Foundation Course in Drawing and Watercolor
“When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at the college—that my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared back at me, incredulous, and said, “You mean they forget?”
—Howard Ikemoto
2022
Fall Beginner's
Membership Course
This foundation course is a tried and true method presenting the basic elements of drawing and watercolor with personal coaching.
Developed over 25 years while teaching basic drawing and watercolor at the community level across the US in venues
ranging from museums to back yards, the complete foundation course includes:
• 9-12 progressive lessons
• with step-by-step instruction in text
• and video demos
• loads of photos
• related historic examples
• plenty of supplemental links and study references
• weekly live classes for coaching and discussion
• constructive critique
• and encouragement to support your experience.
Developed over 25 years while teaching basic drawing and watercolor at the community level across the US in venues
ranging from museums to back yards, the complete foundation course includes:
• 9-12 progressive lessons
• with step-by-step instruction in text
• and video demos
• loads of photos
• related historic examples
• plenty of supplemental links and study references
• weekly live classes for coaching and discussion
• constructive critique
• and encouragement to support your experience.
"I'm such a face-to-face communicator, I never thought an online environment could be effective for teaching. I never thought I'd like the video format. But in your online course, I'm not distracted by extraneous things that would otherwise catch my attention. Even better, I don't have to drive anywhere!
"I feel like it's the benefit of private tutoring with the advantage of other students' work to look at. You've put together a really well-planned, well-thought out, beautifully presented product with tremendous depth and breadth.
"I want to thank you for this class. I might have put off drawing for the rest of my life." — Susan Spak, Storrs Mansfield, CT
What I never expected when I first began teaching drawing and watercolor
is how the process and practice of learning is a path to self realization.
As you learn to draw and watercolor — you learn about yourself.
After decades of teaching in many different situations,
I've crafted this unique and comprehensive online course to lead you, step by step,
through a transformational process that forever changes the way you see the world.
What makes this Foundation Course unique
is the personal coaching, accountability
and comprehensive design.
These step-by-step, progressive lessons allow you to develop and expand naturally
and are delivered in an authentic, encouraging and supportive manner
with your personal evolution in mind.
is how the process and practice of learning is a path to self realization.
As you learn to draw and watercolor — you learn about yourself.
After decades of teaching in many different situations,
I've crafted this unique and comprehensive online course to lead you, step by step,
through a transformational process that forever changes the way you see the world.
What makes this Foundation Course unique
is the personal coaching, accountability
and comprehensive design.
These step-by-step, progressive lessons allow you to develop and expand naturally
and are delivered in an authentic, encouraging and supportive manner
with your personal evolution in mind.
"In terms of living my life, the online course format provided me with a safe and supportive group environment in which I could transform mountains of self doubt about my ability to do art into upbeat confidence and courage - there's no room for self-criticism in this course, perseverance and hope trumps negativity, and what doesn't work today can succeed brilliantly tomorrow. Literally, personally and practically, this course turns darkness into light." —Heidi Krzyzaniak, Federal Way, WA
What I mean when I talk about creatively evolving through a transformational process...
Transformation means to undergo a marked change in form, nature, or appearance.
It means that you change and it's noticeable.
To evolve simply means to develop gradually, from a simple to a more complex form.
Here are some ways that these long courses help you creatively evolve through a transformational process:
You evolve physically,
through developing your drawing and watercolor work, through hand-eye coordination,
through learning to see what you are actually looking at (not what you think you are looking at)
You evolve emotionally,
by learning to be compassionate towards yourself
and to recognize and bypass your self-critical thoughts.
Spiritually,
because in learning to bypass your critical thoughts you start allowing
the creative spirit to more easily flow through your experience with drawing and painting,
and intellectually,
as you learn about the history of painting in direct context
with your drawing and watercolor practice.
Transformation means to undergo a marked change in form, nature, or appearance.
It means that you change and it's noticeable.
To evolve simply means to develop gradually, from a simple to a more complex form.
Here are some ways that these long courses help you creatively evolve through a transformational process:
You evolve physically,
through developing your drawing and watercolor work, through hand-eye coordination,
through learning to see what you are actually looking at (not what you think you are looking at)
You evolve emotionally,
by learning to be compassionate towards yourself
and to recognize and bypass your self-critical thoughts.
Spiritually,
because in learning to bypass your critical thoughts you start allowing
the creative spirit to more easily flow through your experience with drawing and painting,
and intellectually,
as you learn about the history of painting in direct context
with your drawing and watercolor practice.
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway!
Overcome your fears and your blocks on paper in the privacy of your own home.
Maybe you don't want to be an artist. Or you do want to be an artist. Or you are an artist and feel that you've missed a critical link.
The truth is that many people - even practicing artists - miss a good foundation in basic elements and principals and suffer for years as a result.
Are you afraid to start drawing and watercolor because you tell yourself (and others) that you have no artistic talent, can't draw a straight line but secretly long to paint and maybe even have a stack of untouched art supplies in a closet?
Forget about talent. EVERYONE (and that includes you) has the right and the ability to pick up a pencil and draw. Everyone has the right and the ability to learn about color.
