This Website ...

Welcome to our website

• Home - Make the Home page your first stop to stay in touch with what's new on this website.
• The menu and navigation of this website - You can expand the whole menu (left) to see what is featured on the website. OR collapse the menu and simply click on the topic of interest to you to view the subcategories below. Take note of the (+ -) next to the categories in the menu bar. This is a large website and it will take you a few visits to become familiar with the content and the navigation system.
• Art Studies and Art History - If you are looking for specific educational content visit either the Art Studies or Art History sections.
• Art Resources - If you are looking for information about different artistic communities, or general resources for the artist visit this section.
• The Little Apprentice - This is a section of the website that is dedicated to youngsters and their artistic parents and grandparents. This section will continue to grow with the website.
• Multi Media - For free designs - Visit the Multi Media section under Art Studies. We will continue to add free designs from time to time.
• Traditions - Traditions Education Programs and Traditions Teacher support section - Everything to do with JansenArt Traditions is featured under this section.
• Online shopping and for NEW DESIGNS - Visit the AAO Shop and the Art Mall, as well Design Showcase (under Resources)
• Gift certificates - for your artistic friends and family - Visit the AAO Shop.

Online Classes - FAQ's

Frequently asked questions for the Online classes on AAO

Will all the courses run at the same time?
No. Courses will run at different times during the summer, fall and spring seasons. Dates for each course will be posted in the course description.

How will I know when a new course is added or will begin?
If you have registered in the classroom, (this enables you to login to the classroom with a password), and you will be notified via email.

How do I get a Key for the course?
After you have paid and enrolled in the course you will automatically have access to the course classroom. Your enrollment and payment is the code that will enable you to enter the classroom and receive the course materials.

What computer knowledge will I need to participate in a course?
Basic skills regarding email, downloading and saving of a file, uploading a photograph of your painting are required. Color photos and step sheets, line drawings, text lessons, etc. will be provided to the student.  The ability to print them is necessary. The ability to view streaming video is also necessary as this is a major aspect of the courses. If you are on dial-up, you WILL have problems receiving the streaming video aspects of the courses.

What does a 'Unit' mean?
A unit refers to the session/s of a particular course.  For example... a course may have 3 units - this would mean 3 sessions, however there may be 2 units run in a one week period.

Are these “real time” classes, or can we log in when convenient?
After the course has begun students may log in when convenient. However they may wish to participate during the 'real time' scheduled chat and discussion time with the instructor.

Are these going to be a one time class offer or will they be repeated?
At this time, courses are scheduled to run at different times, however some will overlap. Some courses will be repeated in the future. There will be new courses added each season.

If two are offered at the same time, and I take one, will I have a second chance at the other one?
You may at some time in the future. However dates will not be available until nearer to the scheduled time and this will be based on the demand.

Can I take two courses at once?
You may register for as many courses as your schedule will allow.  Students have access to each course classroom for 90 days after the course has begun. Students are able to access their classroom at their leisure or can log in when convenient.

Are there lessons with time limits? If so, how long?
Each instructor will run their class differently; however the courses are designed to run in a progressive manner. One unit builds on the other. For the student to get the most out of a course they may wish to complete each portion before moving on to the next unit.  However the course does offer flexibility and convenience as the student has access to the materials for 90 days after the course has run.

How will the classes be run?
Each online class has its own classroom, chat room and forum. After you have enrolled in the class, you will automatically have access to your enrolled classroom.  When the class begins (on the scheduled date) Students will enter the classroom, the course information will be posted in the course classroom. Students will have all week to view all the materials at your leisure, the only time students will need to be present with the whole group taking the course is if they wish to be present at the live chat room sessions with the instructor/s. These times will be posted in the classroom. Students may not want to miss these times.

• There will be links to the files that you can download and print.
• Links to the streaming video/s of information, video demonstration/s, or video reference material/s etc. 
• Links to still photographs, step by step sheets etc. will be available.
• Specific time schedules for the live interactive chat sessions with the instructor/s. 
• Instructions for uploading your own work photographs/quizzes etc. for correction or critique.
• Open live chat room for interaction with students at any time.
• Link to a private classroom forum for questions and answers related to the course.

