On-line Courses – FAQs

 

Where do I find the description for your course?

Course Descriptions are posted on the pages for the individual courses and can also be found as follows:

  • Drawing and Painting with Perspective, 5 lessons with individual reviews: opening 29th April: Course Description
  • Limitless Colour, 5 lessons with individual reviews:  opening 3rd June: Course Description
  • Expressive Portraits with Acrylic, 8 lessons with individual reviews: Course page
  • Expressive Portraits with Oil, 8 lessons with individual reviews: Course page
  • Expressive Portraits with Watercolour, 8 lessons with individual reviews: Course page

Your painting with perspective sounds interesting. I wonder if you could share a little more about what will be included? Will it be focused only or mostly on technical elements, or will the learning also consist of full painting exercises?

The course will of-course cover some basics, however the intent is certainly to demystify perspective (and not just linear perspective!) in real painting contexts. I’m expecting most participants to take this approach, although participants who also want some technical bootstrapping will not be disappointed either.

I was wondering if special software would be required?  And how much computer skill one should have?

There’s no special software required and equally, no real computer skills either: I post each lesson’s information to a website (videos, text and images) and participants then work in their studios. Participants would typically then send me images of their coursework art by email for my review – so there should be nothing more complex than accessing a website with your browser and attaching images to emails. I’m sure we can work through any issues together. I currently mentor a number of artists at remote locations and the process has been pretty straightforward.

Can I take your watercolour course and work in pastels?

I’ve no problem with participants working in alternative media. Many of the approaches have applicability to various mediums – and styles. I’m very happy to review work completed in other media. The only constraint is that some specifics of the lessons will of course focus on the medium around which the course was designed.

Can I purchase the lessons as a Christmas gift and let the recipient choose the session?

Yes indeed! I’d be delighted to send you a “Gift Certificate” by email for your Christmas celebrations. I’ll be sending out details for the courses at a later date and can of course, wait until after the 25th.

How long are the lessons?

Each lesson will include a video segment, averaging 20 to 30 minutes, plus supporting text and examples. The materials will be similar in nature to lesson plans that I use to teach three-hour art classes. Participants will, of course be free to spend more  time, depending on their schedule and objectives. I will review the results of each exercise – something I’ve been doing regularly with artists I mentor – the intent being to get close to a classroom environment with personal weekly feedback.

I will be away in March, however hope that I could start and then just postpone the middle two weeks, then pick it up again and finish.

There will be absolutely no problem being away in March. I’ll be posting lessons weekly at first and following this, participants can follow my lead or work at their own pace – anywhere in the world!

I’m new to portraiture and have painted in acrylic, oil and watercolor. I haven’t painted for a while and would like to try portraiture. What medium would you recommend to a complete portraiture novice?

There are, of course pros and cons to each medium, as I’m sure you’re aware – however Acrylic is probably the best all-round medium to learn with – it’s forgiving and acrylic skills translate well to oil.

I’ve only kept a few tubes of water-based oil….so am starting from scratch. Not up for a full course…so…intrigued by your online idea.

I’d say a few tubes of water-mixables are a great start – you knew that they would come in useful! I will be sure to cover water-mixable oils – I use them myself when traveling and also for demos.

I have to tell you that I have never learned Watercolour before but it is my wish to learn.

I don’t see any problem with starting your watercolour journey with this on-line class – you have to start somewhere and why not with portraits? The course will include some sound watercolour methods and practice.

How do you deal with models? Are these photos that we download and print and then use to paint from? How many?

The course is based on using photo references and there is an on-line reference library as part of the course. Participants can choose from any of these reference images, then download and print or work on line. Participants can equally use a reference of their own: In this case, it’s a good idea to send the reference along with the coursework for review. Should you be able to find a live model, of course, I’d thoroughly endorse that – it’s just that due to practicalities, I’m expecting the course to be primarily based on photo references. It’s possible to develop a single portrait over the 8 sessions or alternatively, use each lesson as an opportunity to start and complete a study. My expectation is that most participants will complete 3 or 4 portraits over the course of the 8 lessons.