This is a course filled with precious children and their friendships with animals. I created this class to share with you my love for animals and how they have enriched my life.

There will be 4 complete painting demonstrations. Each painting has its own unique story. The stories were not even developed till after I painted them.

I really take mixed media art to a new level by using some very unusual applications. I combine watercolors, pan pastels, charcoal with gesso. I work with graphite, charcoal, watercolor and inks with linseed oil. On top of all this goodness I apply oil bars with a palette knife. It all works, it really does!

I show you how to develop really yummy substrates for the paintings. One is layers of fabric and lace with gesso all imbedded together for a uniformed and interesting surface. Another substrate using vintage ledger papers, stamping stenciling using transparent and matte paints.

There will be several exercises to get familiar with the techniques before working on the finished paintings. I go over basics such as mapping a photograph to understand proportions. How to start a child’s portrait, creating animals in a light hearted manner. So much fun and learning. I really enjoyed creating this class and I have learned some things myself along the way.