DIANE'S TEACHINGS
This 4 Stage technique is influenced by the teachings of Susan Sarback, who Diane studied with for seven years.
Sarback created the School of Light and Color in Sacramento, California.
Her teacher was the master painter Henry Hensche who was taught by Charles Hawthorne, a contemporary of Monet.
These teachings are laid out in stages to help students see and paint in full color with the vision of the Impressionists.
As a painting teacher, Diane is dedicated to passing along these teachings and sharing her vibrant color palette and technique with her students.
Contact Diane to sign up for classes.
It is Diane's wish to connect with each person indiviually rather than having a sign up sheet.
Pre-requisite: basic drawing skills and some experience with oil or acrylic and a basic understanding of mixing color – in order to grow and enjoy the experience.
SIGN UP
Reviews:
"Diane is humble, gracious, patient, an exceptional teacher and artist. Her teaching is methodical but the results of each students and artists work is as unique and individual as the artists themselves and this is where the true magic lies. I have never experienced this before in the many classes I have taken. By the end of one of Diane's courses you will feel like an artist because you have been transformed into one. You will have a framework that you can move forward with into your own painting practice but at the same time you will want to return and take another class for the deeper understanding and the joy of painting with Diane." Julie
"Fire Horse" in honor of The Year of the Horse
Saturday, February 21st 9am-11:30am MT Alberta
CONTACT DIANE TO SIGN UP
- Learn to paint a Lusitano horse within an online Zoom class. $89
- Improve your layering and brushstrokes and the way you see color!
- You will be part of a small group of students each getting individual attention, and learning from each other's critiques.
- Saturday morning 9am-11:30am MT. 11x14 canvas. Oil or acrylic.
- The camaraderie in these classes is outstanding.
- You will need extra time during this mini class to paint during the week.
- You will be supported by email for a week.
- All demos are recorded for your personal use.
THE HORSE COURSES: Reviews
Your horse course was amazing. The teaching method of the 4 stages you explain so well and it's fun to look back and see each stage at the end. You have such a passion for seeing and painting colour it has helped me to see more colour and feel excited about painting again. I love the wildness and looseness of the brush strokes in your horse paintings. Your demonstration on how to paint the horse's eye is fantastic as well, it brings life to the horse. Thank you,Vickie
I learned so much about use of colour and techniques to create a vibrant, harmonious painting. Diane is so generous with her knowledge, breaks things down into simple steps and is available to provide support/feedback. The course was amazing and has really helped me to find the “fun” in creating a painting. Thank you, Diane!
My feedback is that I absolutely LOVED this course. My favourite part is that you recorded the sessions so that we could go back and paint along while watching (for those of us who can’t learn and paint at the same time). I’ve watched each of the videos several times and continue to watch them. Every time I pick up something that I missed.
I loved how each lesson was well planned and delivered….with contagious passion for the method and the subject. Your way of teaching made me feel empowered and able to go forward and create.
This is the first online course I’ve taken and it was just wonderful -K
My painting was just passable when I started this course, but when I finished It changed me into an artist. Thank you Diane, you opened a whole new world! Marion
Just finished! Lake Louise Landscape Course
Contact Diane for the next Landscape Course.
The course was $240 and students were supported and critiqued by email one on one as needed for 4 weeks.
3 lessons, 2.5 hours each total of 7.5+ hours.
We added another 2.5 hours on a 4th Saturday to finish the sky and water.
THE LANDSCAPE COURSES: reviews
- How many stars would you give this course on a scale of 1-5?
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5 STARS!
- I loved seeing you paint, and seeing everyone's painting come together. It's so wonderful to see how each person's personality is reflected in their painting. I also love the quotes that you read to us.
- The course teaches full-colour painting through 4 stages. Diane leads us through each stage, with clear explanations, as she paints. Diane takes pictures at each stage as a reference for us, which is very helpful. The classes are also recorded for reference. Diane's instruction is clear and informative, allowing us to progress through the stages to complete our own piece. Although we all paint from the same reference photo, each painting is unique, reflecting our individual painting style. I highly recommend her classes to gain insight into full-colour painting, and just to have fun and play."
- I appreciated how open you were to helping students and also listening to problems and addressing them.
- I also appreciated the way you worked with a limited palette and teaching us how to make the colours we need with by mixing colours. This will follow me the rest of my “art life.”
