FAQ's |
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Does Amanda allow students or others to copy her paintings?
Amanda realizes that copying a painting is an effective way to learn specific techniques and principles but strongly emphasizes the importance of respecting International Copyright laws as they apply to Intellectual Property. A copied piece of art, if you have permission to do so, should be considered a learning tool and SHOULD NEVER be sold or entered into a competition. Doing so is highly unethical as well as illegal and can result in Civil and Criminal prosecution. Any time that you copy a piece of art it is highly recommended that you receive permission from the artist before doing so. This is an all-encompassing law that also includes copying photographs or producing reproductions of artwork. With so much easy access to the internet now, it’s easy for people to copy images. Feel free to copy as part of your learning process but I recommend you do not post them on the internet and do not exhibit the final artwork publicly. The masters (da vinci, michaelangelo, Vermeer, Klimt, Brandt, Post etc) all learnt SOME of their skills by copying and then moved on to form their own styles and methods - I don't know any artist who hasn't worked long and hard to develop their unique style/subject interpretation, there is no such thing as overnight success. Competitions and Exhibitions are very clear that all work must be original and not created with supervision or in a class. I'm interested in purchasing a painting from Amanda's online store. How are the paintings shipped? Paintings are shipped unframed in a heavy duty large mailing tube to assure that they arrive undamaged. Shipping charges will be determined by the retail price and destination of the painting. I have been told that Amanda offers a discount on her watercolour paintings to her students. Is that correct and how much is the discount? Yes, Amanda does offer a substantial discount on her watercolour paintings exclusively to current and former students. If you see a painting on the website you are interested in purchasing, contact and request the student price and ordering instructions. Be sure to include the title of the piece and the workshop you attended. Are Amanda’s watercolour workshops for all skill levels? I'm relatively new at watercolours. Yes, a typical workshop has participants of all skill levels, however from time-to-time, Amanda also offers a specific Beginners workshop. What colours does Amanda have on her palette? Amanda uses mostly Winsor & Newton Professional watercolours also Schmincke and Holbein. Below is a list of her colours. Beginner’s paint sets are available to workshop attendees: Winsor Green Manganese Blue Cobalt Turquoise Winsor Blue (red shade) Winsor Blue (Green Shade) Indigo Cobalt blue French Ultramarine Neutral / lamp black Cobalt violet / dioxaxine violet Permanent Alizarin Crimson Permanent Rose White Designer's Gouache Brown Madder Quinacridone Gold Raw Sienna Yellow Ochre Burnt Sienna New Gamboge / Indian Yellow Transparent Orange Cadmium Red Over the years Amanda has received colour collections from many brands which are used less often but are thrown into her mix from time-to-time. Why does Amanda recommend Winsor & Newton Artist Quality Watercolour pigments? Amanda has been using them for more than 25 years, further, she has also used many other brands but always comes back to W&N. W&N have a higher pigment loading than any other brand, however, Schmincke are also at the top of her list. In comparison, Amanda has found that tube for tube, she will need a lot more paint from another brand to do the same job as W&N: ie, you will need a 14ml tube of another brand to do the same job as a W&N 5ml - it's that simple! Why just 4 artist colours for Beginners? to help you get used to the pigments and their reactions to each other and also to get you to mix your colours. More is not better nor easier. Economically speaking, artist quality paints are cheaper than "cheap" paint and 14ml tubes are more economical than 5ml! Pre-selected sets seem to be made up with colours that are not suited to New Zealand light - not much use to you! Will Amanda's products be available for purchase at her workshops? Amanda usually has a supply of Beginner’s brushes, paint sets, and watercolour paper at workshops depending on availability. To ensure you are adequately prepared, please plan on bringing everything you think you might need to a workshop. Unless otherwise specified, Amanda DOES NOT sell paper at workshops, so be sure and bring plenty of paper with you. Amanda recommends you bring at least 3 or 4 pieces for each day of classes and workshops. Do workshop participants have to paint the same subject and style as Amanda? Not at all. Amanda's emphasis is on helping you develop your own style. Each day Amanda will create a complete painting in the morning. After lunch, participants can work on their own painting which can be any subject or style. Students are encouraged to paint whatever size they are comfortable painting. It’s advisable to bring a good selection of reference photographs to classes and workshops such as a mix of landscapes, floral, water scenes, architectural scenes, etc. Amanda assists each student in turn with their paintings throughout the remainder of the lesson each day. What can I expect to see demonstrated at one of Amanda’s workshops? In a typical three day workshop, Amanda will paint a wide variety of subjects. Each day she will paint a complete and different painting in the mornings followed by an afternoon of participant painting. She may paint a landscape one day, a floral the next day, and an abstract the next and so on. Quite often, she will do a quick demonstration of a specific subject or technique late in the afternoon. A multitude of watercolour techniques are shown and explained during the course. Does Amanda allow photos to be taken during her demonstrations? Yes, reviewing photographs of workshop demonstrations is an excellent way to refresh your memory of specific techniques when you return home. Amanda, however, DOES NOT