Question 1

How long do oil paints take to dry?

Accepted Answer

Oil paints take around 4 days to dry. It does depend on the weather and if it is a damp or dry environment. You can save your paints by putting your pallet in a sealed container between paintings.

Question 2

Do I need to have used oil paints before?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not need to have any prior experience with oil paints at all (or with painting either). Many of my students have not used oils before. Everyone has found it easy to work with oils and very happy to have learnt with the medium.

Question 3

How long does the program go for?

Accepted Answer

As soon as you purchase the program you will gain access to the course and the online content which is available for a lifetime. The program begins in the second week of January 2021

The program will take around 6-7 months online (or 2 months if you have the shorter course). You can take as long as you like to do the courses - there is no pressure to finish everything in the 6 months. The ZOOM calls are there for encouragement and questions; everything else is self paced. The ZOOM calls will be recorded and put in the private group, so if you miss one you can watch it later!

Question 4

Are materials included, and if not can I order a pack with all paints and brushes that I will need for the course?  How much would this be?"

Accepted Answer

Materials are not included in the price of the program.    You may, however, order a BASIC or PREMIUM Painting Pack from us. This BASIC is $150.00 AUD (plus postage), which is a great starter kit that you can add to as you go. The PREMIUM Pack is is $250.00 AUD (plus postage) and includes all the high quality paints & brushes I use, throughout all the program which also has an A5 canvas pad, ruler, eraser, pencil, medium and masking tape. There are limited packs available - get in touch @ hb@heatherbradbury.com    As part of the downloadable resources you will receive a full list of materials needed for the program, so you can buy the materials needed at your local arts store.

Question 5

How does the shorter 2 month course work?

Accepted Answer

The two month course has exactly the same material in it except it only has 8 course not 24. You get all the bonuses and information you will need to begin painting and get a good handle on some of the techniques. You will have weekly ZOOM calls for 8 weeks instead of 24. This shorter version is for those who can not afford the full course just yet, but you can upgrade to receive more of the modules as you go along. Take note that the course tutorials will mention 24 courses, but you will only have access to 8 of those.

Question 6

Do I have to follow all the courses in order or can I pick which ones I want to paint first?

Accepted Answer

You can paint each course in any order you like! It does help the creative journey and learning skills to follow them in order, but there is nothing stopping you painting just the ones that appeal to you!

Question 7

What are the healing benefits of painting?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that drawing and painting can stimulate memories in people with dementia and other neurological diseases. Painting, drawing and other art forms can help increase the number of connections in the brain that impact memory, improve moods and expand a person’s vocabulary. ​ Art therapy (including painting) is even used in treating cancer as it helps decrease stress and perception of pain, and improves quality of life.    Other health benefits of painting: promotes stress relief, expands creative growth, bolsters memory, enhances problem-solving and motor skills, cultivates emotional growth and stimulates an optimistic attitude.

Question 8

How long do oil paints last in their tubes? Will I invest in the materials and they expire if I don’t use them for some time?

Accepted Answer

Oil paints can last for years if the lids are on tight. I have tubes that are more than 6 years old and are still fine. What I love about oil paints is that you do not need to squeeze much out at a time.

Question 9

Can I buy the program with a friend?

Accepted Answer

You may buy one course and invite a friend around to your home to paint with you, but you may not duplicate it to give to someone else. I do offer a discount if you and a friend want to buy individual copies. Email me at hb@heatherbadbury.com and I can set that up for you!

Question 10

I don’t feel like I have time to paint, but I want to - will this help me get into a better rhythm?"

Accepted Answer

This program is designed to help you get into a regular rhythm as it provides you with a new painting to paint every week. The weekly ZOOM catch ups help you progress by working through any questions.   I have found people seem to get addicted to wanting to paint the next painting - then the next one! The momentum is fun and being part of the community will help you find some accountability.

Question 11

How will this type of painting help calm my stress?

Accepted Answer

Each lesson in the course comes with an ebook you can download that has reflections and exercises that help you slow down and relax. The many painting courses that you have access to have very simple step-by-step instructions. Even the hardest of paintings in the collection will help your mind keep focused and calm because you have to concentrate.   There is something about the action of taking a brush to a canvas, especially when there is a lot of detail to consider, that helps slow your mind down and diminishes the current stresses you may be carrying. Your mind is relaxed, and nothing else around you seems to matter!

Question 12

Are oil paints hard to use, how are they different from acrylics?"

Accepted Answer

I was always scared to use oils, but when I tried using them properly, I realised that out of all the types of paints, oils are the easiest and the most wonderful to work with. They stay wet longer, they are easy to wipe off if you make a mistake and the blending is divine! Acrylics dry out quickly and are not as thick, so I find it hard to get the desired results.

Question 13

What if I fall behind? Is there a way to pause, catch up and plod along?"

Accepted Answer

If you fall behind that's ok! You have lifetime access, so you can go at your own pace. Each week the ZOOM calls will be recorded, so you can watch them later. You can choose to paint one mini painting along with me each week or just take your time. Each painting will take about 3 - 6 hours to complete, but it is totally up to you when you do that and how long you take to complete the whole program.

Question 14

You say it helps heal your soul, what do you mean?"

Accepted Answer

When you take time to paint an image that represents something important to you, it can take on a very special journey of healing - the image often will be telling a story that brings you hope. The many paintings I have produced over the past 10 years have been a visual journal of what is happening in my life at the time and the journey of painting that image gives me time to process life. I believe it is very important to choose images to paint that have a special place in your heart.

