Learn
Collections
Video/Article Collections on Popular Topics, such as
-
- Postcards Paint-Alongs)
- Sketching & Plein Air
- Color
- and more . . .
Self-Guided Courses
Self-Guided Video Courses
Group Classes & Help Sessions (via Zoom)
- Instructor-Led (Zoom) Classes
- Small Group Help Sessions (weekly)
One-on-One Coaching
Limited availability; must be accepted as an individual student. Learn more >
Accepted students click here to schedule an appointment.
Music Just for Dragonflies!
"Viridian" by Tae Rivers
Music to help your brush dance and flow!
Download the first single from the upcoming album by Tae Rivers, created especially for us Dragonflies. You heard the demo cut on the video of the adventures of the Tiny Escape. Now you can have it for your very own!
(I'm sooooo excited!!!)
Small Group Help Sessions
On pause while I work on some new Self-Guided video courses.
Zoom Classes
On pause while I work on some new Self-Guided video courses for times when a Zoom class doesn’t fit your schedule. 🙂
Refund/cancellation policies for Zoom Classes.
Self-Guided (Video) Courses
(Everyone is automatically enrolled in free courses.)
Watercolor Jumpstart
Free online beginner watercolor course.
Watercolor Skies & Clouds 1
Free online workshop in painting skies & clouds in watercolor. This course covers techniques suitable for larger paintings (quarter-sheet and up).
Collections
Collections of videos and articles on popular topics.
Postcard Paint-Alongs
Simple and stress-free. Easy enough for complete beginners, but experienced folks might pick up a handy tip or two.
Second Sunday Live Demo Archive
Recordings of past Second Sunday Live Demos.
Color
(At this time, this collection does not include lessons from Watercolor Jumpstart or Watercolor Skies and Clouds. See also Jumpstart Project 2 and Skies & Clouds Project 2 for more info on color-mixing.)
Watercolor Supplies and Materials
Info on choosing, using and caring for watercolor supplies and materials.
Sketching and Plein Air
You might also like the Postcard Paint-Alongs!
The Other How-to
Articles (and a few videos) about
- design and planning
- evaluating work in progress
- developing creative ideas
- “loosening” up
- dealing with your inner critic
Studio Tips and Hacks
Tips for pesky problems and for making tasks easier in the studio.
One-on-One Learning (Coaching)
Accepted students click here to schedule an appointment.
Coaching Might Be Right for You If —
- you’re struggling with a persistent technical issue like streaky washes, muddy colors, reserving lights, or negative painting
- you need help with choosing suitable techniques for a painting or planning the painting sequence
- you’re not sure how to make the transition from “copyist” to developing more personal, expressive paintings
- everyone tells you “you’re SO talented!”, but you’re not satisfied with the paintings you’ve been doing and aren’t sure what the problem might be
- you want to discover and develop your authentic creative vision and style
I coach planning and creative development with artists working in any medium, although I can only provide technical assistance with watermedia (acrylics, casein, watercolor, gouache and egg tempera).
One-on-one coaching is a premium experience. I want to make sure each one-on-one student has ready access and my full energy and attention. Space is limited and I screen new students to make sure there is a good match between your coaching goals and my areas of expertise.
Contact me to describe your coaching goals and inquire about availability.
FAQs about coaching:
Q. What does it cost?
A. A 75-minute video conference is $50. This includes a video recording of your session for you to download and keep.
Q. How does it work?
A. A day or so before your scheduled session, you email questions or topics you want to cover, along with any photos you want to discuss (of paintings in progress, or references and sketches to use in planning)
Your session may include
- live video demonstrations, using a second camera on my work table
- strategic questions to help you develop your planning process or personal vision
- digital “painting” on a photo of your painting in progress to help you visualize possible changes
- help figuring out which techniques and painting sequence might work best for a planned painting
- help evaluating paintings you’re not completely happy with to figure out why, and what to do about it
If you have the right equipment, I can also watch you work and try to help you diagnose problems with things like laying washes, softening edges, negative painting, color mixing and brush technique. I share some ways to do this with a smartphone or tablet here.
About 48 hours after your session, I will send you a link to the video recording of your session and any photos we “painted” on.
Q. What equipment do I need?
A. You can use a computer that has a camera and microphone, or a smartphone, or a tablet. You’ll also need a
Q. What if my internet connection is too slow?
A. This is one thing I can’t really fix, sorry. (I do have a refund/reschedule policy in case of a temporary slowdown or outage during a scheduled session.)
Q. Why is coaching so expensive? I can take a six-week class (or a whole online course) at my local community college for that much.
A. If your needs are being met by group classes or online video courses, keep using them! If you only need a little help now and then, Small Group Coaching would be a more economical alternative.
One-on-one coaching is intended to be focused, personalized instruction for those times when can’t find what you need in a one-size-fits-all type of class.
75 minutes one-on-one packs in a lot more information relevant to you than you get in a group class. Most people schedule coaching about every other week or once a month. You’ll need time to unpack and absorb everything!
Q. Can I share a lesson with a friend or friends?
Yes, with up to two others, but one of you must take responsibility for “hosting”. The host schedules and pays for the session (you figure out any payment sharing among yourselves) and takes responsibility for relaying Zoom information and recording links to the other participants.
Contact me to describe your coaching goals and inquire about availability.