Essentials of Painting (Guided Track)
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What is the Guided track?
The Essentials of Painting – Guided Track is a 4-month program that combines the flexibility of a self-paced course with the support of monthly live feedback sessions, bonus demos, and an artist community.
This option is ideal for artists who want structured support — and time to grow on their own terms.
The Guided Track has two tracks you can choose from that follow the same Essentials of Painting course structure: Digital and Gouache. Each lesson has homework briefs in digital and gouache painting so you can follow along in the either medium (or both) and get the best of both worlds!
To learn more about the Essentials of Painting Guided Track and read about FAQ, please visit HERE.
Both digital and gouache tracks include:
Full access to the Essentials of Painting course (see below)
Homework briefs with different level tiers of difficulty for lessons that have a digital painting version and gouache/ traditional version
Four monthly 2 hour LIVE Zoom sessions
(Separate sessions per track, each at the end of each month, please note that depending on which track you choose, you cannot watch the other track’s recording)
Includes direct feedback, paint-overs, and live Q&A.Tailored demos specific to gouache or digital techniques
Personal homework folders + session recordings + PSD paint over files of your homework to keep and rewatch anytime
Private Discord Community to post progress and chat with peers, and get written feedback from Tiffanie
Accountability, and support while being able to do the homework at your own pace
All for just $399
Objective of this course
This course is all about mastering the fundamentals of painting so you can truly see and think like a painter. The aim is to strengthen your skills by focusing on doing master studies and plein air studies—the core practices that will make you a better painter through careful study and observation. By consistently practicing and repeating these techniques, you'll build a strong visual library of lighting scenarios and artist references to pull from in your own work. It’s all about consistency and repetition to sharpen your abilities and grow as an artist!
who is this course for?
Beginner to intermediate artists who have some experience with Photoshop or gouache and want to strengthen their foundational skills to take their art to the next level.
Experienced digital or gouache painters looking for different techniques and approaches while revisiting core fundamentals.
Fine artists who want to incorporate digital painting into their artistic workflow. A basic understanding of Photoshop is recommended. Here is a link to my playlist outlining the basics of Photoshop in regards to what you’ll need for this course.
If you have any questions about the course before purchasing, please email me at tiffaniemangart@gmail.com and I’d be happy to answer any! :)
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Chapter 0: Introduction
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Visual Tools
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Lesson 1: Overview of Photoshop
In this video, I will be going over all the tools and essentials you need to know in Photoshop in order to be successful in this course. Please note that if you are new to Photoshop, I have an even more extensive FREE course on my youtube!
See photoshop basic course here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV7uN0oLJuWqX0fGczdEbMcbvJOg03pEw&si=yoAhV_gshrb_NyTc
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Lesson 2: Hierarchy of the Visual Tools
This video will give you an overview of how value, line, shapes, edges, color and texture all exist in an artistic ecosystem to help you share your visual narrative.
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Lesson 3: Your Visual Toolbox
In this lesson, you will learn about how you can use lines, shapes, masses, value, color, texture and edges to create paintings- the visual tools in your arsenal!
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Chapter 2: Composition and Design
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Lesson 4: Composing with Grids
In this lesson, you will learn about the importance of an intentional composed image and how to use grids to design your paintings better!
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Lesson 5: The Power of Notan Studies
Get confident at designing and problem solving by doing 2 value studies!
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Lesson 6: Notan Study Demo
In this demo, I’ll show you how I tackle a notan study from an Edgar Payne Painting.
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Matrix Study with Shapie
Do analog matrix studies on paper with a black marker!
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Chapter 3: Values, Edges and Mood
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Lesson 7: Intro to Value and Light
Cue in light and shadow! In this lesson, we will learn about the elements that make up light and shadow and how we can simplify the values we see.
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Lesson 8: The Key to Mood (are Values)
Learn about different value structures you can key your paintings to- high, mid and low- and how playing around with different value relationships is directly tied to mood.
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Lesson 9: Value Master Study Demo
I’ll show you how I tackle a 5 value study of a mid key painting!
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Lesson 10: Handling Edges and Texture
How do you know when to use softer or harder edges along with texture? The secret is within value contrast and grouping!
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Blocking in a Master Value Study in Gouache
In this video, I will show you how I use burnt sienna and water and a flat brush to block in a quick value study.
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Value Study with Copic Markers
Learn how to do value studies with copic markers sticking to 3-5 values!
