LAURA SPECTOR
  • Home
  • Fine Art
  • Bio
  • Classes
  • Art Immersion - Berlin
  • Commissions
  • Class Demos & Art For Sale
  • Contact
  • Journal
  • Home
  • Fine Art
  • Bio
  • Classes
  • Art Immersion - Berlin
  • Commissions
  • Class Demos & Art For Sale
  • Contact
  • Journal
Search
Picture

Classes & Workshops

“Art is made on a timeline of human history; we practice art-making to find our unique place on that timeline, to be influenced by those before us and to be responsible to help share the burden and delight of influencing those that come after us.” - Laura Spector
*Classes for 2022 are taught online and in-person. Please check for details. 
Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University - Winter 2022
Picture
Introduction to Acrylic Painting - Online
March 14 - May 2, 2022 
Mon, 6:30pm - 9:00pm
​8 Classes


Spector Art Studio - Winter 2022
Picture
Hands, Hands, Hands!  - Online Drawing & Painting Workshop
3 Thursday Evenings Online 
May 5, 12, and 19
6:30pm - 9:30pm

Picture
Let Them Paint Cake! - Online Still Life Painting Course
All Levels (basic painting experience recommended)
6-Thursday Evenings, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
March 24, 31
April 7, 14, 21, 28

Picture
Mix It Up! Practical Color Theory - ONLINE
All Levels - Oil and Acrylic Painters
7-Day Monday Evenings, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
January 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
March 7


Watercolor Art Society - Houston - Winter 2022
Picture
The Simplified Floral Still Life - ONLINE
Taught for Oil, Acrylic, and Gouache painters
Monday afternoons

February 7, 14, 21, 28
1:00-4:00pm
4 weeks

Art League Houston - Winter 2022
Picture
Painting: The Cinematic Portrait - ONLINE
Intermediate / Advanced
Wednesday evening, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
January 12 – March 9
9 weeks

Picture
Acrylic Toolbox: Intro To Acrylic Paints - ONLINE
Beginner / Intermediate
Saturday afternoon, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
January 29 – February 12
3-Day Workshop

*NEW* Private Lessons over Zoom - Currently FULL. Please email to get on the waiting list!
Sold in groups of four 20-minute lessons. Contact Laura for details. LauraMakesArt@gmail.com





Watch the video to learn more about the Mix Master Workshop. Then, buy the entire YouTube course!
Picture





 Mix Master Workshop
Mix Masters Video Workshop For Acrylic and Oil Painters
Beginning & Intermediate levels
Includes 10 YouTube Video Links

​This course is designed for beginning and intermediate painters using both oil and acrylic paint. Mix Masters focuses on value studies, translating grayscale values into color, basic color mixing, color temperature, and learning how light perspective effects values. Each student will create a mini-Master Copy painting following the same Classical Flemish techniques I learned while studying at the Classical Flemish Atelier in Bruges, Belgium.

There is an archived private group established on Facebook for students to scroll through and see answers to commonly asked questions and see artwork previously posted by other students. 

Students will be instructed via YouTube video links and work at their own pace. There is a total of 10 videos. Each video will contain step-by-step assignments where I demo each assignment along the way.  Some will be easy and quick lessons. Other exercises will be more challenging and time-intensive. As soon as you register, I will email you the list of videos with private links within 24-hours. I will also include a PDF of instructions on how to set up your canvas panels.

This class is organized so each student finds success in their studies and advances their value study, color theory, and color mixing knowledge to a degree of comfort and ease.

Material List:
  • Two canvas panels 18” x 24”
  • 1/2” artist tape
  • A couple of hogs hair (stiff bristle) brushes, 1/4" bristle width
  • A couple of small soft bristle brushes, 1/4"
  • One Bristle brush 2" bristle width - to cover larger areas
  • My typical color palette (warm and cool of each primary color + earth colors)
Cadmium Red
Alizarin Crimson

Cadmium Yellow Medium
CP Primrose Yellow 
Cerulean Blue/Chromite Cobalt Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Burnt Umber
Raw Umber
Burnt Sienna
Yellow Ochre
Titanium White
Lead White (Oil Painters), Zinc White (Acrylic Painters)
  • Rags (acrylic)
  • Paper towel (oil)
  • Pencil (2H)
  • Sketchbook
  • Ruler
I recommend Golden OPEN paints for acrylic painters, or OPEN MEDIUM to keep your paints wet longer. Oil Painters, any brand is fine, (but, I avoid Winton. I find them too waxy)

Teaching  Philosophy

I believe art is skill-based, therefore everyone can succeed with guidance and practice. Every student learns differently, some by demonstrations, others through worksheets or looking at images. I utilize all of these methods while teaching. I believe a happy, harmonious classroom is a great place to manifest good work. I try to foster friendships between my students which creates a supportive atmosphere. I tend to teach a hybrid of methods utilized in atelier schools (19th-century methods) along with contemporary approaches of art-making. I want my students to understand the materials they are using so they have the most amount of flexibility in their creative process and create well-crafted works of art that will last for years to come.

Intermediate &  Advanced  Painting Students

Beginning  Painting  Students - Classes & Workshops

Beginning Drawing/Silverpoint Students

Wet & Dry Charcoal Portrait

In  The  Classroom

Art Immersions

Art Immersion courses began in 2018 as a way for students to take a deep dive into creating artwork while experiencing foreign cultures. Students follow a pre-set itinerary that takes them to see the most popular and obscure artwork within the region, while practicing their own work along the way. Students will attend classes, lectures and private viewings as part of their travel experience. Immersion trips are perfect for students of all levels of training who are committed to trying out new techniques and creating artwork throughout their travels.

ART IMMERSION - Amsterdam         Holland, 2019


Art Immersion - Florence        Italy, 2018

10th-12th  Graders  from  HSPVA

Figure Casting Workshop

Museum Anatomy Workshop & LecTure for Kids 16+

Legacy Project :
Yearly International School Exhibition  Chiang Mai, Thailand

In 2009, I organized my first exhibition for K-12 international school students in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The exhibition took place at my community arts center, ArtSpace. The first exhibition included students from three schools. Each year participation increased and a different theme was given to challenge children in their classrooms. Themes included: "Time, Vision, Invention", "Superheroes/Supervillians" and "Behind The Door". By 2011, six international schools participated along with their administration staff, several consulates, local politicians and businesses. Six hundred children participated at my final exhibition before I moved back to the US. This project is one that I am most proud of creating while overseas.  This student exhibition has become a collaborative yearly celebration and now takes place at Chiang Mai University Art Museum.

Teaching Teachers: In-Service for High school teachers

ARCHIVED COURSES 
Picture
Picture
Urban and Suburban Landscape Paintings - ONLINE
*Some experience painting is helpful
5 Mondays, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
November 22, 29
December 6, 13, 20

Picture
​Pet Portrait Workshop
​5-Day Workshop 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Thursdays, August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2
All Levels - Acrylic or Oils
(Some painting experience recommended)

Pacific Art League - California - Spring 2021 - ONLINE CLASSES
Picture
The Simplified Floral Still Life
Tuesdays
3:30pm-6:00pm PST (Pacific Standard Time)
6 Weeks

Class is Full


Art League Houston Spring 2021 - ONLINE CLASSES
Picture
​Wet & Dry Drawings From International Museums
​
All Levels
Mondays 1 PM – 4:00 PM
April 12 - May 10 
6 weeks

Class is full.


Picture
The Simplified Still Life - Spector Art Studio​
All Levels (Basic painting experience required)
Thursdays 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
May 13, 20
June 3, 10, 17, 24​
6 Classes
Gorgeous painting reference images
are generously supplied for students
by Houston-based Fleur de Vie!



