The Pocono Arts Council has announced an expansion of one additional hour to its new art workshop class entitled "Mixed Media Approach to Creative Painting."

It will be taught by Will Daskal and run from12:30-3:30 p.m. on Thursdays from April 3 to April 24, at the Pocono Arts Council's ARTSPACE Gallery classroom, 18 North 7th Street, Stroudsburg.This month-long three-hour workshop will concentrate on increasing fundamental painting skills using a variety of aqua-painting media (watercolor, acrylic, gouache, water-based oils, colored pencil, water soluble pencils, etc.).Students will develop a strong sense of compositional design, use of value and color, and how to achieve desired effects.The focus will be on the individual needs of each student, as Daskal demonstrates each technique and then circulates among the class offering individual assistance, advice and encouragement.Students may use photographs, reproductions of other paintings or set up their own designs. Students are encouraged to paint what they love or admire.Daskal welcomes all styles or approaches to painting in this class. The atmosphere is friendly, non-threatening, nurturing and conducive to student interaction and progress. All levels of skill are welcome from beginners to advanced.Daskal is an award-winning artist and well-known painting instructor. His work is shown at numerous galleries and he has had many solo art shows throughout the Pocono and Lehigh Valley areas.He has studied with William Wentz and Dana Van Horn at the renowned Baum School of Art in Allentown, as well as with internationally acclaimed artist/instructors such as Don Andrews, Tom Lynch, Ron Ranson and Jean Uhl Spicer.Daskal has earned degrees from The City College of New York, The University of Southern California, Adelphi University and Long Island University.He has taught a number of subjects in the New York City school system, including art classes, for more than 34 years to seventh through 12th grade students, including diverse special needs students.Daskal's artwork includes paintings in watercolor, acrylic, gouache, oil and mixed media.Course registration is conducted through the Pocono Arts Council in Stroudsburg.To sign up call Carolyn Hetherington at 570-476-4460.