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Open for continuous regstrations 12 Units - The study of Metals, Part 1, will teach the student how to approach and describe the surface textures of metals. Often seen and used in still life studies, course materials will address one element from each metal group. Several metals will be explained and discussed while being painted on small study canvasses. Students will work on painting exercises that will culminate in six small paintings that include all metal surfaces. Attention will be spent on reflections, shines, patina and palette for each of the metal subjects. 
Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, question and answer forum, photographs and quiz. 12 Units Open for continuous registrations 8 Units - Contemporary Baroque - This course is designed to create a pair of decorative art works for home decor. Using a traditional motif such as baroque scrolls and an orchid blossom, the artist has created an interesting double composition (diptych) pronounced (dip-tic). The design is used in combination with heavy textures. Students learn how to work with Mica pigments, textural mediums and gallery canvas to make this contemporary art. The surface size is 14"x18" gallery canvas.
Student Support - Streaming video, text instructions, forums, live chats, and teacher feedback. 8 Units Course open for continuous registrations, students may register at any time. This 36"x12" gallery styled canvas provides an excellent support for this composition. The course materials and goals will stress light and mixing color to the chromatic value scale. Understand how to paint using back-lighting. The cause and effect will help the student learn to analyze what they see. Learn brush mixing techniques and wet in wet blending with acrylics. Students will explore repetition, contrast, direction and variation. Open to all skills. All course materials are in the classroom and students may work along at their own pace. 
Student Support - 14 Streaming videos (5.5 hrs painting instruction), text lessons, step by step photographs, forum discussions, critiques, and teacher feedback. Students have 120 days to access course materials from the date of enrollment. Open for continuous registration - always open
Discover the Elements and Principles of Art-The Building Blocks for learning art and design - Part 1 - Learn the secrets of all artistic study. We've all wondered where to begin. The five Instructors from the AAO have created a very special foundational course to get you started. This course will introduce the student artist to the most important building blocks of art and is intended as an innovative guideline for your study of art. Learn why artists use and manipulate the elements of art to describe and create personal artwork. Uncover how the use of color, value, line, shape, form, texture and space, and contrast give the artist unique ways to create an artistic signature. Independent artists use the principles of design, such as; movement, repetition, unity, balance, visual patterning, emphasis, variety, contrast, proportion, and scale. These are the most important concepts used for creating, building, and organizing a composition. If your goal is to become a well rounded artist, this study will point you in the right direction. Open to all skill levels. 
Student Support: - text lessons, lectures, discussions, forums, quizzes, and exercises. Open for continuous registrations The Power of Observation. Learn to observe and record details. This course will teach you how to look for contrasts, differences and similarities in your environment. Learn to 'see' and evaluate, describe information taken from visual references. This course covers several topics and deals with light, mood, texture, form, details and color. Open to all skill levels. Use this course as a stepping stone to building your artistic awareness.  Student Support - Streaming video, photographs, quizzes, text lessons. - No additional supplies required. Course is always open for continuous registrations.
It's a Jungle Out There. This contemporary styled painting is painted on a 12 "x 36" gallery canvas. This composition will show the student how to effectively learn the art of brush mixing and wet in wet blending with acrylics. Students will explore and use repetition, contrast, direction, variation, establish formal relationships, and movement through visual expression and color. Creating color harmony and balance will also be stressed as part of the theory lesson. All skill levels are welcome. 
Student Support - This course will be accompanied by streaming video demonstrations, written text lessons, live chat room where students can discuss concepts as well as a question and answer forum. Students have 120 days from the date of enrollment. Open for continuous registrations 8 Units - Bubbles - This contemporary acrylic composition of a whimsical and fun fish is painted on a 12"x36" gallery canvas. The concept of mixing to a chromatic value scale will be taught as students learn to brush mix. This course will demonstrate to the artist how to work with and control color intensity while using a bright palette of color. Form and creating dimension are covered. Several techniques, such as wet in wet blending and refined blending are also demonstrated, along with dry brushed effects for creating interest and surface textures. Transparent air bubbles will also be learned. All skill levels welcomed. 
