Debra Keirce

Debra Keirce

 

 

Testimonials

1/31/2017 4:44:56 PM by Debra Keirce
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One of the best parts of teaching and hosting workshops are the testimonials. I don't do a good enough job of saying how much I appreciate them! 

 

I received the sweetest note from Carol yesterday, who I am teaching privately in my studio. "I treasure all of our sessions and I look forward to each and every one." - That never gets old. 

 

And after one of my recent art talks, Patty sent me an email saying "I loved the talk you gave...so informative and interesting. Hearing your story from when you first started painting to now was especially nice." - She took the time to send these nice words to me.

 

 

 

Courtney enjoyed a workshop I hosted so much, that she posted on Facebook " Deb creates a great learning environment and brings in excellent teachers. "

 

Daryoosh wrote to me "I had a blast in the workshop and came out supercharged ready for a winter full of growth. It was because of a welcoming atmosphere of your home, thoughtful work environment you provided, the delicious lunch, amazing instructor and a cool group of artists you put together. You made my year."

 

WOW! Just wow!! I hope I get the same kind of feedback this year!!

 

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40 Years and Counting...

1/28/2017 12:58:10 PM by Debra Keirce
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"Bright Spot on a Rainy Day" by Debra Keirce, 4 inches tall

 

I just realized that it has been 40 years - It was in 1977 that I sold my first painting (a watercolor of the Basilica in Moscow) for money. It was a grand commission sum of $15 and I sold it to Mrs. Drosdolski, my 10th grade design art teacher at Stevenson High School in Sterling Hts., MI. 

 

So much has changed in 4 decades, but I still have my burning passion for creating and sharing art. I thank you all for joining my on my art journey! Lately I've been working hard on miniature paintings for upcoming art shows around the country. Each one of these paintings takes me about 30 hours plus 55 years to create, and I work 9 to 15 hours each day bringing them to life. 

 

While my art instruction started with Mrs. Drosdolski and Mrs. Kreger in a high school in a Detroit suburb, I've been taught by so many amazing instructors over the years. Today, I am privilidged to invite them into my home to teach, and I am excited to welcome Tina Garrett, David Shevlino, Juan Jr. Ramirez, Carlo Russo, and TJ Cunningham between now and the end of 2018. You can click HERE to see what workshops are being offered and to register.

 

I am also teaching  fun 2 hour classes where I provide the underpainting, and students finish it. You go home with a finished 6"x6" painting ready to frame and hang that you can be proud of, AND all my secrets for applying the final paint layers. I focus on a different aspect of painting in each class, so students who come more than once will not be bored. The classes are offered at an affordable tuition of $45, monthly at Huckleberry Fine Art Gallery in Rockville, MD. You can check them out HERE!

 

 

 

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David Cheifetz - Focus Mastered in Still Life, With Palette Knife or Brush

1/26/2017 3:12:29 PM by Debra Keirce
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Please share this opportunity with anyone you think might be interested!

 

STILL LIFE PAINTING, PALETTE KNIFE, BRUSH, OIL PAINTING

 

 

LET DAVID SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE YOUR PAINTINGS SING!

- Instruction is private, in my home studio, limited to 10 students - David takes pride in his very personal, one on one teaching methods. You will be treated to a very personal learning experience.

- Learn how to master the focus in your artwork

- Satisfy your curiosity about palette knife painting vs. brush painting

- All skill levels are welcome


October  6, 7, 8, 9  -  9:30am-4:30pm

Tuition: $595 (includes use of easel, lighting, still life props, Also, a gift from DebKArt Home Studios: snacks, beverages, light lunch)

Location: Ashburn, Virginia USA

 


Check made out to:
Debra Keirce 
21454 Basil Court
Ashburn, VA 20148
.
OR,
Call me at 571-236-0047 if you would like to provide credit or debit card information
Please note that credit card payment will be $617 to cover the 3.75% Square Register merchant fee.
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OR,
PayPal:paypal.me/DebKArt Please send $613 to cover the 3% PayPal fee

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Payment in full is required to reserve a spot in the workshop, and you are committing to find a suitable replacement if you cannot attend for any reason. Less than 60 days before workshop dates, we will not be able to give refunds of any kind. For workshops with waiting lists, we can offer full refunds up to 60 days prior, minus the PayPal or Square Register fees if you paid using those methods.

