📍at CONSULTING GROUP  • Pilsen, Chicago

An art studio workshop. Not a tattoo school.

INSTRUCTOR:

David Allen

@davidallen

www.allentattoo.com

For two days, you'll spend time in the studio with David learning the foundations of tattooing through demonstration, practice, and conversation. Working exclusively on synthetic skin, you'll begin to understand how tattoo machines function, how drawings become tattoos, and why technical skill comes before style.

Tattooing is a craft. Artistry is a separate skill.

Whether you draw every day or you're simply curious about the medium, this workshop is an opportunity to spend time learning directly from a working tattoo artist whose practice has been shaped over more than twenty years.

The goal isn't to leave thinking you've learned how to tattoo.

The goal is to leave understanding where the craft begins...and how to keep building from there.

SATURDAY AUGUST 15 &

SUNDAY AUGUST 16, 2026

OVER TWO DAYS, YOU'LL:

• Learn the anatomy and operation of a tattoo machine

• Understand safety and professional studio practices

• Practice linework, mark making, and shading on synthetic skin

• Create and apply a stencil

• Complete a finished tattoo on synthetic skin

• Receive feedback on your work and guidance for what comes next

CLASS FORMAT

DAY ONE__ Understanding the Craft

Machine anatomy, safety, mark making, and building value.

DAY TWO__ Applying the Craft

Stencil application, tattooing a finished design on synthetic skin, critique, and discussion.

INCLUDED

• All workshop materials

• Tattoo machines for use during class

• Synthetic practice skin

• Individual instruction and feedback

• Your completed practice piece

•  A 30-Day Drawing Challenge

WHO THIS IS FOR

Artists, illustrators, designers, makers, and anyone interested in learning the foundations of tattooing.

No prior tattoo experience is required.

WHAT TO BRING

• Sketchbook

• Pen or pencil

• Curiosity and patience

FOUNDING COHORT

This is our first public offering of Introduction to Tattooing.

Enrollment is intentionally limited to create space for individual feedback, conversation, and practice.

Future workshops will build upon the foundations introduced here.

18+

TUITION

Founding Cohort

$395

*All materials included.

📍 Consulting Group + Outdoor Garden Site  •  Chicago

A four-part conservation skillshare with Vale Espinoza of Suelo Sano @Suelo_Sano_Chi

Water does not disappear. It moves through our streets, yards, gardens, soil, and neighborhoods.

This four-part skillshare introduces the foundations of rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, soil health, and green infrastructure through a mix of studio-based learning and hands-on outdoor practice.

Together, we will explore how rain gardens can help slow, hold, and absorb stormwater while supporting native plants, pollinators, biodiversity, and healthier urban ecosystems. We will look at how water moves through a landscape, how soil holds and releases water, and how simple design choices can help us build more climate-ready spaces.

This course is rooted in the belief that learning about land, water, and soil should be accessible. No prior gardening, landscaping, or design experience is needed.

SATURDAY AUGUST 15

SATURDAY AUGUST 29

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

ENROLLMENT OPTIONS

You may register for the full four-part course or choose individual sessions based on your interests.

The full course is recommended if you want to understand the complete process...from water harvesting concepts and rain garden design to hardscaping basics and hands-on installation.

Individual classes are a good option if you want to focus on one specific topic or cannot attend the full series.

Age: 16+

OVER THE COURSE, YOU’LL EXPLORE:

💧Rainwater harvesting principles

💧How rain gardens help manage stormwater

💧Green water infrastructure in urban neighborhoods

💧Soil health, water retention, and soil regeneration

💧Native plants, pollinators, and biodiversity

💧Earthworks using stone, plants, and landscape design

💧Permeable paver basics

💧Climate-ready garden design

💧Hands-on rain garden installation

WHO THIS IS FOR

This course is for gardeners, homeowners, artists, educators, organizers, land stewards, community members, and anyone curious about water, soil, native plants, and climate-ready landscapes.

No prior experience is necessary.

All learning styles are welcome.

WHAT TO BRING

For studio sessions:

• Notebook or sketchbook

• Pen or pencil

• Questions and curiosity

For the outdoor installation session:

• Comfortable outdoor clothing

• Closed-toe shoes

• Sun protection/hydration

• Work gloves, if you have them (we'll have extra)

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Studio-based lessons and discussions

• Hands-on learning activities

• Design exercises

• Diagram observations and modeling

• Materials for the rain garden installation

• Practical guidance from Suelo Sano

• Resources for continued learning

MALINALLI GARDENS x SECRET OF MANNA 

📍at CONSULTING GROUP

I am now sharing the "secret of manna", distilled from over 10,000 hours of experience, in one comprehensive master class.

Course Title:

3D Sculpting for Jewelry Design

Instructor Name:
Tim Nicholson
tnicholsonart@gmail.com

@secretofmanna

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Course Description:
Introduction: In this course students will learn how to create high resolution 3D model concepts for the production of jewelry. High resolution sculpting is an integral part of today’s 3D production pipelines. This course aims to focus on this stage of the production pipeline, and its role in creating organic-style jewelry. While this class will focus on creating assets for jewelry design, digital sculpting skills can be applied to a variety of other industries, such as architecture, fashion and video game design, to name a few. 

Learn software and fundamental practice of fine art sculpting; apply to your design. You will be casting your piece using the lost wax casting method, and finalizing by filing & polishing. Final piece will be 25 mm.

Software/Hardware Provided:
SculptGL, Wacom Tablet & Stylus (we will need to install drivers), (https://stephaneginier.com/sculptgl/)

Goals and Objectives:
⦁    Understanding value and how it relates to form
⦁    Macro vs Micro Design
⦁    Create high resolution digital sculpts using references
⦁    Implement the workflow of shaping up silhouettes, building up forms, and adding details
⦁    Create your own file that can be used for casting, design using traditional 3D sculpting methods.

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Course Schedule:

Saturday, June 13 @ PILSEN, CHICAGO, 1:00p-3:00p

SESSION 1: intro to fundamentals & software

Saturday, June 20 @ PILSEN, CHICAGO, 1:00p-3:00p

SESSION 2: sculpt design

Saturday, June 27 @ DOWNTOWN, CHICAGO, 1:00p-2:00p

SESSION 3: field trip to casting house for lost wax casting

Saturday, July 11 @ PILSEN, CHICAGO, 1:00p-3:00p

SESSION 4: filing and polishing to finalize piece

(location addresses and details will be sent in follow up registration confirmation email)

THIS 4-SESSION MASTER CLASS IS FOCUSED ON THE 3D SCULPTURAL ASPECT OF JEWELRY DESIGN AND CREATING A CUSTOM JEWELRY PIECE. 

Requirements:

⦁    Come prepared with your idea/concept design in the form of pendant, earring, ring or brooch. Format can be rough sketches or pictures.

⦁    Bring your own laptop, fully charged, with browser capabilities

⦁    Bring a sketchbook & pen/pencil for notes

⦁    Fee will cover the necessary materials that will be provided.

Course + Custom Piece: $1,240.00