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Art Apprentice Online Teachers
This 'Online Resource’ is engaged in developing and delivering programs for learning in order to improve the painting experience.
Art Apprentice Online
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AAO Interactive
How did this get started?
The just paint it challenge is for artists of all skill levels. You may have heard of a painting movement called A Painting a Day. This was started by another artist named Duane Keiser and adopted by several others. We were so inspired by this idea and thought we would like to begin something along the same line of thought. Not a painting per day, but a painting per week depending on the time you have and can spend with us. Join AAO Interactive
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AAO Contemporary Collection painted with Traditions
Decorate with Style and Move with the Times - Cool, Casual & Current will Spice up your Walls!
Coming in January 2009 - Course Registrations begin December 1st. '08
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Registration and enrollment has begun. The Art Apprentice Online has begun the online interactive art classes. Registration for these classes continues...
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Students may register for a classroom account at any time. There is no cost for this and you will be notified when new courses are added. Once a course has been opened for enrollment, students may enroll for that course during the length of the course.  |
Open for Enrollment Now - November 1st - January 30th.Â
Discover the Elements and Principles of Art -The Building Blocks for learning art and design - Part 1   Student Support: Five Instructors - Streaming videos, text lessons, lectures, discussions, forums, quizzes, live chats and exercises. 12 Units + (ninety days open classroom) Regular Course Fee - $64.95 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. All skill levels. Open for Enrollment - Â
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
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Student Support:streaming video, text lessons, links to materials, step photographs, live chats, interactive class forum, , quizzes, workshop. Course materials will be made available for enrolled students only up to 90 days. Open for Enrollment - September 1st. - Nov 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.   ©2008 Student Support: Web page, text lessons, links to materials, photographs, live chats, interactive class forum, streaming video, quizzes, and workshop. Open for Enrollment Â
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.   ©2008
Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quizz. 4 Units Open for Enrollment - Foundational Class 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  ©2008                                                                                                                       Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quizz. 2 Units Open for Enrollment   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. 5 Units Open for Enrollment  - Foundational Class 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. 
Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quiz. 2 Units Open for Enrollment - Foundational Class Shadow Study - Understanding shadows - This course opens the door for 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: photographs, written text lesson, discussion forum, live chat room. 2 Units Open for Enrollment - Foundational Class 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 offer numerous demonstrations to explain these concepts. Students will also learn how too use observation skills to determine where each type of edge will better serve the purpose for depth and/or attention.  Â
Student Support: streaming video, slideshow, forum, text lessons, quiz. - 1Â Unit Open for Enrollment
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.                                                                                                                       Â
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Student Support: Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quiz. 2 Units Open for Enrollment - Aug. 15th. - Aug 29th. Live Chat - Wed. Aug. 20th. & 6th. September - 5 - 6 p.m. Discover the hidden language of the Masters while learning to create and add another meaning for 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. 2 Units Open for Enrollment - Foundational Class   ©2008 Student Support - Streaming video, text lesson, discussion, critique and live chat. - 3 Units The Art of Refined Blending is something that is learned by developing skills through repetition and practice, not so different than stroke control.  Learning to see 'Overblending' and 'Underblending' is one of the many subjects that will be explored in this class. This course involves blending exercises for the creation of form and texture while experimenting with different elements. Students learn blending skills that are necessary to paint realistic subjects. Both Acrylic blending and Global blending will be used in this class. Open for Enrollment - Oct. 27th. - Dec 15th. 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.  ©2008
Student support: Streaming video, text lessons, quizzes, forums and individual critiques. 6 Units Course Fee: $60. Open for Enrollment - Oct 25th - November 30th. This course study is designed for the artist who wishes to learn the nuances of painting objects under water. 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.  ©1998
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. 6 units Open for Enrollment - Nov.1st. -29th.Â
Live Chats - TBA
Discover the beauty of painting tropical birds. 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. Some prior basic experience in painting will help the student get the most from this course.    ©2008                                                                                                                       Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat rooms, photographs and quiz. 4 Units Open for Enrollment November 5th. - November 26th. 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.          ©2008
Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quiz. 4 Units Open for Enrollment November 3rd. - 17th. 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. - 2 Units Open for Enrollment Now - Jan. 10th. - Jan 24th. 2009 Live Chat Jan.12th.2009. 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.
Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quizz. 2 Units Course Fee - $24.95 Closed for Enrollment Now - This course will be offered again in Feb 2009 Spring Semester
Course July 5 - July 18 - Complete The Power of Observation. Learn how to observe and record details. Look for contrasts, differences and similarities in your environment. Students learn how to 'see' and evaluate details as well as describe the information taken from visual reference materials and streaming video. 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.    ©2008 Course fee - $19.95 - no additional supplies required. Student Support - Streaming video, photographs, quizzes, text lesson, discussion forum, live chats.  2 Units  
This is a sample classroom please take a look. Be sure to read the FAQ's where you will have many of your question answered. How will the classes be run? Each online class has its own classroom, chat room and forum. After you have enrolled in the class, you will automatically have access to your enrolled classroom. When the class begins (on the scheduled date) Students will enter the classroom, the course information will be posted in the course classroom. Students will have all week to view all the materials at your leisure, the only time students will need to be present with the whole group taking the course is if they wish to be present at the live chat room sessions with the instructor/s. These times will be posted in the classroom. Students may not want to miss these times. - There will be links to the files that you can download and print.
- Links to the streaming video/s of information, video demonstration/s, or video reference material/s etc.Â
- Links to still photographs, step by step sheets etc. will be available.
- Specific time schedules for the live interactive chat sessions with the instructor/s.Â
- Instructions for uploading your own work photographs/quizzes etc. for correction or critique.
- Open live chat room for interaction with students at any time.
- Link to a private classroom forum for questions and answers related to the course.
This is an indepth course for the beginning and/or intermediate painter who wishes to understand how the value of the background can be used to inject mood and emotion into a painting's compositions. Students will learn how to interpret and understand the differences between High, Mid and Low Key paintings. Basic color theory will be discussed relative to value and the instructor will offer numerous demonstrations showing how value is used in each case to showcase the composition.    ©2008 Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quizz. 4 Units This is an excellent and in depth course for the beginning and/or intermediate floral painter. Students will learn the anatomy of several leaves to familiarize themselves with the form and characteristics of real live leaves. Emphasis will be placed on contrast of value, color and mixing, painting light and shadow, and other concepts integral to painting realistic leaves. The instructor will offer numerous demonstrations and group chat discussion will be held. 4 Units.   ©2008
Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quiz. This course is for the more advanced student as each lesson explores the techniques and suggests color palettes to develop skills for painting realistic leaves. Students will be shown how the instructor/artist can organizes shape, form, line, color and texture to create an interesting leaf study composition. Twists, turns and curls will be demonstrated.
Suggested Prerequisites are: Fundamentals - The Art of Refined Blending FABSP101 Theory - The Anatomy of Leaves - Level I - TALGH101   ©2008
Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quizz. 3 Units This class offers the student another perspective to consider when controlling color. Learning to mix a chromatic value scale will help the student focus on values, color, and temperature. Learn the importance of mixing color for either a warm or cool lightsource and why this is important for the artist. The instructor will introduce techniques with explanations, and demonstrations. Students will perform simple exercises and experiments relating to the techniques. 2 Units   ©2008
Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quiz. 2 Units This in depth course for the beginning and/or intermediate painter will teach the student the basics of working with different light sources and the resulting cast shadows. Interpreting light and shadow is integral to creating depth in realistic styles. The instructor will offer numerous demonstrations and exercises to facilitate the learning process.   ©2008 Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quiz. 4 Units This course is an introduction to using Tints and Accents in a painting. There are several ways to pull together the entire composition. The addition of tints and accents are one of the ways this can be done. Demonstrations for their use and placement will include the use of using contrasting and/or unifying warm and cold colors. These are used in realistic genres (styles) such as florals, still life, landscape, seascapes, cloudscapes, wildlife, etc. The course will include small painted exercises that will illustrate and examine the best placement and use of them. 3 Units. Image How to Set-up and photograph Still Lifes: Learn how to set-up your own Still Life composition to paint.  Topics that will be addressed are: lighting, line of design, combination of shapes and textures for variety. This course will help the student understand how to create an interesting Still Life setup also using scale, balance, to establish depth and interest within a composition. Several exercises will accompany this course.  ©2008
Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quizz. 2 Units Create interesting visual effects by adding colored glass objects to your compositions. Realistic colored glass objects provide a way to repeat color and add interesting textures and reflective qualities to a painting. This course picks up on the basics of painting clear transparent glass and includes the effects of distortion. 4 Units   ©2008 Suggested Prerequsite: Still Life - Painting Transparent Glass - SLGSP101 Student Support - Streaming video, lesson text, discussion forum, live chat room, photographs and quizz. 4 Units This indepth study of metals will teach the student how to describe the surface textures of these elements often seen and used in Still Life studies. Several metals will be explained and discussed while being painted. Students will work on exercises that will culminate in one painting that includes all metal surfaces. Attention will be spent on reflections, shines, patina and palette.   ©2008                                                                                    Suggested Prerequisites are: Fundamentals - The Art of Refined Blending FABSP101, Fundamentals - Color Basics ll - Value & Form in Objects FVFGH101 Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quiz. 6 Units Explore the tools, and techniques used for painting transparent glass and water droplets. Students will learn how to develop the 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.   6 Units.
  ©2008                                                                                    Suggested Prerequisites are: Fundamentals - The Art of Refined Blending FABSP101, Fundamentals - Color Basics ll - Value & Form in Objects FVFGH101 Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quizz. 6 Units Exploring the use of Realistic Fruit in a composition. For students with experience in painting, this course is an introduction to painting realistic fruit. Explore the different textures and characteristics of fruit. Demonstrations of color, use of the palette, mixing colors, contrasting warm and cold colors, realistic use of color, beginning a painting and working from a fruit still life set up. Students will explore of the basic elements of the composition and design. 8 Units
Suggested Prerequisites are:Â Â Â Fundamentals - The Art of Refined Blending FABSP101 Fundamentals - Color Basics ll - Value & Form in Objects FVFGH101
This course offers the motivated and self-directed art student a unique opportunity to explore a looser style of painting for personal interest and growth. Students will meet regularly with the instructor in a classroom chat for guidance and discussion as they plan and execute their course of Floral study. Students will paint from photographs and the lessons will be accompanied by videos and text. 8 Units  Discover the beauty of Realistic Floral Painting. This comprehensive study will show the student how to set-up and paint a floral still life starting with a photograph. This in depth study will take the student through the entire process of setting up the floral still life, choosing a color palette, selecting toners, adjusting intensities and values to paint a harmonious realistic painting. Students will mix and use a Chromatic Value Scale to build their palette. - 6 units
Suggested Prerequisites are: Fundamentals - The Art of Refined Blending FABSP101, Fundamentals - Color Basics ll - Value & Form in Objects FVFGH101, Theory - Understanding Chromatic Value TCVSGH101   ©2008            Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quiz. 6 Units                                                                         Discover the beauty of the Flemish painting style used by the Old Masters. Learn and practice the principles of this unique painting method.Work through the Imprimatura layer, Umber Layer and Dead Layers to create depth and dimension. Students will learn how they used colored glazes to create internal depth within the composition and the individual elements.                                                                                                                           8 Units For students with limited experience in painting, this course is an introduction to basic stroke florals. Students will learn the brush strokes necessary to build an assortment of flowers and leaves. Video demonstration will show how these flowers progress through the layering of color, brush mixing and the use of contrasting warm and cold colors. These skills will bridge the gap to freehand painting. The students will complete exercises and a final painting that includes all the flowers and leaves shown. 4 Units Breathe Life into Floral Compositions using Color Schemes: Explore different color schemes and the importance of choosing color combinations that naturally look good together when painting floral compositions. Learn how the ‘Color Star’ tool for ease of selecting colors. If you have a hard time choosing colors this class is for you. 2 units  Flower Petal Concepts: 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.  4 Units. Â
