Join the more than 1200 students who've taken this course and LOVED it!

Have you ever been so INSPIRED to create that you cannot wait to begin PAINTING, but you find that when you approach the canvas, the results don’t match what you had in your IMAGINATION? Or maybe you experience a CREATIVE ROADBLOCK and nothing comes to you. You stare at that blank canvas and don’t know where to begin. YOU'RE STUCK. Or you end up hating your attempt at painting and another canvas ends up hidden away in a closet. Maybe you compare your paintings to the paintings of other artists, and you tell yourself you’ll never possess the talent they possess. "LOOSEN UP AND FIND JOY IN YOUR ART" is for anyone who wants to learn how to let go of control and find JOY in their ART again, using my tried and true techniques. The course will help you to overcome habits that may be holding you back, causing you frustration, and keeping you from REACHING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL as an ARTIST. In my art course, you will create an ABSTRACT FLORAL PAINTING like I paint, from start to finish. And best of all, once you buy the course, you may refer back to it over an over, watch all of the video content, and download all of the helpful PDFs. THIS COURSE IS FOR ALL LEVELS, although a background in art is preferable.

Reviews of this Course

5 star rating

Amazing!

Emma Haugstad

Love it! would love to see some other color palettes as well

Love it! would love to see some other color palettes as well

Read Less
5 star rating

Excellent course

Esty Schachter

I am new to painting, and found this class inspiring and highly accessible. Kathleen is so encouraging, and being able to communicate and share photos throug...

Read More

I am new to painting, and found this class inspiring and highly accessible. Kathleen is so encouraging, and being able to communicate and share photos throughout was terrific!

Read Less
5 star rating

Loosen Up and Find Joy in Your Art

Cherie Salerno

This class lives up to its title! There are many online classes offered on the internet, but none ever really caught my eye except this one. First I was stru...

Read More

This class lives up to its title! There are many online classes offered on the internet, but none ever really caught my eye except this one. First I was struck by the uplifting title and beautiful colors. I said to myself, “This is for me!“ The course did not disappoint. I love this course. Kathleen Rietz’s supply list is simple and concise. Her teaching methods are very logical to understand and to execute. Plus, she promptly answers any questions a person might have as to their progress or painting problems. Her encouragement and enthusiasm are great. I highly recommend this course to anyone seeking to learn painting skills or to add new inspiration to their existing art skills. The course works for all levels from beginner to advanced. I’m looking forward to her other class, Romantic Roses, which I have already signed up for. The best fun ever!

Read Less
5 star rating

A Must Do Course.

Dixie-Leigh Franklin

I’ve always wanted to paint beautiful romantic floral paintings like the ones you see in vintage stores. They have an ethereal beauty about them that makes m...

Read More

I’ve always wanted to paint beautiful romantic floral paintings like the ones you see in vintage stores. They have an ethereal beauty about them that makes my heart soar. When I started Kathleen’s online course, Loosen Up and Find Joy in Your Art, I was a little hesitant. Could she really show me how to paint those scenes in just a few short lessons? Not only was her course perfect with easy to follow directions, the additional group support helps build confidence and inspiration. If vintage floral art is your passion then this course is for you.

Read Less
5 star rating

Something different

shenaz chohan

I joined this group because I saw on Instagram how different Kathleen’s art techniques were. I wanted to try it and am so glad I enrolled for this course b...

Read More

I joined this group because I saw on Instagram how different Kathleen’s art techniques were. I wanted to try it and am so glad I enrolled for this course because it’s completely different from what I had been doing, and every painting is an adventure. What I like the most is Kathleen’s willingness to answer all our queries and to help us every single time. And she shares valuable tips too.

Read Less
5 star rating

Amazing course !!

Torsa Saha

This course is simply amazing . Easy step by step tutorial and immediate help from the artist always available. After the course anyone can create …Best onli...

Read More

This course is simply amazing . Easy step by step tutorial and immediate help from the artist always available. After the course anyone can create …Best online class I ever had . Thank you Kathleen for everything.

Read Less
5 star rating

Looser up and find joy in your art .

Caroline O Farrell

Very enjoyable art course Kathleen, I love your work, and often wondered how you achieved such beauty you are such a talented lady ,thank you Kind regards...

Read More

Very enjoyable art course Kathleen, I love your work, and often wondered how you achieved such beauty you are such a talented lady ,thank you Kind regards Caroline 😊💐

Read Less
star rating

5 star rating

Kathleen is a great teacher, and so talented!

bonnie boze

This was my first class with Kathleen and she is very present with you. She gives great constructive encouragement, but takes the time to be specific in revi...

Read More

This was my first class with Kathleen and she is very present with you. She gives great constructive encouragement, but takes the time to be specific in reviewing your work, which for a student of many different classes is much appreciated!

Read Less
5 star rating

Loosen Up and Find Joy in your Art

Joyce Gabiou

I so enjoyed Kathleen's Loosen up and Find Joy in Your Art workshop. I was a little bit stuck in my painting and it was just the thing I needed to get me go...

Read More

I so enjoyed Kathleen's Loosen up and Find Joy in Your Art workshop. I was a little bit stuck in my painting and it was just the thing I needed to get me going. Her talent and remarkable style lends itself to a fun filled journey!

