"I had no idea what I didn't know about how to read my reference photographs. I thought that the camera was seeing what my eye was seeing, but I found out that is not true. There is light and detail in the shadows that the camera doesn't see, the lens distorts proportion, and the animals may have some flaw or defect that I'm not aware of. I found out that PHOTOS LIE - you can't be a slave to them! My first application to the Society of Animal Artists was made up of paintings that I had worked to closely to my reference without making the needed corrections and I did not make into membership. After I learned from Jan about how to utilize and read my reference photographs accurately I submitted all new work six months later and was ACCEPTED! I highly recommend this workshop! I have taken three with Jan and they have changed my whole thought process and my career is really taking off!" Sue Gombus

PHOTO SHOOT
The photo shoot will occur on location with animals from MINNESOTA WILDLIFE CONNECTION. The shoot will be each morning and evening to get the best light depending on the weather. 10 animals will be taken to various locations around Sandstone, Minnesota including the Kettle River. Animals that will be available include: wolves, lynx, red fox, black bear, cougar, white tail deer, bobcat and others. This is the PERFECT TIME of year for a photo shoot - the animals will be in the prime coats (not sparse, thin summer coats), and hopefully the wonderful fall colors will be starting to show up!

WORKSHOP
The workshop will be held during the day when not on photo shoot and in also in the evening.

Jan has attended many workshops over the years herself with such artists as Robert Bateman, Carl Brenders, John Seerey-Lester and Alan Hunt. Because of this she brings a unique perspective to her workshops. Having put on several workshops herself, she feels she has some important and DIFFERENT information to share with participants than many other workshops offer.

The workshop will include:

REFERENCE
     How to get good reference for paintings
     How to photograph wildlife for paintings - Jan and her husband wildlife photographer James Gary Hines will help you look for the best photo opportunities during the photo shoot
     How to interpret your photos
     How to combine photo reference
     How to understand what your photo is NOT telling you (Photos LIE!!)
     Organizing and utilizing all your reference sources

     The importance of understanding anatomy
     The importance of understanding behavior - wildlife art is more than just copying a photo!
     The importance of correct habitat

IDEAS AND COMPOSITION
     What constitutes a "good idea" for a painting?
     How to avoid "cookie cutter" wildlife art
     What is a strong composition?

BUSINESS OF ART
     Marketing and selling yourself and your work (from an artist who's been successfully doing this for 27 years)

JAN'S THOUGHT PROCESS AND SOME TECHNIQUES
     Mini Demos by Jan on how she does her painting. This is not how she suggests YOU do your painting, only how she does hers.
     Jan will share her techniques and the thought process of how she goes about creating HER work.
     This is not a paint along "recipe" workshop - but rather one that gets your creative juices and thought processes going!!!!!

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIQUES
     Jan will give gentle yet constructive critiques of participants paintings

ACCOMMODATIONS
     The workshop will be held at the Travel Lodge in Hinkly, Minnesota. The room rates are very reasonable, and they are working on offering a special rate to workshop participants once we get the details worked out. There is also an Econolodge close by. There are several fast food places close to the motel as well as other reasonably priced restaurants.

     This location is approximately one and half hours north of Minneapolis. We can provide participants with each others' contact information, so that you can work out sharing a rental car and/or rooms.
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