Hi James

Thank you for a great class today.  Frustrating not to be able to keep up with you but I’ll rewatch the video and the new one as well.  You work so fast and just make such amazing strokes and have such a keen understanding of the dog anatomy.  It sure is a learning curve for me.  But it’s also a challenge and fun.  

Sue Edelstein 

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Hi!

I thoroughly enjoyed your class, learned a lot about water and movement!! Sorry I had to leave early- puppy issue and he is ok. Whew!

Thank you! 

Mary Jabens

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Thank you so much, Jim!  I really appreciate that.  I took the workshop from you back when you were here before.  I was just starting to get into oil painting.  You taught me basically how to premix colors on my palette, introduced me to centurion panels, better brushes and I still refer back to your color mixes to this day.  I really appreciate you for sharing your knowledge.  Thank you so much for all you do and for being such a good teacher and great artist!  June Klement

 

1st day with James “Jim” Swanson in Augusta GA exploring color workshop. Nice to see in person mastery of the medium. Joe Basco

 

Your workshop was wonderful !  You are a talented teacher which was so appreciated !   I am looking forward to 

practicing your techniques and using the palette.  I plan to join you for more workshops if only online.    Lexington was lovely and my fellow classmates were inspiring.  Give Bjorn a scratch behind his ears for being such a great model ! 

Teresa Mason 

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I went to the workshop on Whidbey Island and got to meet our favorite master painter this past weekend. It was so fun and I learned a lot! If you get a chance to go to one of his in person workshops, I highly recommend it!

Molly Jackson White

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James Swanson explains his process clearly and ensures everyone understands before moving on to the next process. James gives individual instruction when needed and explains things he does and why he does them. His process will enable you to create more harmony in your paintings as his method involves premixing colors for your palette. You will no longer have to switch from thinking how to mix a color, adjust the value and then put it on your canvas. This method is also used in Plein-Aire, as you need to work fast due to the changing light outdoors. He is an excellent teacher as well as a painter, you only need to look at his paintings. He doesn't hold back any information, you don't feel like you are prying any painter secrets from him as he explains everything he does and will answer all your questions. I attended a recent workshop in Langley Wa and highly recommend him and process he uses to paint in oil paints. Another bonus....no more smelly paint thinner as he only uses safflower and baby oil for medium and paint cleaner.

Raymond Joseph Kaler

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James Swanson is a master painter and an awesome instructor with a different approach. In class we mix all of our colors with a limited palette prior to painting, and discuss the subject matter with the best ways to achieve the desired effects. All with encouragement and humor. Since taking classes with Jim, I have been challenged to paint faster and looser. I feel more confident and feel my painting skills have improved. He critiques each student’s painting with encouragement and suggestions. Since we paint the same subject matter that he is painting, we are able to see a sometimes ordinary subject matter develop into a magnificent impressionistic masterpiece!

Cynthia Meyer

 

I thought I knew how to paint in oils until I took a zoom class from The master painter James Swanson. He has opened my eyes to an entirely unique way of painting. We mix all of our colors beforehand. It allows us to paint faster. Our colors are harmonious.

What took me a month to paint only takes 3 days to finish.

His humor and knowledge are wonderful ingredients for the perfect class.

A million thanks for teaching us!

Kerry Tripp

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James Swanson is a Master painter and awesome teacher with a sense of humor! For five years he taught me (a beginner) how to mix colors, design paintings, use lights and darks, various brush strokes, realistic and impressionistic styles in my work and so much more! He is gifted and has the ability to teach all levels of students. Thank you Jim for teaching me the joy of painting!

Lynette Hoy

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James Swanson - while not trained as a teacher - is truly one of the best I've ever had, in any subject at any level.

Somehow this man of enormous talent can relate to those of us who can only dream of such mastery. His analysis of a painting subject, his explanation of how to approach it, how colors are created, how they're applied, how a flat canvas can become such a deeply layered, rich representation. It's all done w the student in mind. He helps each one of us understand, no matter how experienced or unexperienced we are. No question is too simplistic. And James never makes anyone feel unworthy of painting alongside him.

Despite the fact that these lessons are done on-line, he's created a true sense of community. I feel like these are now my friends. We uplift each other and with Jim in the lead, we celebrate each others challenges and accomplishments. I look forward to getting together with him and them every week.

What a gift he's given us.

Linda MacLennan

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James has shared his amazing loose oil painting skills via zoom. I love his premixed piles of paint and the journey he takes us on during class. He has changed the way I approach subjects. You inspire us all.

Brenda Siegel

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Have painted with James Swanson for a few years now. I have painted with him both in person and online. Classes are always fun and informative. He is one of those teachers who not only a good painter, but he is a great at teaching.

Charlynn Hulse

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