My foundation courses start at the very beginning and encourage you to play and be imperfect to help you get your pencils moving and brushes wet.
So, learn the fundamentals of drawing and watercolor and, more importantly, become better acquainted with yourself. Allow me to guide you through tried and true progressive exercises, designed to encourage your natural tendencies and help you establish the habit of practice.
Learn to draw and watercolor like YOU, not like anyone else!
Connect with your authentic, creative self. Recognize your blocks and foibles (common to all of us), learn how to step around those and better connect with your experience in each present moment. You'll experience remarkable change in the quality of your life while making drawings and watercolors.
Overcome your fears and your blocks on paper in the privacy of your own home.
Maybe you don't want to be an artist. Or you do want to be an artist. Or you are an artist and feel that you've missed a critical link.
The truth is that many people - even practicing artists - miss a good foundation in basic elements and principals and suffer for years as a result.
Are you afraid to start drawing and watercolor because you tell yourself (and others) that you have no artistic talent, can't draw a straight line but secretly long to paint and maybe even have a stack of untouched art supplies in a closet?
Forget about talent. EVERYONE (and that includes you) has the right and the ability to pick up a pencil and draw. Everyone has the right and the ability to learn about color.
My foundation courses start at the very beginning and encourage you to play and be imperfect to help you get your pencils moving and brushes wet.
So, learn the fundamentals of drawing and watercolor and, more importantly, become better acquainted with yourself. Allow me to guide you through tried and true progressive exercises, designed to encourage your natural tendencies and help you establish the habit of practice.
Learn to draw and watercolor like YOU, not like anyone else!
Connect with your authentic, creative self. Recognize your blocks and foibles (common to all of us), learn how to step around those and better connect with your experience in each present moment. You'll experience remarkable change in the quality of your life while making drawings and watercolors.
"I will never look at the world in the same way again!"
- —Roberta Conroy, workshop host and student, Palm Springs, CA
|
See better, be better!
As you learn to practice drawing and watercolor, you naturally develop your awareness, observational powers and problem solving skills. Inevitably, these and other benefits that come with the practice of drawing and watercolor enhance your life in positive ways that will surprise you! You don't need any experience to take any of my courses. All you need is a desire to draw and watercolor. My courses are designed for closet (or shadow) artists, and for professionals outside the visual arts. |
Read my Frequently Asked Questions page.
Read about the RESULTS and learn about other student's experience.
Join this encouraging online course and discover your untapped creative potential.
It's just like being with me in my studio!
Read about the RESULTS and learn about other student's experience.
Join this encouraging online course and discover your untapped creative potential.
It's just like being with me in my studio!
The Details
How this comprehensive Online Course benefits YOU...
What?
Where?
In the privacy of your own home or work environment.
When?
Any time that suits you!
Why?
Your benefits:
Aside from receiving intensive, interesting and entertaining foundation instruction in drawing and watercolor unlike any offered anywhere else...
Your course results will help you expand your consciousness, learn about your true self, revel in the world of color, the world around you, to become more mindful, more present, more observant, to feel accomplished, to develop your creative nature and discover new natural abilities.
What about materials?
Your course includes a direct link to all recommended materials.
What?
- 12 content-rich, progressive foundation lessons in drawing and watercolor
- Supportive and encouraging coaching for inner and outer development
- Drawing Primer ebook to get you warmed up
- Step by step instructions on the elements of drawing
- Personal tips to help expand observational skills and problem solving
- Loads of over my shoulder demo videos (with even more voice over instruction)
- Full color photos of all demos
- Historic drawing examples to enhance lessons and comprehension
- The absolute ABCs of watercolor
- Color revealed! Practical exercises to understand color and watercolor behavior
- Principles of composition
- Encouragement to develop your own unique style
- Inspiration from historic artists with unique art history lessons directly related to lessons
- Supplemental reading and study recommendations
Where?
In the privacy of your own home or work environment.
When?
Any time that suits you!
Why?
Your benefits:
Aside from receiving intensive, interesting and entertaining foundation instruction in drawing and watercolor unlike any offered anywhere else...
Your course results will help you expand your consciousness, learn about your true self, revel in the world of color, the world around you, to become more mindful, more present, more observant, to feel accomplished, to develop your creative nature and discover new natural abilities.
What about materials?
Your course includes a direct link to all recommended materials.
"If you hear a voice within you say, "You cannot paint," then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."
—Vincent van Gogh
Here's an example of an over the shoulder watercolor demo video (without instruction.)
The practice of drawing and watercolor
is a way to open our eyes, open our hearts and love as we learn to observe.
Observation allows us to understand and see a person, thing or place more clearly for who, what, where it truly is, rather than our preconceived notions of what we think we see.
Become one with the world around you as you learn to see through drawing and watercolor.
is a way to open our eyes, open our hearts and love as we learn to observe.
Observation allows us to understand and see a person, thing or place more clearly for who, what, where it truly is, rather than our preconceived notions of what we think we see.
Become one with the world around you as you learn to see through drawing and watercolor.
The Foundation Course begins with my simple and entertaining book on the basic elements of drawing.
One thing leads to another.