Susan Q’s Art Lessons

2 Types of Lessons

Just Having Fun Exploring Art

The student will complete a painting, drawing, print, or mix media each lesson experimenting with a variety of media- water color, tempera, acrylic, marker, pencils, pastels, prints. There will be step by step demonstrations for easy following along. They’ll learn basic techniques and compositions. Materials will be provided, included in fee.

I Have a Passion for Art and Want to Immerse In It

These lessons are for the art student who is excited and ready to create art of their own, beyond the basics, to build their skills, to explore the connection between life, passion, and creativity, to create their visions whether bold or subtle, and to explore with freedom how materials, content, and principles of design and composition work together.

Students will benefit from demonstrations to learn techniques and use of media then they’ll practice and apply them to their art. We’ll create studies of compositional elements to gain and understanding of why they work, explore and experiment with color theory, and develop their style. This may be done through multi lesson projects, small art works in a series of studies, and final art works.

The student will as well discover the importance of focus and a quiet mind while creating, and then practice that in class. 

Materials and tools will be provided by the student, except for solvents for clean up in the studio.

     This is for the artist who is ready to challenge themselves and to take what they learn in the lesson and practice it at home. They are ready for helpful critique and discussion about how the art they are making relates to their life. And they will be encouraged to apply to call for entries local and national. 

I am a life long artist and have a MA in Art from University of Denver in 1995, with a focus in multi media areas: drawing, painting, and printmaking. Taught at: Community College of Aurora, Artreach After School Workshops, The Denver Waldorf School, City of Lakewood Restitution Program, Open Press, Artful Journey Afterschool Drawing Workshops, Private lessons

Children’s lessons: $50 a lesson  usually 45 minutes to an hour. Children from 6- 12 years.  Just for fun type lesson.

Adults and Teens: $75 an hour, $110 hour and 30 minutes. Hour and 30 lesson provides more comprehensive learning and productivity.

I started with Artreach here in Denver, and was working at Open Press when I was recruited by the director of the fine arts program at Community College of Aurora. Then I continued to seek more teaching opportunities and now I teach only private lessons. 

I’ve worked with children ages 3 through 18, and young adults through seniors from all economic levels. Many have been preschool and elementary students in after school workshops; middle, high school and college students; adults who attended printmaking workshops or professional development programs. Some have been developmentally disabled and attended a workshop through the Jefferson County Recreation programs. And private clients, able and disabled, whom I visit in their homes. 

A client recently discovered that all her hard work has paid off in that she created a cohesive composition and a final acrylic painting from a variety of her photo references, and it looked good!

Students should be really clear about their expectations of the lessons they will receive and the proficiency of the teacher in the media/style they teach and that they enjoy teaching it. Look at examples of the teacher’s art to gauge if they would be a good fit. For example- a figurative realist and landscape artist may not want to teach cartooning or graphic design. Look at their websites, or social media outlets. Ask for examples to be sent through email or visit their studio. And make sure your personalities get along. 

Is the teacher flexible with time and days or would a stable schedule be more workable

What supplies do I need for the lessons

What are the teacher’s expecatations of their students behavior, attentiveness, home work, 

Are there any pets in the studio that the student may be allergic too

Is it possible to communicate via text or email outside of class

Would there be lessons held outside of the studio such as in landscape plain aire painting, or museum tours

Is a snack allowed

When is payment expected, and may payment be made for a block of lessons

What payment form does the teacher prefer. Cash is always good. 

May friends watch, or my parent or guardian be present