Course 1009, section 1: Summer Quarter 2008
Exploring Color!

Instructor: Nils Osmar 
Sponsored by: ASUW Experimental College
Location: University of Washington campus (Seattle branch)
Dates and times: Thursday July 10 only, 7 pm-10 pm
Course fee (for General Public): $39

Spend a relaxed evening painting and playing with color, even if you've never painted before. In this interesting, enjoyable class, you'll learn about color theory, color wheels, additive and subtractive colors, warm and cool colors, tints, shades and color mixing. It's a fun class based around exercises that will make the information clearer. Previous students have included artists, designers, homemakers, gardeners, landscape architects, remodelers and a couple who were planning the colors for their wedding. All levels are welcome. Nothing to bring or buy; all materials are provided. (Scroll down for registration information)

Frequently Asked Questions:

IS THE CLASS ONLY FOR ARTISTS?
Many of the people who sign up for it are artists, but it is for everyone who would like to know more about color. Artists will find it fun and useful, and so will anyone else who is curious about color.

ISN'T COLOR INTUITIVE? SHOULDN'T YOU JUST TRUST YOUR OWN FEELINGS ABOUT IT, AND GO WITH YOUR INSTINCTS IF YOU'RE AN ARTIST?
Yes and no. Color theory is intuitive, and it's great to trust your judgement when you're painting or designing in color. But there is also a great deal of knowledge and information that's been worked out over the years by artists (and scientists) exploring basics of color theory. An understanding of color theory can solve many problems and questions faced by artists, and make it easier to express what you are wanting to in your paintings and compositions. Once you know the basics, you can decide to break the rules if you want to.

IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE TO LEARN THE BASICS OF COLOR THEORY IN A SINGLE CLASS?
Absolutely. You can learn things in just one class that will transform your understanding about color forever. We'll not only learn about color theory, we'll get some practice painting, playing with and mixing colors, and learn how to paint washes, transparencies and glazes... fun!

DO I NEED TO BRING ANY MATERIALS, OR BUY ANY IN CLASS?
No, all materials are provided by the instructor. 

DOES NILS TEACH ANY OTHER ART CLASSES?
Yes. His Experimental College art courses include:
Drawing for absolute beginners
Learn to Draw Faces
Figure Drawing 
Cartooning 
Drawing Flowers
Perspective for Beginners
(All of them are open to beginners)

Student Comments about this class

I enjoyed this class very much and would take any classes that Nils Osmar has to offer. He was well prepared and held my interest the entire class time.  (comment submitted online)

I could not think of anything to improve, this was a perfect day for me.  (comment submitted online)

Students did not have to be experienced. This was purported to be a basic class, and it was. Instructor was patient and willing to help those who needed/wanted help, and he did not go to fast for the slowest in class (that would be me). Excellent intro to materials, ditto on the materials supplied.  (comment submitted online)

This was an interesting introduction for me to color theory. (comment submitted online)

Thanks for a wonderful, relaxing course. - Cheryl K., Seattle

I liked the hands-on opportunities to play with paints and color- it really helped to understand how the colors work with each other and what happens when you mix two colors together. 

Lots of hands-on time to apply the concepts we learned about. The instructor seemed interested in everyone's experience and provided individual feedback and interaction. My favorite part, in addition to learning the content, was learning about this new medium, watercolor. 

It was great, I loved it. I'll be taking your class in painting flowers next. - Kathy J., Seattle

I'm amazed that we learned so much in one day, and it hardly felt like a class. It was just fun, trying different things, mixing colors, the guided exercises, seeing the really surprising things that happened. I loved the information about mixing colors with their complements to create earth tones... - Mickey L., Bellevue

The instructor was organized, kept things moving at a good pace, covered all of the basics about color and answered all of the students' questions. I would highly recommend his classes. - Terry L., Kent

The instructor seemed interested in everyone's experience and provided individual feedback and interaction. My favorite part, in addition to learning the content, was learning about this new medium, watercolor.  - E.V., Seattle

An inspiring session for me...just what I was hoping for, and more!  - unsigned

I walked away with a strong understanding and confidence on a subject that has eluded me for years. Great class!  I wish there were more classes such as this available, dealing with the real nuts and bolts of art and drafting.  - R.B., Kent

Nils Osmar is excellent both with beginning students and with students who have some experience.   - J.C., Seattle

I liked the hands-on opportunities to play with paints and color- it really helped to understand how the colors work with each other and what happens when you mix two colors together.  
Nils, Just wanted to let you know that I completed my application to the Game Animation Certificate program, and as of a week ago received notice of my acceptance. One of my portfolio pieces was a charcoal figure based upon one of the exercises from class - and of course, I'd never touched charcoal before meeting you. Thanks again for all the tips and encouragement! Your classes really helped polish my skills and boost my confidence a great deal. -- J.C. (Seattle)

Registration information: how to sign up

Exploring Color is sponsored by the ASUW (Associated Students University of Washington) Experimental College, and is held on the U.W. campus in Seattle. It's a non-credit class open to everyone; you do not have to be a U.W. student to attend. The University of Washington is committed to providing equal access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accomodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accomodations, contact the Disability Office at least ten days in advance at: (206)543-6450/V, (206)543-6452/TTY, (206)685-7264 (fax) or email dso@u.washington.edu

To sign up by mail: You can sign up by mail at any time. To do so, click here to download the mail-in registration formThen fill it out and mail it to: ASUW Experimental College Box 352238 SAO 21 University of Washington Seattle WA 98195-2238 (Note: mail-in registrations won't be processed until June 23rd.)

To sign up online: Online registration for summer quarter Experimental College classes will begin on June 9th. (Please do not try signing up online before that time! Or you may end up in the spring quarter class instead.) We'll post a registration link here when summer online registrations begin.

To sign up by phone: Phone registrations for summer quarter Experimental College classeswill begin onJune 23rd We'll post more information here at that time.
Want an email reminder about registrations? To be added to the instructor's email list, email Nilsosmar@gmail.com You'll receive an email reminder when online and phone registrations begin.

Whatever method you use to register, you will only be charged a $10 registration fee for each class you are enrolling in, when you sign up (or $5 if you are a UW student.) The course fee is not due until the first day of class.

Questions? Problems registering? Call 206-420-1309 or emailNilsosmar@gmail.com

Other classes of interest

Sponsored by the ASUW Experimental College:
Drawing for absolute beginners
Learn to Draw Faces
Figure Drawing for beginners 
Cartooning
Perspective for Beginners: Drawing in Depth
Drawing Clothing and Drapery
Exploring Color
Beginning Acting
Acting in a Movie
Filmmaking 101
Writing Fiction and Short Stories
It's Time to Write Your Screenplay
Adobe Photoshop

Sponsored by other schools *
Drawing & painting Flowers
Drawing in Ink
Drawing comic books and graphic novels
Acrylic painting for beginners
Drawing with colored pencils
Documentary filmmaking
Editing tips & tricks for filmmakers
FX Makeup for filmmakers
Improv for beginners: acting without scripts
How to make commercials & infomercials
Free up your writing! (Beyond writer's block)
Writing science fiction & fantasy

* click on the course title for registration information