Study with Tim Chambers

On this page: Resources, Upcoming Workshops, Class info, and FAQs

Resources:

• Material List- (#1 FAQ): To view materials list for oils, pastels, and charcoal, click either of the following links: in pdf format (no links); in MS Word doc with links to suppliers.
• Right-handed Palette Layout- click here
• Left-handed Palette Layout- click here

Upcoming Workshops

• Two-day kids' painting workshops this summer. See below for details!
• If you'd like to host a workshop in your town, please contact the studio. Click on sample workshop brochure to the left for a sample workshop itinerary.

Drawing and Painting Classes

Timothy Chambers offers classes for adults and children in northern Virginia. The teaching is intense, the atmosphere lighthearted and enjoyable. The format is based on individual attention and critique in a group setting. Tim believes in motivating his students to enjoy using their gifts in resopnse to the beauty that our Creator has placed all around us. He pays close attention to where each of his students is in their artistic development, and guides his instruction to help each student move forward in implementing tools to better enable them to create what they intend. His method is to teach his students to ask the proper questions to understand what it is they are after, not simply to offer a temporary "fix" to what may be wrong in their work.

All are welcome to Tim's classes, which are limited to 12 students per class. If you are interested in attending, please contact his studio at via email (studio@timothychambers.com) or phone (540-338-8332). The details for the Adult Advanced Class and Children's Class are as follows:

Adult Advanced Drawing & Painting Classes

• WHEN: Thursday afternoons from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
• LOCATION: Loudoun Academy of the Arts studios, located in beautiful old town Leesburg, a few blocks south of the Courthouse. Address: 222 S. King St., Leesburg, VA 20175 (click for driving directions).
• COST: $25 per class, (plus model fee) payable to Loudoun Academy of the Arts.
• MATERIALS: Click here to view materials list for Tim's class. The list features shopping links to each item.
• REQUIREMENTS: A love of art and beauty, a desire to learn, and of a teachable age (generally 12 years and older)
• MEDIUMS COVERED: Primarily drawing (charcoal) and painting (oil, pastel, acrylic)
• RSVP: It is important to call the studio or Loudoun Academy to ensure there is space available.
• CONTACT: Loudoun Academy @ 703-777-8043 or Tim Chambers via email at studio@timothychambers.com or at his studio at 540-338-8332 (24-hour voice mail) if you have questions or to confirm attending.
• WHAT: We will be drawing from a clothed model. Each student will be given individual instruction. There is often a broad range of skill in the classes, yet the individual attention and focus on essential elements of painting and drawing will apply to each student. Everyone will be challenged, no matter what skill level. The classes are enjoyable, with good humor and encouragement.
• ETC: In the summer, we'll be painting the model outdoors. A LOT of fun, challenging, and exhilarating. Previous students have all attested to how much they have looked forward to my weekly classes, not only for the in-depth instruction, but also for the enjoyable atmosphere. To get an idea of what my work is like, you can view samples of my work at my website, www.timothychambers.com or by clicking on "Portfolio" in the left column.
  For those drawing from the model, we will take a 5 minute break every 25 minutes. There will be individual instruction and critique along with some group teaching. Students are welcome to bring in outside work for me to review during the breaks during class. My teaching style is to help others learn to ask the questions needed to translate what they see onto their canvas, and to give them the tools necessary to do so. It is the loving task of the artist to see the beauty in the commonplace, and thus to show others such beauty. For those who consider themselves "without talent", please join us, for at the very least you will learn to see the incredible beauty and arrangement the Creator has revealed in the world around us.

Children's Classes: Tim will be conducting a series of kids' two-day art workshops this summer. Workshop dates will be announced by May 20th. To be notified, send Tim an email. (Weekly classes will begin in the fall upon completion of Tim's new studio.)

• WHEN: Choice of times: (Morning: 9 AM-Noon) or (Afternoons 1-4 PM) over two different days
• LOCATION: 36944 Tea House Lane, Purcellville
• COST: Only $90 + materials ($10) = ($100 total) *NOTE: for families enlisting 3 or more children, I offer a discount on pricing. Also, please don't let pricing keep your kids from attending...contactme for details on assistance with cost.
• MATERIALS: Materials will be provided
• RSVP: Call or email to reserve your child.
• CONT ACT: Tim Chambers via email at studio@timothychambers.com or at his studio at 540-338-8332 (24-hour voice mail) if you have questions.
• WHAT: I will be teaching students fundamentals of drawing and painting, including composition, perspective, shading (values), color, and the use of materials. We'll learn from great historical paintings as well as one-on-one teaching. I love teaching kids and encouraging them to enjoy learning and seeing the beauty before them.
  • Each workshop will focus on different age groups and also on different lessons, including:
    • Learning to draw/paint a real-life object
    • Learning to draw/paint from a photograph
    • Learning to paint a landscape
• ETC: My classes are a fun and encouraging environment that promotes creativity and confidence.

