Featuring Dru Blair's Color Buffer Theory™

The Blair School of Art was founded in 1997 in Raleigh NC by Artist Dru Blair, who began teaching in 1989. In 2000, a new studio building was constructed, and although the school is small (1000 square feet) , it is purpose-built to meet the unique needs of airbrush artists. Students enjoy a painting environment with a custom ventilation system and color correct lighting, which is optimal for airbrush work. In addition to Dru, there are always at least two assistants on hand to ensure that all students receive proper attention.

There is no artistic prerequisite. Each workshop has participants from all over the world with varied levels of experience ranging from seasoned veterans to at least 3 or 4 novices who have never airbrushed before. All art materials including airbrushes, paint, reference materials, etc., are supplied, so that there is nothing you need to bring to class.

Whether you paint illustrations, bikes, or T-shirts, our workshops will make you a better artist...Guaranteed!

Isn't it time you realized your full artistic potential? To reserve your seat online, click here.
Our new on-line reservation system is the easiest, safest, and most convenient method you can use to enroll.
To enroll by phone, call 919-562-1212.

 

Upcoming Workshops for 2007

Feb. 22-25 Portrait Class * SOLD OUT *
Mar 6-9 Getaway Vegas * SOLD OUT *
Mar 29-Apr1 Portrait Class
April 26-29 Realism Class
May 31-June 3 Portrait Class * SOLD OUT *
June 6-10 Getaway Charlotte, NC
June 28-July 1Portrait Class
* SOLD OUT *
July Realism Class * SOLD OUT *
Aug 23-26Portrait Class * SOLD OUT *
Sept 20-23Portrait Class
* SOLD OUT *
Oct 1-4 Getaway Vegas
Oct 25-28Portrait Class
* SOLD OUT *
Nov 8-11Pin-Up Class Seats Available!


Photorealistic Portrait Illustration $495 Instructor: Dru Blair

2007 Portrait Workshop Dates
Feb. 22-25      
* SOLD OUT * 
Mar 29-April 1  * SOLD OUT *        
         
May 31-June 3       * SOLD OUT * 
June 28-July 1       * SOLD OUT *
Aug 23-26        * SOLD OUT *
Sept 20-23       * SOLD OUT *


*cancellations can open seats- call to get on our waiting list.

"TICA"
Latest painting by Dru Blair
click on image for larger view

 

This hands on workshop covers the techniques and approaches to portrait illustration as seen in the paintings on this page. The instructors will demonstrate the techniques of painting photorealistic skin tones, hair, lips eyes, backgrounds,and many other attributes that make up a well-executed superrealistic painting. The students will learn to quickly match skin, hair, and eye colors with extreme accuracy and precision through Dru Blair's Color Buffer Theory. All materials and reference will be supplied in our new facility which features color corrected lighting and a state of the art filtration system. There will also be an optional ($100) foundation instruction class on the Wednesday before classes start for those wanting to brush up on their airbrush control. Class is limited to 18 and will be filled on a first-come first serve basis. Accommodations and travel arrangement information is at the bottom of this page. To reserve your seat online, click here. Our new on-line reservation system is the easiest, safest, and most convenient method you can use to enroll. To enroll by phone, call 919-562-1212.

  Balance of Power (23K) Self Portrait 1994 (36K) Voyager Family(11K) Experience new techniques and approaches to airbrush that guarantee results- in a real working studio built and designed to simultaneously accommodate up to 14 airbrush illustrators. We supply all art materials from airbrushes to paint to board.

(some more examples)
What you Pay- $495
Prerequisites: None
What you learn:

• How to create accurate fleshtones
• Mastering color
• Understanding color buffer theory
• Transparent vs opaque techniques
• Achieving perfect proportions
• How to survive catastrophic painting errors
• Tweaking a lifeless image so that it leaps off the canvas
• Understanding white and the impact it has on your images
• How to match a color dead-on every time
• How to market and price your work
• The eight rules of Photorealism
• Where to find clients willing to pay you the big bucks

• The right tools for the best results
• How to really understand light
• The 2 most important requirements for Photo realistic paintings
• 12 point photorealism checklist
• How to automatically discern problem areas in your own paintings that might otherwise have gone unnoticed
• How to develop observation techniques that allow you to expand your visual discrimination
• How to make hair look real
• Rendering details such as hair, lips, and eyes with accuracy
• The single most important thing to remember when negotiating a price for your work


Photorealistic Illustration  $495 Instructor: Dru Blair

April 27-30         *SOLD OUT*
July 26-29           * SOLD OUT *
Oct 25-28          * SOLD OUT *
     


* cancellations can open seats- call to get on our waiting list.

This hands on  workshop covers the techniques and approaches to product illustration as seen in the paintings below. The instructors will demonstrate the techniques of painting photorealistic ice, metal, water, splashes, sweat, glass, fur, and many other attributes that illustrators are often called upon to produce. The students will learn to quickly match colors with extreme accuracy and precision through Dru Blair's Color Buffer Theory. All materials and reference will be supplied in our facility which features color corrected lighting and a state of the art filtration system. There will also be an optional ($100) foundation instruction class on  the Wednesday before classes start for those wanting to brush up on their airbrush control. Class is limited to 18  and will be filled on a first-come first serve basis. To reserve your seat online, click here. Our new online reservation system is the easiest, safest, and most convenient method you can use to enroll. To enroll by phone, call 919-562-1212

Coke Can (31K) Bud Dry (19K) Exclusiv(18K)

 


Glamour Illustration  $495 Instructor: Dru Blair

June 20-23, 2002 *SOLD OUT* Click here to see pictures from this class
November 8-11, 2007     Seats Available!

Pin Up art is one of the oldest and most popular airbrush genres, yet today  has few practitioners. This advanced workshop is for people who want to acquire mastery or improve upon existing skills for painting the female form. Dru will explore all aspects of Glamour illustration from choosing a model, to design, composition, layout, rendering, and marketing your work. There will also be an optional ($100) foundation instruction class on  the Wednesday before classes start for those wanting to brush up on their airbrush control. Class is limited to 18 and will be filled on a first-come first serve basis. To reserve your seat online, click here. Our new online reservation system is the easiest, safest, and most convenient method you can use to enroll. To enroll by phone, call 919-562-1212              

pinup(36K)

 click on the image for a closer look

MORE INFO AND PICS



Preparing to take a workshop? Click here for a Guide to the Workshops  
   
Click here to read what attendees are saying about the Workshops  
   
Click here for a typical class Itinerary  
   
Click here for Dru's recommended materials  
   

Instructor:

druspicture.gif (25697 bytes)

Dru Blair

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Register online today for any 4-day workshop for $495, and add the Foundations class for an additional $100. Airbrush is a very competitive market. We'll give you the edge on that competition. If you have the drive we will supply you with the techniques to succeed. Whatever your method of registration, be sure to enroll right away since space is limited. Online reservation is the easiest safest, and most convenient, or feel free to call us at 919-562-1212, and reserve your seat. We will gladly accept any major credit card, or your personal check, if enrolling by telephone. Click here for our cancellation policy.

Transportation to and from the Raleigh/Durham Airport is provided free of charge from 10am to midnight (except on Monday). We also provide daily transportation between the hotel and school.

Many students travel as far as Australia and Sweden to attend these workshops.

Accommodations for students are discounted at the Sleep Inn, Wake Forest, NC 919-556-4007
(Be sure to mention that you are attending airbrush classes)

Guest Instructor/assistants are chosen based on their availability and may be subject to change without notice.

 

Blair School of Art · 6132 Riverside Drive · Wake Forest, NC 27587
Call: 919-562-1212  Fax: 919-562-7545