Learn to Paint & Draw | Art classes | Westminster

Secrets to Conquering Creative Blocks

You may not know this but paintings and drawings have a "hard stage." It's in the middle of your process somewhere, you've been trucking along, feeling good... and all of a sudden you don't like it. And you don't know what you don't like! Something is off and you're feeling deflated, discouraged and wondering if you have to start over. Shannon likes to call this, "the ugly stage." 1st lesson: this is NORMAL!!! It doesn't mean anything about you as a painter or drawer. (insert

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Michelle Baker, MA

Figuring out Figures

When you want to draw (or paint) a figure, don't just start drawing head, shoulders, etc... We look at people all day long but when it comes to drawing them, we need a system to help lay down what's really there and truly see. In order to draw or paint a figure we want to begin by laying down the axis of the body to create a "grid." Axis are: imaginary lines that help divide the body into planes and help explain orientation. In this lesson we drew in axis for the spine, the

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Michelle Baker, MA

Desert Landscape Shadows

Create your rocks and ground with warm colors. To begin, paint the "middle color" of your rocks (not the darkest or lightest value). For my rocks, I used Burnt Sienna and added a little Red and Raw Sienna to make it even warmer. This was my base rock color. I added blue to this to create the shadow color (blue is the compliment to orange). Use the shadow color to lay out the edges of your rocks and start giving them shape and dimension! Feeling inspired?! This lesson comes fr

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Michelle Baker, MA

"Mapping" a Face

Create a good-looking portrait every time when you know how to "Map" a Face using this technique. Feeling inspired?! This lesson comes from our Drawing Class. Or we can help match you to a medium with our Getting Started page! #Denverartclass #Denverpaintingclass #Denverdrawingclass #Denverartschool #Denverartstudio #Denverpaintnsip #Denverlearntopaint #Westminsterartclass #Westminsterdrawingclass #Westminsterartstudio #Westminsterartclasses #Westminsterpaintnsip #Westminster

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Michelle Baker, MA

Painting Tree Foliage

Learn a technique for painting 3-dimensional trees! We'll share some color theory, a brush technique and how to use layers to achieve the look you want. Stippling = dabbing the brush, hold it farther towards the end for looseness Color theory = start with darkest greens and slowly lighten Making a shadow for green = add it's compliment, red Layering = let each layer dry, then add a lighter green to the top section to "ice" it Make sure to keep layers loose (not fully covering

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Michelle Baker, MA

Art ALWAYS takes you on a journey

Every time you create a piece of art, it is taking you on a hero's journey. There are profound opportunities to learn and grow each time you face a challenge and keep going. Michelle shares her first Healing heART painting where she created a painting to answer "What does success look like to me?" and the Divine Wisdom her art was teaching. The best part about this intentional art making process is that each person receives their own wisdom. The "just right" thing they need t

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Michelle Baker, MA

Woodworking as Therapeutic Art

Woodworking is a hobby for some and a profession for others, but it can be a powerful therapeutic tool for just about everyone. In fact, Many military veterans with PTSD have benefited from this particular activity. Most people who try out woodworking for the first time quickly become addicted. Creating something with your own two hands can install a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment. Giving Yourself a Purpose Everyone needs to feel as if they have a purpose in lif

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Michelle Baker, MA

5 ways MBodied helps people who "can't make art!"

“I can’t make art! I’m not creative. Art is for those people, over there with “natural talent.” If these are some thoughts that go through your mind, we have something to tell you! No one is “naturally” good at art. It truly takes practice to be good at anything. And it really, really helps to have someone teach you and guide you. With MBodied, we have a 5-step system for helping students with NO experience go from “I’m not creative” to “I can’t believe I did that!” We

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Michelle Baker, MA

One thing Hitler can teach us about art

Did you know that Hitler banned modern art while he was in power? He declared it was “un-German” and held an exhibition in 1937 called the “Degenerate Art Exhibition” to mock the art and convince viewers to see it as a symptom of an evil plot against German people. The curators even hired actors to mingle with the crowds and criticize the works. Why did he go to such lengths to slander modern art? Hitler was trying to control people’s perceptions through art. He wanted ar

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Michelle Baker, MA

A Mindfulness Practice

Having a mindfulness practice can really help us be more present and peaceful. But do we have to meditate on a cushion or are there other ways?!! #artasmeditation #artastherapy #artclass #painting #paintingclass #artstudio #mindfulnesspractice #Westminsterartclass #Westminsterarttherapy #Westminsterartstudio #Westminsterdrawingclass #Westminsterpersonalgrowth #Westminstercommunity

