Course catalogue

INSTRUCTOR Mark Vazquez Mackay

Get really creative and push yourself to complete 100 drawings in a week. You’ll improve your drawing skills through your sustained drawing practice as your instructor helps you move from concentrating on mostly formal issues to more conceptual ones. Be introduced to past and current artists who have strong drawing practices and participate in individual and group critiques which will aid in your artist growth. All levels are welcome. Please see your recommended supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first day.  

INSTRUCTOR Malcolm Mooney

Take your abstract painting practice to the next level and spend an uninterrupted week in the studio! Work alongside other abstract painters and build community under the guidance of your instructor as you produce new work or explore a new technique or approach to what you’ve been doing. You will participate in individual and group critiques throughout the week. Acrylic paint will be the medium used as it is flexible and dries quickly. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

Pre-requisite:  Acrylic Painting I or previous painting experience  

Please Note: Start & End dates refer to open & closing of registration, NOT the start or end of the course

In this course, you'll learn the fundamentals of After Effects and how to create simple animation techniques using the software. 

You will be introduced to the basic interface, and gain an understanding of how to create compositions, import assets, in addition to learning compositing and colour grading principles. You will also learn basic motion graphics techniques by animating shapes and text, and how to create movement and keyframes alongside an audio track.

About Micros:

• Register & start WHENEVER
• Self paced & learner driven
• No scheduled class
• 3 Months to Finish

Work in small teams in the AUArts animation suite to create a visual story that you tell through a unique cast of characters that you bring to life through original drawings to create a stop-motion animation.

Learn how to convey movement as you create a character-based narrative. Once all is done, sit back and watch them on a big screen. Supplies are included in fees for kids’ camps, unless otherwise noted. 

Work in small teams in the AUArts animation suite to create a visual story that you tell through a unique cast of characters that you bring to life through original drawings to create a stop-motion animation.

Learn how to convey movement as you create a character-based narrative. Once all is done, sit back and watch them on a big screen. Supplies are included in fees for kids’ camps, unless otherwise noted. 

Discover the fun and wacky world of non-digital animation using more experimental techniques of cutouts, stop motion, and pixilation. You will produce your own short animation project individually or in a small group. Watch short video clips for inspiration and to get your creative juices flowing. NOTE: this is not a computer animation course; you will use digital technologies to record and edit your animation. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.   

Discover the fun and wacky world of non-digital animation using more experimental techniques of cutouts, stop motion, and pixilation. You will produce your own short animation project individually or in a small group. Watch short video clips for inspiration and to get your creative juices flowing. NOTE: this is not a computer animation course; you will use digital technologies to record and edit your animation. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.   

INSTRUCTOR Nick Rooney

Build on the drawing skills you acquired in Drawing I as you work through a series of projects aimed at increasing your hand-eye coordination and perspective drawing skills. In addition to exploring a variety of mark-making media, you will also be supported in developing a personal vision for your practice. View historical and contemporary art to inform your own work. Participation in group discussion and class critiques will help build your confidence and awareness. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

Get your hands dirty in the ceramics studio! Focus will be on hand building and learning good practices and techniques to create functional and sculptural pieces. You will also get introduced to different surface treatments, including decoration with slip and underglazes, and firing. Work through projects designed to give you foundational skill-building practice. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

*Work will be ready for pick-up 2-3 weeks after the last day of camp.  

Get your hands dirty in the ceramics studio! Focus will be on hand building and learning good practices and techniques to create functional and sculptural pieces. You will also get introduced to different surface treatments, including decoration with slip and underglazes, and firing. Work through projects designed to give you foundational skill-building practice. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

*Work will be ready for pick-up 2-3 weeks after the last day of camp.  

Get your hands dirty in the ceramics studio! Focus will be on hand building and learning good practices and techniques to create functional and sculptural pieces. You will also get introduced to different surface treatments, including decoration with slip and underglazes, and firing. Work through projects designed to give you foundational skill-building practice. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class.  

*Work will be ready for pick-up 2-3 weeks after the last day of camp.  

Are you crazy for cats Join us and other cat crazy kids for the week and talk about different breeds and their characteristics as you draw, paint, crafts, and sculpt cats—even create a cozy cat display case! Supplies are included in fees for kids’ camps, unless otherwise noted.  

