About
I love to teach students with drawing& painting- I've been doing it for over 25 years- many of my students thank me for moving their skills up 2 notches or more. It's not rocket science- it takes "seeing" & practice. You CAN do it.
My approach to drawing and painting is simple. I strive to move the students' drawing abilities up from a modest ability to actual mastery. If you can draw well, you can paint well.
Yes it takes practice to learn the painting techniques, but if the drawing is strong, the painting will follow. Trying to do a nice painting on a poor drawing is doomed to fail.
Many people fear that learning to draw well will be painful and they avoid it. Do not avoid this as it will be so rewarding, you'll never recall why you had this fear. After all painting is drawing with a brush.
The better the drawing, the better the painting. I start there.
My former students all tell me that with my help, their drawing level moved them up at least 2 notches.
I ask my newest students to rate their drawing ability from 1-10.
1= means that 3 year olds laugh derisively at your drawings.
10= means that the Vatican is bugging the hell out of you to come over and fix some of their frescoes.
So where does your opinion of your ability fall?
2.4? 4.6? 7?
I've been exhibiting my art for over 30 years and teaching groups and private students along the way. With humor I might add. I have awards from numerous art festivals for best in Drawing and other categories- & Gold Medal from Society of Illustrators Humor show with 3500 entries.
You can find my work at artthatmakesyoulaugh.com
You will note the humor and the color. But don't miss the drawing that lies underneath all my works.
I love to draw. All my life experiences show up in my art. And the drawing is how I express them.
I love to make people laugh with my art. And when I teach, I use humor to help my students get over their fears & hesitations.
Photos and videos
Reviews
Claudia B.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I start my students with where they're at a drawing level.
Then I give them assignments to make them reach for their next level of ability- be it shading, perspective, values or intention.
The different mediums come a bit later.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
BFA Syracuse Univ.
30 years of fine art
30 years of art festivals
30 years of private commissions
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For private in person lessons, I charge $50 for 1 1/2 hour sessions. I need a commitment of 4 times/month for $200.
Scheduling is flexible.
For long distance lessons, we will use email, Skype and whatever. Cost: negotiatiable.
How did you get started teaching?
People at art shows asked if I gave lessons because they liked the way my art looked, the drawing especially.
What types of students have you worked with?
Adults: over the age of 12.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Earlier in the year a very self effacing woman was having trouble owning how good her works were. She drew at about a 6 or 7, out of 10. Not bad. And her color and technique, because of her drawing level, were also not bad.
She could not own it.
So each time we met, I had her read a sentence out loud that I had put in my sketchbook.
She had to real aloud, "I guess I'm not as terrible an artist as I thought I was."
We always laugh.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure you want to get better with your art.
Dilletantes and wannabees don't do well.
So many women have drawn for fun as a child but never learned to draw. Many tinkled on the piano but never moved up to really learn it. It's the same with drawing.
But I can tell you once you start to get better and see that you are, you can't stop yourself. It's a thrill.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Good teachers know what you need by looking at your art.
You may not know yourself what you need.
You have to want it.