Picture
Drawing International Museums
All Levels
Tuesday afternoons, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
September 22 – November 10
8 weeks
FULL

Picture
Painting Portraits of People and Pets
Intermediate/Advanced
Wednesday afternoons, 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
October 14 - Dec 09
8 weeks

Picture
Painting & Drawing With Liquid Charcoal 
November 21st
Demo (Free)  10am - 12pm (Click the link to register!)
Workshop 1-4pm
​Registration OPEN

Art League Houston - Fall 2019 Classes 
Picture
Painting Portrait Basics
FULL
Beginner / Intermediate
Tuesday afternoon, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
January 14 – March 10
9 weeks

Picture
Painting: Master Copies
FULL
All Levels
Tuesday, Sept. 10
Thursdays, Sept. 12, 19 & 26
4 Days
6:30-9:30pm

​

Picture
Acrylic Toolbox
 FULL
All Levels
Sept. 14, 21 & 28

3 Saturdays
1-4pm

Picture
The Narrative Portrait
Full
Intermediate/Advanced 
Sept. 18 - Nov. 13

9 Wednesdays
6:30-9:30pm

Glasscock @ Rice U - Fall 2019 Classes 
Picture
Wordplay: Art+Creative Writing Workshop
​8 Mondays
​6:30PM to 9:00PM

Mar 23, 2020 to May 11, 2020

Picture
The Artful Copy:
Painting Like a Master


All Levels
Oct. 21 - Dec. 16
(No Class Oct. 25)
8 Mondays
6:30-9:30pm

Picture
Introduction To Drawing

For Beginners 
Oct. 23 - Dec. 18
(No Class Oct. 27)
8 Wednesdays
1:30-4pm

Picture
The Painter's Toolbox: An Introduction to Acrylic Painting
​

For Beginners 
Oct. 21 - Dec. 16
(No Class Oct. 25)
8 Mondays
1:30-4pm

Private Workshops at Instructor's Winter Street Studio 
Picture
​Pet Portrait Workshop
​
4-Day Workshop - Full
1-4pm

Saturdays, August 10, 17, 24, 31
All Levels - Acrylic or Oils

Picture
Painting Beyond The Photo
4-Day Workshop - Full
6:30pm - 9:30pm

Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 21, 28
All Levels - Acrylic or Oil



 Art Immersion - Amsterdam   - FULL!
Picture
June 4th - June 18th. 
Join a group of like-minded artists finding inspiration at museums and creating artwork around Amsterdam.
Click HERE to find out more information and register.

Watercolor Art Society-Houston - Spring 2019 Classes
Picture
The Wet & Dry Charcoal Portrait on Zoom (via WAS-H)
4 Thursdays
August 6, 13, 20, 27
​1-3pm 

Picture
Introduction To Silverpoint
(4 Thursday Afternoons)
​May 9, 16, 23, 30
1:00 - 4:00 pm.  


Picture
Acrylic Toolbox: Intro To Acrylics
FULL
May 4th - May 18th (3 Saturday Afternoons)
Saturdays, 1:00pm-4:00pm

Picture
The Narrative Portrait: Drawing And Painting
FULL
March 27th - May 22nd (9 Classes)
Wednesday Evenings, 6:30pm-9:30pm

Picture
Mix It Up! Color Theory Class
5-Day Workshop - FULL
6:45pm-9:45pm

Wednesdays
June 26
July 3, 10, 17, 24

Glasscock School of Continuing Studies @ Rice University
Spring Semester 
Picture
Introduction To Drawing
8 Wednesdays
​1:30PM to 4:00PM

Mar 25, 2020 to May 13, 2020

Picture
​The Artful Copy: Painting Like A Master
March 20th - May 8th (8 Classes)
Wednesday afternoons, 1:30pm-4:00pm
​


Picture
Introduction To Drawing
March 18th - May 6th (8 Classes)
Monday Afternoons, 1:30pm-4:00pm

Picture
The Painter's Toolbox: An Introduction to Acrylic Painting
March 8th - May 6th (8 Classes)
Monday Evenings, 6:30pm-9:00pm

