Color & Composition: Bringing It All Together
(How To Create Beautiful Harmony, Beyond the "Rule of Thirds")
12-week class taught by Karen Lynn Ingalls
To be scheduled for 2025, possibly on Saturdays • 10:00 AM to 1:00-1:30-ish PM Pacific Time
(with a short meal break in the middle)
To be scheduled for 2025, possibly on Saturdays • 10:00 AM to 1:00-1:30-ish PM Pacific Time
(with a short meal break in the middle)
All paintings © Karen Lynn Ingalls
This class is for: Not-Total-Beginners, Intermediate, and More Experienced Painters
Do you want to explore and expand your painting skills and knowledge? Do you want:
- To learn how to make colors sing in beautiful harmony in your paintings?
- To find, troubleshoot, and fix what isn't working in a painting?
- To develop and discover who you are as an artist?
- To get support for your creative process?
L to R: Breakfast al Fresco I, A Dog with Mustard, and Breakfast al Fresco II, by Karen Lynn Ingalls
In this class, you will:
- Learn about color, and how to choose the colors you want to paint with
- Find out how to make color work harmoniously in your paintings, so it sings beautifully and makes your heart happy
- Discover:
- Who you are as a painter
- How that affects both your approach to the process of painting and what a painting means for you
- And how that will affect how you develop each painting
- Learn a special process to find, troubleshoot, and fix what isn't working in a painting
- Discover what goes into the design of a painting — all the elements of composition (hint: it's not just about the "Rule of Thirds"!), and how to make them work effectively as you create your paintings
- Explore different ways to approach your painting, with time-lapse video demonstrations and instruction, and looking at the work of historical and contemporary artists for examples and education
- Discover more about the process of painting, taking it from beginning to end
- Create paintings based on what interests you
- Master how to handle that inner critical voice that pops up every now and then to disrupt your creative process, and make sure it never bothers you again
L to R: Dusk in the Vineyards, Field Station Road, and Dusk Near Diamond Mountain, by Karen Lynn Ingalls
This especially applies if you work from photographs, whether you paint landscapes, still lifes, or portraits.
But it also applies to abstract paintings and mixed media with collage — contact Karen if you have any questions about that.
Our particular focus is on your development as an artist, and finding your own creative voice (we don't copy other people's work!).
We’ll approach painting with a spirit of experimentation and discovery, so you can learn to see in new ways, apply what you’ll learn, and watch as each painting evolves and improves.
But it also applies to abstract paintings and mixed media with collage — contact Karen if you have any questions about that.
Our particular focus is on your development as an artist, and finding your own creative voice (we don't copy other people's work!).
We’ll approach painting with a spirit of experimentation and discovery, so you can learn to see in new ways, apply what you’ll learn, and watch as each painting evolves and improves.
L to R: Green Pear, Orange Plate; Autumn Vineyard, Mountain Home Ranch Road; and Pear I by Karen Lynn Ingalls
I've learned more about how to make a real painting in three hours than I have in three years. — Catherine Singels, Calistoga
Karen Lynn Ingalls, with a work in progress on the easel
As acrylic painters know, acrylics are probably the most versatile and forgiving paint medium you can work with (don't you love them?).
But since we're online, oil painters and folks working with water-based oil paints are welcome to join us, too. Oil painting methods of application may be a little different, but the basic principles we'll be learning and using apply to oil painting too.
But since we're online, oil painters and folks working with water-based oil paints are welcome to join us, too. Oil painting methods of application may be a little different, but the basic principles we'll be learning and using apply to oil painting too.
L to R: Just-Spring, Little Red Apple, and Eucalyptus at the Heart of the Vineyard, by Karen Lynn Ingalls
Who is this class for?
Not-Total-Beginners, Intermediate, and More Experienced Painters — to be more specific:
If you have painted before, including at a Paint-and-Sip type of event, have learned how to use the paint and apply it to a surface, and have tried painting a few times, even though you may not have developed it much yet, this should still work for you.
If you're more experienced, but want to expand, develop, grow, and blossom as a painter — including developing your own style — this may be exactly what you're looking for!
If you've never painted before, you'll want to start with something more introductory, to learn about how to use the paint and apply it to a surface. When you've had a chance to play with that for a bit, come back when you're ready for this!
Not-Total-Beginners, Intermediate, and More Experienced Painters — to be more specific:
If you have painted before, including at a Paint-and-Sip type of event, have learned how to use the paint and apply it to a surface, and have tried painting a few times, even though you may not have developed it much yet, this should still work for you.