Student Support: Streaming video, text lessons, forum discussions, student critique and teacher feedback and live chat - 8 Units Open for continuous registrations
8 Units - The Fundamentals of Drawing Level 1 - Drawing is a valuable skill for the artist. It helps them understand line and form. Many of the Old Masters perfected drawing and used this skill extensively as a precursor to their art.This indepth course is for the beginning and/or intermediate artist.An introduction to drawing, explores the tools, materials and techniques of drawing to develop concepts and skills necessary to studydrawing. This course emphasizes the development of observational skills and involves students with the creation of shape, form, and texture.
Student Support - Streaming Video, drawing exercises, forums, live chatrooms and teacher critiques. - 8 Units Open for continuous registrations 8 Units - This beautiful black and white tulip is painted on an 18x18" gallery styled canvas. The course is designed for the beginner to intermediate artist who wishes to paint a large flower on a neutral mottled background. Emphasis will be placed on creating background dimension with a mottled technique.There are many exercises included in this course, several of which are transferrable to other subjects. Students will learn how to develop detail liner work that flows with surface contours. 
Student Support - Streaming video, text lessons, teacher critiques and feedback, discussion forums. - 8 Units. Open for continuous registrations 7 Units - Calla Sophistication is an elegant contemporary design painted on a green mottled background. This 12"x36" gallery canvas (no framing needed) is the perfect support for this elegant flower and will fit into any color scheme. The student can reduce the size of the canvas and the design if they prefer a smaller size. 11 Video demonstations are included in this class to complete this piece of artwork. This class will focus on value, dimension, and flower petal concepts. 
Student Support - Streaming video lessons, text lessons, Instructor feedback, and many critiques. Open for continuous registrations This course is designed for the intermediate artist who wishes to paint a tropical bird in a natural tree settings. Course emphasis will be placed on creating surface textures. There are many exercises included in this course, several of which are transferrable to other subjects. Students will learn techniques necessary to develop textural contrasts ranging from background atmosphere, moss, moisture and water drops, hard and soft, lost and found edges for establishing dimension. Techniques on how to handle the color palette and building form will be demonstrated through the use of video, written text and supporting photographs. Course participants will receive support through live chats and weekly discussions. Students will have the opportunity to receive critique from the instructor. 
Student Support: Web page, text lessons, links to materials, photographs, live chats, interactive class forum, streaming video istructions, step photographs. Open for continuous registration - Always open
The Art of Refined Blending is a skill that is learned by developing brush control through repetition and practice. Learning to identify 'Over blending' and 'Under blending' is one of the many subjects that will be explored in this class. This course involves painting & blending exercises for the creation of form and texture while experimenting with different floral and fruit elements. Students learn blending skills that are necessary to paint realistic subjects. These skills are transferable to other subjects. Both Acrylic blending and Global blending will be used in this class. Several small compositions will be completed. These are featured in the graphic below. 
Student Support - Over 6 hours of Streaming video lessons, text lessons, forum discussions, student critique. - 6 Units Open for continuous registrations 8 Units - Paint this beautiful Intermediate to advanced still life study with new AAO Teacher Sharon Hamilton, MDA. This course will employ similar techniques used by Peale who was considered the finest American still life painter. The course will show students how to reproduce a small materpiece along with a history of the artist himself.  Student Support - Streaming video, text lessons, forum discussions, teacher critique and live chats. - 8 Units. Open for registrations 8 Units - Terra Cotta Topiary - Painted on a 12"x36" gallery styled canvas surface, this contemporary composition will fit nicely into most room interiors. A warm palette with cool accents makes for an interesting color combination. The goal of the course is to teach the student artist how to work with a low key palette as well as demonstrate how the artist might view and appreciate the composition if it were rendered in a higher key palette. More than a painting exercise, this course teaches the artist how to render many textural surfaces.
