Classes, Workshops
& Retreats
The subjects I teach can be adapted to accommodate any environment whether it is an outdoor sketchbook setting, in-person, hands-on workshop, online class or demonstration.
Online Classes
The Art of Miniature Painting & Lettering
Online Pre-recorded class
(4 hours)
Learn how to simplify and render fine detail for creating your own tiny masterpieces.
Learn the techniques in a step-by-step method using various tools and materials to draw and paint in colored pencil, pen and ink, watercolor and gouache.
We begin working large and gradually reduce in size to miniature. The focus of this class is on miniature painting.
This workshop was recorded at Legacies III International Lettering Arts conference.
GET $10 OFF Legacies III Pricing with Lifetime, Anytime Access:
Watercolor & Ink
Online Pre-recorded class
(4 hours)
In this fun, painterly workshop we will create…
Playful color explorations using line, washes, glazes, blooms, and more with watercolors and ink.
- Using a layered approach, we will paint with vibrant color, create depth, texture and encourage loose-line work on sampler cards.
- Expand your floral color palette in the four seasons through Janet’s exercises, methods and techniques.
- Embellish your next project with seasonal blooms!
This workshop was recorded at Legacies III International Lettering Arts conference.
GET $10 OFF Legacies III Pricing with Lifetime, Anytime Access:
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
IAMPETH CONFERENCE
July 2, 2024
Hyatt Regency Riverwalk
San Antonio, Texas
International Association of
Master Penmen, Engrossers &
Teachers of Handwriting
Annual Conference
Tap into the power of sketching! Sketching is not only a handy tool to have in your creative repertoire, but it also can be a beautiful art form itself. We will focus on pen, ink, and watercolor techniques to create both quick and finished pen & ink drawings. Learn how different strokes create shapes, textures, and values and how to use watercolor to enhance your sketch. For a fun and immersive experience, learn how to use sketching to bring your artistic visions to life.
All Skill Levels Welcome
TRAVEL & Sketch in
TRAVELER’S Notebook
August 27, 2023
San Francisco Pen Show,
California
Add colors to your next trip by learning how to document them in your TRAVELER’S notebook. Aside from taking photos with your phone, capture highlights through doodles, sketches, and words on paper.
Each time you open your TRAVELER’S notebook and see those memories, it’s as if you’re traveling all over again.
The Artful Journal
4-Day Retreat
August 9 – 13, 2023
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hosted by Texas Lettering Arts
Join us for a relaxing and energizing 4-day, in-person retreat as Author-Artist, Janet Takahashi guides us on a journey of drawing and painting through a series of creative activities.
- This creative journaling retreat offers a seeing, stretching, drawing experience like no other!
- Work with simple tools
- Expand your observation skills using the five senses.
- Bring new energy to your sketches with a simple approach to watercolor painting using your sketch and color notes
- Become more skilled in the use of graphite, pen, watercolor and applying simple embellishments
- Think creatively and spiritually using the principles and elements of design in your artwork.
- Learn to establish a sketchbook habit and maintain your practice.
Letters California Style
February 17 – 20, 2023
Pomona, California
Society for Calligraphy Member Conference
Secrets of the Artful Journal
Sketchbook from A – Z
Bring your journaling sketchbook to life and improve your drawing skills as you work your way through the alphabet with more than twenty-six creative ideas. Participants will create a reference workbook of artful techniques making small compositions while filling pages with a series of explorations in pen & ink, pencil, watercolor, and much more. Embellishments include pockets, foldouts, and keepsakes.
IAMPETH Conference
July 11-16, 2022
Atlanta, Georgia
International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers & Teachers of Handwriting
Annual Conference
Exploring Simple Color Palettes
Color is a significant force in creating design and controlling mood. Janet will present her step-by-step system to enhance your pen work by infusing color. Learn how to create dynamic effects, harmony, and unity using a limited color palette. Wish brush and pen we will paint Louis XVI-inspired acanthus leaves while exploring four+ different color palettes.The study charts you create will free you to select colors on future projects without time-consuming guesswork.
TRAVEL & Sketch in TRAVELER’S Notebook
August 28, 2022
San Francisco Pen Show,
California
Add colors to your next trip by learning how to document them in your TRAVELER’S notebook. Aside from taking photos with your phone, capture highlights through doodles, sketches, and words on paper. Each time you open your TRAVELER’S notebook and see those memories, it’s as if you’re traveling all over again.
Yosemite National Park – Outdoor Adventures
DRAWING & WATERCOLOR
JOURNALING
October 5 – 8, 2022
Yosemite National Park, California
Augment your sketchbook with drawings and watercolor sketches inspired by the colors, texture, and light of autumn in Yosemite in this three-day art retreat.
Yosemite National Park – Outdoor Adventures
Art Retreat: Historic Architecture of Yosemite
October 11 – 14, 2022
Yosemite National Park, California
A three-day immersive art retreat in Yosemite Valley combining the skills of urban sketching and landscape art.
In-Person Class Descriptions
Sketchbook
From A-Z
Bring your journaling to life in this workshop as you work your way through the twenty-six letters of the alphabet using many techniques and creative ideas.
Participants will fill their pages with a series of explorations.
Sketch-Trek
ON LOCATION SKETCHING
Exercises and techniques for sketching on the spot. Selecting potential subjects to sketch, setup, composition and note-taking.
Journaling
Create an artful sketchbook to record your memories and observations. Increase your sketching experience with a minimum of materials to use for everyday and travel adventures.
Calligraphy, Cursive Handwriting & Hand Lettering
Italic, Uncial, Gothic Blackletter, Pointed Pen, Brush, Cursive Handwriting, Sign Graphics and Letters of Whimsey.
Creativity
CREATIVITY WORKSHOPS
Discover your creativity through Letters of Whimsey, in Nature and in the company of inspiration.
Meet your Muse!
Learn From Home
Online Class Offerings
How-to VIDEOS
CLASSES
Class Formats
CLASSES, WORKSHOPS & RETREATS
Class formats vary according to the subject being taught.
ABILITY LEVELS
BEGINNING LEVEL students have no or very little knowledge of the mediums and techniques explored within a class or workshop.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL students have some working knowledge of the mediums and techniques explored within a class or workshop.
ADVANCED LEVEL students have a working knowledge of mediums and techniques explored within a class or workshop.
ONLINE FORMAT
MINI CLASS – a one-hour introduction to an in-person or online class, course or workshop.
ONLINE CLASS – comprised of 2 or more hours for 1 or more days.
COACHING SESSION – Individualized instruction for a minimum of 30 minutes. These sessions are designed for those who want to improve and grow their craft.
TESTIMONIALS
What Students are Saying…
Janet is the consummate artist – from her commercial illustration work and gilding expertise and her published journaling book to the breadth of knowledge that she brings to her teaching methods. Her creativity and enthusiasm for her art and for her students bring them back again and again to her innovative workshops.
Cindy H - Houston, TX
Sketch-Trek Workshops
Janet’s workshops are some of the most delightful workshops I’ve attended. Her demonstrations and exercises provided new combinations of letters and images; it was just the inspiration I needed. I felt like I left a two-day workshop with at least a year’s worth of new ideas!
Mary D
Letters of Whimsey
Get In Touch
Let's Create!
jtartmaker@earthlink.net
Phone
(310) 722-7360
Address
PO Box 1277
Tustin, CA 92781