Big Sunday happily welcomes you to Our Really Big Community Calendar.
We try to include all kinds of volunteering and helping opportunities for all kinds of interests, talents, passions, and ages! As you’ll see, these include volunteering opportunities (one-time and long-term) as well as the chance to support a nonprofit by attending fundraising events. Plus, of course, we include all of Big Sunday’s homegrown events, too! Whoever you are, and whatever you do, there is someone out there who could use your help.
If you have questions about our calendar, or would like to add a listing, please contact calendar@bigsunday.org or submit your event/opportunity via the button below.
Oil Painting: Capture the Beauty of Nature
Saturdays, (6 week sessions):
January 14 – February 18
February 25 – April 1
April 8 – May 13
May 20 – June 24
1:00pm – 3:30pm
Ron Pettie, Instructor
$69 Arboretum members / $79 non-members (includes Arboretum admission)
All materials are included.
Capture the beauty of nature! The instructor will guide a beginner to draw and paint with confidence. More advanced students will be able to paint independently at their own pace and will be able to choose their own subjects.
Each subsequent six-week class will explore other areas of painting such as landscape, still life, domestic animals, structures, deserts, and seascapes. Master artist Ron Pettie will guide you on this adventure.
At the end of a six-week session students will learn the following:
- Composition styles
- How to read a color chart
- Color mixing
- How to use the grid system and the rule of thirds
- Use of dark and light values and gray scales
- Learn a variety of techniques for painting , including using different brushes and the palette knife for texture and depth
- How to use the magic frame on photographs
- Self-Critiquing – Standing back and squinting
- Choosing a signature
Reservations REQUIRED; To register please call the Education Department at 626-821-4623.
Jay Leno returns to the Geffen Playhouse for a one-night-only show to benefit NO LIMITS for deaf children and the Geffen Playhouse’s Education and Community Engagement programs.
A Special Evening with Jay Leno and Friends will take place on Monday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the
Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse.
Kathy Buckley, “America’s First Hearing Impaired Comedienne,” will host the event.
For tickets, click HERE.

Students have the option for enrolling for the whole 4 weeks, or 2 weeks sessions, either Session 1 or Session 2.
Session 1: July 10th – July 21th
Students will learn how to depict the illusion of three-dimensional objects through the language of linear and tonal drawing. The subjects of the sphere, cube, cone, cylinder, egg and cylindrical ring are possible subjects that will serve as foundational elements for the later study of casts. This program will introduce the student to ideas of linear construction using complex cross-contour analysis of form. Students will also be introduced to the properties of light and shadow necessary in the depiction of form in the first week. In the second week of the program, students will proceed to linear and tonal investigation of more complex, hybrid geometric forms.
Session 2: July 24th – August 4th
Students will be focusing on the complexity of the human head, students will engage in portrait drawings with an emphasis on precision and capturing the idiosyncratic proportions, features, and likeness of the face. Lectures will focus on the structure of the features as derived from classical Greco/Roman aesthetics as well as the Italian Renaissance, and how to utilize structures in decoding/understanding more naturalized forms. During the end of the program students will be introduced to drawing the portrait from a live model.
Students will be treated to Special Guest Artists and LAAFA Faculty for Lectures, Demos and More…
*During the course of this program, students will receive individual projects ranging from simple objects, cast studies, still life and drawing from the live model. Students may also learn the principals of painting. This will be based on their drawing progress in the program.

Students have the option for enrolling for the whole 4 weeks, or 2 weeks sessions, either Session 1 or Session 2.
Session 1: July 10th – July 21th
Students will learn how to depict the illusion of three-dimensional objects through the language of linear and tonal drawing. The subjects of the sphere, cube, cone, cylinder, egg and cylindrical ring are possible subjects that will serve as foundational elements for the later study of casts. This program will introduce the student to ideas of linear construction using complex cross-contour analysis of form. Students will also be introduced to the properties of light and shadow necessary in the depiction of form in the first week. In the second week of the program, students will proceed to linear and tonal investigation of more complex, hybrid geometric forms.
Session 2: July 24th – August 4th
Students will be focusing on the complexity of the human head, students will engage in portrait drawings with an emphasis on precision and capturing the idiosyncratic proportions, features, and likeness of the face. Lectures will focus on the structure of the features as derived from classical Greco/Roman aesthetics as well as the Italian Renaissance, and how to utilize structures in decoding/understanding more naturalized forms. During the end of the program students will be introduced to drawing the portrait from a live model.
Students will be treated to Special Guest Artists and LAAFA Faculty for Lectures, Demos and More…
*During the course of this program, students will receive individual projects ranging from simple objects, cast studies, still life and drawing from the live model. Students may also learn the principals of painting. This will be based on their drawing progress in the program.

