Oil painting PDF

A three-page PDF file on beginning oil painting added to the site in the Tutorial section (password-protected). The file supplements the video on beginning oil painting.

Home-made portfolio

New: an illustrated four-page pdf file containing step-by-step instructions for making a simple portfolio out of cardboard and canvas offcuts, at http://artclasses.maryadam.com/home-made-portfolio.html -- and it's free.

Oil painting video

A video on beginning oil painting with low cost materials has been added to the art classes website, under Tutorials --> Oil Painting (a password-protected page).

Galway Art School

Professional artists Susanna Lambeck and Colm MacSuibhne live work and raise a small family in Annaghdown, County Galway, Ireland. As a couple that share their main interest in art, they draw inspiration and encouragement from each other. Their latest project is Galway Art School which opened its doors in January 2012 offering art courses for all ages and levels of ability. Both Susanna and Colm have a passion for teaching and both feel strongly that art skills can be taught, and that art education can and should build the students confidence. Look up their current courses on http://www.galwayartschool.com/links.php?272261

Galway Art School

Art Classes blog

Mary Adam, Tree, 2010, an oil sketch on paper, 8.5 x 11".

This new blog is a companion to my Art Classes Online website. In here I will put announcements about:

• additions to the website
• upcoming courses or workshops
• links to useful stuff for artists and instructors
• sometimes a how-to article.

I'm continually building the Art Classes Online site behind the scenes. Of particular interest is finding ways to teach things that are normally difficult to teach online. Some progress has been made. For example the issue of "finding one's style" is of concern to many aspiring artists. Tutoring can help by offering guidance on the best approaches to take. Such guidance needs to be tailored to the individual but there are principles and theory which are helpful to know and which I am adding to the site. This part of the site is password-protected, as are some other sections which have information that has been hard-won over many years and which is now being made available to students. 

Another new feature is critiques on request. Critiques are constructive and perceptive and are delivered within 24 hours. See here for details.