Q. What is the age range of people in your classes.
A. I have people of all ages in my class – 5 to 95. I love the diversity of people in my classes .
Q. Do you council college prep students to prepare their personal portfolios ?
A. Yes, I have helped many students
Q. When do classes begin?
A. Anytime. All group classes - for adults, teens & children - are ongoing. So you may join anytime.
Q. Do you offer individual classes?
A. Yes. You may establish specific hours for one-on-one private instruction. In addition to painting instruction, I offer special focus classes (color theory, etc.) by appointment.
Q. How long are your classes?
A. 2 hours
Q. I’d like to take your class, but I think I will feel very self conscious.
A. Starting the class may be overwhelming. Know, that everybody feels that way. Just remember how kids feel the first day of school.
Q. How old does my child need to be to enroll in your class?
A. I have children that are as young as 5.
Q. My child has some learning difficulties in school .. and I am not sure he/she could handle two hours.
A. I would suggest for the first couple of classes to start with an hour or an hour and a half. You may be pleasantly surprised to find out that with painting and drawing time goes by very fast. Studies have also suggested the many benefits of art classes for children with fine motor coordination challenges, math, and reading and so much more.
Q. Do I need to stay with my child during class?
A. No, I prefer that the children be dropped off and picked up. The exception would be if you as a parent would like to enroll in the class as well. I have had many parents and grandparent take the class as well. Everybody works on their own individual pieces. If your child is hesitant to be dropped off, you can stay for a while until he/she feels comfortable.
Q. How are the children classes different than the adult classes?
A. In the children classes I incorporate additional materials and varied experiences from working with paint, clay and many multidimensional experiences. With my adults, the focus is on painting.
Q. Before I enroll in art classes do I need experience in drawing ?
A. The methods that I use for teaching incorporate drawing and painting all at once. Painting is simply drawing with a brush. If you have the desire to learn you will be able to experience success with painting and drawing your first class.
Q. Do I need to have some natural talent?
A. No… most painters just have a burning desire to be able to express themselves. Stated simply, DESIRE to learn is the key element that you need to bring to class.
Q. What medium do you begin your students with.?
A. I love to work with acrylics or oils. They work almost interchangeably. I usually suggest that people start with oils . However, I do have some students that prefer acrylics.
Q. What do I need to bring my first day of class?
A. Your first day of class you will not need your own materials. Part of the first class is to help you familiarize yourself with the studio and materials that you will begin to use. At that time you will be given an art supply list and more details .
Q. What is the difference between oils and acrylics?
A. Acrylics are what they sound like… a plastic (acrylic) based paint that is water soluble. In other words you do not need a solvent such as turpentine to clean your brushes. Acrylic paint also dries very fast as opposed to oils that dry slowly. Oils are comprised of natural elements from the earth and have proven to stand the test of time. (I wonder how Rembrandt’s paintings would have held up in acrylic?)
Q. What do you (Susan) prefer to paint with?
A. I paint every day… and avail myself to both acrylics and oils depending on the mood and narrative I want to convey. If I had to choose, (and fortunately I have the choice) I would say I prefer oils. Having said that… I enjoy acrylics for many of my paintings because they offer different effects.
Q. What kind of brushes to you recommend?
A. For the most part, I like a firm bristle brush. I always use several different kinds of brushes for each painting. I also use brushes that are available in hardwood stores for certain effects.
Q. Are oils more difficult to use than acrylics?
A. Many people have heard that oils are more difficult…. However it is my true opinion that it is just a mindset. Oils are no more difficult than acrylics. However, when I work with children I start most of them in acrylics because when they come to class they most often do not have their own personal art supplies.
Q. If I miss a class can I make it up?
A. Yes, on an alternate day
Q. I can’t draw a straight line and stick figures are the best I can do at this time. Would you be able to teach someone like me how to paint with success?
A. While I can’t guarantee anything… like I said before, if the desire is there and you are really open to taking a risk by learning what “process” is all about…. You will probably succeed. Know, that painting is a life long learning process. Once you start though, and begin to open your eyes and heart to new possibilities…. anything is possible.
Q. Where do I purchase art supplies?
A. I most often recommend Dick Blick and Utrecht art Supply because of their prices. Know as my art student they offer a 10 percent discount.
Q.What will I paint on?
A. I like my students to work on stretched canvas.
Q. Isn’t stretched canvas expensive?
A. Yes, stretched canvas can cost more.. My feeling is that one should start with good materials for all their efforts. Know.. that canvas is recyclable inasmuch that one painting can be painted over another painting.
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