Are you crazy for cats Join us and other cat crazy kids for the week and talk about different breeds and their characteristics as you draw, paint, crafts, and sculpt cats—even create a cozy cat display case! Supplies are included in fees for kids’ camps, unless otherwise noted.  

Are you crazy for cats Join us and other cat crazy kids for the week and talk about different breeds and their characteristics as you draw, paint, crafts, and sculpt cats—even create a cozy cat display case! Supplies are included in fees for kids’ camps, unless otherwise noted.  

Please Note: Start & End dates refer to open & closing of registration, NOT the start or end of a course. 

In this course, you'll be introduced to software used in digital animation: Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere, & Toon Boom Harmony.

Explore the differences between traditional, hand drawn, & digital animation. Learn to use each program on its own and with each other while practicing to use essential tools. Demonstrate mastery of basic skills and technical understanding through exciting projects and have your work evaluated by experts. 

About Micros:

• Register & start WHENEVER
• Self paced & learner driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

If you love creating original, quirky characters, then you will want to Draw Cartoons! Look at lots of examples and learn how to tell a story, as you create and draw characters, and learn proper proportions of the human figure and different animals. Work on your own, unique cartooning style that you can continue to build upon.

Supplies are included in fees for kids’ camps, unless otherwise noted. 

If you love creating original, quirky characters, then you will want to Draw Cartoons! Look at lots of examples and learn how to tell a story, as you create and draw characters, and learn proper proportions of the human figure and different animals. Work on your own, unique cartooning style that you can continue to build upon.

Supplies are included in fees for kids’ camps, unless otherwise noted. 

Please Note: Start and end dates refer to open & closing of registration, not the start or end of the course.

Use drawing as a tool of communication as you explore the medium, with an emphasis on obtaining a visual understanding of mass, gesture, the human figure, weight, and balance. 

Work through conceptual, aesthetic, and technical approaches for your projects.

About Micros:

• Register and start whenever.
• Self-paced and learner-driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish
  
  
   

INSTRUCTOR Marcia Harris

Gain confidence and skills in drawing as you work through a series of projects designed to increase your perceptive abilities and eye-hand coordination. Focus on the elements of drawing, observation, and composition as you explore a variety of drawing media and techniques. Increase your understanding through individual and group critiques. Please see your course supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first class. 

Focus on improving your drawing skills while you experiment with different types of drawing media including: graphite, Charcoal, and conte crayons. 

You will continue to improve your understanding of the elements and principles of art as you focus on composition and a variety of drawing techniques.

Think about what you are communicating with your drawings and develop your ability to speak about your work during critique sessions each class. 

Focus on improving your drawing skills while you experiment with different types of drawing media including: graphite, charcoal, and conte crayons.

You will continue to improve your understanding of the art elements and principles as you focus on composition and a variety of drawing techniques.

Think about what you are communicating with your drawings and develop your ability to speak about your work during critique session each class.  

Please Note: Start and end dates refer to open & close of registration, not the start or end of the course.

Examine professional projects and responsibilities animators may face in their practice, including CV and portfolio assembly, grant writing, project budgeting, and pitch packages.

Cover concepts like festival submissions, contracts, and concerns associated with starting an artistic practice in animation.  

About Micros

• Register and start whenever
• Self-paced and learner-driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to finish

Learn how to draw the human face and figure from direct observation. You will study proper proportions of both the face and body as you test out a variety of drawing techniques. 

Start each class with quick gesture drawings to get warmed up. Then move into longer, sustained poses for a complete, detailed rendering. Participate in daily critiques at the end of the class. 

Learn how to draw the human face and figure from direct observation. You will study  proper proportions of both the face and the figure as you test out a variety of drawing techniques.

Start each class with quick gesture drawings to get warmed up and then move into longer, sustained poses for a complete, detailed rendering. Participate in daily critique sessions at the end of each class.

