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Drawing in Joy: Laughing with Life, a Dance on Paper
Express joy through drawing. Build skills in sketching, composition & landscapes. Boost focus, creativity, connection & well-being.
About the Class
When we feel a sense of joy, it is natural to express that feeling from our body. We may use our voice and sing, we may dance, and we may use our hands in creative expression. By drawing we leave a mark of that expression. This course is shaped with skill building exercises to improve eye-hand coordination with quick sketching and gesture drawing and practices of learning to see how to abstract shapes of light and dark for developing strong compositions. We will focus on landscape imagery from photos and drawing from setups in the studio. Drawing outside of class will be encouraged but not required.
There are many health benefits from drawing such as: improvements in cognitive focus, freedom of expression with your hands, the satisfaction that comes from seeing the world in a different way, the social camaraderie of acceptance in the studio, and the joy of doing something with your hands.
Required Materials List
- A good size sketch book for multimedia
- Newsprint drawing pad (12” x 18” or 18” x 24”)
- Black pencils, 6B soft
- Compressed charcoal sticks, black and white
- Eraser, kneaded rubber
- Eraser, white vinyl
- Black felt pens
About your Instructor
Michael Bartlett
Michael Bartlett is a highly regarded artist and master craftsman with over 45 years of experience in the fine arts. Based in Sonoma, CA, Michael is best known for his vivid oil paintings that capture the unique light and atmosphere of California landscapes and coastal scenes.
His artistic foundation is built on rigorous training; he holds a BA in Fine Arts from Montana State University, where he mastered the discipline of fine metalsmithing, followed by an MFA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute. This unique background combines the precision of a master craftsman with the expressive freedom of a painter.
As an instructor, Michael blends technical mastery with deep insight. Influenced by his time traveling as an assistant to a Tibetan lama, his teaching philosophy focuses on “seeing” reality and capturing the energy of light. Students in Michael’s classes learn to combine solid technical fundamentals with a mindful approach to color and composition.
https://www.michaelebartlett.com/
Membership has its benefits
All Silver Memberships and above receive 10% off the registration cost for any class purchase over $40.
Materials fees are not discounted.
Become a member today and find community, connection, and creativity.
Class FAQ
We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.
Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.
All credits must be used within 1 year.
You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.
The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at [email protected] so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.
Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at [email protected] to request a late addition.
We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here.
Drawing in Joy: Laughing with Life, a Dance on Paper
Express joy through drawing. Build skills in sketching, composition & landscapes. Boost focus, creativity, connection & well-being.
Schedule
Thursdays, April 9 – 30, 2026
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
This Session
Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location
Experience Level
All-Levels, Beginning, Intermediate and AdvancedAge(s)
18-overRegistration Cost:
$175
Materials Fee:
See Required List
Total Registration Cost:
$175
