'Valerie Stewart 4 Day Portrait Seminar'

 Due to the huge success of the June 2010 portrait workshop, we can look forward to another visit from Valerie in May 2012.

The 4 day Portrait Painting Seminar will run from Friday 25th to Monday 28th May inclusive .

Photos of last year's workshop can be found HERE to give you an idea of how much fun we all had with Valerie.

About the instructor:

Valerie Stewart has been teaching Portraits in Oil since 1981.  She lives in Central California with her husband, Ernie, while fulfilling the demand for her commission work.

Valerie travels extensively across the United States and Europe, teaching in dozens of studios each year.  She is also a regular instructor for TEAM (Teachers and Educators of Art Materials), lending her expertise to dozens of teachers from all across the USA each year at the National Conference and Regional Conventions.  Specialising in Portraits in Oil, Valerie also enjoys painting and teaching still-lifes.

Her love of people is easily recognised in her soft, life-like portraits.  With her easy to follow teaching style every painter, from beginner to advanced, can glean valuable knowledge about successfully painting portraits - no matter how much they have painted before.  Valerie encourages those who may think they can't 'do' portraits to give it a try.  Her favourite saying is, 'Everything's easy........once you know how!'

The Seminar:

This seminar is designed with the serious portrait student in mind.  Beginners and advanced painters alike will enjoy and greatly benefit from this exciting experience.

Each attendee will complete two portraits of their own choosing!  How about painting your pet?  Or maybe you'd like to paint your children or grandchildren!  It's completely up to you, the artist.

With Valerie's easy to follow instruction you will find out just how easy and fun portrait painting can be.

The cost for this 4 day seminar is just £400 per person.  To provisionally book your place you will need to email your full name, address and contact number.  Your place will be reserved for 7 days pending receipt of your deposit of £200.  Deposits should be paid by cheque made payable to Sue Warne and sent to 10 Windmill Hill, Capel St Mary, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2JF.  Direct bank transfer is also accepted and if you would prefer to pay by transfer, please email me for bank details.

The balance of £200 is payable, in the same way, no later than 27th April, 2012.

I'm thrilled that despite various price increases over the past 2 years, the cost of this seminar has only been increased by £15 per person compared to the June 2009 price.  

Join us in May this year for this 100% GUARANTEED class.

What's included:

Your portrait paints, mediums and your portrait brushes are not only included in the price – but also you’ll be able to keep and take your brushes home with you.

Valerie wil also provide each student with a complete instructional notebook for home reference.

Refreshments and biscuits - you might like to bring a packed lunch, although the venue is located close to a bakery and small supermarket.

Brush cleaning equipment, easels, palettes, kitchen roll

(Photo courtesy of Kim Johnson-Smiles, taken in a Spring 2009 seminar)

What's not included:

Accommodation, transport & meals.  Your canvas.  Valerie usually recommends that students use a 16 x 20 inch canvas for a standard head and shoulders portrait.  Each canvas needs to be coated ahead of time with white gesso mixed with a little terracotta acrylic for a light, smooth fleshy tone. 

Class Details:

Class places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The classes will run for 4 consecutive painting days.  Each day will begin promptly at 10am and will end at 5pm with an hour for lunch.

Valerie's personnal guarantee to you all:

Valerie guarantees that each student will complete TWO PORTRAITS of their choice.  Each face is considered as one portrait and both faces can be painted onto one canvas if desired.  If anyone is not completely satisfied with their portraits all they need do is leave their paintings with Valerie and 100% of their fee will be refunded.

(Photo courtesy of Kim Johnson-Smiles, taken in a Spring 2009 seminar)

Valerie's website can be viewed HERE