Past Classes
Intro to Drawing & Sketching
Learn to draw with Maxx FG. Each session will have different warm-ups and exercises followed by a longer practice using references. These sessions are designed for everyone from very beginners to experts needing a bit of inspiration. All materials are provided. Students receive a 15% discount on art supply purchases after class.
Classes are 6pm - 8pm.
Health and safety policies will be communicated with your class verification email. Classes are in-person at our location, 2000 NW Market St, Seattle WA 98107.
Inking: Brush, Washes & White Space
Learn how to use paintbrushes in a whole new way. Maxx FG will teach you how to create images with depth and a high value range using a single color of ink. We'll also cover options for adding white for corrections and highlights.
September 25, 2022
All materials are provided. Students receive a 15% discount on art supply purchases after class.
Classes are 6pm - 8pm.
Health and safety policies will be communicated with your class verification email. Classes are in-person at our location, 2000 NW Market St, Seattle WA 98107.
Botanical Sketching at the Locks with Maxx
Learn the art of capturing the natural environment on paper, while getting to know one of Ballard's most beautiful spaces.
Maxx Follis-Goodkind will show you how to look at plants in a scientific way to improve your art. You'll also learn cultural and historical information about plants to help you better appreciate their context in the garden. Beyond drawing, you'll get guidance in selecting paint colors and watercolor sketching techniques.
Classes meet at the entrance of the Ballard Locks at 11am and we will walk together to a location in the garden/park area to draw and learn. Class ends at 12:30pm.
There is a complementary in-person event on the last Monday of the month at Push/Pull. That event is to focus on composition and completing botanical drawings and paintings.
The optional class kit covers both events and only needs to be purchased once, no matter how many times you attend.
Kit can be purchased at this link:
http://www.pushpullseattle.com/artshop.html#!/Botanical-Art-Kit/p/449190052/category=0
(We had to create a separate link to do sales tax properly, apologies for double-checkouts.)
If you don't purchase the class kit, suggested supplies are:
small sketchbook, small watercolor pad or sketchbook, round and flat/wash watercolor or mixed media brushes, variety of graphite pencils, variety of charcoal pencils, pencil sharpener (with container to capture waste), variety of erasers, container for water, watercolor paints, a board to clip work to in the field, clips to hold paper
Botanical Watercolor Painting & Composition
Learn how to create beautiful botanical watercolor paintings with Maxx Follis-Goodkind. An add-on to the Botanical Sketching series (http://www.pushpullseattle.com/store/p4697/Botanical_Sketching_at_the_Locks_with_Maxx.html) or you can take it as an independent workshop. This class happens monthly through spring & summer.
Join Maxx in-person at Push/Pull to learn about creating dynamic paintings and compositions through the placement of botanical elements and use of exaggerated lighting.
Class kit is available at:
http://www.pushpullseattle.com/artshop.html#!/Botanical-Art-Kit/p/449190052/category=0
(Apologies on the double-checkout, it helps us not have to charge you sales tax on the class)
You only need one kit, no matter how many times you attend! The class kit works for the Botanical Sketching class too.
These in-person sessions are small-groups to help get everyone individual attention and assistance. Sessions are held in the Push/Pull studio, which requires walking up a flight of stairs. We do not have alternative ADA access to this space. If you have access questions, please contact us at info@pushpullseattle.com.
Masks, vaccination records, and other health/safety protocols may be required. Attendees will be notified in advance of any requirements.
Attendees that do not purchase a kit do not need to provide their own watercolor paints, pens, and pencils. All attendees will get watercolor paper to practice with and to complete finished works. Attendees get 15% off in-store purchases the day of the course.
Needle Felting Mushroom with Maxx FG
Make your own fun-size fungi in this beginner's needle felting class. You'll get all the supplies and tools needed for your creation, which you will be able to take home. Maxx will guide you through the project and help with getting the details just right.