Read Less
5 star rating

A Must Do Course.

Dixie-Leigh Franklin

I’ve always wanted to paint beautiful romantic floral paintings like the ones you see in vintage stores. They have an ethereal beauty about them that makes m...

Read More

I’ve always wanted to paint beautiful romantic floral paintings like the ones you see in vintage stores. They have an ethereal beauty about them that makes my heart soar. When I started Kathleen’s online course, Loosen Up and Find Joy in Your Art, I was a little hesitant. Could she really show me how to paint those scenes in just a few short lessons? Not only was her course perfect with easy to follow directions, the additional group support helps build confidence and inspiration. If vintage floral art is your passion then this course is for you.

Read Less
5 star rating

Lovely, fun course

Becky Kluth

I started this course in September 2020 and have created several paintings from it. I liked the course format, broken down into steps with great teaching by ...

Read More

I started this course in September 2020 and have created several paintings from it. I liked the course format, broken down into steps with great teaching by Kathleen. It was fun to take and the additional Facebook group with excellent personal help and advice from Kathleen, and the opportunity to see creations by other members really made it special!

Read Less

Are you ready to take your art to a new level of skill and enjoyment?

Let's get started!

Course curriculum

    1. Bonus: Prepping Your Canvas With Gesso (View if you need to learn to prep your canvas.)

    2. Bonus Video: Demo for Prepping Your Canvas

    3. First Up: Lush Greenery

    4. Demo for Creating Lush Greenery

    5. Reference for Lush Greenery

    1. Adding Those Billowy Blooms

    2. Demo for Adding Billowy Blooms

    3. Reference for Billowy Blossoms

    1. Additive vs Subtractive Shapes

    2. Your Cell Phone as a Tool

    3. Keeping Composition in Mind

    4. Demo for Additive and Subtractive Shapes

    5. Reference for Additive vs Subtractive Shapes

    1. Adding Your Sparkle

    2. Demo for Adding Your Sparkle

    3. Joyful Colors Painting by Kathleen Rietz

    1. Reference for Painted Edges

    2. Examples of UV Protectant Varnishes

About this course

  • $99.00
  • 22 lessons
  • 1.5 hours of video content

I will walk you through the colors and mediums that I use in this course.

You can watch me mix colors on my palette. Use the colors I've chosen for this course, or use your own favorites.

Kathleen Rietz, a Chicago artist and instructor, explains why she choses these colors on her paint palette.

What Does This Course Offer You?

Here are solemn of the things you can expect when you sign up for this course:

  • Instant access to all material

  • Supply list

  • Course is suitable for all levels

  • Techniques such as finger painting, using a spray bottle to create fabulous textures, mark-making, color mixing, painting with both a brush and a palette knife, additive VS subtractive layering

  • The course never expires

  • 21 lessons

  • Helpful downloadable PDFs

  • Language: English

  • FREE private Facebook group for questions, feedback, critique and instructor feedback

Unlike most courses out there, my course encourages you to PLAY. We will paint with our fingers, palette knives, brushes and crayons. I will encourage you to look at things differently -- even turning your painting completely upside down and drawing with your non-dominant hand!

Aside from learning something new, you will have FUN!

In this photo, I am applying the greenery in my painting with a gloved hand.
Kathleen Rietz is teaching adults to finger paint in her first ever online art course.

What are my students saying?

Here is just one example of a message I have received from a student after taking my course.

"I took your course and loved it. I have taken a few online art courses and in person too. This course was one of the best in terms of helping me make progress in my art. Thank you so much! I did start feeling discouraged at one point. I guess I felt like my painting was “ugly”. I almost gave up, saying to myself I am just bad at art lol. But a new day dawned and I came back to it and realized as I followed you that there are many layers, many stages to a painting and each stage in itself it not meant to be beautiful, just a stepping stone toward what will become beautiful. I hope that makes sense. I started looking at each stage without asking “is this pretty” but instead asking “what does this need right now?” At each stage I gave the painting what it needed and suddenly I was looking at a “pretty” painting!" M.D.

You'll learn the correct order of painting -- blocking in your composition with shapes before adding details at the end.

You'll be pleased to see how well your painting can flow if you save all the fun details for last. The details are the reward at the end of your painting, the special finishing touch that will give your painting "sparkle"!

In this photo from my demo, I'm explaining how I use palette knives to make my abstracted floral shapes.
Kathleen Reitz explains how to use a palette knife to create abstract floral shapes and flowers.

This is the best part!

Adding those final details is where it's at! Getting there is fun, but there is nothing like the confidence you will feel when you step back from your painting and LOVE IT!

Kathleen Rietz is pictured painting one of her iconic abstract florals.

All courses come with a free private Facebook group for students to post their coursework and receive support and feedback.

When learning anything new, it can feel as though you are all alone, perhaps unsure if you are headed in the proper direction. Kathleen offers her time to students in her FREE Facebook group. This group is open to all students enrolled in a course.

I love helping my students learn and grow.

Let's Do This!

Once you purchase this course, the content is yours and never expires. Watch the videos, download the course PDF content, and join the Joyful Colors Facebook group.