When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at the college—that my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared back at me, incredulous, and said, "You mean they forget?" — Howard Ikemoto
Drawing and Watercolor Classes In Nashville
Welcome to my Nashville Studio! Here, I teach Basic Drawing and Watercolor Classes, Workshops, Private Lessons and offer Creative Coaching. Classes are small with loads of individual attention and encouragement.
My approach to teaching drawing and watercolor is to provide you with primary information and exercises — so often skipped over! — so that you can build a solid foundation for the rest of your creative life. This is important for beginners and as a refresher for those of you who have been away for a while. We start with drawing — one of the surest routes to self-realization.
Learn about accepting yourself, how to see much better, and how to develop the habit of practice. Scroll down to read dates and prices.
READ THE DESCRIPTION OF MY CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS.
About Creative Coaching.
• REFER A FRIEND — GET ONE CLASS FREE! •
SPECIAL $25 INTRO CLASSES!
These introductory classes are designed to let you try out the space and teaching style to see if you'd like to commit to a series of 4 or more beginning drawing classes. Stay tuned or email me for date of August Intro Class.
Basic Drawing Class
Learn the principles of drawing through a series of illuminating exercises with encouraging guidance. All materials are provided in take-home kit for additional fee — just bring your creative self!
July
Basic Drawing Class
3 Wednesday mornings
Basic Drawing Class
4 Wednesday afternoons
Basic Drawing Class
4 Wednesday evenings
Reserve a space
Basic Watercolor Workshop
(prerequisite Basic Drawing Class)
Watercolor is a challenging and rewarding medium. This workshop instructs you on the materials and basic principles of watercolor with some basic exercises to demonstrate a few approaches. All materials are provided — just bring your creative self!
Basic Watercolor Class
(Workshop follow-up)
These four classes are designed to train your hand and eye while exercising various approaches to the medium.
4 Wednesday afternoons
Book the original 2- or 3-day Basic Drawing and Watercolor Workshop for your group or organization. Learn more about the workshop and how it works. This intensive workshop has been a great success for private groups, art centers, museums and other organizations all over the country. I can adapt the workshop for the particulars of any group. Let's discuss how this can serve your group. Email me
Private Lessons and Creative Coaching
Individual lessons and coaching sessions begin at $60 per hour.
Read Creative Coaching description.
To schedule a small group for a workshop, a private party or to discuss private lessons and creative coaching...
Basic Drawing Class
3 Wednesday mornings
July 8, 15, 22, 29
9:30 - Noon
$90 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
9:30 - Noon
$90 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
Basic Drawing Class
4 Wednesday afternoons
July 1, 15, 22, 29
1 - 3:30 PM
$120 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
(full)
1 - 3:30 PM
$120 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
(full)
Basic Drawing Class
4 Wednesday evenings
July 8, 15, 22, 29
6 - 8:30 PM
$120 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
(full)
6 - 8:30 PM
$120 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
(full)
August
Basic Drawing Class
4 Wednesday mornings
Basic Drawing Class
4 Wednesday evenings
September classes on 9/9Basic Drawing Class
4 Wednesday mornings
August 5, 12, 19, 26
9:30 - Noon
$120 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
9:30 - Noon
$120 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
(4 seats)
Basic Drawing Class
4 Wednesday evenings
August 5, 12, 19, 26
6 - 8:30 PM
$120 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
(4 seats)
6 - 8:30 PM
$120 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
(4 seats)
Reserve a space
Basic Watercolor Workshop
(prerequisite Basic Drawing Class)
Watercolor is a challenging and rewarding medium. This workshop instructs you on the materials and basic principles of watercolor with some basic exercises to demonstrate a few approaches. All materials are provided — just bring your creative self!
Basic Watercolor Class
(Workshop follow-up)
These four classes are designed to train your hand and eye while exercising various approaches to the medium.
