Starting April 15, 2024, new RISD Continuing Education online course options will include: Alla Prima Acrylic Figure Painting with Colete Martin and Zoological Illustration: The World of Mammals with Charlotte Ricker. Students from around the world can interact with a reputable teaching artist, collaborate with classmates, and come away from the six-week class with a set of new skills to apply to their art practice.

Both courses start April 15; registration closes April 10, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET.

A painting of a human figure lying on a forest floor.

Alla Prima Acrylic Figure Painting

Alla prima means “at first attempt.” The expression is usually used in oil painting and refers to finishing a picture while the paint is still wet (working “wet-on-wet”). Here you’ll explore the fundamentals of building alla prima acrylic paintings for both the portrait and full figure. The course is taught by figurative acrylic painter and illustrator Colete Martin. Colete lives and works in Portland, Oregon where she explores themes of power, desire and vulnerability through portraiture, and teaches for the Illustration department at Pacific Northwest College of Art.
Student artwork (above): Noelle King.

Ages 18+; starts April 15

A scientific illustration of an aardvark.

Zoological Illustration: The World of Mammals

Led by scientific illustrator and avid outdoorswoman Charlotte Ricker, this class will help you develop your skills in capturing the beauty and essence of animals, specifically mammals. Charlotte has taught botanical illustration classes for Denver Botanic Gardens and Filoli Gardens. She has also taught online and in-person courses in the Foundations, Illustration and Interior Design departments at Savannah College of Art and Design and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.
Student artwork (above): Alissa O’Brien.

Ages 18+; starts April 15