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Next-Level Drawing
Advance your drawing skills with deep study of composition, value, and technique. Strengthen your creative process through focused practice.
About the Class
In this class, we will explore composition, value, and other aspects of drawing but on a deeper level. Beginning drawing classes have a lot of ground to cover so the concepts are skimmed over in order to give you exposure to as many as possible. Next-level drawing takes the time to do a deeper dive into some of the principles of drawing. When drawing we use limited tools which allow us to isolate both our strengths and weaknesses. Using this opportunity to really investigate our own process will serve to strengthen all aspects of our creative work. Drawing can be a challenge but when you see how it enhances the creative process, you will know it is worth it. This class is suitable for students who have a basic understanding of drawing and want to work on their skills.
Please bring the following materials to class: 20″ x 26″ drawing board with clips, 18 “x 24” Strathmore drawing pad (other brands are fine as long as the paper is drawing quality), soft willow charcoal, compressed charcoal (Char-kole brand black), white plastic eraser, notebook, Staedtler drawing pencils 2B and 6B, Pigma micron pens black (one fine-tip and one medium-tip).
About your Instructor
Melisse Herman
Melisse Herman works with themes of Absence and Presence, compelling a dialogue in which the viewer draws their own meaning from each work – engaging with what is first unseen, then subtly visible, and finally clear. Melisse graduated with distinction from California College of the Arts, and received her MFA with honors in painting and drawing from Mills College. She has exhibited on both the East and West Coasts and has featured in a number of significant collections, including the Chevron Corporation and the United States Embassy in Hong Kong. She helped to compose a young adult novel, and has taught at both California College of the Arts and Mills College as well as other institutions for over 35 years.
https://www.melisseherman.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.
Next-Level Drawing
Advance your drawing skills with deep study of composition, value, and technique. Strengthen your creative process through focused practice.
Schedule
Wednesday, March 11 – April 22, 2026
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
This Session
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location
Experience Level
IntermediateAge(s)
18-over$225 – Registration Cost
