S. S. Solis Fine Art

S. S. Solis Fine Art

5.0Exceptional(5 reviews)

About

I'm an artist and I teach art at the college level. I specialize in painting and drawing of the figure, landscape, and still life motiffs using watercolor, oil, acrylic, charcoal, pastel, and many other two-dimensional medias. I have extensive knowledge in the alchemy of artist materials and supports. I make some of my own paints, pastels, inks and more. I also work with Encaustic (traditional hot wax painting). If you seek private instruction in any drawing and painting media with an artist having the educational background and experience of teaching others, with knowledge about process, artist materials, techniques, and is willing to share their knowledge with students, then you've discovered you're next art teacher.

Lessons are at my studio in Fair Oaks and/or we can enjoy Plein'Air (out in nature) using the easy access to our beautiful American River Parkway from my studio location. My best availability is over the summer months, but I can also be available spring and fall semesters with students who are flexible with my teaching schedule. I offer lessons for small groups of 2-3 students maximum, you can share the lesson fee with a freind.

I also offer "critique" sessions for more advanced artists who just need advice on how to "finish" exisiting paintings and drawings. This can be done for individuals or a group of artists where I go to your club or studio meeting place. This can be a one-time session or scheduled regularly, all depending on the artist need, perhaps in preparation for an upcoming exhibit or other event.

I love sharing my knowledge and passion about art. My students say how much they appreciate what I know and show them...I reveal methods and techniques that help you gain skills, and with practice you will become a better artist.

I've uploaded some of my artwork for you to view, and please feel free to contact me about your special artisitc needs and goals.


Highlights

Hired 5 times
1 employee
24 years in business
Serves Fair Oaks , CA

Payment methods

Credit Card, Cash, Venmo, Paypal, Square, Zelle, Bitcoin

Details

Experience level

No experience, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Painting type

I can make recommendations, Acrylics, Oil, Watercolor

Painting medium

I can make recommendations, Traditional canvas or paper, Wall or mural art, Watercolor art

Number of students

One person, Two people, A group of 3 – 5 people

Student age(s)

19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    TS

    Tim S.

    Sarah has alot of great knowledge
    ... Show more
    January 27, 2020
    Hired on Lessons

    TS

    Tim S.

    She is very knowledgeable
    ... Show more
    January 21, 2020
    Hired on Lessons

    EK

    Ed K.

    Sarah asked me what I would like help with in my acrylic painting. Given that I will have limited time with Sarah, this was extremely helpful in focusing on what I need to improve my own skills. Shes also a really good listener, is an experienced college instructor and artist, and has a great studio in which she helped me understand painting approaches and techniques.
    ... Show more
    June 18, 2019
    Hired on Lessons

    JO

    Jarrett O.

    Sarah’s years of experience and knowledge of painting give her the ability to see where you need to go next in your creative journey.
    ... Show more
    August 04, 2018
    Hired on Lessons

    LS

    Leny S.

    Sarah has been wonderful, she tailored the class to my interests, my skill level and my taste in art. She has made it super easy and engaging for me to ease back into painting.
    ... Show more
    July 18, 2018

    Frequently asked questions

    1) First, I determine the student's goals; what do you want to learn in drawing and/or painting?

    2) Next, I set a lesson plan based on these goals and provide hands-on technique building with demonstrations if needed, in the media of the student's choice.

    3) I can also offer tutorials, demonstrations, and basic exercises in line, value, perspective and composition for beginners who need the basics.

    4) I recommend visual assignments in the technique the student wants to learn. 

    5) We meet regularly to review progress, critique, and revise lesson plans to help the student grow as an artist....and with practice, practice, practice, students will gain skills and become a better artist!

    6) If the student is intermediate level or higher, then our lessons can spread out bi-weekly or monthly just to make sure the student's goals are on track. 

    I earned my MFA specializing in drawing and painting from CSU, Long Beach...then moving to the Sacramento region, I am a full-time artist and professor of studio art at American River College.  You could enroll in one of my painting, figure/portrait, drawing, artist materials, design or color theory classes, but that is a semester-long committment in a class with 25+ students; through Lessons.com you get individualized, one-on-one, visual art training in the media of your choice, on YOUR timeline.

    Yes, the quote is my hourly rate.  I offer a short, 15 minute first meeting gratis, so I can learn more about YOU and your goals, skills, and to set a lesson plan selected just for you.  Plus, you get the opportunity to visit my art studio and see where we work.  Once we start, I recommend 1-2-hour sessions minimum.  But this is flexible depending on the students needs and experience level.  I offer a discount if lessons exceed 2-hours per session, OR, if we decide to meet more than once a week.  

    My policy on timleness: Within 10 minutes of the agreed session length, then the lesson rate applies.  If lesson length goes beyond 10 minutes, but is not another full hour, then an additional fee based on 15 minute segments is applied to the cost of lessons for that session. Sorry there is no time credit or refund if you arrive late of our agreed lesson time, my schedule runs tight.  

    Payment is accepted by Venmo, Bitcoin, Cash, or ask me for other options.

    My goal for you is to help YOU become a better artist!

    I have a passion for sharing what I know with people who want to learn...it's a natural quality I have always had.  I truly enjoy seeing students skills improve.  

    I am a college professor, my students are adults.  Their age range is out of high-school, 18+ years to retirees.  Folks who now in their life, are ready to pursue a passion to learn how to paint and draw. I've had many retirees tell me they studied painting and drawing in their youth, but that pursuit was put on the back burner while they worked a 9-5 career and raised a family.  Now in retirement, they are ready to make art-making the focus in life.  Addtionally, I've had high and junior-high school students enroll in my semester-long classes; so I have that experience as well.

    Just recently in a watercolor painting class, a student wanted to know how to make a successful "wash". After demonstrating my exact water to paint ratio then showing how to I apply the prepared wash to paper, it was so gratifying to see the "twinkle" in her eyes and confirmation smile of complete understanding. As part of the lesson, I requested the student do the process, several times in a row. With practice YOU will become a better artist!

    Find an art instructor who is knowledgable and passionate about the media you want to learn and are willing to share all their techniques and processes with you.  Can you learn from them? That is the question you have to ask yourself!  If you hesitate because of the hourly rate for one-on-one instruction, then my recommendation is to enroll in semester-long courses.  Let me know if you have unique questions. I am open to giving you a tour of my studio and briefly discussing your artistic goals and potential lesson plan gratis.

    What do I want to learn, specifically?

    What media do I want to work in?

    What subject matter is most interesting to me?

    How many hours a week will I commit to this goal?

    Do I need basic skill instruction seperate from the media I want to learn?  For example understanding line, perspective, value, color, and composition?


    Services offered

    Painting
    Drawing