Frequently Asked Questions
Check here often for updates and information.
Membership
Do I qualify for the military discount?
Current active members and retired members of any branch of the Armed Forces. If you have any questions, please Contact Us and let us clear them up for you.
Do I need to send you some sort of proof of age or military service?
No, we trust you.
How old do I have to be to qualify for a senior discount?
A young 60+ will get you the Senior/Veteran discount.
If you have any questions about the discount, just Contact Us and ask your question.
Do I need to be an Advanced Painter to take the Wave and Water Master Class?
No, but I would recommend some painting skills first. We offer 1-Cookie to a "Box of Cookies" in difficulty levels in the Master Classes.
The purpose of the Master Class, is to focus exclusively on one area of painting to give you a more intense and detailed understanding of the subject.
As a member can I give the downloadable lessons as a gift?
Yes you can. Please Contact Us, so we can make sure that process goes smoothly.
How do I get the 20% discount to buy a downloadable lesson?
Use the special form that is on the downloadable website, "Member's Request for Discount Codes". Just let us know the lesson and we email you, your specialized coupon code.
I want to add the “Master Class” to my subscription. How do I do that?
Please use the "Contact Us" form and make the request. We will work up a quote for you then you can let us know when you would like to add it.
How often do the “Wave and Water” Master Class lessons get posted?
We try to post the new lessons at the beginning of the month, but as lessons are becoming longer and more complex, we sometimes miss that target date. As a monthly member, you will have access to these lessons as well.
When do you post the new lesson each week in the Video Lesson Library?
Thursday is the goal, but sometimes that are unforeseeable circumstances that may cause a delay.
Can I make copies of my paintings and/or make Giclee prints for sale?
No, Ginger retains the copyright on the artwork and does not allow reproductions, such as a Giclee print, of the art for sale or for any other purpose.
You can sell your paintings, but each painting has to be painted by you by hand. You can even paint them several times and sell them, or give as gifts.
How do I get personal coaching for additional family members?
Use the "Contact Us" form, tell us the names and ages, and we will get back to you with a quote.
I have several members of my family that are watching the lessons. Is this ok?
Sure, but personal coaching is available to only one member per email.
We would love to see what they are painting however, please share and include the age of the artist too if a minor.
I only want to sign up for a month…how do I cancel?
You can write us using the "Contact Us" form and we will cancel the auto-pay and we will tell you when your current membership will expire. No questions asked.
Something that you may want to keep in mind. We are limiting memberships because Ginger gives personal coaching to each member. So, while we still have space, you can cancel your membership and return, but at some point we will put people on a waiting list and not accept anymore enrollees into the Monthly Memberships.
Also, right now, we are "grandfathering" the current members at the membership price that they signed up for, so that if our prices go up, the existing members will never see an increase.
How much is a membership and what does it include?
Memberships are on a monthly auto-renewing basis that can be canceled at any time. Included with your member are over 300 art lessons that can be viewed right here on the website. We add 1 new lesson each week to the Video Lesson Library (VLL) and 1 new lesson a month for the Wave and Water Master Class.
A membership for the Video Lesson Library (VLL) is $29.95 a month ($24.95 seniors & military) which includes personal art coaching from Ginger Cook when you send in a photo of your painting using the online form located in the member's area. Also once a month you can send Ginger a non-lesson painting for comments or suggestions. This could be one of your own creations or from another source.
We have also added a new membership plan for those that do not have a lot time and do not want a re-occurring charge. We are calling this new plan the "Time Saver" because you sign up when you have the time to paint! This is 7-Day plan that costs just $9.95 and you sign up when you are ready. You will have access to all of the lessons that are in the "Video Lesson Library" as well as any new ones that we may add during your membership.
Members get a 20% discount on any of the lessons that available for download. Everyone is welcome to join the Live lessons on YouTube which are held bi-weekly on YouTube. These live lessons are available for members to watch later in the week as they are then put in both of our members library so no worries missing a live class.
We also have the "Wave and Water Master Class" which are more advanced lessons on larger canvases. Full pricing details and options can be found on our "Membership" page.
Why do I want a membership?
The major benefit is that you will have personal art Coaching from a Master Acrylic Artist Ginger Cook. As you are working on one of the 300+ lessons, you can send in progress pictures to Ginger, who will then tell you what you might want to consider to improve your painting.
Art Supplies and Equipments
Does the Wave and Water Master Class have different paint colors or materials?