Student support - Streaming video, text lessons, live question and answer chats, teacher critique and feedback. - 10 Units 
 Open for Continuous Registrations Discover the beauty of painting tropical birds. Paint four different studies in this course. Learn and practice the basic elements of painting eyes, feathers, and how to handle their brilliant colors. Techniques and methods for managing light, foliage and the tropical environment are also demonstrated and discussed. Learn the tricks to bring your paintings to life. Prior experience in painting will help the student get the most from this course. Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, step by step photographs. Open for continuous registrations 8 Units - Have you ever wondered about the tools and equipment that the artist uses? This course is designed to teach all artists about the tools and equipment used in the everyday process of painting. Instructions and demonstrations will include, types of palettes and their setup, waterbasins, brush care and cleaning methods, tools used for prepping a surface, easels as well as tips for setting up the artists work space and station. Brushes will also be covered in-depth so that the beginner artist will gain a good understanding of what brush works best for each media and technique they may be using. Join AAO Teacher Connie Clark as she covers a broad spectrum of artist's tools.
Student support - streaming video, text lessons, demonstrations, forum discussions, teacher support and feedback - 8 Units Open for continious registrations
Flower Petal Concepts -10 Units. Explore different flower shapes and learn how to recognize specific forms in flower petals. Students will understand how to recognize and paint the form of the petal to look more realistic. Twists, turns, folds, ruffles, flower centers, perspective, texture and petal details will be covered.
Student Support - Streaming video, painted lesson exercises, forums, live chats, teacher critique and feedback. 10 Units Open for continuous registrations 6 Units - Introduction to painting Transparent Glass 1 - Explore the tools, and techniques used for painting transparent glass and water droplets. Students will learn how to develop the basic concepts and skills necessary to study and paint the illusion of transparent glass and different shapes of water drops for photo realism. Students will paint a variety of glass shapes and sizes in one still life composition using color and texture for different glass surface development. Open to all Skills.
Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quiz. Open for continuous registrations 10 Units - This 24"x36" gallery canvas will make a real statement in your room. The popular Tuscan styled motifs lend fun and a little romanceto this composition. The course offers the student an opportunity to explore many techniques and a wide variety of textures while working with texture mediums. From creating aged stone effects, to old brick and broken plaster, to wet in wet flower petals and worn Terra cotter. The mottled plaster walls and the small landscape vignette also add charm and interest to the large painting. A perfect addition to your home decor. 
Student support - Streaming video, text lessons, forum discussions, and chats will accompany teacher feedback and critiques. Open for continuous registrations 4 units - Sweet Elegance Pansy by artist instructor Connie Clark is another traditional motif with a contemporary twist. This beautiful floral, soft and pretty would be wonderful for dreamy home decor. Wet in wet blending teamed with layering applications and a mottled background make this an excellent learning exercise for all skill levels. Realistic water droplets, tints and accents and details will also be demonstrated and covered. Large canvas surface 20"x 24". gallery canvas would also make an excellent surface. To view a short video sample of the sweet elegance mottled background, please visit this link as watch as connie demonstrates 'mottling' for dimension... Mottled Background for Sweet Elegance This design is also available as an e-packet, available to purchase and download immediately from the AAO online store. Give the gift of your art in 2009 and paint this lovely Pansy flower for someone special! Paint this elegant design on your own with the e-packet instructions or join the artist online in her classroom to paint along with her step by step video demonstrations and instruction. 
Student support: streaming videos, text lessons, step by step photographs and demonstrations will be included with the course. 4 Units. Foundational Course - Open for continuoes registration
Color Basics III - This is a comprehensive in-depth course for the beginning and/or intermediate painter. Students will learn mixing techniques, both palette and brush mixing and other methods integral to learning to manage the color process. The instructor will offer numerous demonstrations to teach the student logical ways to identify, evaluate and read color while interpreting them into color mixes. This course will place the emphasis on understanding color intensity and harmony.
Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quiz. 4 Units Open for registrations 8 units - White Lily, is painted on a 20"x20" gallery canvas. This course features a traditional lily flower, the artist/instructor has taken it from formal to fresh with this over-scaled motif, and a modern palette. It offers a highly decorative art work for home decor that is an option for all tastes. A very large contemporary one color lily against a new contrasting pomegranate hued background makes a stunning composition. The course will cover the use of layered washers for creating depth of hue and form, a mottled background and wet in wet blending. This course is open to all skills. 
