Class #406: Basic Oil Painting with Andrew Conklin
2026-08-01 09:30 - 2026-08-29 12:30 (America/New_York)
Time : 9:30AM – 12:30PM CDT on Sat —

If you have never tried oil or want to improve your abilities to handle this beautiful but complex medium, this course is for you! Basic Oil Painting introduces the essentials: laying out a palette, best ways to mix colors, matching the colors you see, applying paint with a brush and knife, and how to create effects of form and texture, light and shadow. From buttery impasto to flowing washes, this course will prepare you to take your painting to the next level!

Special Notes

This class meets in our lower-level studio.
Supply List

Class #336: Basic Course in Drawing with Andrew Conklin
2026-08-01 13:30 - 2026-08-29 16:30
Time : 1:30PM – 4:30PM CDT on Sat —

Discover the pleasure of drawing! This course introduces essential ideas and processes used by artists working from observation. Students investigate the use of freehand drawing to capture proportion, communicate form, and express emotion. Essentials of shading, composition, and color are considered through various drawing media, including charcoal, graphite and color pencils. Intended for the beginner or those with limited experience in studio art, these sessions prepare the student for more advanced figure and still life courses. Limited to 9 students. Open to all levels.

Special Notes

There is a shared, non-refundable model fee payable to the instructor.
This class meets in our lower-level studio.
Supply List

Class #101/102/103: Fundamentals of Visual Art with Don Yang
2026-08-05 18:30 - 2026-09-09 21:00
6:30 PM – 9:00PM CDT on Mon. & Wed.

This class is designed for anyone, from beginning level to advanced level, who wishes to systematically learn to draw and paint. (Anyone can learn to draw and paint as long as they have desire and patience, and willingness to work at it!)

Class will focus on the four most important fundamentals of visual art:
1. Drawing (Form Principles)
2. Design (Composition)
3. Perspective (Spatial Relation)
4. Color (Color Harmony)

Fundamentals of Art 101 students will learn fundamentals of Drawing, Design and Perspective. Fundamentals of Art 102 students will, while continuing to study these 3 fundamentals, learn color theory and harmony. In the subsequent Fundamentals of Art 103 class, students will compose pictorial narratives in the subject of their choice (landscape, still life, illustration etc.) by utilizing design principles and color theory.

The eventual goal of this class is, by equipping the students with the essential tools of visual art fundamentals, to prepare them to be able to pursue their individual art of visual communication and expression in their own style, medium, and genre.

Special Notes

This class meets in our lower level studio.
No class on 8/17, 8/19 and 9/7.
101 Supply List
102 Supply List

Class #275: Oil Painting - Still Life with Helen Oh
2026-08-06 10:00 - 2026-08-27 13:00
Time : 10:00AM – 1:00PM CDT on Thur —

Oil Painting — Still Life introduces layered painting techniques perfected by Dutch and Italian masters of the 17th century. Each session begins with an instructor’s demonstration of form rendering, warm and cool color applications, and use of scumbling and glazing.

Working from the instructor’s still life set up, students will create two paintings throughout. This course is a terrific intro for beginners & an inspiring brush-up course for returning painters.

Special Notes

This class meets in our northlight studio on the 3rd floor.
Supply List

Chicago Pastel Painters: August 7 - 23
2026-08-07 11:00 - 2026-08-23 17:00
Join us on Sunday, August 9 from 2 to 5 pm for the opening reception and awards ceremony for the Chicago Pastel Painters! The show will run through August 23.

Emerging Artists: August 28 - September 27
2026-08-28 11:00 - 2026-09-27 17:00
Join us on Friday, August 28 from 6 to 9 pm for the opening reception and awards!
Chicago’s Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts is pleased to announce an annual art exhibition and competition dedicated to showcasing and awarding upcoming talent in the world of representational art. Our goal is to select work by emerging artists under 40 years old that demonstrates an excellent command of foundational skills while following a distinct and personal creative instinct. As our background is in classical and contemporary realism, we will be looking for pieces that arise from these traditions. Nevertheless, we welcome representational work that exists outside of these categories, so long as it demonstrates sufficient technical aptitude.
The show’s objective is to support the vision of younger, emerging artists. As such, emerging artists under 40 will be represented in all areas of the exhibition, including the pool of jurors, judges and organizers. The idea is to create a showcase of younger artists, by younger artists.
The show will be on view for one month. We will be organizing a number of events, including an opening reception, artist talks, demos, and more during this period. Our goal is for these events to transform the exhibition into more than just an art show by sparking thought, conversation and creativity inspired by the selected works. Exhibiting artists are encouraged to participate in these events.
The show will run through September 27.

Class #283: Sketchbook - Visual Journal Making with Helen Oh
2026-09-18 10:00 - 2026-10-16 13:00
Time : 10:00AM – 1:00PM CDT on Fri —

Throughout history, artists have used sketchbooks to develop their ideas, and as outlets for the simple pleasure of recording memorable places, people and objects. In this course, the instructor discusses and demonstrates methods to make sketchbooks. Watercolor and drawing techniques are covered by demonstrations at each session. The class meets at Navy Pier, Lincoln Park, and the Chicago Riverwalk, all locations a short trip from the Loop via CTA bus or train. This class is Limited to 8 students.