Question 15

Is the course just for a certain age group?

Accepted Answer

This program is wonderful for a very broad age range, from teens to adults. I suggest this course is best for teens and up! If younger artists would like to paint, I recommend they do it with an adult.

Question 16

What do I need to do to set up my home studio/creative corner?

Accepted Answer

We cover all you need to know in the program! In one of the bonus courses on how to paint with oils, I take you through my own studio and all the things that I recommend that you use. You will also receive a downloadable PDF document that has everything I could think of that I use in my studio including: lighting, easels, tables, paints, brushes, pallets, canvases, rulers etc.    I have had numbers of students say how grateful they were for this document which means they don't have to second guess the essentials that they need.

Question 17

Will I learn about techniques and colour mixing too?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the whole program is designed for you to be able to watch very carefully how I paint and why. Each course in the program has full length tutorials, where you can watch me talking about mixing colours, what brushes I am using and the techniques I use to get certain effects.

Question 18

What if I don't have oil paints? And can I paint with cheap paints?

Accepted Answer

You can go through the whole course and use acrylic paint if you like - there will be some techniques that will be harder to achieve with acrylics, but you will still learn most of what is needed. You may also choose to use cheap oil paints to begin with and then build up your collection when you can afford it.    You will get a downloadable PDF with all the paint colours, brushes, etc. to help you gather all you need to begin! I have a number of students who paint with Mont Mart or similar cheaper brands. They are a bit more oily, but still give you a good start until you can afford higher quality.

Question 19

How do I convince my partner that this is worth the while?

Accepted Answer

In this program you will have fun and find fulfilment, which in turn will benefit the whole family! It is better value than going to a counsellor!

Question 20

Do I need prior experience with painting before I begin this course?

Accepted Answer

You do not need to have any prior experience to do this course. 95% of the students that come through my studio have never painted before and certainly never painted with oils either. The course is designed to teach anyone, even if you have never drawn before! Many of my students learned to paint for the first time with me, even though they had not touched a brush before!

Question 21

Do you explain how to create a grid on our own photos and how to rule it up onto a canvas?

Accepted Answer

Yes! There is a bonus course that covers all of this. I will also be going through this in some of the ZOOM sessions.

Question 22

What day and time are the weekly ZOOM sessions, and can I watch a replay?"

Accepted Answer

We will meet together on ZOOM on a Friday morning each week from 9am -10am AEDT (5pm - 6pm Thursday EDT/EST & 2pm - 3pmThursday PDT/PST ). This time means that everyone has more of a chance to join us.  PLEASE check your time zone for correct times for your area.   We will record each session and it will be uploaded and available to view later the same week on our Facebook group page. I am open to having more than one ZOOM session if many can not make it on the day and time above.

Question 23

Could you swap out oils for acrylics and still get comparable benefits and results?

Accepted Answer

You can use acrylics in place of the oils, but you will not be able to get some of the effects that oils naturally give. However, there are some additives that you can add to acrylics to make them dry slower. Some of my earlier paintings were in acrylics and most people can not tell the difference - but since working with oils I can not turn back, because they respond so beautifully to colour, fine work and especially blending!

Question 24

Can I contact you (other than ZOOM) if I get stuck?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can email me any questions. Depending on how many requests I get in a week I will do my best to get back to you as soon as I can!

Question 25

How much is the program, and is there a monthly payment option?"

Accepted Answer

The program cost is $997, which gives you full access to all the content.  You can also choose the shorter course for 8 week which is $497 this has the bonuses, but not all of the mini courses.

Question 26

I don’t feel at all confident to even start! Will this help?

Accepted Answer

YES! I have seen so many students that are amazed at the confidence they gain.  My technique is such that I have designed it to be achievable. Oils are forgiving - you can rub them out and paint over them.    The grid technique reduces the stress of painting over a large area because you just focus on one small area at a time. This helps you not become overwhelmed, which builds confidence and courage to paint whatever you want!

Question 27

Will I be confident enough to keep on painting by myself after 6 months?

Accepted Answer

As you work through the program you will find you develop new ways of seeing colours and shapes. It is like learning a new instrument - once you spend time with it and learn the skill it becomes more natural. I have had students who have never painted before use the courses in this program to help them learn to trust the grid, and now see things in a new way. So, 'YES' - you will become more confident and be able to paint by yourself after the program for sure!

Question 28

Is this program just for beginners?

Accepted Answer

The program is for beginners to advanced. There are step-by-step instructions for first-timers, and also plenty of tips for those that have been painting for some time.

Question 29

I have heard you have to wait between layers to paint with oils - is this true?

Accepted Answer

Most of the time I have found that you do not have to wait for your painting to dry before painting on top. Oils have a lovely texture that allows you to paint thick paint on top of wet paint. Sometimes, however, it is easier to wait for a section to dry if you are using light colours on top of dark, but this is not always necessary.

Question 30

Will I benefit from it if I have been painting for years?

Accepted Answer

Yes! If you have been painting for some time and want to find a program that helps you progress even more, this will help. You will learn plenty of hints and tips that will be helpful for you to achieve even more incredible results. The community of people that you will be a part of will be super helpful - it’s always good to have others around you on the journey.

The Paint & Create Community with Heather Bradbury

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