Animation
Lije MorganIn this weekly animation workshop, students will explore a wide range of animation techniques from character movement and environment design to effects, compositing, and beyond. We’ll experiment with both physical and digital mediums, playing with hand-drawn animation, cut-outs, stop motion, and computer-based tools to understand how motion can shape emotion, meaning, and story.
During the first half of the course, students will build core animation skills through guided projects and playful exercises. In the second half, each student (or collaborative group, if preferred) will develop their own short film using the techniques and mediums they’ve grown excited about.
This class is rooted in experimentation and play: trying new materials, imagining new worlds, and learning how animation can transform the simplest shape or gesture into something full of life. This class uses provided iPads and Apple Pencils. Lije’s previous students’ work
Sliding scale available - click here
To register click on the selected session below:
Wednedays Jan 14-March 18 - 10 classes $650
Wednesday 2:45-4:45 | 5th-9th Grade
Wednesday 5:30-7:30 | 6th-10th grade
Saturdays Jan 10 - March 7 (no class Feb 14) - 8 classes $520
Saturdays 10am-12noon | 5th-9th grade
after school pickup from nearby schools may be available if there are multiple kids coming from the same school - contact us
Comics
ReedJoin a session of comics adventures with Berkeley Painting Club! In the class we will explore the fundamentals of comics with fun and open weekly prompts designed to introduce kids to new ways of exploring comics expression. Classes will support the kids' own goals while introducing new tools for expressing their ideas such as character design, map building, emenata, comic pacing and paneling, and more. As the course progresses kids will have the option to develop a multi-page comic. This is an analog class and kids will use markers, watercolors, & colored pencils - no digital media.
Sliding scale available - click here
January 12-March 20
Mondays 8 Sessions $400 (no class 1/19 & 2/16)
To register click on the selected session below:
Register: Monday 3:45-5:15 | 5th-9th grade
after school pickup may be available from nearby schools if there are multiple kids coming from the same school - contact us
Mixed Media
ReedRene Smith
In this class kids will learn a variety of new techniques so that they can express their ideas clearly and in different ways. Students will try several different methods of working and learn new skills in an environment that supports their individuality and creativity. We will work with watercolor, drawing, printmaking, collage and more in this class. This class is also an opportunity to connect with other kids who are interested in art - the friendships formed in this class have been a special part of the experience and past students have really enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other kids who are focused on art making both in and out of class. This is an analog class (paper, canvas, pencil, paint etc.) - no digital media. Sliding scale available - click here
January 12-March 20
10 Sessions $500
Thursday 3:45-5:15 | 5th-9th grade with Reed - Click Here to Register
Tuesday 4pm-5:30pm | 7th-9th grade with Rene SOLD OUT - Join Waitlist
after school pickup from nearby schools may be available if there are multiple kids coming from the same school - email us for Thursday
School Break Camps
January 26 - BUSD Day Off
Mixed Media 9am-3pm $100
Register here
February 13 - BUSD Day Off
Registering in January
Winter Break February 17-20
Registering in January
BUSD Spring Break March 30-April 3
Registering in January
Other Disctrict’s Spring Break April 6-10 If you are interested in a camp for this week please click here
Summer CampsRegistering in January
Watercolor Vacation
Sundays 4-5:30 class 5:30-6 optional additional painting/chattingEach session will start with a short demo of an easy to follow watercolor technique. The rest of the class will be a relaxing space to work on watercolors from your own photos or mine. At the end of class partipants are welcome to stay for an extra 30 mins to paint more or chat. Materials provided. All levels welcome - complete beginners & more experienced painters.
December Classes
Register for Dec 14 - SOLD OUT
Register for January - Creative Techniques $175 series of 4 or $50/classThis 4 week session will feature prompts and short demos on creative and experimental watercolor techniques. No experience or technical skills required. This is a fun and relaxing way to get to know watercolors without worrying about getting it “right”. Continuing students who want to focus on realistic techniques are welcome to attend as well and I will provide support individually during the class time. Materials provided.
Register for February - Cactus Painting $175 series of 4 or $50/classThis month we will focus on learning to paint cacti - one of my favorite activities! Classes will start with a short beginner friendly demo focused on cactus painting but continuing students are welcome to focus on their own projects and I’ll provide individual support as needed. Complete beginners welcome. Materials provided.
Let me know what classes you are interested in for 2026 here
2121 Bonar Street, Berkeley
Open Studio Dec 14, 12:30-3:30pm
Youth Programming
Berkeley Painting Club offers painting, drawing, comics, animation and zine making classes and camps for teens and tweens in a studio in beautiful Strawberry Creek Park. Students learn new skills in an environment that supports their individuality and creativity. Berkeley Painting Club is also a place to connect with other kids who are interested in art - the friendships formed here have been a special part of the experience and past students have really enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other kids who are focused on art making both in and out of class. Although Berkley Painting Club teen programming is primarily a community of girls, non-binary, and gender expansive youth there is no specific identity required to join the classes.
Adult Programming
Berkeley Painting Club offers casual adult watercolor workshops for all levels - even complete beginners. All materials are provided so you can just come try watercolor with no preparation required! It is a very friendly group and welcoming to beginners.
Location
Our gate is just south of the main 2121 Bonar St entrance - please see photo.
Contact: rene@renesmith.net
Future Class Interest Form
Instructors: Lije Reed Rene
Lije Morgan
Lije is a nonbinary artist and educator who has taught animation, game design, 3D modeling, and illustration at the university level across Parsons, NYU, CCA, the New York Film Academy, and more. Their work centers on gentleness and soft aesthetics, exploring how “cute” imagery can disarm an audience and operate as a powerful tool for persuasion, subversion, and unexpected impact.
Previous Student Work
Lije’s Website
Reed
Reed (they/them) is a Bay Area artist with passion for teaching! They love to create an accessible and supportive classroom where participants are free to explore new media and forms of expression! They love comics, watercolor, printmaking, photography, and nature art! Reed has taught art and science at summer camp, leadership to teens, and teaching-assisted college students in experience design. They have taken classes at the Center for Cartoon Studies with notable cartoonists such as Tillie Walden. They earned a BA in Studio Art with Honors from Mills College at NEU 2025.
Reed’s Website
Reed’s Instagram
René Smith
René Smith received her M.F.A. in Painting from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and her B.A. in Painting from Bennington College in Vermont. She has taught portfolio preperation classes for high school students at Tyler School of Art and Moore College of Art and beginning undergraduate through MFA painting classes at several institutions including St. Thomas Aquinas College in NY, Temple University in Rome, and Chiang Mai University in Thailand. René started Berkeley Painting Club to provide more access to art programming for older kids, teens, and adults. Her painting studio is located in the back room of BPC.
Rene’s Website
Rene’s Instagram
Animation
Lije MorganWork made in Lije’s previous middle school classes
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