Students

At first, I wasn't convinced instruction from John was going to be any use to me. His work with oil paints is outstanding, but it's a different style and medium than I'm used to. I'm more into comic books and cartoons. Was he really going to be able to help me with my main artistic problem?

The problem was this: when it came to adding colour to my drawings, I was totally lost. I could draw an outline I loved, but I just didn't understand how to bring colour into the picture to create the full effect I wanted.

Well, I needn't have worried. John's preferred medium is oil paints, but his knowledge of colour and creative technique runs deeper than just one medium. He was able to show me, on a scientific level, how colour really works. Then he built on that foundation to explain the practical steps that get brilliant results.

You can tell he has eons of teaching experience because it was all very practical and clear. I came away with an understanding of what paint to buy (and what paint to avoid); which 'colour rules' are bullshit and which to rely on; how to avoid muddy colours when paint mixing, and how to create precise, beautiful colours that match the effect you intend.

Most of all, I got rid of my nerves around colour and came away with a sense of curiosity about the amazing possibilities of working with colours in analogue form. As is the case with all good teachers, John's enthusiasm is infectious and inspires you to push past the barriers you didn't know you had to experiment and discover more.

I have now learned a detailed and reliable process to use in making an oil painting. I was totally lacking the element of dependable color mixing. I could design and draw up a composition, but would flounder when trying to mix paint colors. So I stuck with pastels. So after years of wishing I could paint in oils, that block is GONE. I can plan a painting now, without qualms. This Is Major!!! Value, chroma and hue are now familiar tools instead of mysteries and enemies. My palette is now a friend instead of a foe...

First, that is it possible to mix, almost always, the color you are after, within the limits of the paint. I can zone in on the correct range of the color I want, without randomly searching and guessing. Second, I do not try to mix grayed tones using opposites anymore. So all in all, it has become much more fun to dive into a new painting.

I have no formal art training so learning the basics about color blocking, light sources, and color values and saturation helped to greatly improve my artwork.

I appreciated the constructive critiques each week, which helped me learn to look at areas of my artwork differently and improve on creating a more natural depth to my drawings.

I enjoyed the entire mentorship! I liked having a schedule and "homework" each week, which helped me move forward even when life got in the way. I appreciate John's knowledge of various art media and the basics that are applied to each type of medium. I liked learning about different tricks to gain a new perspective on creating detail and depth in my artwork. I definitely recommend this mentorship and look forward to working with John again in the future.