Q. What is the age range of people in your classes?
A. I teach adults only.
Q. Do you council college prep students to prepare their personal portfolios?
A. Yes, both for submissions to art schools and for professional employment.
Q. When do classes begin?
A. Anytime. All group classes are ongoing. So you may join anytime.
Q. How long are your classes?
A. 2 hours
Q. If I miss a class can I make it up?
A. Yes, on an alternate day.
Q. I’d like to take your class, but I think I will feel very self-conscious.
A. Know, that everybody feels that way. Just remember how kids feel the first day of school.
Q. Before I enroll in art classes do I need experience in drawing?
A. No. The methods that I use incorporate drawing and painting all at once. Painting is simply drawing with a brush. You will be able to experience success with painting and drawing in your first class – all you need is the desire to learn – I’ll do the rest.
Q. Do I need to have some natural talent?
A. No… most painters just have a burning desire to be able to express themselves. Stated simply, DESIRE to learn is the key element that you need to bring to class.
Q. I can’t draw a straight line and stick figures are the best I can do at this time. Would you be able to teach someone like me how to paint successfully?
A. As I’ve said, if the desire is there and you are open to taking a risk by learning what “process” is all about…. while I can’t guarantee anything… you will probably succeed. Once you start though, and begin to open your eyes and heart to new possibilities…. anything is possible. Painting is a life-long learning process.
Q. What do I need to bring my first day of class?
A. Nothing. For your first class you will not need your own materials; plus, part of the first class is to help you familiarize yourself with the studio and materials that you will use. At that time you will be given an art supply list and more details .
Q. In what medium do you begin your students?
A. I love to work with acrylics or oils. They work almost interchangeably. I usually suggest that people start with oils . However, I do have some students that prefer acrylics.
Q. What is the difference between oils and acrylics?
A. Acrylics are what they sound like… a plastic (acrylic) based paint that is water soluble. In other words, you do not need a solvent such as turpentine to clean your brushes. Acrylic paint also dries very fast as opposed to oils that dry slowly. Oils are comprised of natural elements from the earth and have proven to withstand the test of time. (I wonder how Rembrandt’s paintings would have held up in acrylic?)
Q. As an established artist, which medium do you prefer to paint?
A. I paint every day using both acrylics and oils depending on the mood and narrative I want to convey. Generally, I prefer oils. Having said that… I enjoy acrylics for many of my paintings because they offer different effects.
Q. What kind of brushes to you recommend?
A. For the most part, I like a firm bristle brush. I always use several different kinds of brushes for each painting. I also use brushes that are available in hardwood stores as well as art stores for particular effects.
Q. Are oils more difficult to use than acrylics?
A. Many people have heard that oils are more difficult…. However it is my true opinion that it is just a mindset. Oils are no more difficult than acrylics.
Q. Where do I purchase art supplies?
A. I most often recommend Dick Blick art Supply because of their prices. As my art student they offer a 10 percent discount.
Artist Direct Pricing
• You have the rare opportunity to acquire collectable fine art directly from Susan Manders.
• You save up to 50% of the retail gallery prices.
• Additional trade and quantity discounts are available.
• We accept major credit cards.
Certificate Of Authenticity
• Original paintings are always accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity to secure and record the authenticity of your Manders art.
• Please keep your Certificate of Authenticity in a safe place.
Original Oil & Acrylic Paintings
• As a Los Angeles native, my artistic vocabulary stems from the LA multicultural lifestyles: paparazzi, Hollywood, Latino, fashionistas, celebrities, night life, beaches, and so on. My style is figurative or narrative contemporary expressionism. Basically, I am a story teller with an edge.
• My original paintings are signed inverso and accompanied by a personally signed Certificate of Authenticity.
• Crating, insurance and shipping are available.
• Please indicate the name and catalog number of the original paintings you are interested.
Shipping / Handling & Sales Tax
• No CA sales tax is added if shipped outside of California or with a resale number.
• Original Paintings can be created and shipped.
Commissions & Custom Orders
• Manders welcomes corporate commissions and individual collectors’ commissions.
• You may specify Manders customized art for RFPs, architectural and/or interior design projects.
Trade Discounts
• We are pleased to offer additional trade discounts beyond the Artist Direct Pricing.
License My Images
• Corporate clients and individuals may select from the Manders Digital Catalog of over 1,000 digital copyrighted images.
• Available for one-time-only license and exclusive, worldwide, all-media licensees for ads, publicity, personalized business products, promotions, invitations, menus, napkins, placemats, special occasions, Birthdays, Graduations, Valentines, holidays, etc.
Corporate Services
• My customized art services are utilized within such corporate sectors as Architectural & Builders/Developers, Interior Design/ ASID, Hospitality & Restaurant, Gaming and Entertainment & Media.
• These services include:
- commissioned & customized Original Paintings
- artist’s endorsements, design consultation and collateral materials
- plus over 1,000 digital images for license.
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