Definition of Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

I am often asked what the difference is, and who qualifies for the Intermediate, Intermediate Level Two and the Advanced classes. This information is explained here.

Like my own instructors, I have different classes depending upon skill level, what they have successfully painted with me already, the speed at which they paint, how much help they need, and what they can do on their own, . Anyone 14 and up can qualify if they have painted certain pictures to my specifications.

I do this in fairness to each individual painter. A first time or beginner painter may feel intimidated in a class where everyone else has already painted and they may not be able to keep up in the class, thus not enjoying the class as much.Likewise, an Intermediate painter may not enjoy sitting and waiting for a class of beginners to catch up. If an Intermediate painter chooses to attend a beginner class, they know ahead of time that the class will be a slower pace and that they are expected to wait patiently or help the beginners.

Beginner

A beginner painter has little or no experience with painting or are trying a new medium. Beginning level classes are easier paintings to do and are taught at a slower pace. The beginner gets more "one on one" as they learn the basics of oil painting. In a beginner class I often have an Assistant to also help the students.

.The beginner will be helped set up their station, mix paints, and clean up. They will be shown proper ways of loading brushes, brush control, brush cleaning and many basics of oil painting.

Even if a student has never even held a brush before, they will be successful in a beginner class!

Everyone starts out as a beginner until I know they can load their brushes properly, use the brushes for certain strokes, can knife as well as brush mix paints, and know the basics of oil painting "wet on wet" as well as "Traditional" style

For those that want more of a challenge I offer Intermediate, Intermediate Level Two and Advanced classes in Landscape for those that qualify.

As of January 1, 2011 there will no longer be  Intermediate or Advanced Certificates for Floral. Sorry if you missed out on these, as they were offered for several years. We will still be holding Intermediate and Advanced Floral Classes, but no Certificates will be given out

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.Intermediate Certificate

To work towards your Intermediate Certificate you first must have painted with a Certified Instructor including: Myself, Jerson Bulatao, Maureen Hummel, Lisa Folk or Amy Cantlon

You must complete at least two of the following paintings, at least one has to be with me, and I must see the painting done with the other Instructor.

Your certificate will depend upon on the paintings you have chosen to do, Let me know if you are interested in obtaining a Certificate, and I will suggest what paintings to do. Every person is different, as are their levels of skill. A Certificate should be meaningful, showing a certain level of skill. Any certificates given out is well deserved.

Moonlit Tide, Pansies, Iris, Morning Glories, Basket of Sunflowers, Hollyhocks, Basket of Lilacs and Daisies, Basket of Tulips, My Rose, My World, Northern Lights (16X20 or 18X24 full size), Reflected Tranquility, Cool Winter Morning, Butterfly Garden, Christmas Candle, Sweet Nectar, Cabin by the Lake, Peaceful Retreat, Peaceful Lake, Nature's Song, The Inlet, Moonscape, Red Winter Sunset, Misty Morning at the Lookout, Red Sunset, Mountain Vignette, Forest Falls, Monochromatic Seascape, Sylvan Lake, Largo, Birch Tree, Green Valley, Alexander Mountain, Fall Colours, LakeView, Sea Oats, Mountain Waterfall, Poppies and Pickets, Hollyhocks, Purple Hybiscus

Intermediate Level Two Certificate

To attend an Intermediate Level Two class you must have your Intermediate Landscape Certificate  and have completed at least one "traditional" style landscape painting classes with a Certified Instructor. In total at least TWO paintings have to be done with me, one "wet on wet" and one "traditional" so I can see how you handle the brushes, how much attention you need or if you can do it by yourself etc, Paintings done at home do not count towards this certificate.

If the student has completed the requirements for "Intermediate Level One" as well as has completed at least one "traditional" landscape with a Certified Instructor, and at least TWO paintings, each of different style, with me, they may ask to challenge the Traditional Intermediate Level Two class 

classes include: Classes listed for Intermediate Level 1 and the following:

Autumn Falls, Big Timber, Birches, First Snow, Morning Glow, Single Pansy, Hydrangea, Moonlit Falls, Mountain Sky Colours, Mountain Lake, Palm Beach Sunset, Paradise Valley, Pastel Winter, Savanah Seranade, Sunset at the Falls, Tetonic Palette, Winter Moonlight, Secluded Footbridge, Saguaro Sunrise, Green Valley,  Nature's Song, Winter Sunrise, Basket of Lilacs and Daisies or completed a Traditional oil Portrait or Animal oil class at my Studio.

During the year there will be a classes set aside for those wishing to get their Intermediate or their Intermediate Level Two Certificate.

The class may have students doing their Intermediate at the same time as others are doing their Intermediate Level Two. It depends entirely on what paintings they have already done.

In the Winter/Spring of 2011-12 we will be doing several paintings by Master Artist, Robert Warren. If you have obtained your Intermediate Level Two, AND have painted with us within the past 6 months, you may attend these workshops.  They are held Thursday evenings between 6pm and 10pm and are free to attend. You MUST have your INTERMEDATE LEVEL TWO Certificate, plus bring your own supplies.

Just a fun time with the more experienced Artist!

Once a student gets their Traditional Landscape Level Two Certificate, there are several paintings that require more skill that they will be allowed to attend. If they want more of a challenge they can try for their ADVANCED ARTISTS CERTIFICATE.

To obtain their  Advanced Landscape Certificate they must first have their Intermediate Level Two Certificate, They will be given a DVD from one of the Master Artists which they must paint as close to the DVD as possible. Reason being:Its much easier to " make up your own" "go outside the box" than it is to learn the proper techniques sometimes. "I like it like that"  instead of following proper techniques shows me that they cannot do it. Once I know they can do it how asked...if they do like it a different way, that's a different story! I need to know that you have learned certain techniques before I will give an Advanced Landscape Certificate.

ADVANCED ARTISTS CERTIFICATE

Once you have your ADVANCED ARTISTS CERTIFICATE, you can bring your own supplies and come and paint any of the above projects, plus many more.