The Austin Area Art Center is getting ready to show locals the true capability of colored pencils.

Colored pencil pro Willy Olson will teach a basic overview of animal and bird anatomy, posing and sketching of composition from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. Olson will also show a step-by-step process of how he forms a piece, layers his colors, mixes and blends and works in shadows.

Olson is a graduate of the Commercial Art and Technical Drawing program at South-Central College in North Mankato, has won numerous prizes over the years including Grand Champion awards at the Mower County Fine Arts competition in both 2006 and 2009, the City Purchase Award at Austin’s Freedom Fest show in 2009, as well as many other prizes at area art shows.

The class is subject to a limited number of students, 16 and older, and pre-registration is required. The class costs $35. Contact the Austin Area Art Center at 507-433-8451, e-mail aaacoil@smig.net, or stop in and register. A complete supply list can be picked up at the time of registration at the Center.