Intro to Watercolors

Join artist and instructor Adam Lubkin at the Boston Figure to learn the basics of watercolor painting! Alex will break down the process into simple steps, going over the foundational principles of the medium: light, color, shape, and edges. Prompts and references will be provided, and you will receive individualized feedback and advice so that you walk away with a piece you are proud of. Basic drawing experience is expected, but no painting experience is required. All supplies are included.

Boston Figurative Art Center

Oil Painting Portraiture: 6-Week Class

This 6 week class will guide students through the time honored traditions of layered portrait painting! We will learn about the range of materials and their application in a step by step painting process. Indirect Oil Painting is a time tested methodical approach to painting in successive layers to achieve specific natural effects. Students will focus on both paint handling and drawing with value. The students will begin with a full grisaille (black and white) underpainting, and then begin to build their color layers through mindful application of paint and medium. Our goal is a portrait with both structure and presence.&nbsp;

Paint & Sip Brunch

Members: $20 Non-members: $45 Join artist and instructor Halle Cooper for guided painting and brunch! If you haven’t heard of a “Paint and Sip,” it’s basically a Bob-Ross-style painting lesson. We will all be painting the same beginner-friendly picture, and the instructor will guide you through, step by step. Follow along exactly, or add your own twist as you go. It will be so easy you can even do it a little tipsy! (but not if you drove!) It’s a great time for non-painters and professional artists alike. Just a fun, low-stakes, creative activity to do with your friends (or a great way to make new ones!) Supplies included. Brunch will include mimosas, tea sandwiches, pastries, and fruit! Reach out with any dietary restrictions or concerns.

Cyanotype Valentine's Cards Workshop

Celebrate the season of love with a hands-on cyanotype workshop! Learn the entire cyanotype process, from blank paper to beautifully finished blue prints, while creating one-of-a-kind Valentine’s prints and cards. One of the earliest photographic techniques, cyanotypes (also known as blueprints or sunprints) use light-sensitive chemicals and the power of sunlight to produce striking blue images. In this special Valentine’s edition, you’ll have access to stencils and a variety of natural and found materials to design heartfelt prints, including lace, flowers, jewelry, and more (including materials you bring from home!). Perfect for beginners, anyone interested in alternative photography, or a fun artsy date, this workshop will leave you with 5–10 unique prints and a creative way to express affection through art!

Exploring Watercolors: 3-Week Class

If you're new to figure drawing and you want to boost your confidence before going to an open figure drawing session, this class is for you!&nbsp; Normally taught as 1-session workshops, this 3-week class will be an even deeper dive into figure drawing. Illustrator, cartoonist, and figure drawing instructor Chris O’Neill (@thumbsoneill) will teach all the foundational skills you need - from mark-making, to proportions, to light and shadow, to expression and style.

Figure Drawing Basics: 3-Week Class

BFAC Members get %25 off! New to figure drawing? Maybe you’ve been practicing, but feel stuck or in need of a new perspective? Illustrator, cartoonist, and figure drawing instructor Chris O’Neill (@thumbsoneill) shares his approach to nailing proportions, making faster drawings, getting loose, and having more fun at figure drawing! Each class, Chris focuses on a fresh topic, so learn something new every time you come! This workshop will include three demos and individual instruction for each student throughout the evening.

Stitch 'n B*tch

This one’s for all of you sewing/crocheting/knitting/textile lovers! Join us for a biweekly meet-up, BYOCP... (BYOCP = bring your own [unfinished or not-yet-started] creative projects!) Do you have unfinished textile or sewing projects? Do you like to complain about how many unfinished projects you have? Do you wish you could commiserate with a fun group of people in a low-key setting? Join us for a relaxing and social evening co-working session in the “living room” at the BFAC. Professional artist and fashion designer Mary Kahle of Kahle Studios will be on site to trouble-shoot and provide feedback! All experience levels and ages welcome! Snacks will be provided. Timed breaks will be enforced. (LOL we don’t need to include this)

Draw-A-Stranger Portrait Party

Looking to spark a new connection, or maybe even a little meet-cute? Join us for Draw a Stranger, a playful, speed-dating-style drawing activity where laughter and awkward doodles are highly encouraged. Each round, you’ll pair up with someone new as our facilitator shares a fun conversation prompt and a beginner-friendly drawing challenge designed to break the ice and invite a bit of vulnerability. You’ll have a few minutes to chat, sketch each other, and swap stories before rotating and doing it all again. One of our instructors will do some beginner drawing demos as well, so you'll build on a new skill while making friends! Think of it as an art-inspired social mixer: part drawing, part connection. Come ready to loosen up, laugh, and leave with both new friends and some wonderfully weird portraits.

