A Visual Guide to Painting
A Visual Guide to Painting is a 10 step curriculum that will make your paintings better and more impactful, with an emphasis on the basics of good painting. It is the culmination of my 20 years experience as a special educator and artist.
Simpler is better. Many artists tend to be visual learners. Meaning they learn by watching and doing more than they do by reading a written description. Being a Special Educator for over 20 years introduced me to the concept of multiple means of acquiring knowledge. Knowing this and and using task analysis to break large concepts into smaller chunks allowed me to develop a step by step process for successful skill building in painting.
Whenever possible I find the fun and joy in painting and communicate that in these lessons. It is important to take things seriously but to also enjoy the learning process. Instead of focusing on the technical challenges many books concentrate on, I instead take readers through the basics of good painting so that they experience satisfaction and fulfillment while painting.
Concepts covered include:
-Value
-Color mixing
-Composition
-Strategic method to follow for every painting so that there is a clear plan from the beginning to end
I know from experience that painting can be taught and learned. Every person who has entered my studio has left feeling like an artist. I have seen the transformation over and over and over again.
People are surprised to find out there is a different and simpler way to approach painting in a highly visual systematic way.
I took six lessons from Jo, and learned more in those six lessons than I did in my past three years of doing watercolors. The way in which Jo deconstructed the concept and practice of using tone in guiding one’s watercolor palette allowed me to finally understand the concept, its value, and how to actually do it, step-by-step. And therein lies the magic in Jo’s teaching – she takes difficult concepts apart and turns them into easy-to-learn steps. The value of learning and finally understanding tone has led to me to be able to achieve far brighter color palettes, as well as much more focused and intentional paintings. She’s the best ….Denise
Jo Mackenzie is top notch watercolor artist and author. Anyone who wants to study with an amazing watercolorist….Jo’s your gal. Look her up and see her to-die-for -paintings. ...Artist Patti Mollica
You are a great teacher…Jane W.
I gained a number of new ideas to practice in a few short hours. ...Peg H.
I learned I have to use more color in my paintings. I stayed safe and used light colors . ...Patti C.
Now it makes sense. Nobody ever explained painting in a visual way to me before. I have been to lots of workshops in the past but I never really understood how to use the information until now. ...Louise R.
That video was so sweet! ...Jane H.
Jo is like a kiddo in a candy store, I loved this video! ...Caryl P.
Love, love, love! ...Amy K.