Instructors: Cat Bennett & Bari Zaki

Sundays: Aug. 3, Sep. 7, Oct. 5, from 2–4pm (Chicago time) 

Club Artful is our new monthly art club via group Zoom. We will convene the first Sunday afternoon of each month at 2pm for two hours. In the first hour we will make a simple paper structure: a stitched booklet, or bespoke envelopes, or an origami box, or even… In the second hour, Cat will lead us in a range of drawing & painting techniques to fill your papery treasure. Each month will have a creative theme, starting with tiny portraits in August. We will announce the theme via email and IG three weeks ahead, and again one week before the session as a friendly reminder. 

How this works: You are welcome to join us on a per-session basis or with a 3-month subscription at a slight discount. Enticement: Your subscription comes with a set of three postcards (4" x 6") illustrated by Cat. She has chosen three of her most inspiring artists: David Hockney, Sonia Delaunay, and Vincent van Gogh. On the backsides are interesting facts about each artist with an inspirational quote. You will receive these via mail in a hand-folded envelope (made by me) using Carta Varese papers from Italy.

You will not need a specific kit of materials for the project. This is an opportunity to use papers you’ve collected and art supplies you have on hand. We will provide a list (right after you register) detailing exactly what you will need paperwise, including dimensions, and what supplies and tools we will use during the session.

What you’ll make August 3: an origami box measuring 2" x 2" x 1½" to fill with twenty-five 1¼ x 1¼ tiny portraits. Imagine a shelf lined with such treasures and filled with art! And imagine the delight of a friend who receives one!

BZ (first hour) will lead the group in making a 2-piece origami box. You can use any decorative papers, or watercolour papers, at any weight you wish. I will explain during my demo how to trim your papers to account for different thicknesses. 

Scene at left: Boxes I’ve made using Carta Varese papers from Italy (100gsm). If you’d like to use these for your boxes, we have assembled an Array Varese especially for this purpose: one sheet each of all 21 patterns pre-cut to 6" x 6", which you can order here.

CB (second hour) will lead us in drawing and painting people on tiny squares of card-weight papers. We’ll draw and paint until the box is full, about 25 tiny portraits in all. We’ll use pencil, ink and watercolour to draw with line, shape and colour, make coloured pencil drawings with texture, and see how to combine mediums. We’ll use references and learn to stylize and we’ll also draw from imagination. We’ll be able to cover all this in one hour because the small scale will help us move along quickly. We’ll be creating a box of friends—art inspiration to keep on hand or an uplifting gift for a friend. You can refer back to the video if you want to make a deeper exploration of these techniques at a larger scale.

NOTE: As always, Bari will record the complete lesson as it’s happening, and the recording will be available for you, with no interruptions or delay, later that same afternoon. If you have any questions, now or later, you are welcome, and even encouraged, to call or e me.

Upcoming Artfuls:

Sunday, September 7: 2–4pm (Chicago time) Handmade Bespoke Envelopes + Loose Watercolour Flower Drawings

Sunday, October 5: 2–4pm (Chicago time) Simple Pamphlet-Style Book + “Tips for Happiness” Line Drawings

Select your session(s) from the drop-down menu below.

Cat and I look forward to sharing camaraderie and creative inspiration through making paper treasures and filling those treasures with art!

About Cat: She was an illustrator for over 25 years for newspapers, magazines and book publishers. Cat now makes and teaches art. All three of her wonderful books are available in our shop & online: The Confident Creative, Making Art a Practice, and The Drawing Club of Improbable Dreams.

“I believe that drawing and painting create happiness. I love teaching because I get to see people discover their own creative genius!” – Cat Bennett