4 Wednesday afternoons
August 5, 12, 19, 26
1 - 3:30 PM
$120 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
(4 seats)
1 - 3:30 PM
$120 + $35 materials fee
Reserve a space
(4 seats)
Next Watercolor Class series starts in early September
Reserve a space
Reserve a space
Basic Drawing and Watercolor Workshop
Book the original 2- or 3-day Basic Drawing and Watercolor Workshop for your group or organization. Learn more about the workshop and how it works. This intensive workshop has been a great success for private groups, art centers, museums and other organizations all over the country. I can adapt the workshop for the particulars of any group. Let's discuss how this can serve your group. Email me
Private Lessons and Creative Coaching
Individual lessons and coaching sessions begin at $60 per hour.
Read Creative Coaching description.
To schedule a small group for a workshop, a private party or to discuss private lessons and creative coaching...
Class and Workshop Description
My Basic Drawing and Watercolor Classes and Workshops teach you everything you need to know about drawing and watercolor to start a practice of your own. Originally designed as a two-day workshop to be held entirely outdoors, we work with nature and, weather permitting, in nature as much as possible, learning from natural design and presentation in daylight.
These workshops and classes are designed for ages 10-100, for absolute beginners and as a refresher for experienced artists.
Explore drawing and watercolor without making a lengthy or expensive commitment, enhance your perceptive skills, understanding of design and develop more acute appreciation for the art of drawing and watercolor. Build a solid foundation for your understanding of art.
Beginning with drawing, we move through a series of progressive exercises interspersed with mini-lectures and demonstrations to build a solid foundation in drawing and watercolor while exploring form and color in the world around us. Instruction includes the fundamentals of tools and mediums, design concepts, color mixing and techniques to enhance the development of conceptual understanding and physical ability.
The ultimate in sustainable activities, the original 2-day workshop simplifies the process of drawing and watercolor and prepares you to do artwork on your own outside of a class situation. Materials are kept to essentials and work is done on a small, portable scale.
Discover a new sense of self, enhanced observational skills and experience a noticeable development of confidence and awareness. These classes and workshops are as much about learning to see as about making art.
These workshops and classes are designed for ages 10-100, for absolute beginners and as a refresher for experienced artists.
Explore drawing and watercolor without making a lengthy or expensive commitment, enhance your perceptive skills, understanding of design and develop more acute appreciation for the art of drawing and watercolor. Build a solid foundation for your understanding of art.
Beginning with drawing, we move through a series of progressive exercises interspersed with mini-lectures and demonstrations to build a solid foundation in drawing and watercolor while exploring form and color in the world around us. Instruction includes the fundamentals of tools and mediums, design concepts, color mixing and techniques to enhance the development of conceptual understanding and physical ability.
The ultimate in sustainable activities, the original 2-day workshop simplifies the process of drawing and watercolor and prepares you to do artwork on your own outside of a class situation. Materials are kept to essentials and work is done on a small, portable scale.
Discover a new sense of self, enhanced observational skills and experience a noticeable development of confidence and awareness. These classes and workshops are as much about learning to see as about making art.
Drawing workshops (without the watercolor) are also available for one or two days.
Contact me for further information or to schedule a class or workshop.
How the Workshop Works
The Basic Drawing and Watercolor Workshop is held over a period of two or three days from 8:30 AM to 4 PM each day.
The morning of Day One is devoted to Drawing and, after instruction on tools and a break for lunch, the afternoon is spent with Watercolor instruction.
Day Two puts everything learned the first day into practice and we end the workshop with intentions to extend the practice of drawing and watercolor into our daily lives.
The workshop was originally developed for the out of doors but can be (and has been) held in a variety of venues. If held indoors, lots of natural light is desirable.
The morning of Day One is devoted to Drawing and, after instruction on tools and a break for lunch, the afternoon is spent with Watercolor instruction.
Day Two puts everything learned the first day into practice and we end the workshop with intentions to extend the practice of drawing and watercolor into our daily lives.
