More New Classes Coming!
NOTE: I will post information as soon as it’s available.
“Collage and Gel Plate Drop-In Classes”
Wednesdays: May 11, 18 and 25
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
(Taught online via Zoom - Classes are recorded)
There are three classes. Register for one, two or all three!
Wednesday, May 11 Collage Drop-In
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
Wednesday, May 18 Gel Plate Printing Drop-In
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
Wednesday, May 25 Collage Drop-In6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
Cost
$12.50 / Per Session
What Type of Class?
This isn't a How-To kind of class. It's a Drop-In kind of class where we have fun working on our own work. I'll work along side of you so you can see how I create and why I make the artful decisions I make. And I'll be available to answer questions.
What's In It for Me?
– Create original art in a friendly, supportive group
– Learn new tips and techniques
– Get feedback from others
– Carve out a time to be creative during your busy schedule
– And more!
REGISTER FOR ALL THREE CLASSES - MAY 11, 18 and 25:
REGISTER FOR MAY 11 (Collage):
REGISTER FOR MAY 18 (Gel Plate Printing):
REGISTER FOR MAY 25 (Collage):
Suggested Materials List for Collage Classes
Work on a background paper in a size you like with collage materials you have around. These are only suggestions.
• Paper stock: Any heavy paper or cardboard you have (watercolor paper, sketch pad paper, etc.) 8"x10" or 9"x12" are good standard sizes.
• Miscellaneous collage element materials: Painted paper, junk mail, magazines, catalogs, take out menus, old greeting cards, sheet music, old books, brown paper bag, used postage stamps, food packaging, stickers, etc.
• Scissors and/or X-Acto knife
• Cutting mat if you have one
• Collage adhesive: glue stick, white glue or Soft Gel Medium
• Palette knife for spreading Soft Gel Medium, if you use
• Flat tool (like a plastic gift card or putty knife) for smoothing collage elements as you affix them
Suggested Materials List for Gel Plate Printing Classes
• Gel printing plate: I use the Gel Press brand but also recommend the Gelli Arts brand. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I use the 5" x 7" size.
• Brayer: Be sure to get a soft rubber roller. Speedball is a good brand but there are others. I don't recommend the brayers that have a wire-type handle. Either a 4" or 2-1/2" roller size work well. Be sure it's a soft rubber brayer. Not a hard rubber brayer.
• Acrylic paints: You can use any kind of acrylic paint. I like to use GOLDEN heavy body, fluid and OPEN paints as well as craft paints. Use what you have. You can always branch out into other types of paint.
• Paper: You'll go through a lot of paper because printing is addictive! Use inexpensive printer paper, deli paper, book pages, magazine pages, sheet music, card stock, watercolor paper ... whatever you have around.
• Items around your house for mark making: Be sure they are not sharp or pointy objects.
• Baby wipes: For cleaning your gel plate.
• Old magazine or spiral notebook: For "off loading" paint on your brayer
• Stencils: Optional
Come Join the Fun!
“Make Your Mark"
Use Your Brushes to Full Advantage
Thursdays: May 5, 12, 19 and 26
2:30 - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
(Taught online via Zoom - Classes are recorded)
All Four Classes: $150
Individual Classes : $45 / each
Register for all four sessions or one, two or three!
We'll look at different kinds of brushes (rounds, flats, filberts and fans) and discover the kinds of marks and strokes they make. We'll create expressive, abstract paintings. We'll work with collage. We'll use brushes and a gel plate to make unique prints. Come join us. Zoom classes are recorded.
Weekly Schedule
Week 1: Thursday, May 5 – "Circle Round"
Week 2: Thursday, May 12 – "Six from One"
Week 3: Thursday, May 19 – "Reconstructed Paintings"
Week 4: Thursday, May 26 – "Brushes Meet Gel Plate”
Register for All Four Classes, May 5, 12, 19 and 26
Register for Thursday, May 5
Register for Thursday, May 12
Register for Thursday, May 19
Register for Thursday, May 26
Join us for a fun, casual online session or two to improve your collage skills while we create a collage based on prompts I email you prior to the session. Share your work and get feedback.
