Three new art classes taught by award-winning artist, Don Blackwell will begin in October at Isothermal Community College Polk Center.
If you’d like to learn how to create beautiful artwork using ink as your medium, sign up for Blackwell’s Pen & Ink class. You can learn basic pen techniques such as solid black lines, gray tones, parallel lines, value changes, cross-hatching, patterns, implied lines, stippling and spattering. Students will receive clear and concise instruction in the techniques and materials used and will complete at least two finished drawings. Beginning and intermediate drawing or equivalent training are prerequisites for this class. The class will meet each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon for eight weeks starting Oct. 24.
On Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, starting Oct. 25, Blackwell will teach an Open Studio class, sharing techniques and guiding students on any projects they are currently working on.
Want to further develop your drawing skills?  Join Blackwell for the Intermediate Drawing class meeting each Friday from 9 a.m. to noon for eight weeks starting Oct. 26. Become familiar with different types of media used in drawing and be ready to move on to the next level with pen & ink and multimedia drawing. Beginning drawing or equivalent previous experience is a prerequisite for this class.
One of Blackwell’s students, Anne Dempsey said, “I strongly recommend that anyone who thinks they do not have drawing skills to take one of Don’s classes.  He can bring out the artist in anyone.”
Born in Hendersonville, Blackwell spent 25 years in Alaska and considers it his other home. His originals and prints are in three museums, the Ministry of Defense in Winnipeg, Canada and Ministry of Defense in Moscow, Russia, the Pentagon and more. After an impressive 25-year Air Force career, Blackwell is enjoying civilian life and being a college art teacher.  Married to Phoebe Blackwell, they have raised their five kids and are enjoying five beautiful grandchildren.
A versatile artist, Blackwell’s works are done in pen and ink, watercolor, airbrush, oil and colored pencil. He also creates in wood.
For more information, or to register for these or other classes, call Isothermal Community College Polk Center at 828-894-3092.
– article submitted by Kate Barkschat