Who says finger painting is only for kids? While you won't find such elementary techniques at these classes, you will find fun and inspiration dating all the way back to grammar school. Whether you're just beginning to unlock your creative skills or you're already an advanced artist, these classes have you covered.
Beginner
Sewing 101
For those we have always dreamed of being a fashion designer, or for the ones that just want to know how to sew on a button—this beginner class at Root Division is for you. In Sewing 101, you'll cover all the basic techniques to get you geared up to construct one-of-a kind custom creations. $85 per session. // Root Division, 1131 Mission St. (SoMa), rootdivision.org
Blacksmithing I
Not your average hobby, The Crucible in Oakland (known for one-of-a-kind industrial arts programs) is the best bet for an introductory course to get you acquainted with forging and bending hot steel. Dabble with several small projects, such as spoons, knives, and hooks in just five weeks. $430 per session. // The Crucible, 1260 7th St. (Oakland), thecrucible.org
Screen Printing
If you have a t-shirt design you've been jonesing to create or want to channel Andy Warhol, check out an introductory course at The Mission Cultural Center that covers both paper and textile printing. The classes run $17 per session, but supplies are not included. // Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 2868 Mission St. (Mission), missionculturalcenter.org
Learn the elusive art of glassblowing with one of Public Glass's beginner's classes. Play With Fire is a 3-hour introduction to glassblowing where you'll learn how to manipulate molten glass and add color to create your very own paperweight for $125. You could also jump right into Glassblowing 1A, which is a 5-week course for $595. // Public Glass, 1750 Armstrong Ave. (Bayview), publicglass.org
Paint & Wine
Now this sounds like the class we all want to take. Beyond Canvas in San Francisco offers this 2-hour workshop to recreate masterpieces and sip some booze for $50 a class. Don't forget to check out their Plein Air painting classes where you get to experience painting as the French did—in the great outdoors—for $72.50 for the beginner's kit. // Beyond Canvas, 1021A Valencia St. (Mission), beyondcanvas.com
Intermediate
Large Format Photography, Level 1
Broaden your repertoire of classic photography with a class at RayKo Photo Center and get on par with Ansel Adams in no time. Over the course of this four-session class, the workings of the view camera will be demystified; some darkroom experience is required. $175, and a 4x5 camera can be rented for $100 for the duration of the class. // RayKo Photo Center, 428 3rd St. (SoMa), raykophoto.com
Digital Animation: How to Bring a Digital Character to Life
If you've ever thought about bringing your artwork to life or producing your own cartoon series, be sure to sign up for this course at the College of Extended Learning at SF State. Some prerequisites are required, as is a solid understanding of computer-generated production. $425 for a 3-week course from July 15-July 29. // College of Extended Learning at SF State, 835 Market St. (SoMa), sfsu.edu
Continuing Ceramics
This class at SF Clayworks is for those who have a little bit of experience on the wheel—maybe you threw in high school or college or maybe you've taken a few classes. This 8-week course will help you find your center more easily and create more complex forms like handles, spouts, and lids for $290. // SF Clayworks, 2240 Palou Ave. (Bayview), sfclayworks.com
Advanced
Casting
Novice jewelry designers looking to expand their skill set should consider an advanced class at Sharon Art Studio, SF's largest public community art center specializing in ceramics, glass and jewelry making. In casting, explore wax-working techniques. You'll be able to complete two custom-designed castings by the end of the course. $140 for a five-week course. // Sharon Art Studio, 300 Bowling Green Dr. (Golden Gate Park), sharonartstudio.org
Figure Drawing with Instruction
Practice makes perfect—and this adage holds true with figure drawing, though it can be tough to find friends who will hold the same pose for four hours. In comes 23rd Street Studio, offering a wide variety of figure drawing classes, with or without instruction. The advanced course meets once a week (only open for those who've completed the beginner class) for 22 weeks and runs $550. But you can drop into a class (space permitting) for $26 per class. // 23rd Street Studio, 3747 23rd St. (Mission), 23rdstreetstudio.com
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This article has been updated since it was originally published on November 28, 2012.
