Private Art Instruction — All Ages 7 & Up

Learning to draw and paint is learning to see. With over three decades of master-level teaching experience, ShawnaLee tailors every lesson entirely to you — your pace, your goals, your growth.

From curious beginners to serious portfolio students, private instruction offers something a class can't: her complete attention. ShawnaLee has a particular gift for working with older adults rediscovering creativity and students with special needs.

What you'll learn: Composition and shape relationships · hatching, cross-hatching, blending, and value control · color theory in practice · sketching from life · creating volume through value · and the mindset that sustains a lasting creative practice- Skills that transfer across every medium and discipline.

Lesson Options

Private instruction (1:1) $110/hr

Semi-private (2–3 students) $125/hr Portfolio development $125/hr

Materials fee: $25 (covers instructor demonstration supplies for approximately five lessons). A commitment of 10 sessions is recommended — package pricing available.

Travel fees apply for locations more than 10 miles from the studio.

Ready to start? Contact ShawnaLee at artist@shawnalee.com

🎁 Private lessons make a meaningful gift — Gift Certificates available.

Vacation Bible School

Middlebury Congregational Church

the last weekend in June and into July

for youth, ages preschool through highschool. The older children can be counselors.

I will be teaching fine arts.

Our next session (8 weeks) begins Mid June 2026.

Renaissance Watercolor — Botanical Illustration Series Online via Zoom · Intermediate to Advanced

Recreate the exquisite botanical masterworks of the Early Renaissance, folio by folio. In this richly guided online class, you'll study and recreate works by master lumner, Joris Hoefnagel — building observation skills, refining your watercolor technique, and connecting your practice to one of art history's most beautiful traditions.

Each session runs two hours. A printable PDF reference is provided upon registration. Materials list available upon inquiry.

New sessions forming now.

Session Length Rate (per person)

6 weeks $300

8 weeks $400

9 weeks $450

10 weeks $500

Interested in joining but need to build foundational skills first? A small number of private prep sessions are available to bring you up to speed so you can enjoy our class together before the series begins.

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Drawing with Charcoals and finishing with soft pastels is a technique made famous by Edgar Degas (1885) for his “Woman Bathing in Shallow Tub”. In this four week class, learn and experience for yourself the joy of sketching and drawing with Charcoals and pastels!

Participants will learn about the materials and techniques to create dramatic works of art. Artists of all levels are welcome to join! We will be inspired by natural still lives and time allowing, learn how to interpret photographic references.

The instructor will provide a recommended materials list.

These materials are recommended:

Drawing or Sketch paper (you choose the size you are comfortable with) 11x14 through 16x20 is reasonable.
Charcoals – a small assortment of soft vine and pencils. Soft Vine charcoal example. Example set of Generals.
Kneaded eraser, Vinyl eraser
Soft Pastels: Mungyo Gallery Artists' Square Soft Pastels Set of 12 , Asst. Colors SoHo Urban Artist Soft Pastel Half Stick Sets or similar.

Please do not get oil pastels.

BOOK THIS CLASS!

Watch for when this class is offered again, or host this class for your group!

Hosts get to take my classes for free! So, grab some artist-friends (min. four paying students) and let’s enjoy a rich sketching experience together!

Artists of all abilities will improve their skill in mark making, observation and ability to model the form.  Lessons will include techniques and methods for creating sketches.  Students will create several small studies and create their own drawing.

Testimony from Brookfield Parks & Rec: "just wanted to let you know that (a student) called to compliment your classes and teaching style. He was very happy with the program, so I wanted to make sure to pass that along. Nice job!" Dan Gagne, Brookfield Parks & Rec.

Group Drawing Experience

Your team already thinks creatively — this gives them the skills to show it.

ShawnaLee transforms your space into a working art studio for an afternoon your team won't forget. No experience needed. Everyone starts together, learns together, and leaves with something they actually made.

Each session opens with a guided demonstration and personal handout, then moves into hands-on sketching with individual support from ShawnaLee throughout. Team members gain real drawing skills, build confidence, and bond over something genuinely new.

Choose your subject — popular choices include leaves, acorns, seashells, pumpkins, seed pods, doorways, winter landscapes, and flowers. Custom subjects welcome.

Custom Programming

Every group experience is designed specifically for your team — number of participants, session length, subject matter, location, and materials are all tailored to your event. Pricing reflects the full scope of your program.

Corporate events, employee field days, multi-session programs, and school residencies all welcome.

Insured.

To receive a custom proposal:artist@shawnalee.com

Beginners Oil Painting

Oil painting is more approachable than you think — and more rewarding than almost anything else you can do with a brush. This four-week class is designed to get you comfortable with the medium, confident with your materials, and genuinely excited about what you can create.