Lover's Name Ring-Making Workshop

Join Analise of Mind’s Eye Collective for a hands-on beginner jewelry workshop where you will create your own bespoke sterling silver “Lover’s Name” ring! In this 2-hour class, you'll learn the basics of jewelry making to form, stamp, texture, and solder sterling silver into a ring. You'll have the opportunity to stamp a name or word on to your ring as well as add texture using hammering techniques to achieve the look you’re going for. Come with ideas in mind or take the time to experiment and be surprised! Perfect for a Valentines date night, or a fun gift-making experience. No experience is needed, and all materials and tools are provided. By the end of the session, you'll take home one special handcrafted sterling silver ring.

Valentine's Day Paint & Sip

Celebrate Valentine's day with a themed Paint &amp; Sip, the perfect pre-dinner activity! Join artist and instructor Halle Cooper for a night of guided painting, baked goods, and wine. If you haven’t heard of a “Paint and Sip,” it’s basically a Bob-Ross-style painting lesson. We will all be painting the same beginner-friendly picture, and the teacher will guide you through, step by step. Follow along exactly, or add your own twist as you go. It will be so easy you can even do it a little tipsy! (but not if you drove!) It’s a great time for non-painters and professional artists alike. Just a fun, low-stakes, creative activity to do with your partner or best friend (or a great way to make new ones!) Supplies included. The night will include wine cocktails, charcuterie, and cupcakes!

Sculpting The Skull

Join artist and sculptor Adam Lubkin for a sculpture class! This workshop will focus on the proportions and structure of the human skull. Learn the large planes, subtle forms, and complex structure that make the skull so beautiful and fascinating. Students will create their own 1/2 scale skull in clay. This workshop is for all levels! Try an awesome new skill and take your skull home with you to appall and delight your friends and family!

BYOBook

Welcome to BYO(Book)! A non-traditional book club centered around a love of reading with no assigned book 📖 The general structure is that the first 30 minutes are a meet/greet between participants where we can share what we’ve been reading, ask people for recommendations, or just simply meet new people! Then, the following 1.5 hours are dedicated time to read whatever your current novel/article/magazine/manga/comic/etc. is of your choosing. Snacks and beverages provided! There will also be a rotating stack of books available so that if you’d like to pick up something new just for the night you can! See you there!

Paint & Sip

Unlimited Members: $10 Standard Members: $20 Non-members: $35 Join artist and instructor Halle Cooper for a night of guided painting and wine! If you haven’t heard of a “Paint and Sip,” it’s basically a Bob-Ross-style painting lesson. We will all be painting the same beginner-friendly picture, and the teacher will guide you through, step by step. Follow along exactly, or add your own twist as you go. It will be so easy you can even do it a little tipsy! (but not if you drove!) It’s a great time for non-painters and professional artists alike. Just a fun, low-stakes, creative activity to do with your friends (or a great way to make new ones!) Supplies included.

Jewelry Workshop: Squiggle Rings

$80 for members, $100 for non-members Join Analise of Mind’s Eye Collective at BFAC Union Square for a hands-on beginner jewelry workshop where you will create your own bespoke sterling silver rings! In this 3-hour class, you'll learn the basics of jewelry making to form and solder sterling silver into squiggly free form rings. You'll have the opportunity to choose your ring thickness and test out different designs to achieve the look you’re going for. Come with ideas in mind or take the time to experiment and be surprised! Perfect for date night, girls' night out, or a fun gift-making experience, this class is limited to just 7 people to ensure personalized attention. No experience is needed, and all materials and tools are provided. By the end of the session, you'll take home a special piece or distinctive set of up to three (time permitting) of your very own handcrafted sterling silver rings. This class is suitable for ages 16+. Please wear closed-toed shoes and bring a rubber band to tie back long hair. Light refreshments will be provided by BFAC, feel free to bring your own non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

bostonfigureart

Experiences

Intro to Watercolors

Oil Painting Portraiture: 6-Week Class

Paint & Sip Brunch

Cyanotype Valentine's Cards Workshop

Exploring Watercolors: 3-Week Class

Figure Drawing Basics: 3-Week Class

Stitch 'n B*tch

Draw-A-Stranger Portrait Party

Lover's Name Ring-Making Workshop

Valentine's Day Paint & Sip

Sculpting The Skull

BYOBook

Paint & Sip Brunch

Paint & Sip

Jewelry Workshop: Squiggle Rings