Welcome to my Artful Workshops!
I’m so glad you’ve found your way here.
Join me for no-pressure hands-on workshops that go beyond technique. Together we’ll explore color, shape, line, and texture through gel plate printmaking, cut paper, collage, and mixed media. You’ll experiment, leave inspired, and take fresh ideas straight into your own practice.
Painters, watercolorists, mixed-media artists, and total beginners alike all walk away with something to take home.
Take a look around. Browse by category or date, and find the workshop that feels like the next step in your creative journey.
"Really fun! I had an amazing time and learned a lot. She is a great great teacher. I would definitely recommend giving this a try. You don't need to be an artist. You just need to have a sense of adventure." – Hope
"I really loved Paula's class. It meets the needs of beginners and those trying to fine-tune and level up their artistic skills. She is a true professional, and I loved exploring mono printing and collage." – Jennifer
"Paula is a true master of her craft and also does a terrific job teaching it to her students. The class was fun, very informative and I felt like I learned so much while experiencing the process of this amazing medium. " – Kim
"With Paula Fontana's guidance and enthusiasm you can find that creative spark be it designing a collage or layering paint and pastels. I did and can't wait to do much more !" – Bonnie
“I’ve taken two printmaking classes at the Creative Arts School. Paula is a great instructor—fun, clear, and encouraging! You learn a lot and leave with art you’re proud of. Highly recommend for anyone who loves to create.” – Chris
PRINTMAKING WITHOUT THE PRESS
Abstract Art, Reimagined Through Printmaking
Think printmaking means heavy presses and big equipment? Think again. Gel plate printmaking is a newer, accessible process that falls under the art form of monoprinting—where every pull is a one-of-a-kind work. Unlike traditional printmaking that produces multiples, monoprints can never be repeated, making each piece singular and original.
With a lightweight plate, acrylic paint, and just a few tools, we’ll strip things back to the essentials of abstract art: color, shape, texture, line, and form. Every time you step up to the plate, the result is different. It’s playful, unpredictable, and perfect for loosening up your creative muscles. Beginners and seasoned artists alike find it both exciting and therapeutic—the process quickly becomes a dance, where each layer responds to the one before it.
You’ll leave with a stack of original monoprints that can stand on their own as artworks or become rich material for mixed media and collage (like in my cut paper collage workshop). Want to see what’s possible? Check out the student showcase video below for highlights from past classes.
If you’re just starting out, join Artful Printmaking for Beginners: Getting Started With Gel Plates—a welcoming 2-hour workshop that covers the basics. Or, if you’ve tried gel plate before and want to push further, explore Artful Printmaking Intermediate: Beyond the Basics—a flexible short session designed to deepen your skills. / All supplies provided.
@The Delray Beach Creative Arts School (CAS)
Want to know the secret to creativity—just show up!
Just start. Drop the expectations—and just play. That’s it. No pressure, no perfection, just a chance to see where color, line, and texture take you.
These works are past students in action: turning simple tools and paint into bold, original statements.
CUT-PAPER PAINTING COLLAGE
Everyday Objects, Elevated Through Collage
Join me as we break down everyday objects—florals, fruit, garden tools, even a favorite table—into bold, simplified forms of color and shape. With painted papers as your medium, you’ll reimagine the familiar in fresh, playful compositions.
Across two 2-hour workshops, we’ll move through the full process step by step. On Day 1, we’ll paint our own papers with gel plates and acrylics, building a palette of vibrant tones and surfaces. On Day 2, we’ll cut, arrange, and glue those papers into layered still-life collages under 8 inches—adding detail and nuance as we go.
You’ll leave with finished mini works on paper, a new way of seeing everyday objects, and the confidence to continue exploring cut-paper painting collage on your own. / All supplies provided.
@The Delray Beach Creative Arts School (CAS)
LANDSCAPE W/GEL PLATE
Expressive + Brushless Landscapes — An Artful Printmaking Workshop
No heavy press, no brushes—just gel plates and a brayer. In this 3-hour workshop, we’ll create soft, layered prints that capture the shifting colors of the landscape—misty mornings, glowing sunsets, and quiet horizons.
Beginner-friendly and relaxed, this playful, intuitive process invites you to loosen up and let each layer of color guide the next. Perfect for painters, printmakers, or anyone curious to reimagine landscapes with a softer, more expressive touch. / All supplies provided.
@The Delray Beach Creative Arts School (CAS)
PAINTING
The Artful Figure—Whimsical Character Painting Workshop
In this beginner-friendly 3-hour painting workshop, we’ll explore silhouette, proportion, and painted pattern to bring imaginative figures to life. I’ll share my approach for creating whimsical characters from your favorite photos—breaking down complex shapes into simple, playful forms. And don’t worry—you don’t need to know how to draw, really.
Instead of aiming for realism, we’ll stretch, simplify, and exaggerate features to create bold, stylized artwork. Once our characters are in place, we’ll use acrylic paints to develop a unified three-color palette that brings balance and harmony to each piece. Inspired by Matisse, Botero, and modern illustrators. / All supplies provided.
@The Delray Beach Creative Arts School (CAS)
PRINTMAKING WITHOUT THE PRESS
Abstract Layers + Linework — A Special Edition Workshop
Join me for a two-part workshop where we’ll explore how color, shape, and line come together in layered monoprints. In the first 2-hour session, we’ll use gel plates to make expressive, layered prints—building colorful, abstract backgrounds inspired by forms from nature and everyday life. Think flowing sea plants, fish, shells—or other themes you’d like to explore.
In the second session, we’ll return to those prints and add linework with acrylic pens—drawing into the layers to create movement, rhythm, and artworks that ripple with pattern and personality.
A fun, creative workshop—playful, relaxed, and all about making art for the joy of it. / All supplies provided.
@The Delray Beach Creative Arts School (CAS)