Kelley Vandiver
Classes
Classes
Because of the state of the world, I am currently only teaching small classes in my gallery at the Fabrica la Aurora, and online classes with Zoom or Skype. Please contact me if you have specific questions. If it is your first class with me, you will need to set aside at least 5 days and each class will need to be at least 3 hours long (for a total of at least 15 hours) which includes a half-hour break. Most of my students are studying photo-realism in watercolor but I do accept oil painting students after you have taken the watercolor class and I feel you have mastered the technique. I will provide supplies for beginning students (in person). For online classes, you might need to purchase some supplies that I feel are important but even this can be negotiated. For online students, we will work together on proper photos and advanced students will be challenged to work on difficult compositions.
When classes can meet in person again
My classes are designed to teach you how to paint realistically in watercolor. I have over 20 years of teaching experience in watercolor. My classes are held in my gallery (the Galeria Vandiver) in the historic Fabrica la Aurora, www.fabricalaaurora.com, here in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The Fabrica is an old converted fabric factory that hosts many galleries and studios as well as three restaurants.
I start with the basics so don’t worry if you haven’t painted before. I have had many students that are trying art for the very first time. The beauty of this technique is that there are rules to follow and if you follow the rules, your painting will turn out great.
I provide all of the supplies you will need for the class. All you need to do is show up. The class lasts for 5 days and is 3 hours a day (example: from 9:00 to 12:00) which includes a half-hour break. The five days can be taken together (I teach on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) or spread out over a few weeks. We can always work something out by changing the days or times if you need to. The cost for the 5 day class is $300 US Dollars (or Mexican Peso equivalent). It is the same cost for less days because that means I have to cram more teaching into less time! You can click on this email link or you can call me on my cell phone (415) 151-9062. Credit toward a future class will be given if you must miss a scheduled class for one reason or another with at least 24 hour notice.
Once you have graduated from the beginning course, you may continue taking classes for $50 US Dollars a day (2.5 hours plus 1/2 hour break). Advanced students are responsible for purchasing their own supplies and coming up with their own ideas for paintings.
I also offer private classes (one on one) for advanced students. Advanced students are students that have completed the beginning watercolor class or that I have agreed can take the advanced class after having a meeting with me. The cost for private classes is $50 US a day (two and a half hours). I look forward to hearing from you!
supply list for advanced students
D’Arches 300 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper; round synthetic watercolor brushes sizes 2, 4, and one number 10 that come to a very tiny point; M. Graham or Gamblin or Daniel Smith watercolor paint (quinacridone rose, quinacridone red, quinacridone violet, quinacridone gold, azo yellow, transparent oxide brown, burnt umber, phthalo blue, phthalo green, chromium oxide green, hookers green, indanthrone blue, black gouache, and white gouache); gum eraser; pencils (6H or 8H as well as an Ebony or 9B); ruler; paper towels; plastic palette for mixing paint as well as one to hold your paint. These can be purchased through online retailers like www.dickblick.com (Daniel Smith paint, M. Graham and Gamblin paint).
Note: it has recently come to my attention that the brushes I prefer are no longer be available (Loew Cornell series 7020). This is a sad day. As soon as a worthy replacement is found, I will change the supply list. Several have been recommended to me and I have tried them but so far none have impressed me.