This class uses very sharp, large, needles. Participants must be 18+ or 14+ with parent chaperone or signed waiver. You will likely stab yourself at least once. Finger gloves and other safety items will be provided. Chaperones must have their own ticket. We also use wool. If you are allergic to wool, please consider a different class.
This is an in-person class with a maximum of 10 participants. You will be required to show proof of current Covid-19 vaccination. Please head to the back of the store to the classroom area to check-in. You do not need a receipt or ticket, just the name on the order.
Maxx FG is Push/Pull's founder, Director and felter. She loves sculpting creations out of felt and also loves that it involves lots of stabbing. She recommends this method of creation to anyone that has stabby urges, this is a great way to work them out.
Sock Puppets with Maxx FG
Learn how to make a sock puppet with items you likely already have. You'll learn how to make arms, wings, and expressive faces. All materials and tools are provided. This class uses hot glue and sharp tools.
Family sessions are for puppet creators 12+ without a chaperone and 5+ with a chaperone.
Adult sessions are for puppet creators 16+.
No more than two young participants per adult chaperone. Chaperones must have their own ticket.
Maxx FG is Push/Pull's founder, Director and resident puppeteer. She makes sock, hand, stick and marionette puppets and loves bringing interesting characters to life.
Proof of 100% covid vaccination is required to participate. You will be asked to show proof of vaccination when you arrive. Classes are limited to 10 participants and happen in-person at Push/Pull. Our address is 2000 NW Market St, on the corner of 20th & Market in Ballard. We do not have designated parking. Check in at the back classroom space once you arrive.
Poetry Comics: Haiku Winter with David Lasky
This is an online POETRY COMICS class for winter, focusing on short haiku comics of roughly 3 panels. Every Sunday, for 9 sessions, we'll meet online and look at notable examples of haiku poems, then a prompt will be given to help you write a haiku. We'll learn a comics-making technique and then another prompt will be given to help you draw your poem as a short 'haiku comic'. We’ll spend the last few minutes of the hour writing and drawing together. Students will be able to share their work online, if they wish, to receive instructor and classmate feedback. By the end of winter, you will have at least 9 new comic strips, enough to make a small poetry comic zine/chapbook. All skill levels welcome.
Participants will need:
- Pencils, Paper, an Eraser, a Ruler
- (all optional:) Inking Pens, (or a Digital Drawing Platform), Color Media
This is an ONLINE class. You will need:
A computer or device that can work with Zoom. A scanner or camera would be useful for sharing work online.
- Sundays for 9 weeks, starts January 9th, ends March 20th
- No class will be held on Jan 16 and Feb 20
- Sessions are from 1pm - 2pm, Pacific/Seattle-local time
Recordings of class sessions are made available for those that miss a session or who would like to review sessions.
Seattle artist David Lasky co-authored the graphic novel "Carter Family: Don’t Forget This Song," which won comics’ Eisner Award in 2013. While he's not any kind of authority on poetry, he has been writing it in his spare time for over 20 years. David has also been a graphic novel instructor for the last 15 years, teaching to all age and skill levels.
Participants will receive an invitation to join the Google Classroom at least 48 hours before the first session of the class. Meeting links and class materials will be available in Google Classroom. If you do not receive class information, please contact info@pushpullseattle.com
Poetry Comics: Haiku Spring with David Lasky
This is a poetry comics class for spring, focusing on short haiku comics of roughly 3 or 4 panels. Every Sunday, for 9 sessions, we'll meet online and look at notable examples of haiku poems, and then learn a comics-making technique. A prompt will be given to help you write a haiku. Then another prompt will be given to help you draw your poem as a short haiku comic. We’ll spend a little time writing and drawing together. I’ll also briefly go over subjects ranging from aspects of Japanese cultural aesthetics, to the history of manga, to the work of many western comics creators. Students will be able to share their work privately online, if they wish, to receive instructor and classmate feedback. By the end of spring, you will have at least 9 new comic strips, enough to make a small poetry comic zine/chapbook. All skill levels welcome.
