MY TEACHINGS

My 4 Stage technique is influenced by the teachings of Susan Sarback, who has 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 allow me to see and paint in full color with the vision of the Impressionists.

As a painting teacher, I am dedicated to passing along these teachings and sharing my vibrant color palette and technique with my students.

Contact Diane to sign up for classes. 

It is my wish to connect with each person indiviually rather than having a sign up sheet.

Full Color Foundation classes 

Contact Diane to sign up for classes. 

January 4, 11, 17.   9-11:30am MT

         White Bowl in full spectrum color

1. Learn the Four Stages of color with an online Zoom class.
2. Three Saturday mornings 2.5 hours each session, 7.5 hours total $240.
3. 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.
4. 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 - Orange, block, colored cloths
• Week 2 - White bowl, colored cloths
• Week 3 - Reflective object, colored cloths

                     Cobalt and Pear

Student reviews:

"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

"Learning to paint with Diane has helped me to see my subjects better, enabling me to capture the radiance and quality of light."  

"Taking Diane’s color course clarified how to turn the avalanche of colors I see into organized stages of development. Even as a seasoned painter, going through the foundational stages more thoroughly by participating in Diane’s demos brought more confidence and play moving forward." Helen

"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 Scale Horse Color Course

Next class over three Saturdays September 28th, October 5th, October 12th.

Contact Diane to sign up for classes. 

1. Learn to paint horses with an online Zoom class.
2. You will be part of a small group of students each getting individual attention, and learning from each other's critiques. 
3. Three Saturday mornings 2.5 hours each session, 7.5 hours total $240. The camaraderie in these classes is outstanding.
4. You will be working from one photo over 3 Saturdays.
5. 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.

Large Peony Blossom Color Course

One large canvas over three Saturdays:  October 26th, November 2nd, November 9th.

Contact Diane to sign up for classes. 

Paeonia Hearts - detail

1. It's all about petals! learn color layering with an online Zoom class.
2. Three Saturday mornings 2.5 hours each session, 7.5 hours total $240.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Landscape Color Course - please inquire

Contact Diane to sign up for classes. 

"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

"This was my first time painting landscapes and I learned so much from just 3 sessions. Diane shares all her expertise and wants her students to succeed. I feel confident with Diane’s method to explore on my own." Ophelia

Bears from the Great Bear Rainforest 

Contact Diane to sign up for classes. 

February 1,8,15.   9-11:30am MT

*It is highly recommended to take the Full Color Foundation Class first as the specialty courses are more advanced.

Email, text or call Diane for more info: 587-899-0064

Supplies for Color Courses

• 3 - 11x14 canvases, 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 16x20 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.

Supplies for private lessons:

• Canvas 16x20 with wrapped sides 1.5” deep.
• Clear, close-up color digital photo of a plant, flower, face of a horse, or other non-complex subject matter. The photo should have a good structure or large shapes with clear shadow and light areas.
• Supplies as above for paint colors.

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