It was pure delight to teach this awesome bunch of artists in beautiful Boca Raton, Florida! Here are the fun details as well as participants' comments and critiques! If you’re curious about my workshops, here’s your chance to learn AND SEE more about them! Be sure to check out the great WORKSHOP PHOTOS at the bottom of the post! 

 

DAYS ONE AND TWO: We began our first two days by exploring how to use the qualities of each paint on our palette to create gorgeous, accurate color.  There were plenty of hands on mini-projects so everyone could immediately apply what they were learning.  The most exciting exercise on the second day was when everyone was successfully mixing very precise colors on a wide variety of paint swatches - simply by asking themselves four simple color quality questions.  Best of all, everyone learned that color mixing may SEEM intuitive, but actually knowing what each paint color can DO and using that knowledge is all it takes to mix accurate color!

 

DAYS THREE THROUGH FIVE: After two days of color, everyone was prepared to move on into three days of painting gorgeous flowers.  Participants learned a full set of drawing strategies to use as they drew and/or blocked in their assorted fresh flowers. Also, several stage-by-stage demos were provided, showing how to use specific brushwork and careful observation to paint rich, red roses, marigolds, daylilies and foliage. Guided practice followed, and it was incredibly rewarding to see everyone applying their new knowledge and skills!  At the end of the workshop, participants wrote their heartfelt comments and critiques. 

 

Here are just a few of them (published with permission):

 

"Delightful and informative, start to finish. I now have a new well of knowledge!" 

- Lisa Barton, South Jordan, Utah

 

"I have been a painter for several years and learned more in this workshop than I have in years of classes. Diane's approach to instruction, including visuals and handouts made color and painting techniques (and tricks!) easy to understand. She is always encouraging and kind, open to questions and ideas."

- Sally Painter, Delray Beach, Florida

 

"Diane's simple, organized and complete instructions helped me understand concepts I'd heard but hadn't been able to retain before.  I have stepped out of so many workshops in tears, frustrated with my inability to grasp the concepts. Not once in Diane's class did I get frustrated, yet I feel that I've truly grasped the knowledge she was sharing and will be able to recreate it at home, incorporating in in my own work."

- Lisa Duncan, Sandy Springs, Georgia

 

"Content was very thorough. Instruction was very clear. Favorite part was hands on help as we learned things."

- Cissie Jones,  Melbourne Beach, Florida

 

"Diane's 'Paint Beautiful Flowers' workshop was a revelation and an inspiration. With her sense of humor and encouragement, clear instruction, demonstrations and hands on exercises for students, we learned the basics plus benefitted from Diane's experiences and excellent tips for how to improve our paintings of flowers. The demos were fabulous, please let's do it again. Bravo!"

- Sue McQuillen, Boca Raton, Florida

 

"My favorite part was the demos, especially the brushstrokes and mixing color.  You gave so much information and instruction! You're happy to give away your secrets!"

- Dottie Poniatowski, Poquoson,Virginia

 

Sure hope you can join me this summer in either lovely Putney, Vermont or Hartford, Connecticut, as well as Rockland, Maine - right on the gorgeous coast!  For more information about these workshops, please visit my website by clicking here (then click on the Workshops tab):  www.dianereevesfineart.com 

 

In the meantime, here are some of the fun moments in Florida...at the beautiful Sheila Wolff Studio! 

 

 

...starting with lots of fresh flowers!!!

 

 

Nothing like hands on exercises with guided instruction to really own the concept!

So grateful for the Sheila Wolff Studio, which was so airy and beautiful! We had plenty of room!!

 

 

 

Seriously gorgeous! Everyone had plenty of fresh flowers for their set ups!

 

 

 

 

One of the demos was painting red roses!

 

We appreciate Gamblin Colors for their awesome sponsorship, and for providing beautiful oil colors as well as travel bottles of Gamsol and their Solvent Free Gel!! 

 

Some of us met for dinner - and enjoyed the balmy Florida weather!

 

 

Oh, the joy of learning to "nail" the exact color with simple logic, not guesswork!

 

 

Hope to see you soon! 

Diane