Students have the option for enrolling for the whole 4 weeks, or 2 weeks sessions, either Session 1 or Session 2.
Session 1: July 10th – July 21th
Students will learn how to depict the illusion of three-dimensional objects through the language of linear and tonal drawing. The subjects of the sphere, cube, cone, cylinder, egg and cylindrical ring are possible subjects that will serve as foundational elements for the later study of casts. This program will introduce the student to ideas of linear construction using complex cross-contour analysis of form. Students will also be introduced to the properties of light and shadow necessary in the depiction of form in the first week. In the second week of the program, students will proceed to linear and tonal investigation of more complex, hybrid geometric forms.
Session 2: July 24th – August 4th
Students will be focusing on the complexity of the human head, students will engage in portrait drawings with an emphasis on precision and capturing the idiosyncratic proportions, features, and likeness of the face. Lectures will focus on the structure of the features as derived from classical Greco/Roman aesthetics as well as the Italian Renaissance, and how to utilize structures in decoding/understanding more naturalized forms. During the end of the program students will be introduced to drawing the portrait from a live model.
Students will be treated to Special Guest Artists and LAAFA Faculty for Lectures, Demos and More…
*During the course of this program, students will receive individual projects ranging from simple objects, cast studies, still life and drawing from the live model. Students may also learn the principals of painting. This will be based on their drawing progress in the program.

Students have the option for enrolling for the whole 4 weeks, or 2 weeks sessions, either Session 1 or Session 2.
Session 1: July 10th – July 21th
Students will learn how to depict the illusion of three-dimensional objects through the language of linear and tonal drawing. The subjects of the sphere, cube, cone, cylinder, egg and cylindrical ring are possible subjects that will serve as foundational elements for the later study of casts. This program will introduce the student to ideas of linear construction using complex cross-contour analysis of form. Students will also be introduced to the properties of light and shadow necessary in the depiction of form in the first week. In the second week of the program, students will proceed to linear and tonal investigation of more complex, hybrid geometric forms.
Session 2: July 24th – August 4th
Students will be focusing on the complexity of the human head, students will engage in portrait drawings with an emphasis on precision and capturing the idiosyncratic proportions, features, and likeness of the face. Lectures will focus on the structure of the features as derived from classical Greco/Roman aesthetics as well as the Italian Renaissance, and how to utilize structures in decoding/understanding more naturalized forms. During the end of the program students will be introduced to drawing the portrait from a live model.
Students will be treated to Special Guest Artists and LAAFA Faculty for Lectures, Demos and More…
*During the course of this program, students will receive individual projects ranging from simple objects, cast studies, still life and drawing from the live model. Students may also learn the principals of painting. This will be based on their drawing progress in the program.

Students have the option for enrolling for the whole 4 weeks, or 2 weeks sessions, either Session 1 or Session 2.
Session 1: July 10th – July 21th
Students will learn how to depict the illusion of three-dimensional objects through the language of linear and tonal drawing. The subjects of the sphere, cube, cone, cylinder, egg and cylindrical ring are possible subjects that will serve as foundational elements for the later study of casts. This program will introduce the student to ideas of linear construction using complex cross-contour analysis of form. Students will also be introduced to the properties of light and shadow necessary in the depiction of form in the first week. In the second week of the program, students will proceed to linear and tonal investigation of more complex, hybrid geometric forms.
Session 2: July 24th – August 4th
Students will be focusing on the complexity of the human head, students will engage in portrait drawings with an emphasis on precision and capturing the idiosyncratic proportions, features, and likeness of the face. Lectures will focus on the structure of the features as derived from classical Greco/Roman aesthetics as well as the Italian Renaissance, and how to utilize structures in decoding/understanding more naturalized forms. During the end of the program students will be introduced to drawing the portrait from a live model.
Students will be treated to Special Guest Artists and LAAFA Faculty for Lectures, Demos and More…
*During the course of this program, students will receive individual projects ranging from simple objects, cast studies, still life and drawing from the live model. Students may also learn the principals of painting. This will be based on their drawing progress in the program.

