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 Drawing

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:

Sketching Flowers With Watercolor & Ink
Sketching Flowers With
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

Sketches by Janet Takahashi

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 journal by Janet Takahashi

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.

Artful Journal Retreat by Janet Takahashi

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.
Janet Takahashi Secrets of the Artful Journal from A to Z

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.

Janet Takahashi Color Palette

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.

Traveler's Journal Sketchbook

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.

Journaling Retreat with Janet Takahashi

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.

Ahwahnee Yosemite Grand Hotel

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

O-PSketchbookA-ZbyJanetTakahashi

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.

Backpack Sketchbook Janet Takahashi

Sketch-Trek

ON LOCATION SKETCHING

Exercises and techniques for sketching on the spot. Selecting potential subjects to sketch, setup, composition and note-taking.

Journaling notebook by Janet Takahashi

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.

Muse handwriting tree by Janet Takahashi

Calligraphy, Cursive Handwriting & Hand Lettering

Italic, Uncial, Gothic Blackletter, Pointed Pen, Brush, Cursive Handwriting, Sign Graphics and Letters of Whimsey.

Muse color tree by Janet Takahashi

Creativity

CREATIVITY WORKSHOPS

Discover your creativity through Letters of Whimsey, in Nature and in the company of inspiration.
Meet your Muse!

Online Classes with Janet Takahashi - Sponsored by Sakura of America

Learn From Home

Online Class Offerings

How-to VIDEOS

CLASSES

Class Formats

Z

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.

Z

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 Haller

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!

MaryDeChellis

Mary D

Letters of Whimsey

Get In Touch

Let's Create!

Phone

(310) 722-7360

Address

PO Box 1277
Tustin, CA  92781

CONNECT WITH JANET

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