GoFigure™ Online Workshop Testimonials

You're the best teacher I've have ever had. I love the workshops...

Ii would love to learn more from you consistently. I love being able to ask the questions as they come up...

You are such a gifted teacher and artist. Thank you for changing my life as an artist.

— Sarah A.
Cedarhurst, NY

[The First Bearded Man Portrait Workshop] was more than I hoped for.

I have been drawing portraits since I was a kid, and though I have many "how to" books on painting portraits, they just didn't reach me. I didn't get it. I only became very creative with swear words. But now I get to trade-in swear words for brush strokes!! (I didn't like swearing anyway). I hope you'll know my prayer has been answered.

— Bill W
Bloomington, MN - USA

P.S. — I know nothing happens overnite, but now I can approach the canvas differently!

I really enjoyed your method of relaxed teaching. The classroom-like atmosphere keeps me focused.  I have taken classes at the Florence academy of art and at Studio Escalier in the South of France. To be frank, I don't see the difference in terms of geographic location of the instructor.

—Rosemary L.
Belgium

Thanks for your feedback and encouragement Dave. I will take your advice about reflecting on the brushwork in beautiful paintings and not get hung up on what I can't do right now.

The answer to your question about how this portrait differs from those I've done in the past is I finished this one ten times faster. Before I started watching you paint it would take me weeks to build up layers of glazes for the painting to take shape. You showed me to start off with darker values than I normally would and build from there.  That approach is counterintuitive but watching you demonstrate it and trying it myself has truly advanced my painting.

Watching your well organized palette has changed my palette habits. Another way you've helped me is you broadcast your mistakes and struggles and then work through them. I feel less discouraged with my own struggles and more inclined to laugh at myself and not get so upset because of you.

—Lee E.
Mariposa, CA - USA

Do you fully appreciate the camaraderie you have cultivated through the paintcast and now with the workshops?

You are recognized and appreciated by so many that you are nurturing through your ability, information, encouragement and sharing.

I cannot express in words how much I am learning — and really enjoying — the paintcast and now the workshops.

—Micki T.,
Pinellas Park, FL - USA

Thank you for such a wonderful experience [in the online workshop]. The workshop definitely exceeded my expectations! Being new to art, I was amazed at what you enabled me to accomplish.

I am now looking forward to the Classical Nude Worskshop. Not that I want a painting of an unknown, bearded man, nor a nude, but the experience is invaluable. Were it not for the constraints of time and money, I would love to participate in every workshop that you offer. Personally, I hope that you offer a still life workshop — for example, your Wine and Cheese, or the Stargazer type with the vase of flowers that you don't like to do, but still perform expertly. (Oh, I forgot — it's "Go Figure.")

The recorded videos of the workshop are so helpful. Oh my gosh--Video 7 is great! Toward the end of the workshop, I couldn't quite keep up, so it was an added benefit to be able to watch the video later. At the time, I was a little panicky, and I'm surprised at what I did miss. Watching you paint eyes and highlights again was amazing. These are the types of the things that really set you apart. I don't think any of us were brave enough that day to try your approach. Now, I can see much more clearly where I need to improve my painting.

Your sharing of the expertise that you have acquired through years of education and hard work, not to mention your God-given talent, is greatly appreciated!

Thanks to Teresa, too, for giving up her weekend and moderating!

—Brenda S.
Benton, AZ - USA

I just took the Color Theory workshop and I must say I learned alot.

I have been reading Richard Schmid's "Alla Prima: Everything I know about Painting" and come away a bit confused but Dave has helped me unravel some of what I've read. He is very good in putting things and ideas in layman terms. I can't wait to take some more workshops!

—Derek B.
Lancaster, CA - USA