W A T E R C O L O R I N S T R U C T I O N B Y G R E G M I L E S
Jane:
“Dick, have you heard the news?”
Dick:
“No Jane, what news?”
Jane:
“They’re offering watercolor classes with Greg Miles – he’s the one we’ve seen
on TV!”
Dick:
“WOW! It must be incredibly expensive”
Jane:
“No Dick, No! It’s very affordable!”
Dick:
“But Jane, I can’t even draw stick people . . . “
Jane:
“ Oh Dick, shut your pie hole and quit being such a cry baby – you don’t need
to be able to draw – this guy will show you!”
Dick:
“Jane, you sweet-talking woman - this sounds almost too good to be true!”
Jane:
“Yes, Dick, you are right! But it IS true! Come on! Let’s GO!!!!”
Dick & Jane:
“HOOOORAY!” (Unison)
I n t r o d u c t i o n :
Watercolor is usually thought to be a very difficult and unforgiving medium. Not
so. I have mastered a technique which allows anyone to paint with the ease
that I do, and I’ve eliminated the frustration of creating “mud” rather than
color.
I have been a professional artist for the last 12 years - focusing primarily on
painting and exclusively on watercolor. My work has been used for book covers
and has been featured in Western Horseman magazine, Cowboys & Indians
Magazine, as well as being featured in numerous galleries throughout the
country and in the homes of collectors worldwide. My classes have ranged from
1 to 35 students from all over the country
My subject matter is eclectic and though I am able to work fast and loose and
impressionistic, my forte' is realism.
T h e c l a s s
The Basics – water, gravity, pigment, light & shadow, and value.
Play (release attachment to results - stimulates freedom and spontaneity and
thus creativity)
Technique – quite different from others in that it allows the student to "create
art" from the beginning rather than having to work at studying different
aspects of form, shadow, and composition.
T h e S t r u c t u r e :
Discuss principles; demonstrate exactly what I mean
"Now your turn"; students do what I just did
Add depth & dimension; I demonstrate lifting color and adding deep values
"Now your turn"
Practical application – I take a real life subject at hand and use the former
stated principles & techniques to demonstrate how to apply.
"Now your turn"
During the "now your turn" sessions, I walk around, comment and direct
individually.
M y i m m e d i a t e o b j e c t i v e s :
TEACH – this means showing you what I know in order to further your growth
FACILITATE – help you to identify where you want to go, how to get there, and
then how to put what you’ve learned into practical application.
CRITIQUE – this is where I will help you with your elements of design – your
composition, technique, use of value, light and shadow, subject matter, and
your own sense of style.
Overall, I want you to grow. Again, that means that it’s up to you to
communicate to me what you want or need – or the fact that you don’t know
what you want or need.
I ask that you have an open mind, be willing to accept a challenge, keep a
positive attitude, and have fun.
Because precise drawing is not necessary, though definitely a plus, my classes
are great for beginners as well as advanced students. The technique is unique
enough that advanced students typically stand to learn a lot. Here’s why . . .
The principles that I teach in the basics are about color, mixing, value, depth &
dimension and PLAY! These principles apply across the board - into oil painting
as well. However, watercolor is ideal because it is a medium for quick turn-
around and immediate gratification. Plus, it is easy to transport the materials
and the work.
Many people love the idea of learning to paint – but don’t know how to pursue
it or don’t have the time to find a good instructor. These classes take the
hassle out of “learning” and make it easy for them to pursue something they’ve
“always wanted to do”. Usually the students leave saying something like
"wow, I can't believe I did this!!" - so they take something that is lasting (they
can take it home and hang it on their wall), extremely positive, and in some
cases even life-altering (I've had some GREAT students who had no idea they
could paint).
Class size is ideally around 12 students.
W h a t d o y o u n e e d ?
An open mind and a willingness to learn.
W h e r e i s i t ?
TBD
Jane:
“Dick, have you heard the news?”
Dick:
“No Jane, what news?”
Jane:
“They’re offering watercolor classes with Greg Miles – he’s the one we’ve seen
on TV!”
Dick:
“WOW! It must be incredibly expensive”
Jane:
“No Dick, No! It’s very affordable!”
Dick:
“But Jane, I can’t even draw stick people . . . “
Jane:
“ Oh Dick, shut your pie hole and quit being such a cry baby – you don’t need
to be able to draw – this guy will show you!”
Dick:
“Jane, you sweet-talking woman - this sounds almost too good to be true!”
Jane:
“Yes, Dick, you are right! But it IS true! Come on! Let’s GO!!!!”
Dick & Jane:
“HOOOORAY!” (Unison)
I n t r o d u c t i o n :
Watercolor is usually thought to be a very difficult and unforgiving medium. Not
so. I have mastered a technique which allows anyone to paint with the ease
that I do, and I’ve eliminated the frustration of creating “mud” rather than
color.
I have been a professional artist for the last 12 years - focusing primarily on
painting and exclusively on watercolor. My work has been used for book covers
and has been featured in Western Horseman magazine, Cowboys & Indians
Magazine, as well as being featured in numerous galleries throughout the
country and in the homes of collectors worldwide. My classes have ranged from
1 to 35 students from all over the country
My subject matter is eclectic and though I am able to work fast and loose and
impressionistic, my forte' is realism.
T h e c l a s s
The Basics – water, gravity, pigment, light & shadow, and value.
Play (release attachment to results - stimulates freedom and spontaneity and
thus creativity)
Technique – quite different from others in that it allows the student to "create
art" from the beginning rather than having to work at studying different
aspects of form, shadow, and composition.
T h e S t r u c t u r e :
Discuss principles; demonstrate exactly what I mean
"Now your turn"; students do what I just did
Add depth & dimension; I demonstrate lifting color and adding deep values
"Now your turn"
Practical application – I take a real life subject at hand and use the former
stated principles & techniques to demonstrate how to apply.
"Now your turn"
During the "now your turn" sessions, I walk around, comment and direct
individually.
M y i m m e d i a t e o b j e c t i v e s :
TEACH – this means showing you what I know in order to further your growth
FACILITATE – help you to identify where you want to go, how to get there, and
then how to put what you’ve learned into practical application.
CRITIQUE – this is where I will help you with your elements of design – your
composition, technique, use of value, light and shadow, subject matter, and
your own sense of style.
Overall, I want you to grow. Again, that means that it’s up to you to
communicate to me what you want or need – or the fact that you don’t know
what you want or need.
I ask that you have an open mind, be willing to accept a challenge, keep a
positive attitude, and have fun.
Because precise drawing is not necessary, though definitely a plus, my classes
are great for beginners as well as advanced students. The technique is unique
enough that advanced students typically stand to learn a lot. Here’s why . . .
The principles that I teach in the basics are about color, mixing, value, depth &
dimension and PLAY! These principles apply across the board - into oil painting
as well. However, watercolor is ideal because it is a medium for quick turn-
around and immediate gratification. Plus, it is easy to transport the materials
and the work.
Many people love the idea of learning to paint – but don’t know how to pursue
it or don’t have the time to find a good instructor. These classes take the
hassle out of “learning” and make it easy for them to pursue something they’ve
“always wanted to do”. Usually the students leave saying something like
"wow, I can't believe I did this!!" - so they take something that is lasting (they
can take it home and hang it on their wall), extremely positive, and in some
cases even life-altering (I've had some GREAT students who had no idea they
could paint).
Class size is ideally around 12 students.
W h a t d o y o u n e e d ?
An open mind and a willingness to learn.
W h e r e i s i t ?
TBD
