enable you to learn new skills or upgrade existing techniques.

Watercolor:  Among our most popular classes, we offer instruction at all levels from beginner to working professional.

Watermedia:  Learn painting techniques using combinations of water based art substances. Often these workshops are experimental in nature.

Youth:   Classes are offered for the ‘young at art’. Children exposed to art opportunities can learn creative skills needed to perform well in life. HCAF offers Saturday classes, workshops, and summer day camps for young visual artists.

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