FAQs re classes, supplies, etc.

• What supplies will I need for your adult classes? Refer to my material list for items. The essential items are marked with an asterisk (*), and once you purchase the items, you'll be set for quite a while. I.e. if you are purchasing the items for the first time, the initial cost will be offset by the fact that the materials will last you a long time.
• What supplies will I need for your children's classes? Nothing! I'll provide all the materials your children need.
• Your material list says to make 27 panels...will I need this many for each class? Goodness, no! You'll only need one canvas or panel or pastel paper (substrates) for each class or workshop session. So, if a workshop consists of four separate model sessions, then prepare four substrates.
• Will I need all the colors you've listed on your material list? You can work with a more limited palette, and then purchase other colors as you need them. Essentially, I suggest: white, black, burnt umber, caput mortuum violet, an earth red, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, rose, ultramarine, and chromium oxide green. You can get by with these to start. Except for the cadmiums, these colors are on the lower end of the cost scale. See List for links to these items.
• I have some older watercolor and acrylic brushes...will these work for oil? Watercolor brushes, definitely not. Acrylic brushes, possibly. Having a good set of brushes is CRITICAL to good painting. If you don't have brushes, then work with a palette knife (the two listed on the material list). Ever try writing with a pen that just won't work? Kind of hampers the flow of your thoughts, doesn't it? Same thing with brushes. They have to facilitate your thoughts, not hinder them.
• If I want to draw instead of painting in oil or pastel in your class, is this okay? Absolutely. I recommend working in charcoal on stack of 4-6 sheets of a good paper clipped to a large piece of board. See material list for these items. Charcoal is as close as you can get to painting without painting. You can learn how to see and "think" like a painter while drawing in charcoal.
• Do I need to bring donuts to class? Absolutely. Okay, I'm kidding. I must be hungry. Just come ready to create.
• Do I need to do anything to my canvas or panels prior to class? For oil painting, I encourage you to rub a thin coat of your medium (see material list!) mixed with a small dab of umber and ultramarine (or other color to tint) on your surface a few days before class. This will give you a nice surface to paint on, one in which the paint will flow and not sink in and resist your strokes.
• How early can my child begin serious study and development of their artistic gifts? I assume you are referring to attending the adult drawing classes or a workshop. But, let me first say that, as early as a child demonstrates an interest in something good, I say provide the materials and opportunities for that child to enjoy that interest at his or her own pace, as long as it is balanced with other means of growing and family values. Provide paper, crayons, pencils, markers, stickers, paint, brushes, and so on. Creating is a wonderful thing, something endowed by God Himself. Okay, that being said, as far as how old a child should be before taking advanced study- it depends on the maturity and desire of the child. Maybe the parent needs to accompany their child, or even take the course together, side by side, learning together. I teach based on the ability of each individual student to comprehend and use the information I offer. This is why in my classes a 12-year-old can paint next to someone who has been painting for decades (we don't mention ages after 29 :)
• Are you a religious person? I have noticed that you refer to a creator with a capital "C". Not in the usual sense, but I do know the love God has graciously extended towards us. I have learned (the hard way, of course) that religion doesn't bring me the peace and joy I need, but instead have found that through Jesus Christ that I am loved, in an incredibly tender way, by God, and I am simply overwhelmed by His mercy and grace to me, and so, when I cast aside my fears, my hurts, and my rights, I end up being able live in response to this great love, and viola! the joy and peace pours in! So, it's not religion, but a friendship with the God I once feared. Can't imagine living any other way, pursuing any other course. I'm forgiven, once and for all, and I have an amazing eternity to look forward to. All who accept His offer of love and then follow and treasure Him can enjoy life forever. Oh yeah! Awesome. BTW- I will never impose my convictions upon another person, student or otherwise. Ask me, and I'll be glad to share my thoughts and heart.

Thanks for your interest! Please don't hesitate to contact me if you should have any questions or suggestions. If you know of someone who may be interested in joining the class, please extend my invitation to them. I look forward to painting with you!

Sincerely,
Tim Chambers