Make art from a simple New Mexico snapshot. In this 2.5-hour mixed media class at Artful Soul Santa Fe, you turn a travel photo into a one-of-a-kind painting with guided instruction from Mickey Bond. You’ll work with charcoal, fluid acrylics, regular acrylic paint, and premium acrylic markers, so your final piece actually looks like it came from your day in New Mexico—not a generic souvenir.

I especially like the teaching style here. It’s step-by-step and built for total beginners, so you’re not stuck trying to draw perfectly before you’re allowed to have fun. The second big win is that you’re not responsible for gathering supplies: the session includes a wooden panel, paints, tools, and more, plus you can use your own inspiration or pick from iconic New Mexico scenes.

One thing to consider: this is time in a studio, not a long Santa Fe wandering route. Also, the experience requires good weather, so if conditions are poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Key things I’d plan around

• Small group size (max 6) means you get real help instead of a crowd effect
• Materials included: wooden panel, charcoal, acrylics, and premium acrylic markers
• Your photo becomes the starting point, either your favorite image or iconic New Mexico scenes
• Step-by-step instruction designed for beginners, even if you think you cannot draw
• Mixed media process combines several mediums so the painting develops as you work
• Ends where it starts at 227 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe

Entering Artful Soul Santa Fe on Don Gaspar Ave

The session begins at 227 Don Gaspar Ave in Santa Fe, and it ends back at the same meeting point. That’s a small but real convenience: you don’t have to plan extra transport to get to some out-of-the-way studio and then figure out where you’re ending up later.

From a planning point of view, this format also works well if you’re juggling a few different Santa Fe activities. You can treat it like a focused afternoon block—show up, make art, and then go enjoy the rest of your day in town without dragging supplies around with you.

From snapshot to painting: the core technique

The whole class is built around one simple idea: transform a travel snapshot into a mixed media painting that tells a story. You’re not asked to start from a blank page and guess what the scene should look like. Instead, your chosen photo becomes your guide—composition first, then textures and details as you layer mediums.

A particularly useful thing you might learn in class is image transfer. One of the most exciting takeaways people describe is realizing they can transfer an image step into the creative process and then treat it like a foundation for painting and marking. That turns what could feel like copying into something more like building: you’re using the photo as reference, then shaping it into your own artwork.

The biggest practical benefit: you’ll get guidance through the steps, and that reduces the usual beginner stress. If you’ve ever felt stuck thinking you need drawing skills before you’re allowed to make art, this class is structured to move you past that.

The mixed media toolkit: charcoal, fluid acrylics, markers

You’ll use a set of materials that, together, make the final look more interesting than a single-medium painting. Here’s what that typically means for your process:

• Charcoal helps with early structure—marks you can adjust as you build the image
• Fluid acrylics can add motion and flow, which is great for skies, distance, or that “wind and light” feeling
• Regular acrylic paints give you solid color coverage and controlled layering
• Premium acrylic markers are ideal for crisp lines and accents, when you want certain details to pop

Because you’re combining several tools, the painting develops in stages. And that matters for beginners: you’re not trying to get everything perfect at once. You can focus on one step at a time, then let the next medium bring the piece closer to what’s in your mind.

Choosing your inspiration: bring your photo or go iconic

You have two ways to start. You can bring a favorite photo, or you can choose from iconic New Mexico scenes. Either choice is valuable depending on what you want from the experience.

If you already have a meaningful picture—something you shot on the road, something that made you pause—using it as your source helps the finished panel feel personal. If you’d rather not sort through your own images, picking from well-known local scenes can make it easier to jump right in. Either way, you’re turning real place-feeling into a finished art object you can take home.

Working with Mickey Bond: patient guidance in a tiny class

This class caps at 6 participants, and that small number shows up in how the help feels. When groups are bigger, beginners often get rushed or end up waiting. Here, you can get direct guidance while you’re working through the steps.

The teaching approach is described as encouraging and patient. That matters because mixed media can feel intimidating when you see all the materials laid out in front of you. Instead of leaving you to figure out how to combine them, Mickey Bond guides you so the process stays fun and approachable.

If you’re visiting Santa Fe with someone else—partner, parent, friend, or a family group—this small setting also makes the experience more than a passive activity. You’re not just watching; you’re actively making. One of the nicest parts of the class for people is that you can do reasonably well even without art experience, as long as you follow the steps and let yourself try.

What happens during the 2.5-hour session

You’re in the studio for about 2 hours 30 minutes. That’s long enough to get past the first awkward stage and actually finish a piece, but short enough that it won’t swallow your entire day.

Here’s the flow you can expect, in practical terms:

• You’ll start from your chosen photo or a scene provided for inspiration
• You’ll follow step-by-step guidance to begin the mixed media build
• You’ll work with multiple mediums—charcoal, acrylics, and premium markers—so the painting evolves through layers
• You’ll finish with details that bring your image together into a cohesive panel

Because all materials are included, you can focus on the art rather than worrying about supply lists. And because the class is guided, you’re not stuck guessing what comes next.

Price and value: why $190 makes sense here

At $190 for roughly 2.5 hours, this isn’t a cheap throwaway activity. But it’s also not priced like a basic walking tour where your only “input” is time.

You’re paying for a guided, hands-on class that includes:

• A wooden panel
• Paints and tools
• Charcoal
• Acrylics, including fluid acrylics
• Premium acrylic markers

That’s the key value point. You’re not just buying instruction—you’re also getting the working materials that would otherwise add up fast if you tried to recreate this at home. On top of that, the group is capped at 6, which typically lowers your odds of being stuck doing things alone.

If you want a souvenir that’s actually yours—not a store-bought image—this is one of those Santa Fe activities that can feel like money well spent.

Who this is best for (and who might want something else)

This class is a strong fit if you:

• Want something hands-on in Santa Fe
• Feel nervous about starting art but still want to create
• Like the idea of using a photo as a creative jumping-off point
• Enjoy learning a technique you can use again later

It’s also a good option for locals because it’s a different way to experience New Mexico while making something tangible. And it works well for mixed experience levels—people in the same session can start at different comfort levels and still get support.

Who might pass? If you’re looking for lots of outdoor sightseeing, this is mostly a studio activity. You’ll be making art, not walking a long loop through town.

Practical tips that keep the session smooth

A few small things can help you get the most out of the time:

• Come ready with your inspiration photo if you want it to be personal
• Plan for a full workshop pace—this class is built to move through steps within the 2.5 hours
• If you’re the kind of person who gets worried about messing up, try to remember the process is designed for beginners
• Expect the session to be weather-dependent, since the experience notes that good weather is required

Should you book this Artful Soul mixed media class?

If you want an activity in Santa Fe that turns your experience into something you can hold, I’d book it. The value is clear: guided instruction from Mickey Bond, a small class size, and materials included—charcoal, acrylics, and premium markers—so you’re not trying to improvise supplies.

It’s also a smart choice if you’re a beginner who doesn’t want to draw from scratch. The format is built to reduce that pressure, and you’ll still end up with a finished panel. The only real reason to skip is if you want more traditional sightseeing time instead of a focused studio session.

FAQ

How long is the Artful Soul mixed media class?

The class runs for about 2 hours 30 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The price is $190 and the experience includes all materials, such as a wooden panel, paints, tools, and more.

Do I need art experience to participate?

No experience is required. The instruction is step-by-step and made so complete beginners can participate.

Can I use my own photo?

Yes. You can bring your favorite photo, or you can choose from iconic New Mexico scenes.

How big is the class?

The class has a maximum of 6 travelers.

Where does the class meet?

It meets at 227 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA, and ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.