Color Splash Art School

 Geri Bee

Learn to sketch like a pro with the fun pocket sketching technique!

Welcome

Title

Title


Fell in love with PocketSketching when I saw Kath Macaulay’s T.V. series on PBS which was KERA in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. In 2020, I began watching “how to programs” Pocket Sketching was one I fell upon.
What intrigued me about Kath’s method was the compact uniqueness. The fact that you could go anywhere and take your little bag of supplies and sketch anywhere. Even on horseback. I was hooked after this. I watched her program and decided to learn more. I ordered her DVD’s on the series and learned.
I have been watercolor painting since I was young. Watercolor taught me how to paint.
Her method made it simple to learn. I felt if it was that easy to learn it also must be easy to teach. I decided I wanted to teach others how great this method was to learn. In 2023 I went to her studio in Tucson to learn how to teach. I had been teaching students in grade school but never an adult. I have started teaching adults recently and am enjoying it immensely.




I

SIGN UP 

HowI got started 

OUR STORY

"I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT TEACHING OTHERS THE POCKET SKETCHING TECHNIQUE"

Choose Your Class


Click each image to learn more about each class. 

This class will leave you feeling more confident in your approach to painting. It gives you the knowledge of where your focal point , perspective with contrast, perspective with colors and what needs to be included in a sketch. The timed sketching helps you with what details to leave in and what to leave out of a scene sketch. You will learn to paint on the go and travel light with the Pocket Sketch equipment. If you have been procrastinating whether to take a watercolor painting course. This course being a fundamental course will open doors to other possibilities.

Click each image to learn more about each class.

schedule a class

schedule a class

Beginner

Class structure

  1. I will demonstrate
  2. Class will do current lesson
  3. Evaluation with use of a mat


Morning in Studio
        Class will be introduced to equipment we will be using. 

  • Use of water soluble pen on paper with emphasis on perspective of contrast

  • Pen will be used with watercolors with emphasis on perspective of color (Involves advanced watercolor and requires no previous knowledge or experience.)

  • Watercolor emphasizing perspective of contrast and color.

Break for lunch and refreshments provided.

Afternoon in studio
  • We will be working from photos (provided) we will have 25 minute timed sketches from photos. Using previous knowledge from both perspective lessons.

  • Focal point and how to achieve it.

  • Editing and how to edit your paintings

  • Use of the wax to resist leaving your whites (John Singer Sargent will be referenced).

Day will end with a fun exercise, which will get great results.

We will be stopping after every section to look at our work and progress, using a mat to help us realize our potential.



GO BACK 

Studio Class

Advanced I


Morning in Studio
  • Refresh Pocket Sketching Pen and watercolor with PHOTOGRAPHS.

  • Still LIfe set up, Best place to position yourself to paint Still life.
  • Still life important items to remember when painting a still life.
  • Timed painting 25 min

Lunch and refreshments provided

Afternoon in Studio
  • The figure perspectives important items to learn in painting people.
  • Painting from life people in settings things to notice.
  • Focal point and perspective on sketching the human form.
  • Timed 25 min sketches.

GO BACK 

Studio Class

Advanced II

We will spend a day at the Fort Worth Botanical Garden. The objective is to experience the ease of set up and take down of the equipment and the no muss no fuss idea of PocketSketching on the go!

*To take this course students will need to have taken the Pocket Sketching introduction Class.

Supplies from the intro class (includes Pocket Sketch bag with supplies) will be needed to have an enjoyable painting experience.

Geri Brettmann is an accomplished and celebrated artist in the DFW community and will provide all her knowledge to students having questions.
Students will be free to set up wherever they choose.  Students will set up, use their knowledge of focal point and perspective of line and color when sketching in a public setting. 

  • STUDENTS MUST PAY FOR THEIR OWN ADMISSION INTO THE PARK .

  • You may BRING A SACK LUNCH OR BUY LUNCH IN THE GARDEN. RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT AT THE CAFE WHEN YOU MENTION THE CLASS.  

  • Students taking this course will meet at the front  entrance.

  • The class will have the option to spread out or continue as a group.



This class is designed to familiarize oneself with painting in public and experience the ease and discreteness when utilizing the pocket sketching equipment. 

Due to the extreme Texas summer weather this class availability will be limited to Spring & Fall. 

Click here to view ticket prices, parking and other facility information. 

View the menu at the Rock Springs Cafe and see other restaurant information. 

GO BACK 

Plein Aire Pocket Sketching 


I love Geri's work! This abstract desert landscape is a favorite of mine. The colors and textures bring to mind the red rock formations of Northern Arizona and the turquoise sky. Geri is a terrific artist, and is approachable and easy to work with. Her love for what she does shows in everything she creates.

- Elva

WHAT PEOPLE SAY
ABOUT US

-SONJA

“Geri was a featured artist at our (Trinity Presbyterian in Mansfield) special art event on Good Friday in the spring of 2022. She came prepared with a canvas that she completed beautifully over the afternoon event, with many visitors observing as she painted. I found her work both inspired and inspirational—evoking the true spirit of the day—moving, poignant and lovely, all encompassed in her painting. Geri is a fine artist and I love her
work!”

Coordinator, TPC Good Friday Art Event

-Victoria

Some time ago I acquired a few paintings from my friend
Geraldine Brettmann, I much enjoy those pieces of art that I have hanging from my
kitchen walls, as they are full of color and different from other pieces of art, they are
unique! it feels like they were personalized specially for me!!!
I later had her painting an Angel for me, I placed it in the hallway. I would like to share
that I have a grandson who is less than a year old and every time I walk by the painting
with him in my arms, he makes me stop because he also enjoys looking at the painting.
He also enjoys Mrs.Brettmann's art as much as I do.
Thank You!!!

Heidi

Earlier this year, I took Geri's PocketSketch class, because as far back as I can
remember, I have always been really tight with my artmaking and I wanted to try
something new. As a mother of three young children, I needed a technique that could help me make beautiful artwork quickly, and without the need for perfection on the page. Geri's Pocketsketch class allowed me to narrow in my focus, and create beautiful, quick, gestures to make an artful snapshot of what I am looking at in nature, and while out in public. I have actively kept up my practice since class ended, and have been astounded by the number of sketchbooks I have filled up since then. This has really shifted my art to
something free and exciting!

-kellie

Your second review goes here!

-kellie

Your second review goes here!

-kellie

Your second review goes here!

-kellie

Your second review goes here!

-kellie

Your second review goes here!

-kellie

Your second review goes here!