Yes. The paintings are larger for one thing. The sizes are from 8x10, 9x12 and up to 16x20.
Colors and Mediums for each painting are listed on the lesson, but in addition to the "basic" color palette, you will want to have:
- Phatho Green
- Matisse Southern Ocean Blue
- Australian Sienna or Golden Azo Gold
These are colors you might want to have for the Wave and Water Master Class.
What kinds of paints, colors and materials do I need?
Ginger recommends using Professional quality acrylic paint such as Liquitex Heavy Body, Matisse Structure, or Golden Acrylics.
Standard Palette of Colors
- 2oz Transparent Mixing White
- Titanium White (150ml)
- Ultramarine Blue (75ml)
- Cadmium Red Medium (75ml)
- Dioxazine Purple (75ml)
- Yellow Oxide (75ml)
- Napthol Crimson (75ml)
- Phthalo Blue (75ml)
- Cadmium Yellow Medium (75ml)
- Burnt Umber (75ml)
- Burnt Sienna (75ml)
Each lesson will show the paints used in that particular lesson. (03/25/16 - These are being updated currently.)
There is a complete list of the recommended art supplies right here on the website.
Lessons and Videos
I am missing one of the parts of a new lesson what should I do?
"Contact Us" and let us know what is missing or the problem is. We do our best but some times things happen and we appreciate our members letting us know.
Letting us know right away will help other members too.
The Live YouTube lessons are not up and it's Friday?
While we aim for Friday with the YouTube lessons, technical challenges downloading from YouTube can sometimes cause an unforeseen delay. We will get them up as soon as possible each week, providing the Live lesson did not have a problem being recorded.
When do you post the lessons from the YouTube Live event?
Friday is the goal, but sometimes we are at the mercy of YouTube and there may be circumstances that might cause a delay.
Can I teach this lesson on another website?
No, Ginger retains the copyright for these lessons and they cannot be shown or taught on another website, YouTube, Vimeo, or other internet site. Nor can you resell the videos that you may be have downloaded.
Can I sell my paintings from a lesson?
Yes, you can sell your paintings, and even paint them several times and sell them, or give as gifts. You are not permitted to make a "print" of your painting and sell it. Each painting needs to be painted by you by hand. Ginger holds the copyright to the images that are offered in the lessons.
Is there a particular side of the painting to sign my name if it is a copy?
No, there is not a particular side to sign your painting. But do place it about a 1/4 inch above the bottom on either side depending on how it looks with the artwork.
You want to make sure that you have it positioned right if you plan to frame it later so that signature still shows up. As a side note, some artists sign after framing just to be sure.
Can I sign my paintings if it is from one of the lessons?
Yes, of course! You are the artist that painted the masterpiece. Ginger holds the copyright to the image, but not your painting...that's all you!
Why are the lessons sizes so small?
Ginger suggests that you first paint them the size shown on the lessons for two reasons.
- This allows you to understand the paint process in a shorter period of time and you will be using less paint. When you have an “Ah Ha!” moment with the art and want to do it larger you will be able to paint it again with ease.
- Many of our lessons are very detailed. The small sizes allow for the lessons to be watched in an hour or two and still keep the information up close and detailed.
The painting lesson sizes are small …can I paint them larger?
Yes, all of the paintings can be made larger. The smaller 6x8 canvas can be enlarged to an 8x10, or a 16x20 and still stay proportional to the original artwork.
I do not have Mixing White, can I use Titanium White instead?
It will not be the same, but you can use a bit of matte medium and titanium white in a thin glaze in place of Mixing White. Permit this to dry before applying another layer.
What is Mixing White and how is it different from Titanium White?
Mixing white is half Titanium White and half Zinc White. Titanium white is opaque and Zinc white is a very transparent white like cellophane. Mixing white is a semi-transparent white used for clouds and painting atmospheric perspective.
I just have student grade acrylics right now, will they still work?
Yes, but your best results will be when you switch over to the professional acrylics. Try buying at least a Titanium White, and Cadmium Red Medium, and Cadmium Yellow Medium in a professional brand when your budget allows.
Can I use a plastic palette knife for the palette knife lessons?
No. You will not get the results you are looking for.
Use a metal knife, please.
I do not have the right size canvas, so can I use watercolor paper?
But, if you do use watercolor paper, varnish it first with a coat of Liquitex Matte Medium and let dry for at least an hour before painting.
