Victoria Brzustowicz

INTRO TO PASTELS at The Art Stop LLC, Penfield NY

The Intro to Pastels class is a five-session course perfect for beginners and those looking to deepen their understanding of pastel techniques. Students will learn the basics of working with soft pastels, exploring foundational skills such as blending, layering, and creating texture. Each session will focus on different aspects of pastel work, from understanding color theory to building depth and form in still-life and landscape compositions. Exercises and demonstrations will help participants develop confidence and control over the medium while encouraging personal style and creative exploration.

Evening session MONDAYS 6:00-8:00

Dates: 12/29/25-1/26/26

Call or stop by the Art Stop to register.

Fundamentals of Drawing at Flower City Arts Center

In this class students focus on developing observational skills and drawing techniques, using a variety of drawing media. No prior experience with drawing is required or expected. More advanced artists will also benefit from this refresher course.

Tuesdays 6-8:30PM, January 6, 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10

Register Here (Two seats left the last time I checked!)

Solvent-Free Oil Painting at Flower City Arts Center

Discover the joy of oil painting with a solvent-free, eco-conscious approach. This six-week class explores the essentials of alla prima painting—working directly and expressively with color, light, and form. You’ll learn to mix colors from a limited palette and create paintings from your own sketches, photos, or still life setups.

Supportive critiques and personalized feedback will help you grow your skills and confidence while developing a mindful, sustainable painting practice. This class welcomes artists of all levels, from beginners to experienced painters looking to refresh their skills or explore a solvent-free approach.

Thursdays 6-8:30PM, February 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19

Materials list and Registration Here (Wait list only)

The Art of Ink: Pen and Brush Techniques at Flower City Arts Center

This four-week class offers an in-depth exploration of pen and ink, as well as brush and ink techniques, using both Walnut ink and India ink. Students will learn the fundamentals of creating dynamic line work, shading, and texture through various approaches, including hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and washes.

Each week will focus on building skills in both mediums, with an emphasis on the unique qualities of Walnut ink’s warm, organic tones and the rich, deep blacks of India ink. By the end of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of the tools and techniques used in traditional ink drawing and the ability to create detailed, expressive artwork using both inks.

Register Here

Thursdays 6-8:30PM, January 8, 15, 22, 29

Intro to Gouache Painting at Flower City Arts Center

Gouache is a water-based, opaque, pigment-rich medium. The ability to layer light over dark makes it as flexible as acrylics and oils, and yet it can be used like watercolor in transparent layers. This course is an introduction to materials, color mixing, and paint handling, with an emphasis on gouache’s painterly qualities. Each class will include a demo and plenty of time for painting. Storing and framing of gouache paintings will also be covered.

Daytime class. Register Here.

Tuesdays, 10am–12:30 pm, March 10, 17, 24 and 31