Teaching
Jan painting a demo, 2014
I am a teacher. I was fortunate to have been born into a family of teachers that included grandparents, my father and several aunts and uncles. And I am proud that my three sons continue the professional tradition in their own areas of expertise: Mike – guitar playing; Tim – history and social studies; Jonathan – pastel painting.
I believe teaching is one of the most important professions in our world. It is how we share knowledge. At some point in our lives we are each teachers, as well as students. Though it may seem like a simple to share, the real trick in teaching is to discover how best to share with a particular student. Each of us learns differently. That makes teaching a particularly interesting and complex profession. In order to be a good teacher, one must be focused in two separate directions at the same time: the subject matter and the student. It is certainly not a profession that appeals to everyone.
Jan teaching in Seattle
I have been a professional teacher since I was 24 years old. My first teaching was as a science teacher (biology and human physiology) at San Gabriel High School near Los Angeles, California. Later, while my children were growing up I taught whatever subject I knew, usually centered around art – oil painting, drawing, etc. Then, after my divorce in 1982, I attended architecture school at the University of Oregon School of Architecture and once again turned to teaching – as a graduate teaching fellow. Environmental Control Systems, Architectural Media (drawing) and Sketching were some of my teaching subjects during Architecture school. It was while I was an architectural student at U of O that took my first watercolor class. The very next semester I began to teach watercolor to fellow architecture students as well as some art students. I thought to myself that at least I was a semester ahead of them. Watercolor became my primary teaching subject from that time to the present – thirty-five years and counting. I do love the subject!
Jan’s Teachings
Jan offers several ways to learn more about the subject of watercolor and in particular, how she approaches the subject she loves.
Intensives
Imagine 5 days and 6 nights at Jan’s Casa de Corazon – in either Casa Tranquila or one of the cabinas that feel like being in a treehouse. We’ll paint each day in the outdoor studio while we also enjoy Anita’s cooking, visit some great restaurants locally, visit the weekly market and enjoy a visit to a favorite beach place. Please see details..
Want to join an intensive in 2018? Click here!
Workshops and Classes
Over the years I have taught workshops and classes in the US, Canada, Italy and Costa Rica. Currently there are no upcoming Workshops planned simply due to travel uncertainties. Please check back for updated information.
I sometimes offer classes locally in San Isidro de El General. For more information, please contact me by email or phone. Visit my contact page..
Videos and Tutorials
Currently there are both videos and audio slide show tutorials available. Please see Jan’s Store for complete descriptions and purchasing instructions.
Audio Tutorial Slideshows
There are 12 Audio Tutorial Slideshows that provide a series of photographs along with written descriptions as well as Jan’s voice explaining in more detail. The slideshows are a great way to learn more about a subject or a step by step painting process.
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Informational Tutorial – Color, Part 1
Eight Informational Tutorials Each offers detail into subjects that are pertinent to Jan’s watercolor teaching and paintings.
- Color (Part 1)
- Color (Part 2)
- On Painting Water
- On Light, Shade and Shadow
- On Painting Rocks (Part 1)
- On Painting Rocks (Part 2)
- On Painting Night
- On the Trail of O’Keeffe
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Painting Tutorial – Painting ‘Palm Play’
Four Painting Tutorials – Step by Step Each covers the step by step painting process Jan used to complete a particular painting. In addition to the slides, Jan’s voice explains in more detail.
- Painting ‘Palm Play’
- Painting ‘Gentle Aging’
- Painting, ‘Sea Grape Roots’
- Painting ‘Port Townsend Pier’
Videos
Jan offers four watercolor painting videos designed as demos. 60 min. each
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Jan & Sharon talking as Jan plans the painting, Part 1
Jan Hart Painting Videos, Part 1, 2, and 3. The complete process of painting from start to finish. Watch and listen to Jan and her student, Sharron as they discuss, paint and work their ways through an entire painting. 3 Parts: Each part approximately 60 min. This is as close as you can get to watching a demo without actually being there. Completely fresh, unrehearsed and in the moment – including Jan’s ‘train of thought’ as she paints.
- Part 1 Before the Painting Begins
- Part 2 Painting to Adolescence
- Part 3 Finishing the Painting
- Jan Hart Video: The One Hour Sketch with a Beer Approximately 60 minutes. Watch Jan painting a quick sketch, all plein aire and in the moment and hear her ‘train of thought’ comments as she moves through the painting of the mango tree in her yard.
Books
Jan’s watercolor book & ebook
Please see Jan’s Store for descriptions and purchase availability of each of Jan’s books:
- The Watercolor Artist’s Guide to Exceptional Color, 2007 Walter Foster publisher. Out of print and available only through re-sellers. Pdf ebook available through Jan’s Store.
- What Do You Mean I Can’t Move To Costa Rica?, 2010 Jan Hart pdf ebook available through Jan’s Store.
- A Woman Awakens: Life, AfterLife, Createspace publisher. Available as paperback or Kindle version through amazon.com. The book contains approximately 35 of Jan’s paintings which can be viewed in full color at www.awomanawakens.com.
