"I never really understood how there could be a warm and a cool of the same color, until Chris explained it with her demos and explanation on the color wheel. It seemed so simple the way she taught it, and her patience in show us time after time how to scoop up the paint on the brush and just lay it down. I've learned to be more relaxed about the painting. Also, Chris is never negative with her critique but always makes a positive suggestion about the way to improve. I appreciate the sharing of so much information in the Helpful Hints and Skill Boosters libraries as well as the painting lessons. Chris is a true teacher, and you can see that she loves to share all of her knowledge about the process and loves to paint. The videos are detailed demos, step by step of each painting. You can watch it first, and then paint along. I love the way she teaches in her videos. I have taken many levels of online classes and I rate Chris's as the best.

"I'm learning the importance of under-painting...leaving some colors to show through. But, most of all for me is using the transparent colors...alone. Mixing the transparent colors with the opaque. Some results I've achieved since painting with Chris would be mixing transparent colors and achieving interesting results and using warm and cool colors to create space as distance. I'm a perfectionist...seeing the "imperfection" in my individual paintings as beautiful gives me confidence. I know have more satisfaction in a completed painting! Learning a new method is enlightening and beneficial emotionally. Thank you, Chris for your teaching."

"Chris is one of the best instructors I have painted with. I think this will be my 5th year and I’m still signing up for her classes. She always has additional "detail" information as handouts than anyone else I have taken with.

It's not just how to "put paint on a canvas" but the "Why" you do it to achieve a good painting. 

I recently did a deep cleaning on my studio and came across my first painting I did in her class. 

So glad I did not throw it away and I'm able to see my growth and progress these past few years. 

Thank you so much for all that you give to your students."

"Chris teaches in a way that is so easy to understand and follow! My oils have greatly improved since I took my first class! The colors are so vibrant and I have learned to put down a stroke and leave it. I love Alla Prima! The biggest breakthrough I had was to stop blending and fidgeting with a painting constantly. I take online classes a lot and Chris is my favorite! My goal is to one day go on her Italy trip. You will grow so much in her classes!

"My aha moments happen with each painting. I now see the subject more completely. Darks, lights, shadows. highlights and what will pop things up and most importantly seeing the color/value opposites for these pops of color (see color wheel). I can view my earlier paintings and see changes. Thank you Chris Brandley for your excellent teaching in the Alla Prima technique."

"I discovered Chris's online classes to be extremely inspirational! She is always thorough in explaining everything a painter needs to know even if you are a beginner! She details her color mixing combinations, reminding the viewer of temperature shifts, what colors complement each other, and what brush sizes she will be using, etc. Her color combinations are so vibrant, gorgeous, and unique! She also includes wonderful bonus paintings and painting exercises to help you improve your artistic skills. Chris is always available to answer any questions or give any speedy feedback you may need!"

"You are are a blessing in my life...your encouragement and willingness to share your gifts are what make you stand out as an artist who loves her skills and loves to teach others. Thank you so very very much. Love you dearly and thank My God for you in my life."

"Chris, thank you so much for these classes. So appreciative for all you provide for us! Thank you also for the video on 2-point perspective. I needed this. Looking forward to the monthly class!"

"I have loved all of your lessons and bits of information. You are truly the best online course instructor. You help us understand the how and why! Count me in when you do another one."

"Color is why I enjoy your paintings so much, Chris! Why I invested in your classes. I have learned so much! Warm & cool. Relative coolness/warmness. Deepen the darks. Highlights! Pops of color for interest. Transparent and opaque color and how these paints interact. So much more! Thank you! I realize "my style" is different. I cannot copy. I am learning to use medium differently, use more paint, hold the brushes differently for various effects, and generally loosen up and have fun wherever it goes."

"So… I’m about 7 minutes into the first video lesson for this month (Unlocking Color Secrets) and I had to hit pause because my mind is blown! THANK YOU CHRIS for your explanation of color temperature by moving thru the first palette and comparing each color. I get kind of cocky about my color knowledge because I have worked with it and studied it for decades… but NO ONE has ever demonstrated it the way you did! Something just totally clicked for me and I so appreciate it. Lesson for me beside the obvious color insight for the day is to always be open to new things.. because you just don’t know the things you don’t know!"

“I find that your explanations of colors and how they work together in the painting is excellent.  The graphs help keep perspective(s) correct.  I’m glad that I can work whenever I have time and can return to the lessons to use something I’ve learned in one lesson to apply it to a new painting.  I think the most important part of taking lessons from you is that I’ve been able to incorporate what I’ve learned into other paintings.  By doing that, I believe that my skills have improved and have given me more of my own style. Thanks to your teaching, Chris, my paintings have a new depth.”