Participants will need:
- Pencils, Paper, an Eraser, a Ruler (and/or a Digital Drawing Platform)
- Inking Pens and/or brushes could be useful but are optional
-Color media is optional, but watercolors are recommended
This is an ONLINE class. You will need:
A computer or device that can work with Zoom. A scanner or camera would be useful for sharing work online.
- Sundays for 9 weeks, starts April 17th
- No class will be held on May 29th
- Sessions are from 1pm - 2pm, Pacific/Seattle-local time
Recordings of class sessions are made available for those that miss a session or who would like to review sessions.
Seattle artist David Lasky co-authored the graphic novel "Carter Family: Don’t Forget This Song," which won comics’ Eisner Award in 2013. While he's not an expert on poetry, he has been writing it in his spare time for over 20 years. David has also been a graphic novel instructor for the last 15 years, teaching to all age and skill levels.
Participants will receive an invitation to join the Google Classroom at least 48 hours before the first session of the class. Meeting links and class materials will be available in Google Classroom. If you do not receive class information, please contact info@pushpullseattle.com
Watercolor Techniques for Comic Artists with RJ
Class sessions are August 14th, 21st, 28th 5pm - 6:30pm at Push/Pull
(2000 NW Market St, in the upper studio)
Comics are great. Comics with watercolor? Even better. Delve into this popular traditional art form and fiddle with the techniques just right for your zine-making adventures.
Through this class series, students will gain confidence in watercolor techniques and tools to create just the right effects for your ideas. We’ll learn the basics of working with watercolor, using tools you can find in your own home, using resists, and explore color theory to create the right mood for your comics. For you multimedia artists out there, we’ll also workshop how to layer on other mediums such as pen, pencils, gouache, acrylic, and more.
There will be lots of time for play and exploration. At the end of the class, students will create a short comic strip or zine using techniques learned throughout the course.
This class is best suited for those who are interested in watercolor but want to gain confidence and experience. Though it’s not required, students are also recommended to have some experience drawing comics or have ideas for comics they want to make.
Materials and tools are provided and you will receive 15% off art supply sales the day of class.
Poetry Comics: Haiku Autumn 2022
This is an online poetry comics class for autumn, which seems like a perfect time for writing haiku. We will focus on writing haiku poems and making them into short comics of roughly 3 or 4 panels. We’ll meet online for eight Sunday sessions. Each time we will look at notable examples of both haiku and cartooning by established masters. The instructor will teach comics-making techniques in each session. A prompt will be given to get you started writing a haiku. Then a separate prompt will be given to help you draw your poem as a short haiku comic. We’ll spend some time writing and drawing together. The instructor will also briefly go over subjects ranging from aspects of Japanese history, to literary translation, to manga and comic books.
Writing poetry helps comics artists know and use words better. Drawing short comics can free up possibilities for poets. Writing haiku can improve our mindfulness and relationship with the world.
Students will be able to share their work privately online, if they wish, to receive instructor and classmate feedback. All skill levels are welcome.
Sessions start 10/16/2022, there is no class on 11/6/2022. Sessions are Sundays 1pm - 2pm and end on 12/11/2022. Time/date is PST (Seattle local time)
Materials needed:
Pencils, paper, eraser, ruler.
Inking supplies (pens and/or brushes).
Optional: Color media -- watercolors, markers, colored pencils, etc.
Equipment/tech needed:
A computer or device that can work with Zoom. A scanner or camera would be useful for sharing work online.
Seattle artist David Lasky co-authored the graphic novel "Carter Family: Don’t Forget This Song," which won comics’ Eisner Award in 2013. While he's not any kind of authority on poetry, he has been writing it in his spare time for over 20 years. David has also been a graphic novel instructor for roughly 15 years, teaching to all age and skill levels.
