What Is The

Traditions International Educational System?

 
Our dream and vision for a standardized, comprehensive teaching program became a reality in August, 2004. Seven decorative painting teachers from across the United States and Canada came to the Jansen Art Studio in Pennsylvania, U.S. In a collaborative effort, this group of talented artists and teachers, under the leadership of David Jansen MDA, developed, designed, and wrote the long-awaited Traditions International Educational Program.

The Traditions Education program was founded by the following teachers who co-wrote and developed the education curriculum.  This group of artists pooled their knowledge and love of art to develop this educational format. This group of independent artists brought together the foundational concepts necessary for learning to paint.

Heritage Teacher - David Jansen MDA - Pennsylvania, USA
Heritage Artist - Sue Pruett MDA - California, USA
Heritage Artist - Susan Abdella MDA - California, USA
Heritage Artist - Donna Richards - Utah, USA
Heritage Artist - Gaby Hunter - West Virginia, USA
Heritage Artist - Donna Rose Prestridge CDA - New Jersey, USA
Heritage Artist - Josette Fleury - Quebec, Canada
Heritage Artist - Neadeen Masters CDA, B.C. Canada.

 The Traditions Educational System is a developmental program, which takes artists on an educational and historical journey as they work through the levels and styles of decorative painting. The program manual, presented by our Heritage Artists in a 5-day seminar, introduces the participants to 30 comprehensive lessons creating the bridges to fine art. The Traditions Educational System is offered as a complete teaching or study curriculum for the artist. It is divided into three modules, Module A beginner; Module B intermediate; and Module C the advanced level.

Each module, consisting of ten lessons, is specifically intended to advance the student through a series of learning steps focused on understanding color knowledge, technique, and art principles including the history and symbolism of the particular genre or style of painting. The lessons within the modules are closely linked to each other in a methodical manner. The link reinforces skills, knowledge, and confidence through the consistent use of standardized language, techniques, and detailed explanations of art theory.

Each lesson creates an ebb and flow, providing challenge as well as building confidence to make every painting experience a valuable one for the artist. Each lesson provides learning objectives as a standard to be achieved before the student moves forward. As the lessons unfold, the participants make the visual and technical connection to the transferable skills that take them from one subject to the next, building their foundation as artists. Participants are able to move beyond the project mentality and see the real value for this change in teaching and learning approach.

Module A is intended to build the artist's foundation through the correct use of tools, language of color, and mixing, stressing the mechanics of brush control required for all styles, including landscape painting. Each of the ten lessons builds momentum as students are introduced to the challenges of learning dimension and color control, all of which leads to greater artistic confidence.

Module B is designed to advance the knowledge gained in the first module through more involved designs, in-depth color and value studies, and the introduction of several layering and blending techniques. Through the introduction of realism, sophisticated stroke design, landscapes, floral, and still life, the program establishes the technical building blocks for more to come in the next module.

Module C challenges the student once again, yet reinforces all previous lessons while continuing to build the toolkit for advanced skills and techniques. At this point the student has attained a higher level of confidence necessary to execute more advanced designs with greater detail and proficiency with an understanding of the theory required to do so.

Traditions International Educational Program Levels

Traditions Artist - Traditions Artists are required to understand the basics of the Traditions paint line including the pigments and mediums used. This is accomplished by taking a one-day seminar or reading the Traditions Artist Teaching Guide and completing the online test administered by DecoArt. If you wish to continue your education or would like to become a Traditions Teacher, we recommend advancing to the following levels.

Traditions Teacher - 'The Traditions Teacher' is a Traditions Artist who 'wants' to educate and elevate artists to new levels.  This teacher will be knowledgeable in techniques and colors as they apply to art principles. The Traditions teacher will be versed in all the paints and mediums and be able to start new students on their journey.  The Traditions Teacher will understand this new resin acrylic and will be able to teach the Traditions Educational System with the materials and designs provided.

The Traditions teacher will understand this new resin acrylic and will be able to teach the Traditions Educational Program with the materials and designs provided.

Requirements for the Traditions Teacher:
Attend a 5-day Traditions Teacher Seminar taught by a Heritage Artist.
Actively teach and participate in educational courses.

Please Note: The Traditions Education program may also be used as a self directed, self study course. If used in this manner, the program offers the artist flexibility and the ability to work at their own pace.

Heritage Artist - This is an appointment made to qualifying "Traditions Teachers" who have been further trained in traditional and old world techniques by an authorized JansenArt™ Heritage Teacher. Application for this appointment can be made at any time but positions are limited and will be filled as they become available.