If you're more experienced, but want to expand, develop, grow, and blossom as a painter — including developing your own style — this may be exactly what you're looking for!
If you've never painted before, you'll want to start with something more introductory, to learn about how to use the paint and apply it to a surface. When you've had a chance to play with that for a bit, come back when you're ready for this!
Where: Online — on ZOOM, from wherever you are
What it includes:
We'll have introductory instruction for a couple of hours, including some time to put what you learn into practice, and Karen will meet with students individually, to talk with you about what you're working on.
Class Dates to be scheduled for 2025:
12 sessions possibly on Saturdays, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 to 1:30 PM-ish Pacific Time,,,
+ a bonus follow-up session
Sign up early: (You'll get access to your first video lessons on color, so you can watch them and try things out before we meet.)
How much:
$397 (only $33 per class, not including bonuses)
OR two payments of $200
OR 3 payments of $135
What it includes:
- Bonus preliminary instructional videos and handouts before first meeting
- Opportunities to ask questions and consult with Karen about what you're working on, and answer any questions you have
- 12 Saturday classes
- A bonus follow-up session
- Karen's mini-book on Color and Composition
- Karen's e-book, Nine Ways to Tap Into Your Creativity and Tame Your Inner Critic
- Additional handouts on subjects we'll cover
We'll have introductory instruction for a couple of hours, including some time to put what you learn into practice, and Karen will meet with students individually, to talk with you about what you're working on.
Class Dates to be scheduled for 2025:
12 sessions possibly on Saturdays, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 to 1:30 PM-ish Pacific Time,,,
+ a bonus follow-up session
Sign up early: (You'll get access to your first video lessons on color, so you can watch them and try things out before we meet.)
How much:
$397 (only $33 per class, not including bonuses)
OR two payments of $200
OR 3 payments of $135
Registration being set up... you'll be able to register soon!
And portion of your class fee goes to support the Calistoga Art Center, too.
And portion of your class fee goes to support the Calistoga Art Center, too.
Payment processing plan being set up now....
Each week we'll meet for instruction that includes:
- slide presentations about what we're covering,
- time-lapse video demonstrations,
- question-and-answer time,
- sharing what you're working on (no critiques!),
- and opportunities to consult with Karen about what you're working on.
Here's what some of Karen's students have to say about her classes....
I have been taking an Acrylic Painting class from Karen Ingalls for almost a year. Her teaching style is thoughtful and informative. She has a wealth of information to share! When I am in need of help on a painting, not only does she offer constructive comments, she helps me work through problem areas with a series of key questions that help me analyze and resolve the issues. I've learned so much about composition, value, and color! She can teach you how to take a painting from the "green goo" stage to the beautiful butterfly you know is in there!
— Debbie Jorgensen
— Debbie Jorgensen
I've taken many arts & crafts classes, and KAREN is my favorite teacher! She is encouraging and supportive. You learn so much about color, composition, inspiration, etc. in easy to understand fun lessons! Try it!
— Jenni Grunschlag
As a beginner, I first signed up for an acrylic painting class with Karen a year ago. I had no idea what to expect and no confidence in myself as an artist. What I found in Karen was a kind, enthusiastic and patient teacher who is able to meet you at whatever level your are at to give you instruction and positive feedback without negative criticism. I look forward to her class each week and recomend her to anyone from a novice like me to someone with years of painting experience.
— Michelle Seale
As a beginner, I first signed up for an acrylic painting class with Karen a year ago. I had no idea what to expect and no confidence in myself as an artist. What I found in Karen was a kind, enthusiastic and patient teacher who is able to meet you at whatever level your are at to give you instruction and positive feedback without negative criticism. I look forward to her class each week and recomend her to anyone from a novice like me to someone with years of painting experience.
— Michelle Seale
Karen Lynn Ingalls's e-Books "Nine Ways to Tap Into Your Creativity and Tame Your Inner Critic" and "Color & Composition," and video "How to Choose the Colors of Your Palette"
The class also includes handouts on everything we'll be covering, as well as:
- Karen's mini-book on Color and Composition,
- Karen's e-book Nine Ways to Tap Into Your Creativity and Tame Your Inner Critic,
- and Bonus introductory videos for you on Choosing the Colors of Your Palette; Color Mixing; and Paintbrush 101, to watch and work with before our first meeting.
NOTE: Karen's classes for her ongoing students continue weekly — on Fridays, from 1 PM to 4 PM. If you're one of her students from previous years, aren't on the mailing list, and would like to rejoin the class, please contact her! You're welcome to gather again with our friendly community.
