Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat Reviews
Answers to Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat Questionnaire
Q. What made you decide to attend?
A. It was a last minute trip and I thought to myself, this may be the only chance I will
have to meet the Goddess of Painter, Karen Sperling.
Q. Many of you travelled from other parts of the country to attend
the Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat. As I told many of you, my intention for
these retreats is for people to visit a locale away from their own backyard
to get inspiration for their photos and paintings. Was this your experience?
A. Yes, I was truly inspired by the location, my classmates and Karen!
Q. Were you glad you made the trip?
A. Yes--this was well worth it to me and my artwork.
Q. Was the Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat what you expected?
Was there anything about it that stood out or that went beyond your expectations?
A. It was what I expected but meeting like-minded people really made the class and
having the Goddess of Painter right there to answer your questions was an extra plus.
Q. What did you like most about learning the art concepts and the Painter
steps? Did attending the Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat help clarify for you how to use Painter?
A. For me it was seeing Karen's workflow process and how she created art with
this powerful program.
Q. What did you like about the retreat? What about it would you recommend to
others who are contemplating attending?
A. The class was just right, and you felt like Karen was your personal Painter
friend there to help you with all of your questions you were afraid to ask.
Please do not attend this class expecting to learn how to use Painter like
Photoshop, illustrator or Corel Draw.
This class is totally about the painting process and Karen is an Artist who knows Painter.
She will teach you her creative approach and workflow to the program and how to paint
with the many tools of the application.
Q. Are you inspired to do your own Painter art now that you've attended the
retreat? Was the experience worthwhile?
A. Yes, I am ready to try to create beautiful works of art. The class and trip was
well worth it for me and I would attend any of your classes in the future.
Artistically,
Wil Massenburg
WhimsyArt
Web: www.whimsyart.com
Email: wil@whimsyart.com
Karen Sperling's Teaching Style Superb, Inspirational and Supportive
Thanks again for the wonderful Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat
last week. It was really fun and very educational. I typed up my notes and
will be delving into what I learned in the next couple of weeks.
Your teaching style was superb, inspirational and supportive, especially with
impatient people like me who want to know every facet of this stuff immediately.
When you get a chance, please e-mail me the information about your Artistry CDs as
I would love to have them.
Best regards,
Frank Damon
P.S. Of course, you can use my comments on your website, as I think everybody
should take your course! It was very fun for me and I have been practicing a bit since.
Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat Easy to Understand and a Joy to Attend
I just want to say how much I enjoyed the Artistry Retreat.
Not only did I learn a new program from scratch, I also learned
to use a Wacom and felt confident about proceeding in both.
I also enjoyed refreshing and renewing my knowledge of color and design and how
it all applies to using Corel Painter in the Retreat. And the hands on training
and critique were great.
I came away from the class refreshed, confident and excited to get going
on painting in a whole new medium.
Thank you for making the class easy to understand, and a joy to attend.
I look forward to attending an advanced class some day.
All the best,
Eva Wojnar
Art and Painter Information "Right On"
Over the last 10 years, I've attended several art classes covering
drawing and painting skills as well as color, composition, focal points, etc.
Your presentation on color, composition and focal points was
"right on" and accomplished in short order what other instructors
labored over, rather ineffectively, for hours. Good show.
Your presentation on using Painter was informative, thorough and
easily comprehensible.
Regards and good luck in your endeavors.
Hal Kreisel
Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat Sparked Good Ideas and Skills
1. I signed up for the Artistry Retreat because I wanted
to render my photos as paintings and to be able to do so
with more originality than Photoshop filters allow. I found the
instruction in basic art techniques to be quite helpful in moving
me closer to my goal. The workshop did not emphasize quickie Painter
techniques nor was it an in-depth exploration of Painter features
as these approaches were not necessary for learning to paint. I
have some good ideas and skills to develop as a result of the retreat.
2. There was more emphasis on art technique than I expected. I quickly
realized that this was the kind of info I really needed to help me create
more unique interpretations of my photography.
Thanks, Karen, for a good workshop. I learned a lot that I now need to
practice, practice, practice!! Good luck with your future workshops.
Stewart Stokes
Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat Invaluable
Your Artistry Retreat was invaluable! Your lessons in composition
and taking pictures specifically for turning them into paintings
in Painter have given me a whole new perspective on photography.
I'm going to have to double my camera's storage capacity now!
Thanks again!
