Upcoming Art Classes with Betsy

Here's the schedule of my latest classes. You don't need any art experience to join me and find joy, self-expression and community in my art classes.  I offer in-person classes, and talk you through every step of the creative process.  I hope you'll join me for one of these sessions!

Figure Drawing
Discover a new world of artistic exploration and connect with humanity by learning to draw another human being. Beginning artists will learn the basics of observational drawing in a supportive environment, while experienced artists will enjoy honing their skills through the open studio format of the class. Our model will hold a variety of poses for us to observe and sketch. Each week we will start with quick gesture sketches and move on to longer drawings. You’ll be surprised at the progress you make as you develop your new creative skills! Bring a pad of newsprint, drawing paper, a soft pencil, and charcoal.  

Fridays, March 15 through April 19, 2024, from 9:30 AM to noon
Cost: Requires membership in Osher at CMU.  Membership information here:
Dues & fees information here:
Drawing at the Museum
Develop your drawing skills, and explore the world of the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History through simple pencil sketches. We will begin with an introduction to sketching techniques as we explore artifacts and statuary in The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History in Oakland. Each week we will explore a different area of the museums. Beginners are welcome! Please note:Participants will purchase their own admission to the museum.
Fridays, February 2 through March 1, 2024, from 10:15 AM to 12:45 PM
Cost: Requires membership in Osher at CMU.  Membership information here:

Pet Portraits in Colored Pencil

Bring a color photo of your favorite animal friend to class. Learn how to lay out the portrait, and sketch from loose shapes to refined details to create your own portrait of your treasured pet. No drawing experience needed.
Wednesdays, January 10 & 17, 2024 from 6 to 9 PM
Cost: $69
Or by phone: 724-480-3575
Beginner's Pencil Drawing

Make a fresh start in 2024 with this versatile & portable art form. You will develop your ability to draw in this guided class. Instructor Betsy Bangley will lead you through a series of activities designed to help you learn how to capture the world around you with a pencil on paper. We’ll start by playing with our materials to find out how to make a variety of shades and line types, move on to sketching everyday objects, and build up to exploring foreshortening and textures in longer drawings. Discover a new way to
express yourself, and embark on an art adventure!
Mondays, February 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2024, from 6- 9 pm
Cost: $99
Or by phone: 724-480-3575

Pencil Drawing: Colors & Shading

This is an extension of our 4-week Beginner’s Pencil Drawing class, and is open to all. Would you like to advance your drawing skills? Perhaps you’re a beginner who would like guided practice. Jump into drawing fruit with colored pencils, creating portraits, and exploring more exciting drawing projects with Betsy Bangley. Whatever your skill level, you will gain drawing ability through working in this supportive group and practicing weekly.
Mondays, March 4 through 25, 2023 from 6 to 9 PM
Cost: $104
Or by phone: 724-480-3575

Watercolor Spring Flowers
Welcome spring by inviting color and creativity into your life! Doesn’t matter if you’ve never painted before, or you delight in watercolor painting, you are invited to join us! In each class, we will select blossoms from a fresh bouquet to sketch & paint. Instructor Betsy Bangley will guide you through the process with demonstrations and individual instruction. All materials provided.
Saturdays, March 16 through 30, 2024, 10 AM to 1 PM
Cost: $109
Or by phone: 724-480-3575
Nature Journaling

Join artist and naturalist Betsy Bangley for an introduction to keeping a nature journal. No drawing experience is required. Learn techniques for recording what you see in nature and discover the self care benefits of keeping a nature journal. We'll begin indoors with inspiration and an introduction to techniques, then go outdoors to explore and create!

All materials are provided. Please dress for the weather.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 6-9 PM
New Washington County location for CCBC Continuing Education Classes: 
625 E McMurray Rd, McMurray, PA 15317
Tiny Art --NEW!
Explore the beauty of tiny things. We will bring miniature natural items into class: acorns, small leaves, egg shells, tiny flowers and other marvels. We’ll draw & paint them. You will learn sketching techniques and how to paint using gouache. At the end of the class, we will make a tiny book full of our artworks. Beginners are welcome!
Saturdays, April 13, 20 & 27, 2024 from 10 AM to 1 PM
Cost: $104
Or by phone: 724-480-3575

Previous Classes:

Watercolor Explorations
Osher at CMU
May 6-June 3, 2022






Watercolor Landscape with the Figure Class:
May 8, 2020
The wind & snow kept us from going outside. Instead, we used reference photos taken one day earlier, when the weather was lovely & sunny.

Lyn's Painting:


This week's reference photo:




Watercolor Landscape Class:
May 1, 2020
Covid-19 has awakened the resourcefulness in us all.  My thanks to my students who are experimenting with me in plein air landscape painting via Zoom. We listen to the Song Sparrows and Cardinals singing outside, and hold our breath as the clouds sweep in and darken the scene, then celebrate as the sun bursts through the clouds and picks out every detail.  Below are paintings by my students and information about future classes.  I hope you'll join me!
The webcam is looking out the door while I paint from the monitor like everybody else.


Laying in the first washes of color.

The scene we painted.




Kathy's painting

Lyn's Painting:




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