Fall 2026
Sketchbook Habit & Watercolor Journaling
There is nothing like the sense of achievement you get when looking back on a completed sketchbook. It stands as a record of your thoughts, your ideas, journeys you took, places and people you encountered along the way and the art materials and techniques you discovered or experimented with. Not sure where to start? This is the class for you! Maybe you already have a few sketchbooks and you’re scared to start in on those pristine white pages in case you mess up! Hint: You can’t mess it up, I promise! We will walk through media, paper types, the best sizes of book, and then we will explore a variety of techniques – pencil, pen, watercolor, gouache, fine-liner pens etc. so you’ll have the confidence to fill up the blank pages with glorious spreads.
Duration: 2 hours per class
Most materials will be provided. A selection of sketchbooks will be available for purchase.
Experience: Beginner-friendly. Curious, ‘never tried art’ artists welcome! Even experienced artists will learn something new.
10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7
Ages: 16+ | Max 8 people
Sign up here: https://www.shellbeestudio.com/store/p/sketchbook-journaling
Watercolors with pen & ink
Explore combining expressive watercolor with pen & ink lines. Whether you’re new to watercolor or believe you can’t draw, you can enjoy the freedom and sense of play with these two seemingly very different media. Blending happy accidents of color and shape with the form and structure of ink work can take your art making in directions you can not predict. We will go step by step to familiarize ourselves with the qualities of watercolor; creating washes, blooms, layers, and textures. We will play with a variety of inks; waterproof india ink, acrylic inks, fine-liners, dip pens and brushes to create detailed, expressive techniques.
Duration: 2 hours per class
Materials will be provided. A suggested material list can be sent out for artists who prefer to bring their own.
Experience: Beginner-friendly. Experienced artists are also welcome.
9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3
Sign up here: https://www.shellbeestudio.com/store/p/watercolor
Winter 2025
Junk Journaling
We will make our own unique junk journals using a variety of binding techniques, then experiment with mixed media techniques to fill them with memories and stories.
Starts Sunday, 11/16 at 3pm. Continues 11/23, 11/30, 12/14 & 12/21
Sign up here.
Winter’s Veil: Light in the Dark
Sip warming tea, learn about the Wheel Of The Year and honor winter’s time of reflection and renewal by making your own meditative art piece using watercolor with gold and silver inks. Bring a friend or two and enjoy this afternoon workshop together.
Sunday, December 7 at 3pm ET. Sign up here.
Fall 2025
Unleash Your Creativity: Mixed Media for Adults
6:00pm – 7:30pm Thursdays | $120 for 4 weeks
*must have minimum of 3 people to run class
Learn how to use whatever you have on hand to make unique personal art. Experiment with collage, photo transfers, painting, drawing, washi tape, stickers and junk mail. Bring your own personal ephemera items or use the varied materials we have collected. A blank sketchbook will be provided for each student who signs up for 4 weeks – build your own reference guide as you learn.
Classes are held at SoMa, 500 Main Street, Deep River, CT 06417
Suitable for artists at all levels.
session 1: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/10
session 2: 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14
Abstract Focused Drawing
*must have minimum of 3 people to run class
2:00-3:30 Sundays | $120 for 4 weeks
Classes are held at SoMa, 500 Main Street, Deep River, CT 06417
Discover the power of abstraction in this 10-week drawing course designed for adult learners of all levels. Through guided exercises and technique-focused sessions, you’ll explore how to convey emotion, rhythm, and form using line, shape, texture, and value—without relying on realistic representation.
session 1: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12
session 2: 10/19, 10/26, 11/2/ 11/9
Each week builds progressively, starting with foundational mark-making methods then moving on to explore composition, the power of negative space, value layering and texture exercises. Expect to experiment with a variety of media including pencil, collage, pen, paint and ink.
Students will also draw inspiration from abstract artists past and present, and each session will include time for discussion. A sketchbook will be provided for students who sign up for 4 weeks, to build their own visual reference of technique and process.
Watercolors
4:30-6:00 Watercolors for teens + adults | Instructor Katia | $120 for 4 weeks
*must have minimum of 3 people to run class
Classes are held at SoMa, 500 Main Street, Deep River, CT 06417
Practice simple watercolor techniques with our newest instructor. Discover how to add texture, learn color theory and work on building your confidence in this medium. A blank sketchbook will be provided for each student who signs up for 4 classes – build your own reference guide as you learn.
Suitable for artists at all levels.
session 1: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12
session 2: 10/19, 10/26, 11/2/ 11/9