Student Support - Streaming video, text lessons, student forum, teacher critique, live chat room. Just Paint It - This FREE painting challenge is for everyone. Enjoy a new sense of community as you share your monthy paintings with other artists. The goal is to build your painting skills through practise. Your painting is an enty in a random draw for a free class. Everyone welcome! 
Open for registration 8 Units - This is an excellent in-depth course for the beginning and/or intermediate artist who wishes to learn more about drawing and the study of value. Students will explore light and shadow with shading. Techniques for creating texture and how they are affected by light and shadow will also be demonstrated. The instructor will offer numerous demonstrations and group critiques will be scheduled. This is a practical course where skills easily transferrs between drawing to painting. 8 Units 
Student Support - Streaming Video - Drawing exercises, forums, live chatrooms and teacher critiques. - 8 Units This classroom provides another FREE open learning and interactive environment. Streaming videos and painting exercises, all for the joy of sharing fun art related topics. 
Please encourage your painting friends to join us on our Traditions Yahoo Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/traditionsartist/ Open for continuous registration Shadow Study - Introduction to understanding shadows - This course opens the door for beginner and intermediate students wishing to learn and understand the nature of shadows. The character of cast, resting and body shadows will be explored, as well as their color, transparency, and form.
Student Support: slide show, photographs, written text lessons, discussion forum, short streaming video. Open for Continuous Enrollments In this landscape course students will explore the humble dwellings and domestic life of the Dutch, English and German Countryside. The instructor will demonstrate and explain ways to populate these small studies with figures that add to the storyline of the composition. Color, textures, light and mood will be covered. This course is designed for all skill levels, students will learn how to take a design and work to their own skill level. There will be several exercises that encourage creative thinking and experimentation. Transferrable skills will be stressed. 
Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quizz. - 10 Units Open for Continuous Enrollment 2 Paintings - This course study is designed for the artist who wishes to learn the nuances of painting objects underwater. Course emphasis will be placed on creating the effects of light on color and form. There are many exercises included in this course, several of which are transferable to other underwater subjects. Students will learn techniques necessary to develop depth, shadow and color contrasts ranging from background atmosphere, hard and soft, lost and found edges for establishing dimension. How to handle the color palette and creating distortion in water will be demonstrated. 
Student Support: Streaming video instruction, written text and supporting photographs will be included. Forums, quizzes and life chats. Students will have the opportunity to receive hands on critique from the instructor. Open for Continuous Enrollment This course study is designed for the artist who wishes to learn the nuances of painting realistic fur. Course emphasis will be placed on creating fur textures. There are many exercises included in this course, several of which are transferable to other subjects. Students will learn techniques necessary to develop depth, shadow and color contrasts ranging from background atmosphere, hard and soft, lost and found edges for establishing dimension. Techniques on how to handle the color palette and building form. Students will have the opportunity to receive critique from the instructor. 
Student support: Streaming video, text lessons, quizzes, forums and individual critiques. 12 Units Open for continuous registrations Course Start date - always open - 4 Units - Color Basics for the Artist - Explore Color with an Introduction to both the Color Wheel and the Pigment Wheel. This course will show the beginner/intermediate artist how to look at color with an artistic and logical perspective. Sometimes color can be an overwhelming topic for the artist, in this course the artist will be shown new ways to appreciate the pigments in their paint box and will be shown simple ways to learn mixing. Over 2 1/2 hours of classroom instruction video - Classroom remains open to registered students for 3 months after the course ends. 
Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quiz. 6 Units Open for Enrollment - Foundational Class Course start date - open for continuous enrollment - 4 Units - Form & Value - This is an excellent course for the beginning and/or intermediate painter who wishes to understand the principles of value and apply them to the form of objects. The instructor will offer video demonstrations and group critiques will be held. Suggested Prerequisites - Color Basics I - FCBIGH101
Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quiz. 4 Units Open for continuous registration
Iridescence - Discover the beauty of painting iridescence on Hummingbirds. Students gain valuable tips for painting iridescent feathers that these little bird’s bodies and wings are known for. Learn and practice brilliant color mixes for a variety of these creatures. Techniques on how to handle their color, form and movement will be demonstrated through the use of video, written text and photographs. Students will paint three different species of Hummingbirds, using three different techniques.
Student Support: Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quiz. 2 Units Open for continuous registration
The instructor will introduce students to the techniques and concepts of this course with explanations, and demonstrations. Students perform several exercises relating to the techniques, then complete a painting using the course techniques on prepared canvas. Photographs of students work will be submitted for evaluation during the course. A greater understanding of the effects of light on surface textures as well as brush technique will help the student develop realistic seascapes. Painting sand dunes and beach grasses, wet sand, reflections, wet rocks, shallow water and the water's edge will be taught in this course study.
Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quiz. 12 Units Open for continuous registrations
Course start date - March 15th. 2009 - 8 Units - This is an in depth technique course for the beginning and/or intermediate painter who wishes to paint realistic wildlife. Students learn brush techniques to render texture, pattern, direction and length. Color is discussed relative to light, contour, and surroundings. Glazing, painting light and shadow, integral to the process for painting different types of animal fur is demonstrated. The instructor will offer numerous exercises for the student to explore and apply. Students will paint fur samples and one final canvas incorporating the elements demonstrated. 
Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quiz. 8 Units Open for continuous registrations Always open - Discover the hidden language of the Masters while learning to create and add another dimension to your original artwork. Symbolism in art has been used throughout history. It is a way for the artist to include meaning through the use of color, line, design or through the use of symbolic objects within the composition. Allegory is an intellectual concept that an artist uses to help them make a point, explain meaning or used to tell a story. The artist will use objects or people or elements in a painting to show certain symbolic reference or meaning, each element acts like the pieces of a puzzle to make the whole statement or express the artist's whole 'abstract' idea. Allegory appeals to the imagination of the viewer, it can lead the viewer to interpret the work literally or symbolically. Open your eyes to this amazing language of the Masters. 
Student Support - Streaming video, forum, still photographs, text lessons, chat room, and quizzes. 4 Units Open for continuous registrations
This is an excellent course for the intermediate painter who wishes to understand the principles of value and how to apply them to the form of objects. Course participants will learn to create water reflections and work on a dark value background using wet in wet blending techniques. The instructor will offer video demonstrations and group critiques will be held weekly. 4 Units
Student Support:streaming video, text lessons, links to materials, step photographs, live chats, interactive class forum, quizzes, painting workshop. Course materials will be made available for enrolled students only up to 90 days. Open for Enrollment - Course runs continuously Always open - The focus of this course is to introduce the artist to the Chippendale style of decorative painting. The course will cover the use of transparent layers over semi-transparent underpaintings. The instructor will demonstrate how depth and dimension can be developed with this interesting technique. 
Student Support - This course follows the historical and traditional Chippendale methods of the past. It will be accompanied by streaming video demonstrations, written lesson text lessons, weekly live chat room where students can discuss concepts as well as a question and answer forum. - 6 Units Always open for continuous registrations - Students may begin at anytime. Lost and Found Edges - This is an indepth course for the beginning and/or intermediate painter. Students will learn how to use a variety of edges to create additional depth and interest in their paintings. Hard and Soft edges, Lost and Found edges can be integral to the painting process. The instructor will use numerous demonstrations and photographs to explain these concepts. Students will observe how to determine where each type of edge will better serve the purpose for depth and/or attention. One painting will be completed. Students will have the opportunity to paint along with the instructor via streaming video.
Student Support: Streaming instructional video, slideshow, forums, text lessons, peronal critiques, comprehenion quiz. Write a concise and interesting paragraph here that explains what this course is about
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Harvey Kucher
Susan Johnson, Tier 3 Teacher
Lynnette Horn
Dianne Hart