How will I get into the course classroom?
After you have enrolled in the course your course will automatically be allowed to enter the classroom.

How do your enroll in a class when the page I tried to enroll on says I need the key to enroll?
First log in to the classroom with a password and go to the class of your choice. The classes that are available for registration are listed 'Ready for enrollment' in green text at the top of the course description. Please read through all the FAQ's, you may find all your answers there.

Payment question - I don't have a Pay Pal account because I do not want to give them access to my bank account. Is Pay Pal the only way to pay for the courses?
If you wish to pay with Credit Card you can purchase the class through our online shop.  Here is the link to our online shop: http://www.artapprenticeonline.com/products.php?cat=14

I will be working very long hours over the next few months and so will not have much time to paint - are we able to save the streaming videos; or purchase them for later use?
The streaming video will be available for 90 days after the class ends.  It will be up to the instructor if he/she decides to sell the DVD to the student at a reduced price.

How many minutes is a unit/session?  Course materials for the first unit/session of each course will be posted from the first day the course begins. Those dates have been posted next to the course descriptions in the main online classroom. You may access the session materials at your own convenience during that first week if you enrolled for the class. The second, or third, or fourth, or unit/session will be opened to the enrolled students at the END of the previous unit/session. If you miss a session you may go back, however students may not move forward until the next session date. These dates will work on the seven day week cycle.  

Will we know if the lessons are split into a few sessions throughout the week prior to signing up? The only important dates DURING the run of the course you may not want to miss are the live interactive chat rooms with the instructor. These will be posted in the course classroom and may be posted in the course descriptions. However IF YOU MISS the live instructor chat room, the transcript will be posted in a pdf. Doc. for your review.

Design Packet Lessons...

These Designs are now available. You can read the details of these new designs on the Design Showcase page in the menu bar or visit the E-packets section of our AAO Store.

• Testimony about the new e-packets from AAO - "I think that these packets are the best on the market, bar none. Well thought out, well organized, tons of incredibly close up photos and value scales galore. The next best thing to having the teacher in the room with you. The format is absolutely AWESOME! It is so incredible to have the step photos integrated with those little boxes with arrows pointing right to the area under discussion. A wonderful innovation!
  Susan Johnson, The Apple Tree, Springfield, Virginia
  

January - February '08 Designs with Traditions paint system

November '07 Designs

These designs showcase the multimedia applications of Traditions They feature acrylic, global blending (oil emulation) and watercolor possibilities!

Please visit the Design Showcase Link in the Menu bar for many more designs.

Business News

• Thank you! - from The Art Apprentice Online - The content of this web site involve many hundreds of hours of research, and dedication. Collectively we have shared with you our passion for art and our love of teaching. We would like to say 'thank you' for participating in our workshops and seminars through the years and invite you to join us for our Online Classes and Discussions in 2008, here on this web site in the weeks, months and years to come.

Products of interest in our Online Store...

• Laminated Theory Cards and Classroom Posters - These are new teaching tools for the student and the instructor.
• Gift Certificates - These are a new product added to our shopping cart. Gift certificates from the Art Apprentice Online can be purchased in amounts ranging from $10.00 to $200.00. What better gift to share with your artistic friends and family. Give or receive a gift that feeds creativity.

• Reference photographs - High Quality Reference Photographs for the Artist on CD - read about these CD collections on the Reference Photography page of this website (under Art Resources) and in our Online Store.

Reference Photographs from photographer Glen Koide

High Quality Reference Photographs

Art Mall...

• AAO Shop - The Art Apprentice Online Store is the first store you will find before you enter the Art Mall. Here you will find Traditions Instructional DVD's, Traditions paints, brushes and of course e-packets designed by us. There are also Gift Certificates that can be purchased. Our shopping cart is extremely secure.

• Art Mall - Shopping - Just like a trip to your local mall, only there are no parking problems here! Pour yourself a cup of coffee and relax and enjoy browsing through our 'stores'. Visit the links on the bottom left side of this page in the menu bar. You will find art related stores with items that will interest 'the artist' in you. Please share with your students and your artistic friends.