- "Diane breaks down the complexity of the landscape painting into simple and approachable steps in a joyful and colorful way." Natasza
- "I learned to use my senses to make colour and light radiate from my paintings".
- "Not only did I experience how the painting stages easily work for landscapes, Diane teaches how to paint light and shadow within various landscape and atmospheric elements preparing me for any landscape." Helen
Supplies for Color Courses
- Canvas - size to be specified for the photo chosen. 1/2 or 1.5 inch deep, with a coat of gesso.
- Acrylics or Oil (I teach in oil, no solvents)
- Basic colors - lemon yellow (Hanza or Azo ), indian yellow, cadmium orange, dioxazine purple, manganese blue or cerulean blue, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, viridian, quinacridone magenta, permanent rose or quinacridone rose, and a large titanium white. I recommend purchasing artist grade paint (if possible) as you will enjoy the flow of painting and layering to a much higher degree.
- You are welcome to bring any other colors that you have except for brown, grey or black.
- Brushes: 4, 8, 10-inch filbert (flat brush with a curved tip, I prefer the filberts).
- Palette to mix on. I use a 12x16 Grey Matters paper palette. Swinton’s Art Supplies will give you 10% off all supplies if you are a student.
- Willow Vine Charcoal for drawing the image onto the canvas. Buy the smallest, thinnest in thickness. A charcoal pencil will not work. A blue watercolor pencil is another option.
- I will provide all photos to paint from for the courses.
- I use canola oil to CLEAN and store my brushes. No solvents.
Recommended books:
Susan Sarback, Capturing Radiant Light and Color, in Oils and Soft Pastels, 2007
Mrs. Charles Hawthorne, Hawthorne on Painting,1960
Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A way of Being, 2023
Full Color Foundation classes given once/year
Contact Diane to sign up for for the next Foundation class.
White Bowl in full spectrum color
- Learn the Four Stages of color with an online Zoom class.
- Three Saturday mornings 2.5 hours each session, 7.5 hours total $240.
- You will be part of a small group of students each getting individual attention, and learning from each other's critiques. The camaraderie in these classes is outstanding.
- You will need extra time during this 3 class mini course to paint during the week, finishing each assignment after the demos. All demos are recorded for your personal use.
- Week 1 - Egg, block, colored cloths
- Week 2 - White bowl, colored cloths
- Week 3 - Reflective object, colored cloths
Cobalt and Pear
Student reviews:
Diane's teaching method for painting in colour is very approachable. Whether you are a beginning painter, or haven’t picked up a brush in a long time, or are an expert painter wishing to try something new, her classes will take you through four easy steps towards a finished painting. She is very supportive and the group class dynamic is fun and encouraging. N
"Taking private classes in oil painting with Diane Williams exceeded my expectations. It was my first time painting with oils after working with acrylics for several years.
Diane taught me interesting techniques to help "see" colour. She guided me through a unique four stage process to create a still life with a vibrant colour palette.
Painting with Diane was a unique educational experience. Her sensitive approach helped me appreciate colour in a new and exciting way.
Diane is a master painter, a professional photographer, and an outstanding teacher.
She is engaging and patient, with a wonderful sense of humour. I recommend Diane's classes unequivocally for painters at any level. "I have to give you credit for this shift in my paintings.
Thank you for opening up these possibilities for me. You are a talented teacher who is generous with positive remarks and swift to give a nudge in the right direction." Judith
"Diane is more than a teacher, she’s an inspiration and wants all her students to excel. Her instruction is informative, fun and builds confidence." Ophelia
"With Diane's amazing guidance, I learned not only how to expand my ability to see colour but also a formula for how to apply colour to create more depth and vibrancy in my paintings. I look forward to applying this knowledge in future projects!" M
Large Peony Blossom Color Course
One large canvas over three Saturdays
Contact Diane for the next Peony class.
Contact Diane to sign up for classes.
- It's all about petals! learn color layering with an online Zoom class.
- Three Saturday mornings 2.5 hours each session, 7.5 hours total $240.
- You will be part of a small group of students each getting individual attention, and learning from each other's critiques. The camaraderie in these classes is outstanding.
- You will need extra time during this 3 week mini course to paint during the week, finishing each assignment after the demos. All demos are recorded for your personal use.
PEONY COURSE: reviews
Thank you again for your wonderful course! I am so enjoying working on this painting - yesterday I just couldn't put my brushes down and painted until it hurt. But it was worth it.
*Basic drawing and painting skills are a prerequisite