Over four two-hour sessions, you'll learn palette setup, color mixing, and studio safety, then move into hands-on painting. The main project is an Alla-Prima fall foliage landscape — painted wet-into-wet in the traditional manner. Time allowing, we'll also explore Grisaille and glazing techniques.

Suitable for complete beginners. Any art group is welcome to host.

Details

Format: 4 weeks · 2 hours per session. Rate starting at $250 per person; Travel fees beyond 10 miles from the studio apply. Minimum 4 paid students.

Host perk: The hosting student attends free.

A $40 per person demonstration materials fee applies.

Students bring their own supplies — a personalized recommended materials list is provided upon registration.

Fully insured. COI avail. upon request.

Interested? Email ShawnaLee at artist@shawnalee.com to check availability, corporate pricing, or to book for your group.

BOOK THIS CLASS!

4 weeks-6 weeks

2-3 hours / class

Gather your group of artists and host this class at your location!

Oil painters, or beginners looking to hone their observation skills will gain a deeper appreciation for drawing skills as they apply to the oil painting process.

By focusing on leaves or acorns, students will learn how to model the form and experience the subtle shifts of color that create the illusion of 3D on their canvas.

Students will need drawing materials in addition to the oil painting ensemble.

Improve your skills with this class!

Insured. More information provided to booked classes.

Drawing Pumpkins with ShawnaLee

The humble pumpkin is one of art's most satisfying subjects — full of curve, shadow, and character. In this lively two-hour class, ShawnaLee guides your group from basic mark-making through to a fully developed sketch, with live demonstration and individual support throughout.

Perfect for autumn gatherings, community events, library programs, and art groups of all experience levels.

Guests are welcome to bring their own pumpkins and pencils, or work from class examples. All materials provided.

Group size: 10–25 participants

Duration 2 hours

Starting at $500. Please inquire for your groups needs.

Travel fees may apply. Fully insured. COI on request.

Planning a corporate event?

To book:artist@shawnalee.com

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Do you love your feline and canine friends?  Learn methods and techniques for capturing your favorite fur-baby companions.  Students will gain a deeper understanding of the sketching process and how to decode the process of creating lifelike pet sketches.  Brief demonstrations will be followed by sketch practice of your favorite fur-babies!

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From bright berries and pine branches of winter to the emerging snowdrops, and crocuses of spring, students will explore the joys of watercolor painting while filling their souls with the colors of our world.  Students will be led through techniques and provided with inspiration to reinforce learned skills.  Brief demonstrations provided. 

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Artists of all abilities are welcome to join our sketching class! 

Bring your favorite subjects for a relaxing evening of sketching! You may choose to sketch from a natural object (provided) or bring your own collection.  Classes will begin with sketching techniques and exercises and transition to free-choice sketching.

A recommended materials list may be provided for guidance. Students may also opt to use instructor provided materials for $25 payable at the first class. (Please provide one weeks notice for opting for instructor provided materials.) ‍

High School Fine Arts Program

Fine arts training does something no other class can: it teaches students to truly see. The observational skills, patience, and visual thinking developed through drawing and painting carry directly into every other discipline — science diagrams, design, architecture, illustrated notes, portfolio work, and beyond.

ShawnaLee brings decades of master-level instruction into your classroom, guiding students from basic mark-making through composition, perspective, and working from life — with live demonstrations and individual attention throughout. Students leave more confident, more discerning, and better prepared for whatever creative or academic path they pursue.

What your program can include

Single-day intensives through multi-week residencies are available. Longer programs address visual interpretation and understanding of gesture, thumbnails, composition, perspective, media exploration, studio safety, reference sourcing and more. Disciplines offered include Fine Arts Drawing, Watercolors, Oil Painting, and Papier Mâché.

Classroom requirements: Tables, stools, basic student supplies, a single light source, and items for a still life. Overhead projection helpful but not required.

Mandatory: Absolutely no electronics. Students learn best when they are challenged to learn how to interpret from life.

Booking

Programs are custom-designed for your school's goals, needs, schedule, and student’s developmental level. Pricing is based on program scope and students served.

To bring ShawnaLee to your school: artist@shawnalee.com

Through EdAdvance Litchfield

Classes held at Watertown High School

Thursdays Oct. 1-29th 2026 6:30-8”30pm

Albert Einstein once said: “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Sketching is a perfect way to help you look deeper into nature! Learn about the materials and tools for sketching in addition to techniques for creating more lifelike sketches. Students will create several sketches of natural subjects.

A link to sign up will be shared when available. Thank you!