 

NOTE: I do not advise the booking of non refundable travel and lodging tickets prior to 60 days before the workshop. I will contact students before the 60 day mark, in the unlikely event we will not be able to hold the workshop as scheduled.

 

 

Course Description in David Cheifetz' own words:


We will work together on still life composition, brush painting, and knife painting. Any skill level in painting is fine, I enjoy adjusting my advice for each person’s level. However, more advanced students will find it easier to focus on the subtleties of composition. A solid drawing background is highly recommended.

First Day Morning:

Composition! I will work individually with each student to compose a still life setup. The goal will be to create compositions with a powerful sense of focus. This is an important stage and we will give it some thought. I also encourage students to listen to the composition problems faced by fellow students--it is a great way to learn and process. If you are finished earlier than others with your setup, you can begin setting out your paints.

First Day Afternoon:

After everyone has a good setup, I will explain my own composition and intentions, then I will begin a demo of my painting method and answer questions while I paint. The more questions the better. At some point I’ll stop and everyone will begin on their own paintings and I will circulate to help each person.

Next Three Days:

You will paint and I will circulate. I will periodically come back to my demo. When the first demo is finished, I may begin another one with a new composition (If the first was with brushes, I would do the second with knife, or vise-versa, or a mixture). Depending on the needs of the group I may also decide to do quick demo-ettes such as a piece of fruit just to show effective turning of a round form. However, priority is given to your work time so that I can give you practical advice. You may choose to create a new composition every day if you like, or you may dig in and get to a more finished stage. I love talking about composition, and the beginning stages are so important, so I encourage more starts. That is how I was taught, and it did wonders for me.

 

Note: I would hope that you are not overly concerned with producing sellable work during the workshop as it will hinder learning. If you end up with something great, that is a bonus, but I don’t want students to feel rushed or obsessed with production. I am mostly concerned with communicating some key concepts in a way that really sinks in. I want this knowledge to be useful for you later on. We will work hard and enjoy the process together.

Supply list:

-A Large black cloth and a large white cloth. 

Each at least 4’x4’ to use as your still life background/surface cloth. This is an important step in the composition process.

-Holbein MX no 1 painting knife.

HERE is a link to buy one

Or, Holbein 1066S-303 painting knife.

HERE is a link to buy one

Both are excellent. 303 is a little smaller and more delicate.

If you have no intention of knife painting, you can stick with brushes. But I will be teaching both. I love both.

 

 

-Robert Simmons Signet Filbert Bristle Brushes (or equivalents), a variety of sizes.

When painting with brushes I use the whole range, but my workhorse is usually size 4. To make things simple, you can just get all even numbers...2,4,6,8,10,12. That’s what I do.

-Solvent: Gamsol.

-Medium: Gamblin Neo-Megilp

-Paint list:

Be sure to avoid student grade brands (like winton etc): the oily handling properties and weak pigmentation will hinder your progress. I like Winsor Newton Artist's Oils and there are plenty of decent brands in that price range.

 

ivory black

 phthalo blue

ultramarine blue

alizarin crimson

cadmium red

cadmium orange (Winsor Newton Artist’s Oils preferred)

burnt umber

raw umber

yellow ochre

cadmium yellow (Winsor Newton Artist’s Oils preferred)

cadmium lemon

a quality white (I mostly use titanium)

-A variety of toned panels to paint on. Some different sizes: 8x10, 9x12, 11x14, bigger if you like, maybe a square if you want. It is nice to have a choice while composing. I’ll probably demo on 9x12 

My favorite is Ampersand Gessobord or Jack Richeson Premium Gessoed Hardboard. Raymar’s linen panels are also fantastic. No Mona Lisa/Speedball panels, they are far too slick. Tone the panels in advance of the workshop to make sure they are totally dry. Can't go wrong with an umber color. Often I like to prep a few in different tones and then make a game-time decision.

-Paper towels. I like Viva or those blue shop towels, both are thick and cloth-like.

-Your other basics...palette, container for gamsol, gloves, whatever else you need. Please contact venue for information about easels etc.

 


To see more of David Cheifetz' work, visit his website at DavidCheifetz.com

 

For information about the workshop venue or payment please contact:  
Debra Keirce 
571-236-0047 

 

 

 

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