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The Figure - Thursday Mornings 9-12

Friday Morning Portrait Class - Friday Mornings 9-12

Still-Life & Studio Painting - Saturday Mornings 9-12





The Figure: Drawing & Painting, Anatomy & History
Thursday Mornings 9-12

Starts June 13th, 2024. 8 week session $400 (includes model fee)

Tom Root - Instructor

In this eight-week class, participants will work from the nude and clothed live model. We will explore figure drawing, both short and long poses, and, later in the term, advance to extended poses for painting or rendered drawing. Each class will begin with a discussion of some aspect of human anatomy and there will be several slideshows during the term featuring figure paintings ancient and modern.

Suggested Drawing Materials:
Newsprint, brown craft paper or gray toned charcoal paper; vine charcoal, pastel white or chalk, etc., backing board.

Suggested Painting Materials:
Suggested Painting Materials: Canvases: Several medium to medium-large canvases of different height/width ratios, so as to best respond whatever the pose, which are (optional) toned in advance and dry with a middle value blue-gray or other neutral.
Palette and Tools: a clean wood, hardboard or thick glass palette (paper palettes are not optimal); a palette/medium cup; a palette knife for mixing paint; cotton rags or paper towels, brush cleaner.
Brushes: various sizes of natural bristle oil brushes (filberts, flats), such as Robert Simmons Signet series. (I use #2, 4, 6, 8, 12 filberts and the occasional flat.) Brushes should be flexible and not stiff w/ old paint.
Medium and Thinner: odorless mineral spirits such as Gamblin Gamsol; oil painting medium such as stand oil (or W&N Painting Medium, Gamblin Galkyd or Graham's Walnut/Alkyd).
Oil Colors: titanium white; yellow ochre; raw umber; cadmium red light; oxide red (a.k.a. light red, English red, Venetian red or Indian red); quinacridone red (aka permanent rose); ultramarine blue: W&N Prussian green (or viridian).

For more information call Tom at (423) 302-8960 or email rootstudioschool@gmail.com




Friday Morning Portrait Class - Friday Mornings 9-12

Starts June 14, 2024 8-week session $380 (includes model fee)

Tom Root, Instructor.

Students will paint and draw the portrait from the live model. The instructor will demonstrate and discuss aspects of the portrait, including achieving a likeness, posing, lighting, design-- all in the context of understanding the portrait's history and future potential as fine art. Basic drawing and painting skills will also be taught. In addition to making short demonstrations to illustrate various points, the instructor will paint alongside students as an ongoing demonstration of how to develop and complete paintings.

Suggested Materials:
Canvases: medium sized canvas panels or stretched primed canvas (16"x20," 18"x24" or so).
Palette: wood, Masonite or thick glass; palette cup; palette knife; cotton rags or paper towels.
Brushes: various sizes of natural bristle oil brushes (filberts, flats).
Medium: odorless mineral spirits; oil painting medium (commercially prepared or stand oil or refined linseed oil or walnut oil, etc.).
Oil colors: titanium white; yellow ochre; raw umber; cadmium red light; English red light (a.k.a. light red); alizarin crimson or permanent rose; burnt sienna; ultramarine blue: viridian or Prussian green.

Studio and Portrait classes are taught by Tom Root. Class schedules are subject to possible adjustments due to commission and exhibition deadlines (with full notice given, and make-up classes provided) Call Tom at (423) 302-8960 or write us at: rootstudioschool@gmail.com




Still-Life & Studio Painting - Saturday Mornings 9-12

Starts June 15, 2024 8-week session $300

Level - Beginner to Advanced. Classes are designed for adults, but serious teen students are welcome. Schedule is subject to change due to instructor schedules. Tom Root, Instructor

Students will draw and paint from still-life set ups, starting with initial lessons in learning to "see" and represent forms in space and progressing on to making artful paintings. The instructor will demonstrate and discuss the techniques, materials and history of oil painting. This is an ongoing class where new students mix with more experienced painters. Students may also choose to work on their own projects and receive individual critiques.

Suggested Materials:
(If you are purchasing art supplies for the first time, your instructor will be happy to make recommendations.)
Drawing students: vine charcoal; sandpaper block; kneaded rubber eraser; chamois; backing board; charcoal paper.
Painting students: Canvases: medium sized canvas panels or stretched primed canvas (16"x20," 18"x24" or so).
Palette: wood, hardboard or thick glass; palette cup; palette knife; cotton rags or paper towels. Brushes: various sizes of natural bristle oil brushes (filberts, flats) such as Robert Simmons Signet brand.
Medium: odorless mineral spirits; oil painting medium such as linseed, stand or walnut oil. Some suggested oil colors: titanium white; yellow ochre; cadmium lemon, raw umber; cadmium red light; quinacridone rose; burnt sienna; ultramarine blue; Prussian green or viridian.