Students have the option for enrolling for the whole 4 weeks, or 2 weeks sessions, either Session 1 or Session 2.
Session 1: July 10th – July 21th
Students will learn how to depict the illusion of three-dimensional objects through the language of linear and tonal drawing. The subjects of the sphere, cube, cone, cylinder, egg and cylindrical ring are possible subjects that will serve as foundational elements for the later study of casts. This program will introduce the student to ideas of linear construction using complex cross-contour analysis of form. Students will also be introduced to the properties of light and shadow necessary in the depiction of form in the first week. In the second week of the program, students will proceed to linear and tonal investigation of more complex, hybrid geometric forms.
Session 2: July 24th – August 4th
Students will be focusing on the complexity of the human head, students will engage in portrait drawings with an emphasis on precision and capturing the idiosyncratic proportions, features, and likeness of the face. Lectures will focus on the structure of the features as derived from classical Greco/Roman aesthetics as well as the Italian Renaissance, and how to utilize structures in decoding/understanding more naturalized forms. During the end of the program students will be introduced to drawing the portrait from a live model.
Students will be treated to Special Guest Artists and LAAFA Faculty for Lectures, Demos and More…
*During the course of this program, students will receive individual projects ranging from simple objects, cast studies, still life and drawing from the live model. Students may also learn the principals of painting. This will be based on their drawing progress in the program.

Students have the option for enrolling for the whole 4 weeks, or 2 weeks sessions, either Session 1 or Session 2.
Session 1: July 10th – July 21th
Students will learn how to depict the illusion of three-dimensional objects through the language of linear and tonal drawing. The subjects of the sphere, cube, cone, cylinder, egg and cylindrical ring are possible subjects that will serve as foundational elements for the later study of casts. This program will introduce the student to ideas of linear construction using complex cross-contour analysis of form. Students will also be introduced to the properties of light and shadow necessary in the depiction of form in the first week. In the second week of the program, students will proceed to linear and tonal investigation of more complex, hybrid geometric forms.
Session 2: July 24th – August 4th
Students will be focusing on the complexity of the human head, students will engage in portrait drawings with an emphasis on precision and capturing the idiosyncratic proportions, features, and likeness of the face. Lectures will focus on the structure of the features as derived from classical Greco/Roman aesthetics as well as the Italian Renaissance, and how to utilize structures in decoding/understanding more naturalized forms. During the end of the program students will be introduced to drawing the portrait from a live model.
Students will be treated to Special Guest Artists and LAAFA Faculty for Lectures, Demos and More…
*During the course of this program, students will receive individual projects ranging from simple objects, cast studies, still life and drawing from the live model. Students may also learn the principals of painting. This will be based on their drawing progress in the program.

Students have the option for enrolling for the whole 4 weeks, or 2 weeks sessions, either Session 1 or Session 2.
Session 1: July 10th – July 21th
Students will learn how to depict the illusion of three-dimensional objects through the language of linear and tonal drawing. The subjects of the sphere, cube, cone, cylinder, egg and cylindrical ring are possible subjects that will serve as foundational elements for the later study of casts. This program will introduce the student to ideas of linear construction using complex cross-contour analysis of form. Students will also be introduced to the properties of light and shadow necessary in the depiction of form in the first week. In the second week of the program, students will proceed to linear and tonal investigation of more complex, hybrid geometric forms.
Session 2: July 24th – August 4th
Students will be focusing on the complexity of the human head, students will engage in portrait drawings with an emphasis on precision and capturing the idiosyncratic proportions, features, and likeness of the face. Lectures will focus on the structure of the features as derived from classical Greco/Roman aesthetics as well as the Italian Renaissance, and how to utilize structures in decoding/understanding more naturalized forms. During the end of the program students will be introduced to drawing the portrait from a live model.
Students will be treated to Special Guest Artists and LAAFA Faculty for Lectures, Demos and More…
*During the course of this program, students will receive individual projects ranging from simple objects, cast studies, still life and drawing from the live model. Students may also learn the principals of painting. This will be based on their drawing progress in the program.


