About
Joe Synan has been a painting student at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston for 15 years. In addition, he has attended 17 classes in the painting studio at the Campbell School.
Joe has been a Campbell School instructor since 2019, and has taught 8 painting classes in the online program with Lessonface.
Joe has been a volunteer instructor helping homeless persons to create and sell paintings, and teaches at The Women’s Home, a Houston recovery center.
Joe continues to practice as a leadership consultant. For the past 15 years, Joe has been on the faculty of the Glasscock School at Rice University, teaching leadership.
Joe has degrees in nuclear engineering from M.I.T. and Notre Dame. He also has a Masters degree in Theology.
A runner and mountain hiker - Joe has completed 8 Marathons since 2005, and has hiked to the highest point in 46 states.
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Watercolors are not difficult! This carefully designed class will allow all students to become comfortable in creating watercolor paintings of various subjects and sizes. We'll explore background washes, color contrasts and complements, light and dark emphasis, masking, foreground and background structure, overall composition, and how the eye and mind see art. Produce several finished paintings to examine and refine your understanding of the "best practices" of watercolor painting. Beginners welcome!
Will you do daily demos at designated times and then let students practice? Will you regroup for feedback and conversation in the afternoon?
I am very flexible as to how we would schedule the time. One option would be to consult with the students and set up a schedule that works best for them.
How will the amount of time spent online compare to independent offline work time?
We would be doing a number of short exercises together. That would be the primary focus. Depending upon the student's interest, we could give homework.
How will the program progress and what will the culminating experience be?
We would do a significant number of very small paintings (approximately 5 x 7) experimenting with a number of the different techniques and covering a number of the different learning objectives.
Toward the end of the course, students would be encouraged to do even larger paintings.
The culminating experience would be a review of all of the paintings by each student and comments by fellow students regarding their progress as a painter.
Upcoming Online Group Classes with Joe Synan
Watercolors Made Easy!
Starts January 23 - Learn more and sign up
Pastels Made Easy!
Starts March 2 - Learn more and sign up
Reviews from Group Classes
Watercolors Made Easy!
Verified Student on March 2, 2021
I enjoyed playing with paint and getting one on one time with instructor. If I can't be there in person, this is the next best thing.
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Watercolors Made Easy!
Verified Student on March 2, 2021
It was so informative and fun.
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Watercolors Made Easy!
Charlene H. on March 9, 2021
Joe was a great teacher. The pace of the class was just right and there were plenty of ways to ask questions. The materials he sent each of us ahead of time were very helpful.
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Watercolors Made Easy!
Rhona S. on March 2, 2021
Very good.
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Watercolors Made Easy!
Mary A. on March 2, 2021
Great. Excellent content and demonstrations. Lots of positive reinforcement, encouragement by instructor.
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Watercolors Made Easy!
John L. on March 4, 2021
I had fun during the week. If not for my other hobbies, I might continue on with watercolors.
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Watercolors Made Easy!
Art S. on March 2, 2021
It was more than I hoped for and I really enjoyed every minute. I was able to learn and practice so many new skills. Joe Synan's method and his patient demeanor made me feel very confident.
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Watercolors Made Easy!
Debby M. on March 2, 2021
Excellent. Instructor positive, available, knew his method, supportive in every way. Every effort was made by Lessonface to support the platform and help everyone to be a part of the experience. Can't say enough about the level of excellence in that way beyond just the technology.
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Watercolors Made Easy!
Lynne H. on March 3, 2021
Absolutely wonderful! Joe taught a great class and I learned a lot. He encouraged us to find our own creativity and also promoted a positive attitude.
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Watercolors Made Easy!
susan e. on March 2, 2021
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Watercolors Made Easy!
Allene K. on March 2, 2021
My instructor was knowledgeable and helpful. We accomplished much within our time. It was a rewarding experience!
Watercolors Made Easy!
Barb H. on March 2, 2021
Fine
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Watercolors Made Easy!
Mandy W. on March 2, 2021
I work during the day so I cannot take another workshop. However, the class was fun and defintently worth the money. I loved it!
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Intro to Watercolor Painting
Jennifer C. on June 13, 2022
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Intro to Watercolor Painting
Verified Student on June 13, 2022
Encouraging. Moved quickly however it was doable. Learned things I did not know. Friendly instructor.
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Intro to Watercolor Painting
Marygrace B. on June 13, 2022
This was a wonderful class, it was really fun and the hour flew by!
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Intro to Watercolor Painting
Emily S. on June 13, 2022
Just wonderful! Joe is fantastic and I’m excited to take the longer class
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Intro to Watercolor Painting
Verified Student on June 13, 2022
Joe is talented at explaining art concepts in a simple and friendly way for beginners and experienced painters alike, he gave such a wonderful introduction to watercolors!
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Intro to Watercolor Painting
Verified Student on June 13, 2022
Very good. Joe has a great teaching personality
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Intro to Watercolor Painting
Malcolm on June 13, 2022
We will do a large number of relatively short painting exercises. At the end of an exercise we may do some sharing and then allow others to do the exercise again based on what they learned from their classmates.
We will run this class in such a way that the students will feel like they are present with their classmates.
This class would be based on the workshop that the artist teaches at the Campbell School.
The feedback from the participating students in these classes has demonstrated a high level of satisfaction.