The Susan Harrison-Tustain School of Painting

Every so often I receive requests for individual one-on-one workshops and with my arm being twisted a little, I have conducted those at my home, just outside Tauranga in New Zealand. In the past these workshops have been rare. Previously I haven’t promoted them at all, but now that I’ve had my big 4-yearly exhibition in October I have a little more time to look at doing more of them as well as develop and then launch the Susan Harrison-Tustain School of Painting. There are exciting things ahead so it is fantastic to begin by offering the opportunity to have a specific One-on-One Workshop with me in my studio – tailor-made especially for your painting needs.

What is a “Susan Harrison-Tustain School of Painting One-on-One Workshop”?

I am offering the opportunity for 1-day, 2-day or 3-day one-on-one workshops here at my home.

These will include tailor-made tuition designed after discussing your needs and goals.

Being a one-on-one workshop I am able to focus on you and therefore these workshops are suited to all levels of skill – no matter whether you are a beginner, intermediate or a professional artist – it would be my pleasure to teach and extend you – to help you reach your full potential.

I love to share everything I know about painting in a fun and relaxed way. In the comfort of my studio we will work on the areas and subjects you would like to focus on. I will specifically design a workshop for you, to extend your skill as well as introduce you to new methods and techniques including fine tuning. This brings the professional edge to our work and is the icing on the cake.

There are a myriad of things we can focus on – but here are some of the more common areas that artists often ask about:

Composition: How to create an intelligent composition. We can be the best in the world at brush handling skills – but our painting will never stand out if our composition is lacking. I can demystify this important area of painting. A good composition ensures you have the best chance of success.

Color mixing: – An essential skill, easily learned with my philosophy and very limited palette of colors.

Complementary colors: How to use complementary colors to mould and create three dimensional form and realism that appears palpable.

Color temperature: You will be amazed at the important role color temperature plays in creating a true presence in your work.

Brush Handling: I use my brushes in a particular way. You will come to appreciate the difference this will make to your work

Layer skills: My Priming Method has numerous applications. Using this method you will be able to create seamless transitions, smooth blends ideal for establishing soft skin tones, gentle folding petals, beautiful backgrounds and almost every surface. There are many adaptations of my Priming Method that will help you on your journey no matter what your subject.

Paintings that glow with reality, light and life: I am always asked how I make my paintings so lifelike, as if the viewer can reach into the frame and take in the fragrance of a rose, shoo away the insect scurrying across a leaf, touch the soft feather down of a duckling, see the warmth of the late afternoon sun glowing through transparent folds of fabric, watch the cool glowing light as it transmits through the rising wave as it crests – this and so much more. The possibilities are endless.

Backgrounds: Almost everyone finds backgrounds can be a challenge. If this applies to you too – I can show you a series of background methods and techniques that will amaze you and take away that fear. Knowledge is power and where painting is concerned, knowledge is pleasure and painting becomes a joy.

Fine Tuning: This is where the magic all comes together. I will demystify the crucial fine tuning stage that gives the professionalism to our paintings.

When you leave my One-on-One workshop, you will not only have learned how to use my methods and techniques, you will also know how they work and why they work. You will learn the different applications of each method and will be able to analyze when to use them and for which subjects and surfaces. For me this is what good teaching is all about. When you are in your own painting space, you will find challenges of course. That is what keeps us on our toes, but after my One-on-One workshop you will find you know how to approach each challenge and you will know what methods you can use or adapt to each and every subject. This is because you will know how and why each of them works, as well as what the potential of each method and technique is.

My goal is to help you fly with your new understanding and painting skills in the fun and relaxed atmosphere of my studio and home.

Along with the workshop we also create a delicious lunch (sometimes made with the organic produce from our garden) as well as tasty morning and afternoon teas.

You are welcome to use my paints while you are here. You will need to bring your paint brushes.

If there is a painting you are struggling with or a subject you would like help with – you are welcome to bring those or the photographs of them with you.

Our day begins at 9am and finishes with afternoon tea at 4pm

We are happy to guide you in your choice of accommodation to suit your requirements.

Richard is happy to help international travelers with a suggested itinerary should you wish to explore our stunningly beautiful, clean, green, friendly New Zealand while you are here.

Cost is NZ$1000 for a 1-day One-on-One Workshop, NZ$1800 for a 2-day One-on-One Workshop and NZ$2600 for a three day specifically designed for you. Compare this with the cost of my last group workshops that I conducted here in Tauranga in October and November 2010. The individual cost was $980 for a 3-day workshop of up to 15 participants, each with their own level of expertise and areas of interest.

A One-on-One workshop is focused on you for the entire time, and tailored exactly to your own specific requirements.

The figures below are to give you an idea of the current conversion rates for a selection of countries at the time of writing but exchange rates are constantly changing of course. (For up to date conversion rates use our Currency Conversion Calculator below):

Australia
1 day – AUD$ $760
2 days – AUD$1370
3 days – AUD $1990

Canada
1 day – CAN $ 795
2 days – CAN $1430
3 days – CAN $2060

USA
1 day – US$ 750
2 days – US$1340
3 days – US$1950

UK
1 day – GB pounds £470
2 days – GB pounds £855
3 days – GB pounds £1222

Europe
1 day – Euro 555
2 days – Euro 995
3 days – Euro 1443

New Zealand
1 day – NZ$1000
2 days – NZ$1800
3 days – NZ$2600

For up to date conversion rates use our Currency Conversion Calculator below:

 

Let me share some of my history with you:

I have a vivid memory of my early painting journey and the yearning for information and knowledge that would lift my work to a more professional level. I couldn’t find anyone who was teaching what I wanted to learn. So, as many of you will know, I set about teaching myself through trial and error. Twenty years of it! If only I had this One-on-One opportunity with an artist who was painting in the style I envisaged – all those years ago. It certainly would have saved me a great deal of time, occasional frustration, and I would have approached my full potential and joy of painting much earlier. Nevertheless this journey has been a wonderful one and teaching myself has meant I have analysed everything I have discovered and developed. I know how to share these breakthroughs in a way that is easy to understand because I had been thirsting for this knowledge for so long. You will be amazed when you see how my methods will transform your paintings too.

With many years experience of teaching painting workshops in New Zealand, the US and Europe, three highly successful DVD sets (rated 5 stars out of 5 stars) – best sellers around the world – and of course my ‘Glorious Garden Flowers in Watercolor’ book (which has sold 60,000 copies and is selling on the ‘used market’ for ridiculous money due to the demand for it) I am able to create individual One-on-One workshops that will help fast track you to where you want to be.

Naturally the number of One-on-One Workshops I will be able to teach has to be limited. The demand for these workshops is going to be high. Feel free to contact Richard or myself via email at either of these addresses if you have any questions:

richard@susanart.com
susan@susanart.com

Once again – if this is to be a Christmas or birthday present – just let us know and we can send an official voucher for presentation.

Remember I am here if you have any queries.

Happy Painting!