What You Will Learn

“Simply Glass” offers a unique approach to drawing and painting glass that simplifies the subject. This course is not just about painting glass! It includes my simplified way to paint my popular hydrangeas. You’ll also learn how to make your paintings come alive with light.

In “Simply Glass” you will:

• Discover how much fun it is to paint glass, it’s easier than you think!
• Feel more confident painting glass vases and bottles
• Gain more mastery of perspective and the mysterious ellipse
• Grasp a simple way to draw any glass container
• Understand how to achieve color harmony in your paintings
• Get insight about how water distorts objects
• Learn an easy and elegant way to paint hydrangeas
• Explore light sources and make your paintings come alive with highlights

Here’s what you’ll get:

• Seven easy sessions packed with lots of tips and tricks.
• Two paintings are shown from start to finish with step-by-step detailed demonstrations
• Manageable content that won’t gobble up your time. You CAN fit this in! And you can work at your own pace. Course content accessible through 2024.
• Downloadable well-lit reference photos of glass vases and flowers are included free.

Kick your paintings up a notch!!!

Add interest to your still life and floral paintings with glass vases.

These lessons make the hard stuff easier and a lot more fun!!!

Testimonials

Here's what students are saying:

"This course is AMAZING!!!!! Went through it all and can’t wait to go back and practice everything and practice everything I learned from you. You’re a God-send!!!!"

— Lisa Jean

"Sue Riger, I have been painting and taking online courses for 13 months now and you are the first instructor to give me any feedback that will further my learning. I can't speak for everyone, but that is what I want and need from these classes - especially while trying to learn with the isolation Covid has forced upon us."

— Kari

"I am having a wonderful time in your course SUE. It is helpful having the ability to view and review and work at a comfortable rate of time." 

— Nancy

"I’m  loving the neutral grays. Wow! A wonderful break through moment for me."

—Terri

"I know SUE must have put in a lot of work to get her course on line but HOPEFULLY she will do it again."

— Nancy

"Simply Glass is much more than a step-by-step demo lesson like so many other online courses! While she does take you step by step and explains the reasoning for each decision she makes while painting, the instruction is so impactful that it completely transformed the way I paint. The result has been some beautiful work that I am incredibly proud of that SELLS! I cannot recommend Simply Glass enough!"

— Lauren

"Being a long-time fan of Sue's work, especially her glass vases, made signing up for Simply Glass an easy choice. Her friendly and easy teaching style made it a very enjoyable experience. She takes you through the course step by step, breaking down the shapes and colors into easily understood and applicable segments. Painting glass can seem daunting, but with Sue's guidance you will be able to master it and enjoy the process along the way."

— Pam

"Most teachers would not be so available to help. She is awesome."

"I really like the way you teach. At this moment I’m taking notes in preparation for painting. Extremely helpful."

—Anonymous

"I viewed the entire course (and learned boatloads already). I actually took a couple days off this week just so I can rewind and practice the lessons. Can’t wait to fire up the fairy wand and play. She’s such a great teacher!!!"

—Anonymous

"...the in person workshops are a lot of fun, but when you get home this same struggle occurs we are fortunate Sue is still here. Most teachers are not. She is amazing and love that she is available! "

— Anonymous

Supplies List

Note: Several optional supplies are listed in a printable list in the introduction to the course.

Acrylic Paints

(you may use oils or water based oils, just substitute the appropriate thinners if needed)

I like Golden or Liquitex heavy bodied acrylic paint. You can use student grade paints to tone your canvas or board to save money.

• Cadmium (or cadmium free) red medium
• Cadmium (or cadmium free) yellow medium
• Pthalo Blue green shade
• Titanium White
• Quinacridone Magenta

Substrates

Sketch paper or pad

Gessoed canvas or board any size, but preferably not too large (I’ll be demonstrating on a 10x10” gallery wrapped canvas and a 12x12” cradled board) The 12x12 is easier because details aren’t as tiny as they are on the 10x10”

Heavy paper such as Bristol or cardstock for painting swatches

Sketching Tools

Vine charcoal (I like Soft), or charcoal pencil (recommended)

Brushes

Various sizes of flat brushes such as:

Bristlon Silver (or your favorite brand) Long Handled Flat, sizes 4, 6, 8

Try to find brushes with very crisp edge with bristles tapering to a thin tip at the end of the brush.

Optional: a cheap hardware store brush for painting the first layer (underpainting, toning)

Mixing Palette such as a disposable palette paper pad

Spritz bottle (I love my Delta fine mist sprayer) or you can get mini travel misters at Target or at drug stores in the cosmetic department. At Target they are with the travel sized cosmetics.

Paper Towels or Rags

Water container