For more information call Tom at (423) 302-8960 or write: rootstudioschool@gmail.com




Past RSS Classes

Head and Hands - Thursday Mornings 9-12

Starts June 2nd, 2022.

Tom Root - Instructor

This is a combination portrait and figure class. Poses are longer and more involved than Friday portrait class, 3 to 4 mornings each. The instructor will demonstrate "seeing" techniques and painting methods, and will discuss how to think structurally about the figure, treating it as one continuous form revealed by light. This class is designed for intermediate to advanced adult students and professionals. The instructor will paint alongside students as an ongoing demonstration of how to develop and complete a painting.

Suggested Painting Materials:
Canvases: Several medium to medium-large canvases of different height/width ratios, so as to best respond whatever the pose, which are (optional) toned in advance and dry with a middle value blue-gray or other neutral.
Palette and Tools: a clean wood, hardboard or thick glass palette (paper palettes are not optimal); a palette/medium cup; a palette knife for mixing paint; cotton rags or paper towels, brush cleaner.
Brushes: various sizes of natural bristle oil brushes (filberts, flats), such as Robert Simmons Signet series. (I use #2, 4, 6, 8, 12 filberts and the occasional flat.) Brushes should be flexible and not stiff w/ old paint.
Medium and Thinner: odorless mineral spirits such as Gamblin Gamsol; oil painting medium such as stand oil (or W&N Painting Medium, Gamblin Galkyd or Graham's Walnut/Alkyd).
Oil Colors: titanium white; yellow ochre; raw umber; cadmium red light; oxide red (a.k.a. light red, English red, Venetian red or Indian red); quinacridone red (aka permanent rose); ultramarine blue: W&N Prussian green (or viridian).
Suggested Drawing Materials: Newsprint, brown craft paper or gray toned charcoal paper; vine charcoal, pastel white or chalk, etc., backing board.

For more information call Tom at (423) 302-8960 or email rootstudioschool@gmail.com




Friday Morning Portrait Class - Friday Mornings 9-12

Starts June 3rd

Level - Intermediate to Advanced. Schedule is subject to change due to instructor schedules. Tom Root, Instructor.

Students will paint and draw the portrait from the live model. The instructor will demonstrate and discuss aspects of the portrait, including achieving a likeness, posing, lighting, design-- all in the context of understanding the portrait's history and future potential as fine art. Basic drawing and painting skills will also be taught. In addition to making short demonstrations to illustrate various points, the instructor will paint alongside students as an ongoing demonstration of how to develop and complete paintings.

Suggested Materials:
Canvases: medium sized canvas panels or stretched primed canvas (16"x20," 18"x24" or so).
Palette: wood, Masonite or thick glass; palette cup; palette knife; cotton rags or paper towels.
Brushes: various sizes of natural bristle oil brushes (filberts, flats).
Medium: odorless mineral spirits; oil painting medium (commercially prepared or stand oil or refined linseed oil or walnut oil, etc.).
Oil colors: titanium white; yellow ochre; raw umber; cadmium red light; English red light (a.k.a. light red); alizarin crimson or permanent rose; burnt sienna; ultramarine blue: viridian or Prussian green.

Studio and Portrait classes are taught by Tom Root. Class schedules are subject to possible adjustments due to commission and exhibition deadlines (with full notice given, and make-up classes provided) Call Tom at (423) 302-8960 or write us at: rootstudioschool@gmail.com




Still-Life & Studio Painting - Saturday Mornings 9-12

Starts June 4th, 2022

Level - Beginner to Advanced. Classes are designed for adults, but serious teen students are welcome. Schedule is subject to change due to instructor schedules. Tom Root, Instructor

Students will draw and paint from still-life set ups, starting with initial lessons in learning to "see" and represent forms in space and progressing on to making artful paintings. The instructor will demonstrate and discuss the techniques, materials and history of oil painting. This is an ongoing class where new students mix with more experienced painters. Students may also choose to work on their own projects and receive individual critiques.