Required Supplies

Supply List

Schmid Exhibition Preview with Nancy Guzik (Extra Option) FULL
2026-10-01 09:30 - 11:00
EXHIBITION PREVIEW – Extra Option
An Exclusive Guided Preview with Nancy Guzik
Location: Palette & Chisel, 1st Floor, 1012 N. Dearborn Street
Walk through Richard Schmid’s exhibition with Nancy Guzik, painting by painting. Nancy will share firsthand lessons, historical context, and personal stories connected to each work. This is a rare opportunity—Nancy painted alongside Richard at the Palette & Chisel during the years he created these masterworks, offering an intimate look into both the art and the artist.
$25 for Members, $35 for Non-Members.

The New Generation: Passing the Torch (Extra Option) FULL
2026-10-01 13:00 - 16:00
Live Demonstration with Michelle Dunaway, Tina Garrett, Nancy Guzik & Mary Qian
Moderator: President Stuart Fullerton offers historical insight and moderates a lively Q&A.
Location: Palette & Chisel, 3rd Floor Studio, 1012 N. Dearborn Street
Step into the legendary 3rd Floor Studio—where Richard Schmid once stood at his easel. Nancy Guzik shares firsthand memories of painting beside him—his lighting, studio setup, techniques, and unforgettable moments that still echo in the room. A new generation carries the flame. Michelle Dunaway, Tina Garrett, and Mary Qian demonstrate the principles he championed. As Richard said: “I have always felt I was a custodian of this knowledge rather than its owner.”
Witness the torch being passed—live, in the very room where the tradition began.
$75 for Members, $100 for Non-Members.

Student Workshop with Nancy Guzik & Rose Frantzen (Extra Option) FULL
2026-10-01 18:00 - 21:00
IN THE HISTORIC 3rd FLOOR STUDIO: RICHARD SCHMID’S LEGACY
Premium Experience—Student Workshop with Rose Frantzen and Nancy Guzik Extra Option
Location: Palette & Chisel, 3rd Floor Studio, 1012 N. Dearborn Street
Join two renowned artists as they demonstrate how Richard Schmid and fellow members of the Palette & Chisel painted in the historic 3rd Floor Studio — and how he generously offered guidance and critique to those working alongside him.
Students will paint alongside Nancy Guzik and Rose Frantzen, receiving hands-on instruction and mid-session critiques—continuing the very tradition Richard practiced in that studio. During breaks, participants are encouraged to observe the artists at work, deepening the learning experience through close observation, just as students once did with Richard. Both artists will also share insights, lessons, and personal memories from their time with Richard Schmid.
$75 for Members, $100 for Non-Members.

Schmid Celebration OPEN STUDIO (Extra Option)
2026-10-02 08:00 - 10:30, 2026-10-02 19:30 - 22:00, 2026-10-03 18:00 - 21:00
OPEN STUDIO – Extra Option
A chance to paint, observe, and soak in the creative energy and light where Richard Schmid painted.
Location: The Palette & Chisel, 3rd Floor Studio, 1012 N. Dearborn Street.
$20 for Members, $25 for Non-Members.

SCHMID CELEBRATION 3-DAY GENERAL WEEKEND PACKAGE
2026-10-02 09:00 - 2026-10-04 21:00
Attendance at all four painting sessions, Friday’s Legacy Luncheon & Fundraiser, Saturday’s dedication ceremony & opening reception and auction. The featured artists are Romel De La Torre • Daniel Gerhartz • Nancy Guzik • Susan Lyon • Clayton J. Beck III • Scott Burdick • Rose Frantzen
Each In-Person Registration includes one raffle ticket for Friday’s Legacy Luncheon (additional tickets available). Seating is limited – reserve your spot now!
$350 for Early Birds. $400 after 5/31/26.

SCHMID CELEBRATION 3-DAY VIP WEEKEND PACKAGE
2026-10-02 09:00 - 2026-10-04 21:00
Priority seating at all four painting sessions, seating with one of the guest artists at Friday’s Luncheon & Fundraiser, Friday evening’s Private Collectors’ Preview and Fundraiser, exclusive VIP swag bag, Saturday’s dedication & opening reception and post-event virtual replay link. Each VIP guest will receive “BEGONIAS,” a rare hand-signed lithograph by Richard reproduced from his original 8” x 12” oil painting. VIP Registration includes one raffle ticket for Friday’s Legacy Luncheon (additional tickets available). Seating is extremely limited – reserve your VIP experience now!

Schmid Celebration Online (Zoom)
2026-10-03 09:00 - 2026-10-04 21:00
If you are unable to join us in Chicago this October 2026, we have you covered! Attendees will be able to watch all four painting demonstration sessions taking place on Saturday & Sunday LIVE from home. Zoom attendees will receive a replay link to rewatch the painting demonstrations through the end of the year.
IMPORTANT – Registration for On-Line (Zoom) attendees will be handled through the Richard Schmid Fine Art Foundation.

Portrait Painting with Susan Lyon (Guest Scott Burdick)
2026-10-05 09:00 - 2026-10-06 16:00
Scott and I will each demonstrate from a live model every morning, offering two distinct approaches to painting. After lunch, participants will work from the same model. I will provide individual critiques, while Scott will discuss his process with the group, answer questions, and continue painting so students can observe how he brings a portrait to completion.

Special Notes: There is a $50 non-refundable model fee.
This workshop will meet in our 3rd floor studio.

Required Supplies

Supply List