What’s in It for Me?
In Class We'll ...
– Look at the differences between round, flat, filbert and fan brushes
– Discover the types of marks and strokes you can make with the various brushes
– Make collage works using the marks we've made
– Create a series of paintings on a large sheet of paper
– Repurpose a painting to give it new life
– Work with brushes and a gel plate to construct an art print
– And more!
Suggested Materials List
Here is an abbreviated materials list. I'll send you any other materials we'll use in future emails.
– Acrylic paints in colors of your choice
– Paper: Mixed media paper, watercolor paper or heavy drawing paper (8" x 10" or 9" x 12" plus a couple large sheets 16" x 20" or 18" x 24" for example)
– Brushes: (We'll explore rounds, flats, filberts and fans – I'll explain more during classes.)
– Painters, artists or masking tape
– Scissors
– Gel printing plate (Week 4 only - 5" x 7" is a good size )
– Brayer (soft rubber roller - Week 4 only)
– Baby wipes (Week 4 only)
What People Are Saying about Tom and His Classes
"When I found Tom Hlas’ classes my creative world changed. From doing collage almost exclusively, I have learned and incorporated several other disciplines in my work. In the classes I’ve taken for more than a year, we’ve had the choice to do a new and different project every week. But there’s no way to talk about Tom’s classes without talking about Tom. In addition to being a great teacher he is a generous, kind and caring man with whom we have a good time in every class. I consider him a mentor and a friend.” Linda L. – New York, NY
“Tom, besides being a great artist, is a wonderful teacher. I would recommend him enthusiastically. In the past year, I have learned so much about art and individual artists. I have discovered and experimented with many mixed media techniques including color and composition, image transfers, painted papers, journaling, using alcohol inks, just to name a few. Tom is very creative, warm and encouraging. He is enthusiastic and inspires students to follow their own vision. He is a great communicator and well-organized. His lessons are concise, well-planned and filmed beforehand so they are easy to understand and follow. In addition, Tom makes these videos available to students who missed the class or who wants to review the techniques shown in class. He is open to questions from his students. His joy and love of art is catching: You can’t help but feel the same way! Add Art and Fun to your day with Artful Fridays! " Terry B. – Avon, CT
Recent Workshops and Classes
"Collage Drop-In Classes"
Wednesdays: April 20 & 27
“Introduction to Gel Plate Printing"
Fridays: April 8, 15, 22 and 29
Artful Adventures April:
“Introduction to Gel Plate Printing"
Fridays: April 8, 15, 22 and 29
Artful Adventures March:
“Art of the Book"
Fridays: March 4, 11, 18 and 25
Artful Adventures February:
"Four Women Painters to Inspire Your Collage Art"
Fridays: February 4, 11, 18 and 25
“Free Class: Let’s Make Valentines”
Sunday: January 16
“Artful Fridays with Tom Hlas - January 2022”
Fridays: January 7, 14, 21 and 28
“Artful Fridays with Tom Hlas - December 2021”
Fridays, December 3, 10 and 17, 2021
“Artful Fridays with Tom Hlas - November 2021”
Fridays, November 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2021
“Artful Fridays with Tom Hlas - October 2021”
Fridays, October 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2021
“Artful Fridays with Tom Hlas - September 2021”
Fridays, September 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2021
“Artful Wednesdays with Tom Hlas - July 2021”
July 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2021
“Artful Wednesdays with Tom Hlas - June 2021”
June 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2021
"Adventures In Mixed Media Collage Paintings"
Tuesdays, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
April 13 – June 15, 2021
(Taught online via Zoom)
