​Simply decide:

• when you'd like to come (any day, any time from 09.30, just ask!)

• whether you'd like to stay for 2 hours (CHF 120.- per person) or longer (add CHF 15.- per half hour, per person). 

• whether or not you're bringing someone with you (from age 12). We can accommodate up to 4 people, all working with the same materials and techniques and there's a discount of 20% off the cost of the whole class if three or more people attend.

• what you'd like to do

 

Every class is tailor-made for you!

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BOOK YOUR CLASS BELOW

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Here are some ideas of projects, techniques and skills that might interest you (or you may have great ideas of your own):

 

• WATERCOLOUR: for any level, how to create washes, wet-in-wet, glazes, how to mix perfect colours, painting landscapes, portraits, still life, abstracts, creating special effects with salt, sandpaper, wax and masking fluid, and painting with opaque gouache, adding ink or oil pastel and using bamboo pens, sponges or spatter screens as well as brushes. We also have interesting metallic, iridescent and mineral-based watercolours for you to try.

• BLOCK PRINTING: make a printing plate by carving your design into lino, rubber or wood or create a collagraph by sticking foam shapes onto a board, then print your image in different colours onto different papers or fabric by hand or with the printing press. Alternatively, use one of our printing plates (we have a range of linocut cows, goats and other local animals) and have fun printing and collaging a unique masterpiece (needs 3 hours).

• TINY PRINTING PRESS FUN: we sell a tiny printing press for printing engravings, etchings, block prints, etc. It's small enough to fit an entire printmaking kit in a backpack! Come and experiment with the press, make your own prints, and maybe buy a press to take home. See more details in the shop.

• STAMP MAKING: carve a number of small rubber stamps and then print patterns, pictures or a poster using water-based colours on paper or white linen.

• ACRYLIC PAINTING: copy a photo or a picture from our big catalogue, or paint from your imagination, or bring some flowers with you. Acrylic paintings can be bold or subtle, textured or smooth, and with the latest slower-drying paints, the result can be just like oil paint, without the need for solvents. Find out what acrylics can do and how easy they are to use (needs at least three hours).

• DRAWING: learn the basics - a lot can be covered in just a couple of hours and you're guaranteed to draw better when you discover some of the clever ways of thinking, seeing and measuring that artists use.  Alternatively, come and try out different drawing materials including pencil, ink, markers, charcoal, graphite, pastels and coloured pencils. Learn how to draw portraits, people, animals, landscapes or still life objects. 

• MONOPRINTING: if you love colour and pattern, monoprinting is for you. It's a simple technique using acrylic paint and gel printing plates with stencils, stamps and rollers to make multiple patterned layers on paper. You can frame your best unique prints or use them for collage or bookbinding. There is an additional charge of CHF 7.50 per hour for monoprinting on top of the class fee.

• MIXED MEDIA ABSTRACTS: gets you thinking about composition: we make a set of three abstracts using paint, collage, stamping, scribbling, spattering etc. and aim to ensure that the end result has contrast, movement, balance, harmony and tension (needs three hours).

• BOOKBINDING: make two notebooks or small sketchbooks using Japanese stab-binding techniques. Choose from a wide range of papers for the covers including designs from Nepal, Italy, England and Japan (needs three hours).

• JAPANESE BOX-MAKING: we have two different geometric box kits to choose from, and depending on whether you spend 2 hours or 3 at LaPaletta you can decide which ones to make. The box parts are already cut out for you, ready to assemble. Next you cover them with your choice of Japanese Washi or Nepalese Lokta paper. They make great gifts (but you might not be able to part with them). Please note: there is an additional charge for the cost of the unique box kits. For example, a 2-hour private class to make two prism-shaped boxes costs CHF 135.- instead of CHF 120.-.

• COLLAGE ON WOOD: choose a ready-cut wooden animal, flower, or other shape from our collection and have fun covering it in patterned papers, paint, gold leaf or acrylic markers. Mount your finished collage in a frame, hang it on the wall or display it on a shelf (needs 3 hours).

• SKETCHBOOK CONSULTATION: bring your sketchbooks or part-finished paintings if you'd like some advice on what to do next, or how to develop your skills

• COLOUR THEORY: if you'd like to learn how to mix colours accurately, how to choose colours for a painting, and which colours you need in your paintbox (the answer is not many if you choose the right ones), everything can be explained in two hours. Why not bring your paints with you, so we can explore the possibilities.