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Chapter 4: Intro to Color Relationships
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Lesson 11: The Anatomy of Color
Learn all about the anatomy of color so you can create glowing color relationships for confidently.
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Lesson 12: The Power of Grays
Grays are underrated, and you’re going to learn how to unleash their superpowers.
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Lesson 13: Different Ways to Visualize Color
Learn how to choose colors in the hue cube, HSB/HSV sliders and color wheel.
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Mixing Grays in Gouache and How Simultaneous Contrast Works
Learn how to mix grays from complementary and how simultaneous contrast works.
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Lesson 14: Master Painting Color Study Demo
In this demo, I will show you how to create a color study with 2 brushes and the U tool.
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Creating a Landscape with the Primary Colors
In this video, I’ll show you how I create a beach scape using the primary colors of white, lemon yellow, alizarin crimson, ultramarine+ a couple greens for extra vibrancy! This is great practice for understanding how to mix your grays and saturation.
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Adding Color to a Master Study from Value Study
Learn how to use the undertone of the a gouache value study to block in colors with the primary palette!
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Chapter 5: Color, Light, and Temperature
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Lesson 15: Carving with Planes
Learn how to efficiently render light and shadow through plane changes.
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Lesson 16: How the Temperature of Light Influences Color
The temperature of light changes throughout the day in direct and diffuse light, and understanding how that affects the colors we see is important!
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Lesson 17: Painting a Gouache Landscape with Two colors
In this demo, I recreate a landscape with ultramarine, yellow ochre, and white!
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Lesson 18: Direct and Overcast Light
In this lesson, we will go over the key differences between direct lighting from the sun and diffuse (indirect) lighting on an overcast day and how to choose colors and design light and shadow in both these situations.
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Lesson 19: Handling Temperature and Saturation in Foliage
Greens can be one of the hardest things to capture in a landscape and the secret is in shifting temperature within similar hues!
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Lesson 20: Painting Landscapes in Direct and Overcast Light
In this demo, I show you how I paint two 2”x2” paintings in gouache of a direct lighting sunset scene of the Grand Canyon and a overcast snowy scene.
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Chapter 6: About Plein Air Painting
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Lesson 21: How to Imply Depth and Atmosphere
There are simple techniques to create depth in your painting tied to value and color temperature!
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Lesson 22: Color and Lighting Truths
In this lesson, we will recap the most important points in painting light and shadow and well as personal tips that help me push a painting further!
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Lesson 23: Tips for Plein Air Painting
Plein air painting is not easy but is SUCH an important skill to become a better artist. Knowing the right questions to ask and things to observe in your subject matter can make a big difference!
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Lesson 24: Gouache Plein Air Demo in Alabama Hills
In this demo, I show you how I push subtle temperature shifts and saturation in the shadow and light in this painting featuring the rocks at Alabama Hills.
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Chapter 7: Digital Painting Demos
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Lesson 25: Master Painting Study and Redesign
In this demo, I’ll show you how I go from matrix study to final painting and use grids to create a landscape painting inspired by artist Clyde Aspevig! I will take his same color palette to show you how I choose colors and think about lighting.
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Lesson 26: Heavy Paint Demo of Dolomites
In this demo, I’ll show you how I interpret a lighting scenario that is a mix of direct and overcast and also how to refine this study on Photoshop using adjustment layers.
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Lesson 27: Graphic Urban Landscape on Photoshop
In this demo, I’ll show you how I handle a warmer afternoon lighting situation inspired by Kyoto city shapes on Photoshop.