Please contact info@pushpullseattle.com for scholarships. Scholarships are prioritized for BIPOC and marginalized people.
**Registered participants will receive 15% off supplies for this class from Push/Pull. Please verify your discount before checking out, you can only use this discount once. We can provide you suggestions for what will work for your budget and skill level while you are in.**
Late Summer Haiku Comics
Sessions for this class are ONLINE 8/21, 8/28 & 9/11 (no class 9/4) from 1pm - 2:30pm PST (Seattle local time). Recorded sessions are available for those that miss the live session and are registered.
This is a poetry comics class for the end of summer. We will focus on writing haiku poems and making them into short comics of roughly 3 or 4 panels. We’ll meet online for 3 Sunday sessions. Each time we will look at notable examples of both haiku and cartooning by established masters. The instructor will teach comics-making techniques in each session, and, unique to this class, will also focus on basic watercolor techniques. A prompt will be given to get you started writing a haiku. Then a separate prompt will be given to help you draw and paint your poem as a short haiku comic. We’ll spend some time writing and drawing together. The instructor will also briefly go over subjects ranging from aspects of Japanese history, to literary translation, to manga, to color theory. Students will be able to share their work privately online, if they wish, to receive instructor and classmate feedback. All skill levels are welcome. (This class is for adults.)
About the instructor:
Seattle artist David Lasky co-authored the graphic novel Carter Family: Don’t Forget This Song, which won comics’ Eisner Award in 2013. He is the colorist of the Newbery Honor Book El Deafo. When not drawing comics, he likes to write poetry in his spare time, and sometimes combines art forms to make ‘poetry comics’. David has been a graphic novel instructor for 15 years, teaching to all ages and skill levels.
For this class you'll need:
Tech: A Computer or Device with Zoom and Internet access.
A scanner or phone camera would also be helpful.
Art Supplies:
Required:
Pencils, Eraser, Drawing paper
Optional (and strongly recommended):
Writing Paper or Notebook
Inking Pens (ink should be waterproof to use with paints)
Watercolor Supplies:
- A tray of colors or paint in tubes (or in bottle caps from Push Pull). Have at least three warm colors (i.e. red, orange, yellow) and three cool colors (i.e. blue, green, violet).
- 2 round brushes, a small and a medium size are recommended
- 1 flat brush, medium sized
- a pad of 9 x 12" Canson XL watercolor paper (or student's preferred size and brand of watercolor paper)
A Water Cup for rinsing brushes
Paper towels
Optional:
Any other preferred color media (colored pencils, markers, etc)
A Ruler
Artist's Tape
**Registered participants will receive 15% off supplies for this class from Push/Pull. Please verify your discount before checking out. We can provide you suggestions for what will work for your budget and skill level while you are in.**
Please contact us at info@pushpullseattle.com for available scholarships.
How Color & Pigments Work
What's the difference between organic and inorganic pigments? What does it mean when the paint name has "hue" at the end? Do primary colors exist? If you've ever been perplexed by all the options when selecting paints, this workshop is for you. Maxx FG will take you through the basics of color and then all the must-know info on pigments for acrylic or watercolor. You'll get to test out how colors mix and experiment with creating color palettes.
All materials are provided. Students receive a 15% discount on art supply purchases after class.
Classes are 6pm - 8pm.
Health and safety policies will be communicated with your class verification email. Classes are in-person at our location, 2000 NW Market St, Seattle WA 98107.
Cleaning & Coloring in Photoshop
Bring your laptop and that scan/photo of a drawing you need to get ready for publication or prints. Learn the tricks to get your work edited and ready for the world as quickly and professionally as possible with Maxx FG.
You'll need your laptop for this workshop.
Class is September 11, 2022.
All materials are provided. Students receive a 15% discount on art supply purchases after class.
Classes are 6pm - 8pm.
Health and safety policies will be communicated with your class verification email. Classes are in-person at our location, 2000 NW Market St, Seattle WA 98107.