Rick Champagne
Program Manager, Corel Painter Products
Corel Corporation
Enjoyed Learning "Tricks of the Trade"
Thank you for all that you shared at the Artistry Retreat. There were so many
"tricks of the trade" that permit Painter to work more efficiently.
Your approach on how to paint has helped me think about what I am doing
when creating a piece of art from a photograph. I am looking forward to an
intermediate or advanced workshop.
Gratefully, Myra Gordon
Possibilities Stemming from Artistry Retreat Very Exciting
Karen's class was very informative. She covers basic art information
that is important to creating a pleasing painting. The information on the
Painter tools & techniques is what I was needing. I could not believe what
I was able to create during her class--it was awesome. This goes way
beyond smearing the original photograph. I am very excited about what I am
going to be doing in the coming months.
Sherri Mash
Xenia, Ohio
Artistry Retreat Valuable for Using Painter to Turn Photos into Works of Art
The Artistry Retreat has proven to be an inspiration to me. Thank you
for conducting a very informative class and for simplifying the use of the
Painter program. I have been working with Painter every chance I get.
Specifically valuable to me is the use of Painter to turn photographs into
works of art. Through the use of art techniques presented in the class,
I look forward to creating oil and watercolor portraits and scenes.
After I do enough paintings to make up a portfolio, I'll promote a
photo-to-painting business. Thanks for inspiring me.
Lance Pecchia
Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat Exceptionally Informative
For me the value of the Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat went far beyond what's taught
from a technical perspective. I found the presentation of traditional art
concepts and examples and how they can be applied using Painter to be
exceptionally informative, interesting and useful. Another real plus was
interacting with talented classmates and learning from their diverse interests,
expertise and experiences.
Danny Raphael
Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat Encouraging
Your knowledge and attitude encourage me to keep after
Painter until I get it. Going to be good!
Thanks!
Dale Anderson
Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat Stimulating
Thank you for a wonderful and stimulating class.
What you gave me was the license to play in a new medium, "Painter."
I've had a fantastic time just experimenting with the brushes and
papers and effects. . . . so much fun!
Joyce Davis
Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat Fantastic
Hi Karen,
Last week's Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreat was fantastic. I was more excited before
and during this class than I have been in years. I couldn't wait to
get home and practice.
The class was very well planned and went in a very logical manner. As I
review my notes, it all comes back to me. It feels good to remember each
thing as I review the images that you gave us.
I keep practicing and I have a customer for a soon-to-be created
painting. Just sold this client my biggest order...8 thousand dollars.
My biggest sale in portraits. I took photos specifically to paint (good
areas of light and dark and bright sun) with the kids playing in the fall
leaves. I KNOW I can sell him a painting. He said he would wait to see it
to decide the size. I am working on it now.
Anyway, thank you so much for the class. My notes are a big help.
I might want to send you what I am doing to see if you think I am
going in the right direction. I would love to sell this client a
30x40 painting.
Talk to you later,
Helen P. Cherry
p.s. I have a student for your next retreat.
Making Painter Accessible
Karen was tremendously valuable in my quest to learn Painter. She's very
knowledgeable and makes the program very accessible. Thanks Karen!
Jim (Aristide) Scott
Thrilled with Painter Training
We were thrilled with the highly customized, on-site, Painter
training workshop that Karen brought to our staff artists. With two
different training sessions, each targeted to a different proficiency level,
the training was very meaningful to our trainees. Karen's personal approach
to our specific training needs could not be matched by any of the other training
resources in our area.
David Sommer, AT&T Media Services
Design Staff Thoroughly Impressed
Karen thoroughly impressed our design staff with her comprehensive knowledge
of Painter.
She expertly conveyed the course information in an energetic and efficient
manner that left us excited to apply our new Painter skills.
Tom Arbisi
Principal Design Specialist
Large Consumer Electronics Manufacturer That Shall Remain Nameless
Extremely Knowledgeable
Karen Sperling is extremely knowledgeable about the intricacies of Painter
and how much one can get out of the program. She, however, as a teacher,
moves along at your pace and not hers, so I was able to maximize my learning time.
Anyone not already steeped in art courses will, by taking her courses,
certainly advance his/her understanding of this wonderful program,
and a greater appreciation of art in itself.
John Harper
Cover painting and design by Karen Sperling from a photo by Felicia Tausig.
You can see examples of layouts, images and chapters from Painting for Photographers; check out
an overview of the contents; and you can
order Painting for Photographers.
All Artistry Painting for Photographers Retreats are PPA approved merited programs.
PPA members will receive one
PPA merit for attending.
