V.I.E.W: Virtual Interactive Escapade Workshops
Don't be a tourist.
Be our guest.
Be our guest.
VIEW-Susan Blackwood
Paint Live from your home with a master and fellow artists. We are working hand in hand with our team of high-end artists/instructors to present you unique interactive live online painting workshops where you can paint along and get feedback from the comfort of your home. Check our V.I.E.W. calendar with all the online classes we offer with different instructors.
V.I.E.W. by Susan Blackwood: Sketch Memories from Europe
Level: High beginners and Intermediate– Max 16 participants
Dates: July 25 & Aug 1 (10am-1pm PDT or 1-4pm EDT): Step by step demo and critique each day.
Sketching while you travel – Have Sketchbook – Will Travel! “Traveling becomes so much better when you sketch memories. Let me show you beautiful & fun ways to capture your impressions. Not just on a big trip, but on your journey through life right now. Capture your life in sketches you will treasure. In this class. We will explore a variety of ways to quickly get the essence or linger and let the details flow from you pen, pencil or brush. Remember – “ If you Sketch a Memory, it will stay with you Forever”. Join me!”
Let’s sketch memories from Europe in different styles. In each Session, we will learn 3 different techniques that will give different styles to your sketches. Through a step-by-step demo and Q&A, you will follow Susan as she shares her tips and secrets. Reference photos will be provided prior to the start of the class. 
Susan will conduct a step-by-step demo of each scene, giving you plenty of time to sketch. She will also give each of you personal feedback on your sketches and tips to bring more beauty to your sketches.
Since the class is interactive, you will be able to ask questions directly to Susan as well as show her your work through your camera to get personal feedback and critique.
Rate: US$ 178 for 2 sessions of 3 hours
The price includes:
- Short orientation session July 18 (3pm PDT), with all the registered participants to go over the logistics of zoom, participant’s presentation and Susant will give more details about the coming class.
- Personal feedback and critique during the class: Susan will give you time to paint and then look at each student work in progress and comment on it along the way. You will also receive a final critique at the end of the session.
- The recording of both sessions: you will be able to download the recordings to your own computer and keep them forever.
- Facebook feedback after the class: If you post on your finished painting on our V.I.E.W. facebook page, Susan will give you final suggestions for your painting.
After you have registered for the workshop:
You will receive a recommended supply list as well as the reference photos. Make sure to print them for the class.
Susan Blackwood’s Biography:
Starting with crayons on the wall, I have been an artist my entire life. Art is my passion.
My favorite subjects are those from everyday life, stirring my heart and exciting my imagination. Those images become my paintings and sculptures. My greatest desire is to capture life’s glorious experiences, full of quiet beautiful moments, and transform them into lasting expressions which embrace the heart.
Being the oldest of 3 daughters, my sisters were my first students and I have loved teaching ever since. In 1975, I was hired for 3 years to teach art at the International Lahore American School in Pakistan. I taught Jr. High, High School and Adult Education. My career as a professional art teacher was born in Pakistan. While I was there, I also painted full time and had 3 solo exhibitions. My 3 years in Pakistan started my tug-and-pull of painting vs teaching. I love both careers. To date, I have taught in 10 countries and numerous states in the USA. 
My paintings have been show in many galleries and national exhibitions, winning numerous awards. They have also been featured on covers of national art magazines as well as in articles and books. More than 70 of my paintings have been reproduced by several companies and sold in the USA, Canada, Europe, England and Australia as limited edition prints, giclees, needle point, counted cross stitch and embroidery kits.
My husband, Howard Friedland, is a Master Oil Painter.
He and I founded an online teaching academy and have produced several teaching videos. Now we are teaching live on-line Zoom art classes
I am blessed to be able to see the world through the eyes of an artist.
Check Susan Blackwood website.
V.I.E.W. Registration Form
French Escapade has been dedicated to bring the artist community together since 2004 by offering plein-air painting workshops in amazing settings abroad or in the US.
In today’s challenging times, we want this sense of community to continue even though we are all confined in our homes and isolated from one another.
So V.I.E.W., our Virtual Interactive Escapade Workshop, is a program whose goal in not only to offer online painting classes, but also a sense of camaraderie in small groups of people painting together as friends. Like in our plein-air painting workshops, we wish to recreate this congeniality that we lack so much when sheltered in place. Our wonderful team of instructors has jumped on board with enthusiasm and has at heart to bring art and comfort to you in this trying time.
From your home, you will participate in our Virtual Interactive Escapade Workshop hosted by Jackie and instructed by one of our art instructors on your laptop, desktop or Ipad.