The workshop was originally developed for the out of doors but can be (and has been) held in a variety of venues. If held indoors, lots of natural light is desirable.
Creative Coaching in Nashville
Feeling stuck? Insecure about your creative work? Have you started a creative project but are having problems taking the next step or figuring out what the next step might be? Are you meeting with internal resistance on following through with a great idea to satisfying results?
I have successfully recorded 5 album projects of original songs and toured internationally as a singer songwriter, developed and toured with educational song programs, produced concerts, designed and developed drawing and watercolor teaching programs, created and exhibited several series of paintings, created and developed a fine art print and note card business, consulted and designed exhibits for small museums and visitor centers, designed and built a studio, and written, directed and produced a play with music for the Florida State Theater.
I can guide you through a process of empowering yourself to realize your dreams and achieve your creative potential. Through coaching sessions, I will help you learn how to organize your steps, understand your process, appreciate your individual style, gain confidence and discipline yourself to develop skills related to a successful outcome.
Regardless of the size and scope of your need or project, through intuitive assessment and practical experience, I will encourage you to get on track and stay on track. Whatever your goal, your process is part of your spiritual development. Creative expression as a means for spiritual development is what it's all about.
I have successfully recorded 5 album projects of original songs and toured internationally as a singer songwriter, developed and toured with educational song programs, produced concerts, designed and developed drawing and watercolor teaching programs, created and exhibited several series of paintings, created and developed a fine art print and note card business, consulted and designed exhibits for small museums and visitor centers, designed and built a studio, and written, directed and produced a play with music for the Florida State Theater.
I can guide you through a process of empowering yourself to realize your dreams and achieve your creative potential. Through coaching sessions, I will help you learn how to organize your steps, understand your process, appreciate your individual style, gain confidence and discipline yourself to develop skills related to a successful outcome.
Regardless of the size and scope of your need or project, through intuitive assessment and practical experience, I will encourage you to get on track and stay on track. Whatever your goal, your process is part of your spiritual development. Creative expression as a means for spiritual development is what it's all about.
Testimonials
"I will never look at the world the same way again!"
— Private Host, Palm Springs, CA
"You have a very generous spirit! You shared your vast knowledge of drawing and painting in a way that was easy to understand and very comprehensive. I was inspired by your passion as an artist."
— Sharon Cole, Los Angeles, CA
“I learned more in this one day workshop than I’ve learned in any other art course, anywhere, ever!”
— Susan Spak, Connecticut
"I am not particularly talented in drawing, but wanted to spend some time with the craft and get some pointers. Suzanne did a great job of encouraging all of her students, regardless of their level of expertise, and provided everyone with positive feedback as well as suggestions for how to improve our drawing and/or skills. In each class, she gave us a project or two which taught a skill related to drawing. All of us were appreciated at the level where we were able to perform. In fact, Suzanne admonished us for self-criticism. I wanted to commend Suzanne for teaching with such acceptance."
— Cheekwood Museum student, Nashville, TN
“To describe an introductory drawing and watercolor workshop given by Suzanne McDermott is to define a learning experience that blends a clear demonstration of basic techniques and insight with a creative spark and confidence that are contagious. Even now, many paintings down a road of artistic venture, I recall all that I learned that weekend with Suzanne with nothing but thanks and pleasure.”
— Mary O’Connor, Executive Director, Guilford Art Center, CT
— Private Host, Palm Springs, CA
"You have a very generous spirit! You shared your vast knowledge of drawing and painting in a way that was easy to understand and very comprehensive. I was inspired by your passion as an artist."
— Sharon Cole, Los Angeles, CA
“I learned more in this one day workshop than I’ve learned in any other art course, anywhere, ever!”
— Susan Spak, Connecticut
"I am not particularly talented in drawing, but wanted to spend some time with the craft and get some pointers. Suzanne did a great job of encouraging all of her students, regardless of their level of expertise, and provided everyone with positive feedback as well as suggestions for how to improve our drawing and/or skills. In each class, she gave us a project or two which taught a skill related to drawing. All of us were appreciated at the level where we were able to perform. In fact, Suzanne admonished us for self-criticism. I wanted to commend Suzanne for teaching with such acceptance."