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Student Work
Testimonials
“You are an incredible teacher and such a kind, gentle soul - having the chance to give some of the love back to you meant a lot to me. You helped me so much these past few months, not only in my art. Being given this precious opportunity to learn played such a big role for me in finding a new direction in life when I needed it the most and words cannot describe how thankful I am for that. Really Tiffanie, thank you so much, being your student meant the world to me.” - Leonie Kantratowicz
“Tiffanie is a very great teacher and dedicated to his students. She changed my vision forever literally when i am outside i am staring and observing long shadows. I learned A LOT from her. I wouldn't have the same confidence starting my new illustration job without her teachings. She tells you what you need to hear not what you would want and I think that's the best way. I will and I already miss her actually!” -Charles Hunter
I have taken a few painting courses over my career and I have memorized a library of art tips gathered from books to online tutorials, but Tiffanie's mentorship not only weaved all the fundamentals together in a step-by-step curriculum, but has filled that missing piece that I've been searching for throughout my artistic journey, an euphoric eureka milestone! Like all learning courses, you get what you put in, but I can absolutely attest that Tiffanie can push you to your very best in understanding color. - Victor Ha
Before Tiffanie’s guidance, I had little understanding of value and what makes a good painting. I kind of just painted what I saw. Tiffanie really taught me the importance of an interesting composition and value structure to create a well made painting. I cannot stress how much I recommend this class. Before I had no idea even the first step in painting but now I am confident. My artist friends outside of class comment all the time about how much I have improved and I owe it all to Tiffanie. I learned more in my three months with Tiffanie than I did in my two years of art school. -Sophie Ni
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This course is perfect for artists looking to gain a fresh perspective on painting, focusing on developing both technique and a painter's mindset. It’s great for:
Fine artists who want to incorporate digital painting into their workflow. (A basic understanding of Photoshop is recommended, with a month of practice suggested to familiarize yourself with basic tools. Click here for a helpful beginner’s Photoshop guide is available for those new to the software.)
Beginner to intermediate artists who have some experience with Photoshop and want to strengthen their foundational skills to take their art to the next level.
Experienced digital painters looking for new techniques and approaches while revisiting core fundamentals.
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My course is designed to use simple tools in Photoshop to focus on the actual fundamentals. Please refer to this playlist I made to understand all the things you’ll need to know in Photoshop.
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This course focuses on digital painting, so you’ll need the following:
A device: A laptop, desktop, or iPad. If using an iPad, an Apple Pencil is essential. I use an iPad Pro 12.9” (3rd generation), but any model works for plein air painting.
Tablet or stylus: For laptops or desktops, you’ll need a tablet or stylus like a Wacom Intuos. If you're just starting out, I recommend the Wacom Intuos Pro Medium, but older models will work fine too.
A Cintiq: If you already own one, you’re all set!
Software: Adobe Photoshop (2023 version) is the primary software I’ll be using in this course.
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS: If you don’t have Adobe Photoshop, other programs like Procreate, Corel Painter, Heavy Paint and Infinite Painter will work. My two choices are Infinite Painter and Heavy Paint.
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There is not wrong time to take this course because you can learn on your own time at your own pace. Your progress will be saved on the progress bar on the top, and you can rewatch lessons as many times as you want!
On Demand Course FAQ
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You will have two year access to the course!
Please note that this is just not lecture on a topic but a full on course with curated homework designed to help you succeed. You should be able to finish the course within years, and you will have lifetime access to the discord community where you can get feedback from peers and me.
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In this course, you need to know how to use the brush tool to paint, how to use and organize layers, and how to use the lasso tool, gradient tool, and U tool. You should also know how to use clipping masks and layer masks as well as a basic understanding of adjustment layers. Beyond that, this course focuses on painting rather than Photoshop tricks, so the concepts learned can translate to other apps (such as Infinite Painter, Heavy Paint, Procreate, etc).
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Yes, while I use Photoshop in this course, you can follow along with other apps such as Infinite Painter and Heavy Paint Classic, which is much cheaper. Check those out, as those are two of my favorite apps for plein air painting.
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This course is on-demand, so you will be doing homework on your own time and self critiquing, which is an important skill to build up. However, there is a discord channel where students can post their work at any time. Tiffanie will hop in at least once a month to check out any posts and homework!
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If you don’t understand the homework, fear not! Join the Discord server (you will receive access upon purchase of course) and ask any questions you have. I will be on there, as well as other students to answer your questions.
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I can’t guarantee you’ll paint exactly like me, as everyone develops their own style at their own pace. However, with two years of access to this course, consistent practice and repetition of the lessons will be key to strengthening your painting fundamentals. My goal is to help you see and think like a painter, so you can understand my design and color choices and apply them to your own work.
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No, after you have purchased the course, you cannot get a refund.
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Since you have your own login, you can log back in at any time and resume. Your progress will be saved and you can continue where you left off.
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YES! This is what this course is designed for. If you need to rewatch a lesson, or do the homework a couple rounds to get it right, it is UP TO YOU! you control the speed, and you are also responsible for your own progress.
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No, I do not use any AI whatsoever. This course is designed for you to be able to paint using YOUR skills, so you can be better then AI!