• Other Shops in the Art Mall - Each of our other shops or stores has something a little different for you. These are tailored to the needs of the artist. There are items to make the Art Studio or Artist's Office more user friendly and efficient. Teaching Tools and demonstration ideas for the Art Teacher and of course books and DVD's for your educational and artistic entertainment. Take your time while browsing as we'll always be adding new items as we discover them. Visit these resources often.
• Check out and paying for goods - Just like a visit to the mall, we pay for our goods before leaving the store. Our Art Mall operates on the same principle. As you leave one store and move on to another, you will be required to go through the checkout if you have indeed made a purchase.

Traditions News...

• 2008 - New Heritage Artists - The AAO would like to welcome three new Heritage Artists to the Traditions Heritage Team. Connie Clark from Canada, Serina Huang, CDA from Taiwan, and Veronique Marcovitch-Rouillay HA from France.
• Traditions Teacher Forum is running on this website - join the Heritage Team and share in candid discussions about anything teaching related. Also discuss teaching the Educational Modules, business ideas, marketing and Traditions Teacher development. Look for the link under the Traditions section of this web site. This forum is reserved for Traditions Teachers and Educational (5 day seminar) participants only.
• Traditions Mentor Program - This new and optional resource has been developed and put in place for those of you who wish to participate. We have created this 'Mentor Program' as additional support for the Education Program. This program is only open to the participants who have attended the 5 - day Traditions Education Seminar. The goal is to help guide the artist to succeed as they work through the Traditions Program Module lessons. The concept for this program came to us after many requests from participants who wished to have 'helpful critiques' of each lesson after it was completed. This is a confidential and optional program that participants may use at anytime and as as often as they wish to. Additional details can be found in the the Traditions Section of this website.

Traditions Teacher and Education Section of this website...

The Traditions Teacher section of the website and the TT forum is pass word protected and is reserved for participants of the 5-day Traditions Education Seminars and the Traditions Teachers access only.

To access this closed section, please email Sue Pruett - suepruett@sbcglobal.net

include: your name, mailing address, phone number and the name of your HA.

You will be given instructions on how to access this Restricted Section and register for the TT Forum.

We hope to see you there.

Special Events we have hosted this year - 2008

• Las Vegas - Watercolor Extravaganza! - Creative Painting Convention, Heritage artists Neadeen Masters, CDA, Susan Abdella, Sue Pruett, MDA, Donna Richards, with technical assistance by Gabriele Hunter taught a Special Event where 86 students participated.
• Tampa - Society of Decorative Painters National Conference. Tampa, Florida - May 2008. Join us in Tampa for the annual Society of Decorative Painters Conference. The Art Apprentice Online hosted a Special Event at the Conference. 80 students participated in this event.

Magazine/Book Articles - Did you know about this?

Magazine Submissions - Anyone who is interested in submitting a new lesson or design (painted in Traditions paint) to any painting magazine, please contact Sue Pruett, MDA at suepruett@sbcglobal.net

• Painting magazine by Amos Craft Publishing - February 2008 issue. Did you know that Sue Pruett, MDA has another new design published just in time for your spring and summer painting? Sue has a lovely companion e-packet that goes along with this new design. Visit the E-packet section of the our online store and look for the Single Fuchsia Design packet painted by Sue Pruett.
• Painting magazine by Amos Craft Publishing - April 2008 issue. Did you know that Gaby Hunter will have a new design published for the spring? Gaby has also created a lovely companion e-packet that goes along with this new design. This poppy design can be customized to fit any surface. Visit the E-packet section of the our online store and look for the Summer Poppies design packet painted by Gaby Hunter. This vibrant design would also be great for summer time surfaces!

Tips and Tidbits for the artist...

• Can't see those graphite lines? run your hand across any dusty surface in your home, then rub the graphite lines on your surface! Viola! Now you see the line! (this is probably the only time dust will be useful!)
• Remove paint - Hand sanitizer removes Traditions paint from clothing and carpets.
• Remove paint - Another product that you can use for removing paint, even dried paint is called ‘Spot Shot’ and is an instant carpet stain remover made by WD40 Company.  You can purchase this product your local hardware store.
• Mini brush case - Drinking straws make perfect protective holders for your specialty 'quill' or liner brushes. Tape one end to prevent the brush from falling out. Store upright in a jar.