Houston, TX - ARCHIVED   Courses From  2018 - 2020

Private Workshops at Instructor's Winter Street Studio
Picture
Narrative Portrait Online Zoom Class - Summer 2020
5 Wednesday Evenings, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
July 29
August 5, 12, 19, 26

Picture
Mix It Up! Practical Color Theory - Spring 2020
Wednesday Evening Classes
6:30pm-9:30pm
5 Mondays:
April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29

Picture
Pet Portrait Painting #1 - FULL
All Levels - Acrylic or Oils
4 classes on Saturdays Afternoons 1-4pm
February 9, 16, 23
​March 2



Picture
The Oil Painter's Toolbox: Essentials To Get Started
2-Day Workshop
1-4pm - FULL
Saturday, March 9th
Sunday, March 10th
​
​

Picture
Mix It Up! Color Theory for Beginners - FULL
All Levels - Acrylic or Oils
5 classes on Thursday Evenings 6:30pm-9:30pm
February 7, 14, 21, 28
​March 7

Art League Houston
December - January-February, Winter Semester 
​
Picture
The Narrative Portrait: Drawing & Painting - Class is Full
Intermediate / Advanced
5 weeks,  January 16 – February 6, 2019
​Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Sunday afternoon, 1:00 – 4:00PM (January 27 only)


Picture
Acrylic Toolbox - Class is Full
Beginner
3-Day Workshop, January 17 – 31, 2019
​Thursday afternoons, 1:00 – 4:00 PM


Picture
Master Painting Intensive - Class is Full
Beginner / Intermediate
3-Day Workshop, January 14, 28 & February 4, 2019
​Monday evenings, 6:30 – 9:30PM




Artist's Studio - 2101 Winter Street, Houston, TX, 77007
​November 2018 - January 2019
Picture
Draw It Now! 3-Day Comparative Drawing Workshop
Beginning-Intermediate Level
3 Thursdays, 1pm-4pm
December 13
December 20
December 27

Picture
Pet Portrait Painting #1
All Levels - Acrylics or Oils
4 classes on Saturdays 2-5pm
Saturday, December 15
Saturday, December 22
Saturday, December 29
Saturday, January 5

Picture
Pet Portrait Painting #2
All Levels - Acrylic or Oils
4 classes on Saturdays 10am - 1pm
Saturday, November 24
Saturday, December 15
Saturday, December 22
                              Saturday, December 29

Picture
Pet Portrait Painting #3
​All Levels - Acrylic or Oils
4 classes on Monday/Wednesday Evenings
6:30pm-9:30pm

Monday, November 26
Monday, December 17
Wednesday, December 19
                                  Wednesday, January 2

Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies @ Rice University
September - November, Fall Semester 
Picture
The Artful Copy; Painting Like A Master - FULL
September 17th - November 12th
6:30pm-9:30pm
Eight Mondays (No class on October 8)

Picture
Introduction to Drawing - FULL
September 17th - November 12th
1:30pm-4:00pm
Eight Mondays (No class on October 8)

Picture
The Painter's Toolbox: An Introduction to Acrylic Painting - FULL
September 19th - November 14th
1:30pm-4:00pm
Eight Wednesdays (No class on October 10)

Art League Houston
September - November, Fall Semester 
Picture
Pet Portrait Painting #2 - 1 Easel Left
​All Levels - Acrylic or Oils
4 classes on Monday Evenings
6:30pm-9:30pm

February 11, 18, 25
​March 4

Picture
The Narrative Portrait: Drawing & Painting - SOLD OUT!
September 12 – November 14
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Eight Wednesdays (No class on October 8)

Picture
Acrylic Toolbox Workshop - FULL
​
September 22 & 29
Saturdays, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
​2-Day Workshop

WAS-H  - Watercolor Art Society - Houston
Picture
Introduction to Silverpoint - Registration Closed
October 18, 25, November 1, 8.
Thursdays, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
4-Day Workshop

© COPYRIGHT 2019. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Fine Art
  • Bio
  • Classes
  • Art Immersion - Berlin
  • Commissions
  • Class Demos & Art For Sale
  • Contact
  • Journal