Suggested Materials:
(If you are purchasing art supplies for the first time, your instructor will be happy to make recommendations.)
Drawing students: vine charcoal; sandpaper block; kneaded rubber eraser; chamois; backing board; charcoal paper.
Painting students: Canvases: medium sized canvas panels or stretched primed canvas (16"x20," 18"x24" or so).
Palette: wood, hardboard or thick glass; palette cup; palette knife; cotton rags or paper towels. Brushes: various sizes of natural bristle oil brushes (filberts, flats) such as Robert Simmons Signet brand.
Medium: odorless mineral spirits; oil painting medium such as linseed, stand or walnut oil. Some suggested oil colors: titanium white; yellow ochre; cadmium lemon, raw umber; cadmium red light; quinacridone rose; burnt sienna; ultramarine blue; Prussian green or viridian.

Figure Painting and Drawing with Tom Root 2021



Portrait Painting with Tom Root



Still-Life & Studio Painting with Tom Root




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Studio Painting with Tom Root (10 week session)

    Level - Beginners to Advanced Classes are designed for adults, but serious teen students are welcome. Schedule is subject to change due to instructor schedules.

Students will draw and paint from still-life set ups, starting with initial lessons in learning to "see" and represent forms in space and progressing on to making artful paintings. The instructor will demonstrate and discuss the techniques, materials and history of oil painting. This is an ongoing class where new students mix with more experienced painters. Students may also choose to work on their own projects and receive individual critiques. In the warmer months, students have the option of painting landscapes on location near the school.

    Thursday Morning Class begins January 23, 2020. 9:00-12:00 (3 hour) Thursday Mornings

    Saturday Morning Class begins January 25, 2020. 10:00-1:00 (3 hour) Saturday Mornings

Suggested Materials:

(If you are purchasing art supplies for the first time, your instructor will be happy to make recommendations.)

Drawing students: vine charcoal; sandpaper block; kneaded rubber eraser; chamois; backing board; charcoal paper.
Painting students: Canvases: medium sized canvas panels or stretched primed canvas (16"x20," 18"x24" or so). Palette: wood, hardboard or thick glass; palette cup; palette knife; cotton rags or paper towels. Brushes: various sizes of natural bristle oil brushes (filberts, flats) such as Robert Simmons Signet brand. Medium: odorless mineral spirits; oil painting medium such as linseed, stand or walnut oil. Some suggested oil colors: titanium white; yellow ochre; cadmium lemon, raw umber; cadmium red light; quinacridone rose; burnt sienna; ultramarine blue; Prussian green or viridian.


Studio and Portrait classes are taught by Tom Root. Class schedules are subject to possible adjustments due to commission and exhibition deadlines (with full notice given, and make-up classes provided). Call (423) 302-8960 or write us at: rootstudioschool@gmail.com to reserve your place.


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Friday Portrait Painting and Drawing (10 week session) with Tom Root

    Level - Intermediate to advanced. Professionals welcome!

    Friday mornings 9:30-12:30
    Begins January 24, 2020
    Space is limited -- register soon!

Students will paint and draw the portrait from the live model. The instructor will demonstrate and discuss aspects of the portrait, including achieving a likeness, posing, lighting, design, and various historic painting methods -- all in the context of understanding the portrait's history and future potential as fine art. Basic drawing and painting skills will also be taught.

Suggested Materials:

(If you are purchasing art supplies for the first time, your instructor will be happy to make recommendations.)

Canvases: medium sized canvas panels or stretched primed canvas (16"x20," 18"x24" or so). Palette: wood, Masonite or thick glass; palette cup; palette knife; cotton rags or paper towels.
Brushes: various sizes of natural bristle oil brushes (filberts, flats).
Medium: odorless mineral spirits; oil painting medium (commercially prepared or stand oil or refined linseed oil or walnut oil, etc.).
Oil colors: titanium white; yellow ochre; raw umber; cadmium red light; English red light (a.k.a. light red); alizarin crimson or permanent rose; burnt sienna; ultramarine blue: viridian or Prussian green.


Studio and Portrait classes are taught by Tom Root. Class schedules are subject to possible adjustments due to commission and exhibition deadlines (with full notice given, and make-up classes provided). Call (423) 302-8960 or write us at: rootstudioschool@gmail.com to reserve your place.


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Call (423) 302-8960 or email rootstudioschool@gmail.com for information or registration. We try to keep our class sizes small and our rates affordable for artists and students.

To mail your tuition payment or deposit, please use this address:
Root Studio School, 606 Depot Street, Jonesborough, TN, 37659.

Classes