WORKSHOPS

I have some great news! Although my two New Zealand workshops are full, I am building a waiting list and if the waiting list has enough names - I will schedule a third workshop beginning with the Thursday night get together on the 11th November 2010!!!

The workshop teaching for this third workshop will begin on 12th November and finish at 4pm on the 14th November 2010

You are welcome to come individually or gather a small group together and join us. My workshops are always in great demand so this is a rare opportunity that I can schedule an additional workshop like this.

You can read student reviews from my previous workshops here:

http://www.susanart.com/forum/index.php?topic=87.0

Previous Classes (USA and NEW ZEALAND):
Susan's workshops are a wonderful and complete experience. Susan shares her methods and techniques that will allow you to create a magical 'Naturalistic Realism'. Her philosophy is not only to show you 'how' - but to teach you to understand 'why'. Susan nurtures her students - extends them so when they leave her workshops, they feel as if they have grown in skill, observation and inspiration - ready to take on almost any subject.

"In these classes I teach 'everything I know about watercolor' - all the things I wish I had known many years ago, but didn't have anyone to teach me. Trial and error eventually brought me to today - so now I enjoy sharing and watching the joy on artist's faces when they realize that they can do it too ".

Due to the high demand for Susan's classes, they have to be run on a first-in-first served basis. Susan will send out notification of impending workshops via her newsletter. The places are taken up very quickly, so if you are interested in attending a workshop, it is advisable not to hesitate. For overseas students, feel free to contact Susan and she will be happy to hold a place for you for to enable flight arrangements to be made.

Teaching/Workshop philosophy - "Watercolor: Naturalistic Realism"

My philosophy in teaching is not a 'step by step' method. I teach 'why' we do things, and why things work - or don't work. We see many applications for different methods and become familiar with the extraordinary potential of watercolor.

I want my students to leave my workshops with a good understanding of the reasons behind my methods and techniques. To really understand not only WHAT happens when you use particular methods - but WHY it happens - and this opens a whole new world of creativity, versatility, possibility and confidence. Best of all - the lessons are remembered as the studies and demos teach you to identify these things for yourself.

My classes suit artists of all levels, but a little experience in watercolor and drawing will be an advantage. We will divide our paper up into sections and work on several small studies which aid in understanding watercolor and it's properties - how to tame it and use it to express emotion, atmosphere and create a naturalistic realism. My goal is to have my students leave with the courage to "think out of the square" and to understand how to adapt the methods and techniques I will show them so they can create almost any subject. Most of all they will have a good appreciation and understanding of how to give their paintings a true three dimensional 'presence'.

How do we make our paintings 'speak' to our viewers?
How do we gain that 'edge'?
We all want to create paintings that remain in the viewer's memory long after they have left the presence of the painting. That is what Susan teaches. Susan's workshops focus on creating realism, a sensitivity and emotion enabling your paintings to captivate the viewers of the work. Perhaps even more importantly, Susan encourages and helps you to create paintings taht make your own heart sing.

Susan's philosophy is to show you 'how' - and also to understand 'why'. Susan nurtures and extends each student with one-on-one time. So no matter what stage you are at with your painting knowledge and skill -Susan will extend you to where you are comfortable and you will find Susan's workshops open a whole new realm of possibilities to you. Susan wants you to leave her workshop feeling full of inspiration and ready to fly!

Susan shares all her knowledge and experience to help you create compelling paintings.

Susan's Recipe:
She will teach you how to:

- observe and interpret
- Create an intelligent composition
- Capture light, life and movement
- Understand our pigments and mix clean, clear transparent hues that glow
- Create luminous shadows that dance with color
- Master moisture and tame washes
- Create natural edges and soft blending using Susan's Priming Method
- Mould form with color and tone
- Create stunning backgrounds that dance with natural color
- Avoid the 'traps for young players'
- Then finally Susan will show you the 'icing of the cake': How to bring it all together with Fine tuning to create a painting that has a real 'presence'.

We can take what we learn from all of the studies I demonstrate and translate them into numerous other subjects. That's what my classes are all about - making you think for yourself so you can take your art to a new threshold.

As I mentioned - there are numerous things I can share with you all. I put together a comprehensive workshop, incorporating all of the 'essential knowledge' and breakthroughs that I believe are the necessary ingredients to create a real 'presence' in your subjects.