You can mirror the screen of your Ipad or computer to your TV screen (smart TVs, Apple TV, …). We will help you for the setup if you do not feel comfortable. We will also do a group test prior to the first online painting session to make sure you are comfortable using the application.
With V.I.E.W., you can sign-up for a live online workshop from a wide variety of artists, media and levels all in one place.
Save money by becoming recurrent V.I.E.W. participants with our fidelity program.
We offer 2 types of V.I.E.W. Master Classes:
- Master Classes with ONE artist: 3 sessions of 2 hours to concentrate on one style.
- Master Classes with TWO artists: 4 sessions of 2 hours to diversify your palette of techniques (2 sessions with each artist).
How are our V.I.E.W. workshops different than other online classes?
- Our V.I.E.W. workshops are live, interactive and hands-on.
- The instructors do demos and also give you time to paint during the live session.
- You can enjoy interactivity with fellow students.
- The V.I.E.W. workshops alternate 3 live lessons with 2 or 3 days of assignments in between giving you time to practice what you learned.
- The instructors review your work and give you constructive feedback.
- Q&A are welcome.
- At the end of the program, you will have at least one finished painting.
- You participate from the comfort of your home.
- You need to download a free application on your device (preferably a lap top to have a big screen)
- We work with you to the set up the online application if you need assistance.
- We run a test session the day before the workshop to make sure everyone is all set.
- The classes are LIVE.
- You see the teacher and the other participants.
- The teacher gives a demo (step by step demo, paint along, painting techniques, etc…It varies based on the teacher’s style).
- You have time to practice during the session what you just learned from the teacher.
- If you have questions while practicing or watching the demo, you can ask the instructor because the classes are LIVE.
- You enjoy interactivity and sharing art with fellow students.
- You get 3 lessons of 2 hours each.
- You are able to show the teacher what you have done and receive personal constructive critique.
- At the end of the 3 lessons, you should have at least one finished painting.
How do I sign up?
Email us at contact@frenchescapade.com and make sure to let us know for what teacher you want to sign up. We will send you a registration form to fill out.
How can I pay?
1- If you sign up over a week before the online class, you can send us a US check, payable to French Escapade LLC. Address is: 2389 Blackpool Pl, San Leandro, CA 94577.
2- You can either send your payment using ZELLE. It is free. All big US banks offer ZELLE. It is very easy to set up. Go to your online bank account and you will see the option “ZELLE”. It will only take a minute to set it up. Choose contact@frenchescapade.com as recipient.
3- We can use Paypal and use your credit card. Choose contact@frenchescapade.com as recipient.
How do I start?
You will need to download an application. We will let you know which one when you sign up. The application is free and very easy to use. You can download it on your mobile, your tablet or your computer. We recommend using a computer (PC or Mac) because the screen is bigger and it will allow you to see the demo better.
What if I have problems downloading the application?
You can contact us and we will help you but it is really a 3 min straight forward process.
How will I know how to use the application?
We organize a short meeting with all the participants the day before the first session to make sure everyone knows how to use it. It is very simple to use.
How do I access the live session?
We send you an invitation to the meeting via email ahead of time with the date and time of the meeting. When it is time, you just need to click on the link to enter the online session. The moderator will be able to see that you are trying to join and will let you in.
What if all participants start talking over each other during the session?
Don’t worry, that won’t happen. There is always be a member of French Escapade facilitating the session. Everyone have their microphone muted and the moderator lets people ask questions one at the time when it is appropriate in the session.
Are we going to paint during the session or only watch?
Yes, you paint during the session. After a short demo from the teacher, everyone has time to paint for a specific length of time. During that time, you can ask questions to the teacher if you encounter a problem with your painting. After the painting time, the teacher proceedes with more content (demo, techniques,…) and then again, after that demo, you paint what you just learned and so on. The goal is for you to have finished a painting (or close to that) at the end of the session. During the third session, everyone can share their work with the teacher and the other participant and get feedback from the teacher. You don’t need to share if you don’t feel comfortable but we encourage you to do so in order to receive feedback.
How do I know what painting supplies to use for the session?
We send everyone the teacher’s recommended painting supplies list ahead of time.
What if I don't want the other participants to see my face or to see me while I paint?
You can turn off the camera via the application. We will still see your name in a black box.
Can I get a partial refund if I can't attend all three sessions?
Unfortunately we can refund you. You pay for a 3 session package.
Can I send the invitation to a friend who hasn't registered?
No. The V.I.E.W. workshop is only for registered participants. The moderator can see everyone accessing the session and will only accept the people who are registered.