Art Classes

Intro

I LOVE teaching art.  

One day, I WILL teach again.  

If you would like to be put on a list for me to contact when I do decide to teach again then send me a message with your contact info through my CONTACT FORM.

When I do decide to teach again, I will follow the following format:

Class Format

Every once in awhile we would do projects where everyone paints the same thing (like Santa Clause in December) but for the most part you pick your own subject matter and I help you paint it. So, a typical class would look like this:

1)  Arrive and get out your materials.
2)  I sometimes teach a quick theory lesson if I feel so inspired.
3)  Everyone starts working on their project.
4)  I walk around and sit with each person individually and help them with their painting. I usually paint directly on their painting but I won't if they don't want me to.
5)  Anyone is welcome to watch me work with other students.
6)  We talk and laugh and listen to music.

Nuts & Bolts

What?  Watercolor.  I will be teaching primarily with watercolor for two reasons:  I am more skilled with watercolor than with any other medium.  It is also the least expensive painting medium available to paint with.  However, from time to time I have had students experiment with other mediums.  I would be of some help with other mediums but do not consider myself an expert.  I do, however, find a lot of value in doing what you are interested in so don't force yourself to paint with watercolor if you find you don't really take to it.   I am not equipped to handle oils though - too messy and smelly.   
Who?  Adults (first timers, beginners, intermediate, advanced - unless you are more advanced than me in which case you are welcome to be a guest teacher for a week :)  Children are invited as long as they are old enough and mature enough to be taught in the same way and in the same class as adults.  That also means that they must be able to handle any conversation that may come up in a class of adults.
How many students per class?  Most likely 6-8.
Where?  My house.
When?  TBA - once per week excluding any fifth weeks in a month.
Time?  TBA - two hours per class.
Duration?  Classes are ongoing.  I've had students take for as little as one month or for as long as year after year after year.  You simply start whenever you want  (assuming that there is a spot open in the class) and end when ever you want.
What to Bring?  Come to class with an idea of something that you would like to paint.  It would be preferable if you already had that idea drawn. See the Suggested Supply List below for supplies that you should/could buy and bring each week.
Price?  TBA - pay per month.

Suggested Supply List

Paper
I paint on 140lb. Cold Pressed (more forgiving if you mess up) or Soft Pressed (looks smoother if you aren't planning on messing up:) sheets of 100% rag (cotton fiber) acid free paper.
Here are links to my two favorite papers:
  1)  Fabriano Bright White Watercolor Paper: Click Here
  2)  Arches Bright White Watercolor Paper: Click Here

Pencil
Medium Density (#2B is perfect) - this is the same as a normal yellow #2 pencil that everyone uses all the time.  Make sure it is SHARP.

Eraser
Kneaded Rubber Eraser (other types of erasers will ruin your paper).
Suggested Purchase: Click Here

Rag
Old cotton tee-shirt or something.

Water Bowl
I like to use the same water jug every time because I have developed some muscle memory that only works with one specific jug.  I also fill the water to the exact same height every time - for the same reason.

Palette
You need a palette to squeeze your paints into.  Make sure it is fairly big and has space to mix your paints.  Look for around 30 wells to squeeze paint into.  
Suggested Purchase: Click Here

Brushes
There are a lot of great brushes.  Natural hair brushes are generally more expensive and Synthetic fiber brushes are generally less expensive.  I usually use synthetic brushes because the natural are generally out of my price range and I don't always like them better.  In either case, look for a brush that holds a lot of water and goes to a great point.  
Suggested Purchase: Click Here

I use brushes ranging in the following sizes:

  • Round Brushes (what I use most of the time): #4 - #10
  • Flat Brushes: 1/8 inch - 1.5 inch 

Paints
There are soooooo many great paint options to choose from.  However, you should make sure to get several of each major hue.  I will suggest some but don't feel limited to my suggestions - buy the colors you love.  And, I will provide links to some suggested brands and I will suggest some colors (my favorite brand is Daniel Smith but I also use Grumbacher and others).  
Suggested Purchase:
   1) Click Here for Daniel Smith 
   2) Click Here for Grumbacher 
   3) Click Here for a less expensive version of Grumbacher.

  • Browns
    • Burnt Umber
    • Sepia
    • Raw Umber
    • Burnt Sienna
    • Brown Iron Oxide
  • Yellows
    • Cadmium Yellow
    • Yellow Ochre
  • Oranges
    • Alizarian Orange
    • Quinacridone Orange
  • Reds
    • Alizarin Crimson
    • Prayleen Maroon
    • Quinacridone Red
  • Pinks
    • Quinacridone Magenta
    • Quinacridone Pink
  • Purples
    • Imperial Purple
  • Blues
    • Thalo Blue
    • Prussian Blue
    • Cobolt Blue
    • Cerulean Blue
    • Indigo
  • Greens
    • Olive Green
    • Sap Green
    • Hookers Green
    • Phthalo Green
  • Neutrals (I don't use black or white.  For black I just mix a bunch of colors together and for white I just use the white of the paper.  Since watercolor is transparent, there isn't really such a thing as white watercolor).  
    • Graphite Gray
    • Payne's Gray

 

* all of my supply suggestion links point to the cheapjoes.com art supply website that I use most often to purchase art supplies.  I am not making any money off of suggesting them for supplies.  Another great art supply website is dickblick.com.  Feel free to purchase your products wherever you choose.