Follow me inside my studio as I share the approach behind my layered deconstructivist paintings and show you how to bring more depth, texture and discovery into your own work.
Through more than three hours of focused online instruction, I’ll share the techniques, materials and creative decisions that shape my process - while helping you explore ideas you can carry into your own studio practice.
Introductory Price: $149 (valid until September 30)
(Regular price: $199)
In the course, I take one painting from a blank surface through every stage of my BUILD > REVEAL > REFINE process.
You’ll see how I work through the painting in real time - applying layers of color and texture, scraping and carving away to reveal hidden beauty, and adding the final highlights and refinements that bring the finished piece together.
My paintings develop through a process of adding, taking away and responding to what emerges along the way.
BUILD > REVEAL > REFINE gives that process a framework, but it isn't a rigid formula. I often move back and forth between these phases as the painting evolves.
Create the layers
I begin with color and gradually build the surface with layers of paint and plaster, creating depth, texture and something to uncover later.
Let the beauty emerge
Then I begin working back into those layers - scraping, carving and exposing elements of what is underneath.
Bring the work together
The final stage is about making thoughtful decisions, using stain, highlights, and touchups, to bring the painting into balance and reveal its full character.
I created this course for painters and artists who already have some experience making art and want to explore a more layered, textured way of working.
But don't worry, you don't need experience with plaster, carving tools or stain! I've included three focused exercises so you can experiment and build your skills with these techniques before applying them to your painting.
Learn how I apply and manipulate plaster to build texture, dimension and variation across the surface. You’ll experiment with the material first so you can get comfortable working with it before adding it to your painting.
Explore the tools and techniques I use to carve, scrape and sand back through built-up layers. You’ll see how different approaches expose color, marks and texture underneath, and begin discovering the unexpected effects that are central to the Reveal phase.
Learn how I apply stain over a textured surface and how it settles differently into raised and recessed areas. You’ll experiment with the technique before using it to create greater depth, variation and contrast in your painting.
19 individual lessons
Over 200 minutes of online instruction
Lifetime access to the course
Participation in my private online community
We'll begin with inspiration and preparation, and then work through an entire painting together using the Build > Reveal > Refine process.
And it doesn't end when you finish the course! Your enrollment includes access to my private online studio community - a place to share works in progress and completed paintings, ask questions, and see how other artists are exploring the process.
Get prepared to start creating deconstructivist art!
I’ll introduce you to my plaster-based deconstructivist painting process and the three phases that shape the course: Build, Reveal, and Refine. You’ll see how these techniques come together to create richly textured, one-of-a-kind abstract art.
I’ll show you how to find inspiration in unexpected places and identify the colors, textures, lines, and contrasts that capture your attention. You’ll learn to transform those qualities into an original work of art rather than copying your source literally.
I’ll guide you through selecting the tools, materials, painting surface, and color palette you’ll need for the process. You’ll learn how thoughtful preparation can support experimentation while helping you create the mood and visual impact you want.
I’ll show you how to build your painting’s foundation by layering acrylic color and applying lightweight spackling. We'll experiment with coverage, thickness, and application tools to create an organic, varied surface ready for the Reveal phase.
I’ll guide you through carving, scraping, sanding, and scrubbing the dried surface to reveal glimpses of the colors beneath. You’ll learn to vary your tools, pressure, and direction to create texture, movement, mystery, and an engaging composition.
I’ll show you how to use wood stain, painted highlights, and carefully placed accents to bring your textures to life and strengthen the composition. You’ll then clean the edges and seal the finished painting with polyurethane to protect and enhance your work.
I’ll help you reflect on the complete Build, Reveal, and Refine process and encourage you to keep experimenting and developing your artistic instincts. You’ll also discover how our online course community can support your continued learning through shared work, ideas, questions, and feedback.
@marianaschusterman_art
"Hi Sarita! Love your work!! I found your tips super helpful and insightful!"
@shellogg
"You are a really good teacher! Thank you for your instruction and inspiration!"
@spangrich
"Thank you for sharing your materials, tools and techniques. You have inspired me to find my own way now that I have my foot on the path."
I'm a Santa Barbara based abstract painter, with works in private and corporate collections across the US and Canada, and even on wine labels. I've been painting for more than 25 years, exploring the relationships between time, texture and memory through layered abstract work.
My creative process, which I refer to as 'Deconstructive', begins with an act of creation – paint and plaster applied in rich, textured strata – followed by an intentional undoing through clawing and scraping away at the surface. The result is work that feels at once raw and refined, with tactile fields of distress and surprising delicacy, permanence and impermanence.
The course isn't designed as a comprehensive introduction to painting. You'll get the most from it if you already have some experience painting and are comfortable working independently with basic art materials.
Not at all!
I'll take one painting through the entire Build > Reveal > Refine process so you can see how the techniques and decisions come together, but I encourage you to make your own choices about color, composition, texture and how you use what I'm teaching.
The goal is to explore the process and make it your own.
You'll receive a downloadable supply list showing the materials and tools used in the course. Primarily, this includes acrylic paint, spackling, practice boards, and rollers and brushes. I'm sure you'll have much of this already!
The supply list provides convenient links to the specific products available through Blick and Amazon, though you are welcome to purchase these anywhere you like. (Some of those links are affiliate links)
The course contains 19 video lessons totaling over 200 minutes of instruction, organized into seven sections.
It's completely self-paced, so you can move at your own speed, go back and revisit any previous section, and continue coming back to refresh your skills over time.
Enrollment includes access to my private course community, where you can ask questions, share works in progress and completed paintings, and interact with other artists taking the course. It's a vibrant, safe space for artists to share, learn, and encourage each other!
The community is primarily driven by students in the course, and I'll also participate periodically with my own thoughts and contributions.
Actually, the regular course price is $199.
The $149 price is an introductory offer to my first group of students, and is only available until the end of September.
If you're ready to experiment with layering, texture, and revealing what's underneath, while having fun doing it, I'd love to have you join me in my studio.
19 lessons / 3+ hours of instruction / Lifetime access / Private artist community
Introductory Price: $149 (valid until 9/30)
Regularly $199