allow video recording or any form of filming at her workshops. Please DO NOT photograph her paintings for sale. Are Amanda's demonstration paintings available for sale at workshops? Yes, Amanda always has artwork for sale at her workshops including her demonstration paintings. Her original paintings are offered at a special wholesale price for her students. She also offers the same wholesale price to anyone who has taken one of her workshops. What brand of watercolour paper does Amanda use and why? Amanda prefers Arches Aquarelle medium 300gsm, 100% cotton rag and Fabriano Artistico cold pressed watercolour paper. She has found both to be an excellent quality papers that work well with the watercolour techniques she uses and teaches. We are interested in having Amanda teach a watercolour workshop in our area. What is the process for booking a workshop? Amanda will gladly send information about teaching a workshop to the person in charge of booking workshops in your group. If you are interested in organizing a workshop, send Amanda an email. Does Amanda provide critiques to workshop participants? Yes, part of your learning process is a discussion about your painting and part of Amanda's teaching process is provide individual critiques of participant’s paintings during her workshops. Does Amanda offer online critiques of student paintings? Current Student's paintings are reviewed in classes and workshops otherwise you can also take advantage of her online critique service. Does Amanda offer private lessons? Not at the present time. Her busy exhibition and workshop schedule prohibits time for private instruction. YOUR PAINTING IS YOUR PAINTING ALWAYS bring spare watercolour paper and a sketch/note book to class. Amanda will not touch your painting but she is happy to provide individual demonstrations, if you want to keep this demonstration, please bring your own paper. Class & Workshop Etiquette My goal is to make your Class and Workshop experience a wonderful and enriching experience. However, as much as I say "your" workshop, you are in my space and I expect you to be polite to me and others as you would expect me to be in your home. Please don't provide critiques to anyone unless they are requested. If you wouldn't want it said to you then don't say it to someone else. Skill will be achieved by the amount of time you spend outside the workshop sketching and painting. Do not come to class and say "I don't like sketching", open your mind to possibilities and do what you have to do to reach your goals. Your learning style is just that - your learning style, your responsibility, you are an adult. There are possibly 20 other learning styles in the room with you. I do my best to give everyone equal time, don’t expect a teacher to be your private instructor in a workshop. Don’t expect participants to help you, they came to be immersed in the workshop experience, not to be your teacher. If you’re struggling, please speak to me privately. if you are unable attend a class, i will not be able to provide an individual session. Workshops are intended to be a fun and lively experience and also an important learning environment for serious students. Be courteous and keep talking to a minimum as well as volume. You have opportunities to visit with each other before, at breaks, lunch time and after class. If you're very sensitive to noise or talking, bring earplugs to block out noise or earbuds to listen to your music. Come prepared and ready to learn, arrive on time and be mentally prepared. Turn off your cell phone in the classroom. If you must talk on the phone please go outside. Set up your watercolour palette with paint before the workshop, pre-cut your watercolour paper, make sure you have your learning tools. I allow students to photograph my demos, but not paintings I bring for sale. NO Video or Audio is allowed. I make my wishes known the first day of the workshop. It's an uncomfortable situation when I have to stop a demo to ask someone to stop video recording. Respect your instructors wishes and expect them to respect yours. I come to workshops and classes early to set up for the day, not to socialize. I'm often asked, “Can I have just a minute?” I'm happy to answer questions during the day but the morning is devoted to preparing for the day. Give me 20-30 minutes to set up and I will give you an entire day of undivided attention and instruction. I enjoy eating lunch and socializing with workshop participants. It's fun to learn about you, hear your stories, experience, thoughts, families ... However, lunch time isn't a good time to ask me to review your portfolios, sketchbooks or view paintings on your phone. It's time for me to recharge. Workshops should be a magical experience. Come prepared and with realistic expectations of me and I'll do my best to guide, encourage and instil my knowledge. |
For BEGINNERS Classes and Workshops WHAT TO BRING FROM HOME
Class and Workshop Terms & Conditions Enrolments are confirmed on receipt of payment in full. Students who are currently enrolled in a class will be given preferential booking to enroll in the following term. Following the preferential booking deadline, enrollments will be opened to new students. Classes must be booked for the full term, no part term or single classes will be booked. Refunds, less a $50 administration fee, will be made to students who withdraw from a course up to 10 days before course commencement. No refunds will be made after this date. Transfers are not available. We reserve the right to provide a substitute tutor or reschedule a class if necessary. Refunds will be made for any classes cancelled by me. Filming of my demonstrations is not permitted but you are welcome to take a few photographs. Photographs taken by me may be used for marketing purposes. Amanda is a qualified Adult Educator; special needs and school-age student tuition is not available - please do not be offended if your application is declined. Depending on circumstances, high-need adults may be accepted with an attending helper/caregiver, please contact me to discuss. 
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