What would you like me to focus on in my next DVD?

[Donna]

Hi Susan:  I hope that you had a wonderful time on your European adventure.  I wish that I could have been there; love art and love cruising!!  We had to stay close to home for the arrival of our first grandchild.  Little Lucca was born on Sept. 2nd.

I so enjoyed your Maine workshop last June and would love to see you  do "still life" in your new DVD.  I think that I am a little late giving you my thoughts. 

I loved the picture that you did of the old window with the apple on the sill.  It was great and I would love to do a similar painting, using your amazing techniques.  Also liked still life with wine bottle, etc.

Anything you can offer that is new, would be so appreciated.  Love your DVDs.

Donna

[mrdwyer9]

 :)Hi there Susan
i may be too late but i have been experimenting a bit with my art since the class in march of this year. it was wonderful by the way. i also would buy any dvd that you made as your instructions hold nothing back and your detail is wonderful. i  have move into doing some figures and i would like some information on how to paint hair in water colour. Also is Richard thinking of doing something on photography as i am now starting to get some inkling on how important RAW photos are to get a really clear photo. Just to let you all know i was so inspired by Susan's painting of Constance Spry that when i move to my new house i have a Rose Garden and After 2 years i have an archway of Constance Spry in my back yard and boy is this sight good for my soul.
regards
margaret

[Renee]

Hi Susan, I understand that you have already started making the new DVD. I am looking forward to getting it.
However, for future suggestions, I am very interested about HOW you created the pealed paint look off the wood of an old house or building with watercolor. The sharp crackling pealed off appearence is wonderful.

Also the way you make stone steps really look like stone. I know you are already fucusing on leaves, but will that include vines, the hairs standing on some and sharp thorns?

I know I'm asking allot, but I feel like a sponge ready to suck it all up. I've bought so many books and like you, while teaching myself through these books, tried the colors of the month. I have too many!
Many blessings and happiness this season!

[carolyn]

Hi Susan

I've done lots of paintings of flowers and two self portraits, and feel that I have really got to grips with many of the challenges, thanks to you!  I would really love to move onto painting animals and landscapes.  I am trying to paint animals currently, using your techniques, but just can't always apply what i've learnt.  For example, I recently painted a lamb laying in a field (all of my paintings are from my photographs).  The lamb was great, but how to paint grass close up??  And how to paint the wispy white hairs around it's ears and still maintain a good even background??  These two areas really let my painting down.
I've been out photographing other animals-calves and lambs in the Waikato area-great photos, but just haven't got the confidence that I found with flowers and portraits.
Probably too late for this DVD, but maybe for the 4th one??
Thanks for all your help so far.
Kindest regards, Carolyn, Auckland, NZ 

[princess/jbarts@ht3dplus.]

Hi Susan,
          I have been reading the comments of people who have attended your workshops and their excitement of the experience makes one want to attend also, but for some of us this is impossible as money - time - life in general does not permit this. My thoughts are, would it be possable to do a DVD on a workshop where we could experience the attmosphere and all the things that happen during one and also work on the prodjects along with the class but in the time frame that our lives permit,then e-mail pictures of our work and ask questions for help? some of us could afford to pay more for this DVD but not afford to travel to a workshop. I have your book and DVD's and practice as much as I can. I would like to one day have all that you teach to become second nature and feel I can paint anything I want with confidence.

Judy B. USA

[jschnpr]

Hi.   I would like for you to do another portrait DVD, I learned a lot from the first one and as a new watercolor portrait artist I need all the help I can get.  I loved the first one it was truely the way I want to learn to paint my grandchildren.   Judy from Illinois

[Teddy Haas]

Hello Susan, Happy New Year, I also would love to see white on white included in your next DVD but then I'll buy it no matter what the topics; you always manage to teach me something new and exciting! Teddy

[Renee]

I would love to see a new DVD on a subject you have not yet covered on a DVD. Like a DVD on painting crystal, silver and gold or other precious metals in watercolor.

[Cheryl Allen]

I guess I am a little late at finding this forum but thought I would put my two cents in (as that is all I have left to give ).  I would love to have instructional DVD's in oil painting...especially portrait painting.  Your work is so realistic and there is so much feeling  in it that you almost feel as though you are actually experiencing the scene not just viewing it.  I have two of your watercolor Dvd's but my first love is oil.  I would love to experience you working in oil.

[Renee]

Hi Susan, I bet that with all these DVD idea's that you are requested to make, you have enough to last a lifetime of making the DVDs.   

I have a real wish to watch you demonstrate  painting a Cat, like the one in your book. That is a wonder fuzzy yellow cat. I had one just like it years ago named Pumpkin. I would love to paint him. But every time I think about painting a cat, I'm nervous about it. I have no clue why! I've painted a dog, and deer and elk are easy enough for me...but a kitty? All that fur and fluff.       It seems so hard to do that in watercolor.

[Renee]

Thank you so much for letting us know the approximate time frame your DVD will be complete.

I truly would like to see more of the final touch work you do as you finish the painting. Like the dry brushing stage. You have shown how you work with stamins and I can understand that because there are distinct lines to help, but I find it difficult to paint in the tiniest area's like the many tiny ruffles of some petal tips. Convincing veins when the photo reference shows allot of them. The paint flows to much or looks scratchy. The color either spreads to far or the brush wont spread it smooth if its dryer. I have Da Vinche brushes like yours too. There must be something you are doing that I have not figured out yet. But I'm trying.   

[DWalter999]

Hi Susan -
Well, for me, that's an easy question: figures, figures, and more figures. I've taken many classes in figure and portrait drawing and I'd love to be able to transfer my skills to watercolor.  I've never thought much of the splashy style but after seeing your watercolor work and those of Steve Hanks (both extremely detailed), Lord, now I'd love to learn the technical aspects of the medium. Thanks. David.

[kuku]

close-ups on the stages of wetness applied to your paper before painting?
Any workshops comming in NZ ?
Have your last DVD and a very positive influence in my painting style, many thanks
Maree

[Susan Harrison-Tustain]

Hi Maree
Thank you for your input. The filming of my new DVD is almost finished but I will see if we can add a little demo showing the degree of wetness. I am already well over time (much more than two discs already) as I love to share all the hints and tips that I find invaluable.

Here is something that you may find useful:
I adjust the amount of water I use to the length of time I need to paint a specific thing. For instance, if I am painting something with gradual blending of colour - I use more water to buy me more time to drop in the colour and allow it to float into a soft blend of colour. The pigment floats and disperses readily when you use plenty of water.

On the other hand - if I want the paint to stay where it is put - then I use less water in my underwashes.

Try a demo for your self and you will see exactly what I mean.

The amount of water to use is something that becomes second nature in no time at all. Just remember my favourite saying: more water = less control. Less water = more control.

New DVD should be out in July - all going well.

Hope that helps.
Susan

[DGD]

I have recently completed a portrait using your technique - with some success.  Friends with whom I paint occasionally have commented very favourably. 
We have discussed where the technique  - which has clearly worked well for my portrait - might be equally applicable for other subjects, and in particular landscapes which most of my group are interested in.  Perhaps you have already addressed this - if so could you kindly point me in the right direction.
Regards
Don
Whangaparaoa, NZ