Are you frustrated with rigidity in your paintings?


Do you ever wish you could loosen up but don’t know how?


Do you wonder when to stop working on a painting?

Helen Dannelly

Join Helen Dannelly for this five week comprehensive 90 minute painting class via Zoom and learn to let go of rigidity in your work!








Join Helen as she covers:

  •  How to create the illusion of distance
  •  When to use hard versus soft edges
  • Using color and value to create focus
  • Choose the appropriate primaries to create color harmony
  • How to desaturate your greens
  • How to avoid using excessive detail
  • And so much more...!

Helen Dannelly

I have often been stuck in my paintings, not knowing how much detail to include, wondering if I'm adding too much, and not knowing when to stop. Let me show you what I've learned over the years through frustrating trial and error to ease your decision-making while capturing the essence of an image. There are some basic techniques that you can easily apply to let go of control and achieve paintings you'll love!

~Helen Dannelly

Helen Dannelly

Course Features:


  •  Powerpoints with examples of artists using techniques discussed
  • Demos by Helen of specific methods of composition, value, and color
  • Personalized mentoring of every students’ progress
  • Q&A
  • Class recordings for easy review


Helen has a knack for guiding you in amplifying your ideas. Her method of teaching involves showing the potential of what you can do with the various materials and then letting you loose to see what is possible.


As an instructor, Helen draws upon her formal art training to add richness and depth to the classroom experience, incorporating fundamentals of composition, color, and form.

Helen is a dynamic instructor who supports you in realizing your vision.
Don’t miss out on this

painting opportunity to study with Helen!

Space is limited! Register today!



FAQ:


Q: Do I need painting experience?

A: No, this is a class for novices, skilled artists and everyone in between. And for those with some experience, you will learn an additional techniques to improve your practice.

 

Q: What medium will we be using?

A: You can use acrylic or oils in this class. I will be giving demos in acrylic as they dry quickly.

 

Q: I have more questions. How do I reach you?

A: You can email me at [email protected]

Helen Dannelly

Helen Dannelly draws on over 30 years of professional experience in helping you realize your artistic goals. Helen’s teaching is informed by a unique combination of training that she utilizes in guiding you conceptually and technically. She received a BA in Women’s Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She studied painting at San Francisco State University (working with Bay Area photorealists) and sculpture at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. 


Moving easily between drawing, painting, and sculpture, Helen has developed unconventional ways of mixing mediums that create emotionally evocative pieces. Helen’s work focuses on metamorphosis both personally, in natural phenomena, and of the materials. Her organic sculptures are inspired by the natural world, a nod to sea life and plants. Complex surfaces and engaging forms invite viewers to explore the impact of climate change--a metamorphosis of decline.


Helen is attentive to the importance of art fundamentals weaving them into her classes. She recognizes that these components (color theory, elements of composition, and drawing/ mark-making) are skills that need to be continually developed and refined in order for students to leverage them effectively in their work. This mastery results in students creating more sophisticated work and understanding why it is more successful.

An award-winning artist, Helen Dannelly is a trained painter and sculptor who has been exhibiting and teaching for decades. Helen is Curator at the Forshey Gallery at the Chicago Temple First United Methodist Church in the Chicago Loop which primarily highlights the work of women artists of color. She is the creator and facilitator of the international "Reboot Retreats for Creatives" to help overwhelmed artists pause, reflect and recalibrate their creative goals.

She is the proud Co-Founder of Catalyst Art Lab, an online artists' membership community and online art school. She is also a Golden Artist Educator, a Silver Brush Educator and an R&F Trained Advanced Encaustic Instructor. She was invited to teach color theory in Sauveterre de Bearn, France, the Hui No'eau Art Center in Maui, HI, and at PaintSpace NOLA in New Orleans, LA.

Her work has been shown at Slate Contemporary in Oakland, CA, Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA, Conrad Wilde Gallery, in Tucson, AZ, Adam Peck Gallery and Julie Heller Gallery in Provincetown, MA, Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill, Truro, MA, Kolman & Pryor Gallery in Minneapolis, MN, Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, WI, Christopher Art Gallery, ARC Gallery, Stola Contemporary Art, Bridgeport Art Center. In 2023, her work was one of just 140 out of over 1200 submissions selected for the First International Bienniel Exhibition at the Ballinglen Arts Museum in County Mayo, Ireland.

Her work can currently be found at Alma Gallery and Addington Gallery in Chicago, IL.








Testimonials

“I just read the comments on my [work] and want to thank you for what you added. I am happy to have your expanded opinions. Very helpful and so encouraging. You made my day.”

~ Linda S. ~

"Helen is an excellent painter and I have learned so much in this class! She knew exactly what I needed to do when I got stuck. I appreciated her style and manner of teaching. Her tips were invaluable!"

~ Janette R ~

Dive deeper in your art: