5 Units, 5 paintings, tons of information.

This is a fast paced course for both beginners and those with some experience painting; we will create a new painting in each unit of about 2-3 hours. It is perfect for friends to do together, sharing the videos and materials. Over coffee in the morning, or with wine in the afternoon or evening, it is designed to fit well into a  group gathering. I even offer tips on how to host your own paint party! And you will actually have work that you want to share that is your own, not simply copying someone else's painting. And, most importantly you will gain skills to continue creating your own work. I believe everyone can learn to paint, and I also believe that I can teach anyone to paint!
​This is a class for those who want to quickly pick up skills, and learn by doing.
**Also perfect for kids, age 8 and up!
​The course can definitely be done alone, and sharing and discussing each other’s work is an important part of it. There is a lesson on encouraging and critiquing each other’s work. There is a private facebook group where posting is highly encouraged. If you are not on Facebook, you can send me photos of your work directly. Art is meant to be shared, and everyone can learn and grow from it. Everyone can paint!
This is more than just a painting class. It will change your life every day. You will not be able to look at your world around you in the same way after this class. You will look at yourself differently too, and be more aware of light, design, color, and atmosphere in your life. In a painting, even if your subject is an existing landscape, you choose where to place things, and what to leave out or add. And, when to simply STOP and stand back to look at what you are doing, and assess what to do next. Similar to life, and the decisions we make based on what we have to work with. And, often it helps to have someone else give input. My past students will remember me telling them to “stop painting!” so the work doesn’t get muddied.

CLASS FORMAT:  5 short( 6-12 minute) instructional videos in each unit, detailing each step of a painting. You paint in between or with me, and while paint is drying, watch the next video. Each painting can be done easily in a 2-3 hour session.
Picture
I took piano lessons for several years, but was never that good or able to sit down and play at a party until I learned a bit of guitar, and chord structure, and brought that back to my piano playing. I know they teach piano differently now, and in fact there are many internet teachers that will tell you that by learning 3 chords you can play hundreds of songs. It is true, and by learning a few chords, with some embellishments, using arpeggios, learning to LISTEN to major, minor, major 7th, and such, it is possible to create some really nice music. Then, once you start playing, you listen to music differently, you listen to a band and you can hear the bass, what the guitar is doing, listen to what the singer is doing with riffs, how long they hold phrases, what is sounds like when certain instruments drop out.
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To translate this to painting is like, if you know your basic colors, learn to observe composition, practice some of the basic techniques as far as what to do with paint and pick up some basic supplies, then like music and heightening your listening abilities, you start SEEING colors and perspective when you are driving around or going about your daily business. You notice angles of perspective, and atmospheric perspective where things get grey and fuzzy as they get further away. You notice good design and bad design in your world. You take that enhanced awareness back to your painting and you will find that you are able to create a better product and ultimately express more of what is in your head.
You  learn to break rules and it’s ok.