INSTRUCTOR Mark Vazquez Mackay

Learn a classical approach to drawing and painting the figure as you spend a full week in the studio working from a live model. All artists are supported by the instructor to work on honing their figure drawing and/or painting skills. You will participate in discussions about both the historical and contemporary figures in drawing and painting as well as addressing formal and technical issues. Both individual and group critiques play an important role in the workshop and serve as a valuable learning tool for all artists involved. All levels are welcome. Please see your recommended supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first day. 

Please Note: Start & End dates refer to open & closing of registration, NOT the start or end of the course.

In this course, you'll learn and apply fundamental principles of animation. 

Learn to communicate personality, emotions, & behaviour through short motion assignments, while exploring conceptual, aesthetic, and technical approaches. 

Work in or out of the digital realm; however, all project post-production will be created using digital software. Create projects to demonstrate your mastery of foundational skills & principles, then have your work evaluated by experts. 

About Micros:

• Register and start WHENEVER
• Self paced and learner driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

Please Note: Start & end dates refer to open & close of registration, not the start or end of the course.

Concentrate on 2D character animation as you gain understanding of the construction and mechanics of human form and depicting movement through figure drawing and motion studies.

Pay special attention to character development, communicating story points and emotions using animation principles and techniques. Develop your visual language and expand your technical knowledge, including soundtrack design, as you create a short, animated project or animation test.

About Micros

• Register and start whenever
• Self-paced and learner-driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to finish

Please Note: Start and End dates refer to open and closing of registration, NOT the start or end of the course. 

In this course, you'll learn foundational elements of drawing, basic techniques, composition practices, and how to accurately draw human form.

Also, explore and practice a range of approaches using various media. In addition to video lessons from an expert covering a range of topics, you will be able to communicate with your instructor and your colleagues over discussion boards.

Receive feedback of your work from an expert as you deepen your knowledge and improve your composition skills.

About Micros:

• Register and start WHENEVER
• Self paced and learner driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

Learn the basics+ for hand drawing Manga and Anime comics, including Manga proportioning and stylization of figures, with a focus on the head, hair, and eyes. Work on developing characters, their poses and expressions as your put them into environments, and layouts to tell a story that you create.

You will work with a variety of media including pen and ink, marker, pencil and water-based colour.  

Learn the basics+ for hand drawing Manga and Anime comics, including Manga proportioning and stylization of figures, with a focus on the head, hair, and eyes. Work on developing characters, their poses and expressions as your put them into environments, and layouts to tell a story that you create.

You will work with a variety of media including pen and ink, marker, pencil and water-based colour.  

Learn the basics+ for hand drawing Manga and Anime comics, including Manga proportioning and stylization of figures, with a focus on the head, hair, and eyes. Work on developing characters, their poses and expressions as your put them into environments, and layouts to tell a story that you create.

You will work with a variety of media including pen and ink, marker, pencil and water-based colour.  

Please Note: Start and end dates refer to open & close of registration, not the start or end of the course.

Get introduced to the 3D software Maya, learn the basic functions, and how to create animations. 

Master the basic tools, navigate the software and understand introductory modeling, rigging, lighting, and keyframe animation. Learn how the interface works while applying the principles of animation, growing your creative understanding and output of 3D animation.

About Micros:

• Register and start WHENEVER
• Self-paced and learner-driven
• No scheduled classes
• 3 Months to Finish

INSTRUCTOR Mark Vazquez Mackay

Working with mixed media can be daunting but it can also be very exciting and freeing. Grow your understanding of working with different materials and techniques as you collage and layer, building up and scratching away your surface to create pieces that are totally unique. Learn about historical and contemporary artists who have used mixed media and the impact of their work within an art context, as well as participate in group discussions and critiques to stimulate your own practice. All levels welcome. Please see your recommended supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first day.  

INSTRUCTOR Kelsey Merkeley

Here’s your chance to complete past projects in a jewellery studio, while having access to a professional jeweler for advanced instruction and guidance. Be prepared to generate your own projects. Your instructor will provide technical advice, critical feedback, and new skills demonstrations on request. Please see your recommended supply list online. Be sure to come prepared for the first day.  

Come paint with us! Learn about different painters and painting styles from history and create your own masterpieces.

You will discuss how to properly mix colours and try out different paint application methods throughout the week such as, monochromatic painting, using just a palette knife. Supplies are included in fees for kids’ camps, unless otherwise noted.