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Michelle Baker, MA

Why Most People Don't Make Art: Part II

Find out the last 2 steps of MBodied's system for helping people overcome this common issue with making art. #Westminsterpaintingclass #Westminsterartclass #Westminsterdrawingclass #art #artandcommunity #artclass #learntopaint #learntodraw #artforintroverts #artasmeditation #destresswithart #stressrelief #newhobby #creativity #Denverpaintingclass #Denverartclass #Denverdrawingclass #Denverartstudio #Denverlearntopaint #Denverarttherapy #Denverwomensgroup

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Michelle Baker, MA

Why Most People Don't Make Art: Part I

What is the reason most people don't make art? MBodied has a 5 part system for overcoming this common issue! Find out steps 1-3 right now! #Westminsterpaintingclasses #Westminsterpainting #Westminsterpaintingclass #artandcommunity #artclassarvada #Westminsterartstudio #ArtStudioWestminster #artastherapy #timeforart #relaxingthroughart #makingtimetomakeart #Westminsterartclass #Art #artclasswestminster #Denverpaintingclass #Denverartclass #Denverdrawingclass #Denverartstudio

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Michelle Baker, MA

Haven for Introverts

I’m sitting in a roomful of people who are silent, totally absorbed in what they are doing, soft music playing in the background and a sense of community and belonging. This is one of my favorite things as an introvert, enjoying the company of others while totally engaged in what I am doing. Now, we’re not silent all the time. We talk, we laugh and engage. The difference is, that’s not the focus of our gathering. We gather to paint, our focus is on creative expression and

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Michelle Baker, MA

The Truth about Creativity (and why you don’t make art as often as you plan to)

I know I’m not alone here when I say that my intentions to make art greatly outweigh my actual art making endeavors. I’m not alone because I know the truth about creativity as I’ve seen it play out the same for every person I’ve known: creativity is a discipline just like going to the gym or going to work. Sometimes you don’t want to do it and sometimes you have to make yourself do it. “You can’t force creativity!” Yes, yes, we like to believe creativity is this fleeting

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Michelle Baker, MA

Quick tip for mixing paint

#Westminsterpaintingclass #Westminsterpaintingclasses #Westminsterartcommunity #Westminsteropenstudio #Westminsterstressrelief #Westminsterhelpwithanxiety #Westminsterartparties #Westminsterartclasses #Westminsterartclass #Westminsterarttherapy #Westminsterartclassees #Westminsterartstudio #Westminsterartparty #Westminsterartcoach #Westminstermetime #Westminstercommunity #artclassesarvada #findingwhoyouarethroughart #healingthroughart #painting #artforhealing #whyisartimporta

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Michelle Baker, MA

the ART of ME time

How do I get more “me time”? It’s always on my list and I never seem to get to it! I know I need it but how do I actually make it happen? Many people who take painting classes at MBodied say that it’s their “me time”. Whether they planned it that way or not, 2 1/2 hours of painting and listening to music inevitably becomes a much-looked-forward-to me time. Art is naturally centering and self-reflective. You sit down to paint and intrinsically start a dialogue with yoursel

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Michelle Baker, MA

How is painting therapeutic?

Many people who take my acrylic painting class say “it is very therapeutic.” What can be therapeutic about a painting class? First: painting and making art is present-centered. That is the goal when you meditate or do yoga; to be in the moment and truly present. Well, art does that naturally. You just can’t dissociate or be somewhere else when you are painting. It begs you to co-create with it. "What color should this be? Where do you want this to go?" It’s an engagi

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(720) 443-1994

8781 Sheridan Blvd #6041

Westminster, CO 80031

Secrets to Conquering Creative Blocks

Figuring out Figures

Desert Landscape Shadows

"Mapping" a Face

Painting Tree Foliage

Art ALWAYS takes you on a journey

Woodworking as Therapeutic Art

5 ways MBodied helps people who "can't make art!"

One thing Hitler can teach us about art

Why Make Art Wednesdays

A Mindfulness Practice

Why Most People Don't Make Art: Part II

Why Most People Don't Make Art: Part I

Haven for Introverts

The Truth about Creativity (and why you don’t make art as often as you plan to)

Quick tip for mixing paint

the ART of ME time

How is painting therapeutic?

MBodied Art Studio

(720) 443-1994

8781 Sheridan Blvd #6041

Westminster, CO 80031