NOTE: A Curriculum Course of the West Hartford Art League (WHAL)
“Artful Wednesdays with Tom Hlas - May 2021”
May 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2021
“Artful Wednesdays with Tom Hlas - April 2021”
April 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2021
“Artful Wednesdays with Tom Hlas - March 2021"
March 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2021
"Mail Art: More Techniques, More Joy"
March 5, 12 and 19, 2021
“Artful Wednesdays with Tom Hlas - February 2021”
February 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2021
"Art Journaling 101"
(Taught online via Zoom)
Tuesdays, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
January 12 - March 16, 2021
NOTE: A Curriculum Course of the West Hartford Art League (WHAL)
“Artful Wednesdays with Tom Hlas - February 2021”
February 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2021
“Artful Wednesdays with Tom Hlas - January 2021”
January 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2021
“Artful Wednesdays with Tom Hlas - December 2020”
December 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2020
“Artful Wednesdays with Tom Hlas - November 2020"
November 18 and 25, 2020
"Mail Art Envelopes: Design and Create Your Own Envelopes”
[A Two-Session Online Workshop - Thursdays]
October 15 and October 22, 2020
"Mail Art Postcards: Share Your Joy with Collage Art”
[A Two-Session Online Workshop - Thursdays]
September 17 and September 24, 2020
"Scissors, Paper, Paint: Explorations in Collage”
[An Online 10-Week Course]
September 9 - November 11, 2020
A Curriculum of the West Hartford Art League
"Mail Art Postcards: Share Your Joy with Collage Art”
[A Two-Session Online Workshop - Thursdays]
September 17 and September 24, 2020
"Mail Art Postcards: Share Your Joy with Collage Art”
[A Two-Session Online Workshop - Tuesdays]
July 28 and August 4, 2020
"Mail Art Postcards Course - Share Your Joy" (Tuesdays)
[A Two-Session Online Workshop]
June 23 and 30, 2020
"Mail Art Postcards Course - Share Your Joy” (Wednesdays)
[A Two-Session Online Workshop]
June 24 and July 1, 2020
"Color Playshop: Explore Possibilities”
(Canceled Due to COVID-19)
[A Ten-Week Course]
West Hartford Art League
West Hartford, CT
April 8 - June 10, 2020
“Picture Perfect: Turn your photos into hand-painted works of art”
[A Two-Hour Workshop]
The Norfolk Hub
Norfolk, CT 06058
March 4, 2020
“Mixed Media Extravaganza”
[A Weekend Workshop]
Housatonic Valley Art League
Sheffield, CT
January 25 - 26, 2020
“Mixed Media Boot Camp”
[A Six-Week Co-Taught Course]
West Hartford Art League
West Hartford, CT
January 9 - February 13, 2020
"A Joyful Heart: Using Gel Press Plates to Make Artful Valentines for Your Loved Ones”
[A Two-Hour Workshop]
The Norfolk Hub
Norfolk, CT 06058
January 29, 2020
"Have Fun Making Art Prints with a Gel Press Plate”
[A Two-Hour Workshop]
The Norfolk Hub
Norfolk, CT 06058
December 4, 2019
"Gel Press Plate Image Transfers”
[A Printmaking Workshop]
West Hartford Art League
West Hartford, CT
November 14, 2019
"Design + Composition for Painters"
[A Five-Week Course]
West Hartford Art League
West Hartford, CT
Sept. 12, 26, Oct. 3, 10, 24, 2019
"Playful Abstracts: A Mixed Media Immersion Weekend”
[An Intensive Weekend Workshop]
Dar James Studio
Yardley, PA
May 18 - 19. 2019
”The Joy of Printing with Gel Press Plates"
[An Evening of Printmaking]
West Hartford Art League
West Hartford, CT
May 28, 2019
"Design + Composition for Painters"
[A Ten-Week Course]
West Hartford Art League
West Hartford, CT
April 11 - June 13, 2019
"Principles of Design and Composition for Painters"
[A Ten-Week Course]
West Hartford Art League
West Hartford, CT
September 18 - November 20, 2018
“Using Collage to Enrich Your Acrylic Paintings: New Directions of Expression”
[A Two-Day Workshop]
West Hartford Art League
West Hartford, CT
May 19-20, 2018
It’s a pleasure to be able to work with so many wonderful people.
Certified Golden Artist Educator