Suggested Prerequisite to this class: Fundamentals - Color Basics ll - Value & Form in Objects FDFGH101
  ©2008Grizzly bears in the wild are majestic creatures. This is an intermediate/advanced course for the wildlife painter. The study will focus on understanding the fur growth patterns, direction and length of grizzly fur. Student will render a realistic painted study of this large bear. The coat of the grizzly bear can range from shades of brown, blond, black, and any combination of the prior hues, through demonstrations, color palettes will be discussed. Learn to apply the outer guard hairs, details of facial features and paws in a realistic manner.   ©2008 Student Support - Streaming video, still photographs, step photographs, interactive forum, live chat discussions, student critique and text lessons. 8 Units. Extra: A grizzly bear expert will join the classroom live chat one week during the course to answer questions related the bear's habitat. This course explores the techniques for painting Atmospheric Perspective necessary to develop depth in wildlife studies. Students will control and organize shape, form, color and texture while experimenting with paint applications to exaggerate atmospheric perspective and mood. 4 Units This is an indepth course for the beginning and/or intermediate painter who wishes to paint seascapes. Students will learn to select and use color/pigments based on water depth and shadows, sunlight, time of day, sky reflections, coastlines and other concepts integral to painting the Ocean. The instructor will offer numerous demonstrations and group critiques will be held.  4 Units  ©2008
Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quizz. 4 Units In this indepth ocean wave study, the instructor will introduce the concepts and techniques with explanations and discussions. Streaming video demonstrations and written text lessons focused on the ocean will play a major role to demonstrate the patterns and live movements of the ocean. The course will cover water surface textures, foam patterns, the effects and play of light, color and wave movement. Transparency will be explained as it relates to the passage of light and painting transparent water. Students will perform exercises relating to the techniques, then complete an ocean composition to include all the features discussed and demonstrated.   ©2008 Student Support - Streaming Video, text lesson, interactive chat room, question and answer forum, photographs and quizz. 6 Units This course introduces the artist to the theory of painting clouds and a look at the way the Old Masters used dramatic skies in their landscape compositions. Color, contour, perspective, height, texture, movement and line will be discussed and demonstrated through exercises. Brush techniques and color palettes will be demonstrated. Students will complete a painting after the style of the Old Masters skyscapes.   ©2008 Student Support - Streaming video, text lessons, interactive forum, live chat room, still photographs and critique. 4 Units The study of different mature trees will add character to your landscape compositions. This course helps the artist describe in a more realistic way, the characteristic textures of trunks, branches and tree foliage. Emphasis is placed on how light affects the color, shape, dimension, and mass of the larger trees. The student will focus on details that make trees an important element of painting. Students will complete a painting on canvas that includes the elements taught and discussed during the course. Brush techniques, brush choice and selection will also be discussed and explained.   ©2008 Student Support - Streaming Video, still photographs, text lessons, live weekly chat room, interactive forum and student critiques provided. - 6 Units This indepth course for the beginning and/or intermediate painter will illustrate how temperature contrasts can play a major role in landscape painting.  Students will learn how to balance warm with cool to create attention and interest. Working with a wet in wet method, color theory and mixing, painting light and shadow will be demonstrated. This course will include video, text lessons, and discussion. 6 Units. Create expressive landscapes with specific color schemes. In this course the student will explore two color schemes that will be very helpful to the landscape artist; analogous greens and intermediate triads. Two paintings will be executed during this time, while the student learns to expand and develop their color palette. Instruction, explanations and demonstration will show how to manage the palette, which colors should be dominant and which play a subordinate role for contrast. - 8 Units Discover the beauty of classical landscape painting after the style of the Masters. Jacob van Ruisdael, John Constable and Meindert Hobbema were known for their skills as landscape artists. Learn how these Masters described the textural elements of landscape painting. Techniques for handling clouds, skies, grasses, foliage, trees and water will be demonstrated. Prior experience in landscape painting will help the student get the most from this course. Students will paint small compositions after this style.12 Units Â
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