Art studio with a still life drawing of geometric shapes on an easel, art supplies including pens, brushes, and a palette on a small wooden table, and an empty drawing mannequin in the background.

Foundations of Art

Foundations of Art

$40/week
12-week program · $480 Total

Learn to See Like an Artist

Every artist starts by learning how to see the world a little differently. Foundations of Art teaches students to look at the things around them with an artist’s eye, training their eyes and minds to understand what they see and turn those observations into art.

Students will explore the building blocks of art—including value, shape, form, proportion, perspective, texture, light and shadow, and color—and discover how these elements come together to make drawings feel realistic and three-dimensional. Through hands-on projects using objects, still lifes, and photographs, students learn to look closely, break what they see into simple visual components, and confidently bring their observations onto paper.

    • Shape & Form — Understand how simple shapes come together to create objects and give them dimension.

    • Value — Learn how light and dark work together to create depth and realism.

    • Light & Shadow — Discover how light interacts with objects and brings form to life.

    • Perspective — Learn how to create depth and make objects and spaces feel three-dimensional.

    • Proportion — Understand the relationships between different parts of an object or composition.

    • Texture — Explore how different surfaces can be observed and represented realistically.

    • Color — Learn the fundamentals of the color wheel and how colors work together.

    • Observation — Train your eyes to notice details and relationships you may have overlooked.

    • Artistic Thinking — Develop the ability to analyze what you see and approach artwork with an artist's mind.

  • Level: Beginner

    Prerequisite: None

    Age Group: Kids & Teens

    Medium: Drawing & introductory color

    Note: This class is available for boys in 2nd- 5th grade

    Duration: 12 Weeks (3 Months)

    Schedule: Once a week

    Class Length: 1 Hours

    Start Date: October 11

    Price: $480

    Supplies: Not included

  • This course is offered by two instructors.

    Both instructors follow the Academy’s carefully developed Foundations curriculum while bringing their own artistic experience and teaching style to the classroom.

    Shira Leah Garfunkel

    Fine Artist · Instructor

    Devorah Leah Levitan

    Fine Artist · Instructor

  • Foundations of Art is the perfect place to begin.

    Whether you're picking up a pencil to draw for the very first time or simply want to learn the fundamentals properly, this course gives you a place to start, experiment, and grow.

    No previous experience is needed—just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn.

  • Students will work from photographs, objects, and still lifes, creating drawings that become more detailed and confident as their understanding develops.

    But the most important thing they'll take with them isn't just the artwork they create. They'll begin to develop a new way of seeing, giving them the tools and understanding to continue exploring, creating, and growing as artists.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Shira Leah Garfunkel

Shira Leah is a fine artist specializing in highly detailed pencil art and oil painting. She has pursued art from a young age, developing her skills through years of dedicated practice before expanding into oil painting under the guidance of Toby Bergman. Her work focuses on portraiture, still life, and Judaic art, characterized by intricate detail and depth. She has sold her artwork privately and teaches art to children and teens. As an instructor, she is passionate about helping students build confidence, recognize their potential, and discover the beauty and depth in the world around them.

ARTIST & INSTRUCTOR

CLASSES OFFERING

Foundations of Art- See Course→

Beginner Painting- See Course→

SAMPLES OF HER WORK

A black and white drawing of a woman's face, with her eyes closed and hair pulled back, creating a contrast with her facial features.
A painting of a woman's face with realistic detail on the right and an abstract version on the left, using shades of purple, black, and white.
A black and white sketch of a man in a baseball uniform sitting on a chair, holding a baseball glove in his left hand, with a stern expression on his face.
An abstract painting depicting the kosel with multicolored bricks and a group of black silhouetted figures standing and walking in front of it, with reflections on the ground.
Decorative black background with gold-colored ornate design in the center and horizontal lines extending outward.

Devorah Leah Levitan

ARTIST & INSTRUCTOR

Devorah Leah is an artist and art teacher who believes that painting is about more than creating beautiful artwork—it is also an opportunity to discover and develop a unique artistic voice. She studied under Chasya Leshinsky and Toby Bergman and continued her artistic training with Menucha Yankelevich in Israel, building a strong foundation in the fundamentals of art. In her classes, she guides students through essential principles including value, color, composition, and expression while encouraging them to explore their own creative voice. Her goal is to help every student create artwork that is authentic, meaningful, and uniquely their own.

CLASSES OFFERING

Foundations of Art- See Course→

Expressive Art- See Course→

SAMPLES OF HER WORK

An abstract landscape painting featuring a large tree on the left with a dark canopy and textured trunk, a body of water in the middle reflecting the sky, and a small dark building with a rounded top on the right, under a pink and orange sunset sky.
Black and white painting of a man with a beard, wearing a hat, shirt, and apron, playing a violin against a textured background.
A watercolor painting of a medieval castle with high stone walls and towers, set against a light sky. In the foreground, there are two people in historical clothing, one sitting and one standing, with a dog nearby and trees around them.
A young person wearing a black hat, white shirt, striped arm warmers, and a jacket, looking down at an object in front of them. The background is dark, with a mural of a fish, a castle, and a cityscape painted on a wall.
Decorative black background with gold horizontal ornament featuring a small fleur-de-lis design in the center.