2026–Fall Art Course: Anyone Can Learn Colored Pencil- Mondays, 10am (Teacher: Julie Abels)

Description

Join us for a fun 1 semester art course where we learn the basics of colored pencil.

Register at Unhindered Learning: https://unhinderedlearning.wixsite.com/menu/northwest

This class introduces students to colored pencil drawing and teaches them how to build rich color through layering, blending, and careful observation. Over 14 weeks students will learn how to control pencil pressure, layer colors, blend smoothly, create textures, and render realistic subjects such as fruit, animals, and natural objects. Students will complete several finished drawings while learning techniques they can use in their own artwork.

Students should already be comfortable with basic drawing, or be willing to trace their base drawing before class so they can focus on learning colored pencil techniques.

• Where: Unhindered Learning Co-op at Northwest Bible Church (889 W Chapala Dr, Tucson, AZ 85704)
• Date: Mondays, starting August 17, 2026
• Time: 10:00 am-11:00 am

The images shown here are not necessarily indicative of what we’ll be drawing since I like to adjust projects to fit the class.

Age Range:

• This art course is designed for students 10 years old and older.

Supplies Needed

Each student need the following (Basic Sets start at $30)

• A set of quality colored pencils (minimum 12 colors, preferably 36+). I generally recommend a smaller set of higher quality pencils over a larger set of lower quality pencils.
  • My Top Recommendation for Beginners: Prismacolor Scholar (~$0.50/pencil in a set) are the best budget friendly pencils, and really good for the price! (Currently $23 for 60!)
  • My Personal Favorite:  Faber-Castell Polychromos (~$1.50/pencil in a set)
  • Second favorite: Prismacolor Premier (~$1.00/pencil in a set)- They’re a bit more fragile than the Faber-Castell Polychromos.
  • Derwent is also a great brand but I don’t have any experience with themStay away from Crayola, Rose Art, Kalour, and Arteza
• Pencil sharpener
  • Hand sharpener, not electric
  • Made for colored pencils is best
  • There are few different thicknesses of pencils, but if you buy one the same brand as your pencils then you know it will fit!
• Drawing paper suitable for colored pencil:
  • 9″x12″ or smaller. I really like the 6″x8″ size since it’s more portable.
  • Heavyweight (at least 100lb)
  • For example: Strathmore’s smooth Bristol paper or Strathmore’s Colored Pencil Paper
  • You might need to look at Michaels for this since Amazon sometimes runs out.
• Regular pencil (for drawing before adding color)
• Regular Eraser (white vinyl recommended)
• Blender pencil (These are so much cheaper in bulk- I will provide one to each student to take home!)
• Optional: Light pad for tracing

Fall Schedule (14 weeks):

• Aug. 17, 24, 31
• Sept. 14, 21, 28
• Oct. 5, 19, 26
• Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30
• Dec. 7

No meeting:

• Sept 7: Labor Day,
• Oct 12th: Fall Break
• Nov 23: Thanksgiving

Since the curriculum builds from week to week, we encourage you not to miss any meetings if possible.

Be sure to check out our cancelation policy too!

Parent Policy

We want to always have two adults present any time an adult is in the room with children who are not their own. So, parents will need to take turns being the 2nd adult in the room. You are always welcome to sit in the room with your child.

ESA Families

Here’s my MBA diploma if you’d like to use it for reimbursement.

Course size limit:

We plan to limit this course to 10 students to allow for plenty of individual attention. Once the max is reached, contact me to be put on the wait list.

Photo Policy:

I often take photos in class to use on social media, my website, and advertising. Please let me know if you do not wish to be photographed or have those images used in print and online.