Suggestions...

• Promote the SDP - She's our 'Mother Community' - When you take a class, teach a class, or go anywhere painting or art related, please share information about the Society of Decorative Painters with others. To read more about this art society community visit the page on this website dedicated to them. You will find it under Art Resources.
• 
• 2008 Painting Resolution! - A rumor is circulating that All Artists have agreed to paint at least one new painting per week. Is this true? Just think what we could accomplish by doing this!

• SDP Membership Drive - The Society of Decorative Painters - Did you know that the Society of Decorative Painters has a new membership drive happening for this new year 2008? The first prize is a three day seminar with one of the Founders of the Art Apprentice Online - DecoArt and Traditions is the sponsor and Neadeen Masters, CDA, will fly to teach a seminar at the winning SDP Chapter's home city, anywhere in the world. All expenses for the seminar will be paid for by DecoArt and Traditions. Join this active painting community and help spread the word about the wonders of learning to paint.

Society of Decorative Painters membership contest. Read more about the Society and the contest, go to the SDP link under the Resources link of this web page.

Funny Side and Strange Things - "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people" ~ Victor Borge

• On making your own carmine pigments..."How to make super-excellent carmine. Take an egg; make a hole in it so that the white will run out, then take mercury and fill the egg with it, stop up the hole and lute it according to the best of your ability; then bury it two feet deep in horse-dung which is very much exposed to the sun, and do this in the dog-days.  Leave it in this situation for 40 days, then take it out, with great care, lest it should break; then break it, and you will find in it a living animal; let the animal die, and preserve it, it will fall to powder; use this powder, which will be a most splendid carmine, for painting and miniatures, but you must beware of the smell at the beginning." - Now aren't you glad you don't have to find and make your own pigments for painting? This came from the Paduan Manuscripts - other source unknown.

Take a closer look at a masterpiece!!

To observe this painting up close click this link

A burst of sunshine!! Its time to wash away the winter blues and inject a burst of pure radiant sunshine into your painting day. We thought you might enjoy a few moments with a charming painting by the famous Dutch Master, Jacob van Hulsdonck. While on a visit to the Getty museum in California, we had the pleasure to study this interesting and colorful masterpiece. What an experience to see the detail in the texture. There are many observations to be made... see if you can pick them out. Hint... transparency...

Puzzles

These puzzles were created for your fun and enjoyment - feel free to share with friends and family. There are puzzles featured through out the website, we hope you will take a moment or two with a coffee break to enjoy them and pass them on.

• Here's a fun new puzzle for you - Enjoy! - Puzzles increase your observation skills - 2008
• Artist Crossword Puzzle - Dec.2007
• Flakes & Flurry Winter - Dec. 2007
• Art Apprentice Online Puzzle Oct. 2007
• An Orchid Puzzle - Oct. 2007
• Albrecht Durer Art Work Puzzle Oct. 2007
• Student of Art Puzzle Nov. 2007
• Happy Holidays Christmas Card Dec-2007

Your shopping security and confidence is important to us ...

On Art Apprentice Online we use Authorize.Net payment gateway for credit card processing. This is a very reputable and highly secure and encrypted possessing center that thousands of merchants like us use (195,000 merchants to be exact).

On the front page of this website ( on the left left) we show a direct link with their seal of approval that you, our valued customer can look at to verify that we are indeed a site that offers a recommended secure processing ability.
Like many other merchants on the internet, we also offer the PayPal option - this too is also a secure processing center that customers have the option of being directed to, to complete their online transactions.

We hope that this security information that has been shared with you will increase your confidence to shop safely with us and many other merchants on the internet when you know what to look for.

Catalog for latest e-packets from the Art Apprentice Online...all designs are painted with JansenArt Traditions multimedia acrylic paints.

This catalog will be updated every time we add new designs to our e-packet collection. Feel free to save the catalog and share with your painting friends.

Click on the link below.

• Art Apprentice Online E-packet Catalog