— Cheekwood Museum student, Nashville, TN
“To describe an introductory drawing and watercolor workshop given by Suzanne McDermott is to define a learning experience that blends a clear demonstration of basic techniques and insight with a creative spark and confidence that are contagious. Even now, many paintings down a road of artistic venture, I recall all that I learned that weekend with Suzanne with nothing but thanks and pleasure.”
— Mary O’Connor, Executive Director, Guilford Art Center, CT
What to bring
Bring yourself, drinking water, a snack and an open mind.
If we are holding the workshop outdoors, be sure to bring a sun hat and sunscreen. For inclement weather, bring a waterproof jacket with hood or hat. If it's cold, wear something warm and bring a scarf. In any event, wear comfortable clothes and good walking shoes.
What not to bring:Cell phones, blackberries, lap tops and other electronic devices are not welcome.
If we are holding the workshop outdoors, be sure to bring a sun hat and sunscreen. For inclement weather, bring a waterproof jacket with hood or hat. If it's cold, wear something warm and bring a scarf. In any event, wear comfortable clothes and good walking shoes.
What not to bring:Cell phones, blackberries, lap tops and other electronic devices are not welcome.
Where have you taught?
Suzanne McDermott developed this intensive workshop in 1997 for guests at the Kiawah Island Resort in South Carolina. Since then she has taught the workshop for private groups and organizations and, with return engagements, at the Guilford and Farmington Valley Art Centers in Connecticut, Gulf Coast Museum of Art in Largo, Florida, San Luis Obispo Art Center in California, Cheekwood Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, National Audubon sites, National Historic sites, Elderhostels, and private schools.
Private Workshops
If you would like to bring me to your place for a private workshop, to an art center or some other venue in your community, I will be happy to discuss how we can make that work. Just email me and we'll explore the possibilities.
About the Instructor
Painter, musician, writer and teacher, Suzanne McDermott has recorded five albums and toured throughout Europe and the US. She currently works in the studio she built in Nashville and travels with workshops and concerts.
Suzanne has been painting with watercolor since the age of five. Commissioned for much of her early work, her watercolors have been featured in solo and group shows in Los Angeles, Sarasota, FL, Charleston, SC, Petersburg and Culpeper, VA, Nashville, TN and are in private collections in the US and Europe. Suzanne developed her intensive Basic Drawing & Watercolor Workshop in South Carolina at the Kiawah Island Resort. She has since taught the workshop at museums, art centers, National Audubon sites, National Historic sites, Elderhostels, schools, and for organizations and private groups across the country.
Suzanne studied Drawing, Watercolor, Design and Art History at The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Santa Monica City College, and earned a B.A. in Humanities with a concentration in Drama, Art and Music from New College of Florida.
To see Suzanne's recent paintings, go to Landscape into Art.
For more information on her work and background, visit suzannemcdermott.com.
Suzanne has been painting with watercolor since the age of five. Commissioned for much of her early work, her watercolors have been featured in solo and group shows in Los Angeles, Sarasota, FL, Charleston, SC, Petersburg and Culpeper, VA, Nashville, TN and are in private collections in the US and Europe. Suzanne developed her intensive Basic Drawing & Watercolor Workshop in South Carolina at the Kiawah Island Resort. She has since taught the workshop at museums, art centers, National Audubon sites, National Historic sites, Elderhostels, schools, and for organizations and private groups across the country.
Suzanne studied Drawing, Watercolor, Design and Art History at The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Santa Monica City College, and earned a B.A. in Humanities with a concentration in Drama, Art and Music from New College of Florida.
To see Suzanne's recent paintings, go to Landscape into Art.
For more information on her work and background, visit suzannemcdermott.com.
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