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Judd Mercer Small Ideas to Big Paintings Mentorship

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Program Overview

This course focuses on developing large-scale landscape artwork by refining the process of idea generation, composition, and emotional expression through both traditional and digital techniques.

This course is ideal for intermediate to advanced artists who already have some experience with landscape painting and are looking to refine their skills and develop larger, more impactful works. It would also benefit artists seeking to enhance their creative process, integrate personal storytelling into their landscapes, and use both traditional and digital techniques to achieve professional-level results.
Mentorship Program Design
Interactive Learning
12 Weekly LIVE classes

Personalized Feedback
Receive critiques on class assignments and relevant personal projects in live sessions

Complete the Program
Enroll at the beginning of the program, and enjoy the companionship of a steady group of peers who complete the program by your side. 
Preview Demo Lesson

Participate in weekly live classes hosted via zoom. Classes will target a specific principle each class, and will follow a rotation of assignment driven lessons and demos with personalized critiques and feedback.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Write your awesome label here.

Program Details

Creating a larger piece from a small plein air study can be challenging because it requires expanding the study’s spontaneity and energy into a more deliberate, cohesive composition. Artists must manage scale, proportions, and perspective, ensuring elements transition smoothly, while also handling the complexity of color and detail at a larger size. Maintaining the emotional impact and immediacy of the smaller study on a bigger canvas can also be difficult.

This 12 week course is designed to guide artists through the process of creating larger, impactful landscape paintings, starting with idea generation and progressing to final execution. In the first month, students will focus on identifying personal themes, refining their visual voice, and using small studies and plein air painting to develop strong concepts. The second month emphasizes composition, value manipulation, and color exaggeration, helping students enhance their work emotionally and stylistically. The final month delves into the practical aspects of creating larger pieces, including digital reference tools, block-in techniques, and refinement strategies, with feedback provided throughout to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with each artist's vision.

Each live session will be recorded for unlimited HD replay which you can access for your duration in the program.

Format: This is a 12 week program. 
Weekly Live Group Sessions / Critiques / Class recordings / Bonus Demos / Private Community Discussion

Tuition : $275.00 per month ($825.00 collected over a three month period)

Time and Day:
Choose between two class times! Wednesdays: 9 AM MST or 6 PM MST

Class Begins May 7th. Final Class July 30th.

Applications are open! Enrollment begins April 25th.
Applicants will be notified by email when enrollment opens.


What if I can't make it to live sessions?

Each live session will be recorded and uploaded to the course for you to rewatch. At the end of the four month program, students will enjoy a fifth month free where they can rewatch all of the lectures and critiques from the live classes, plus any additional lectures and demos Instructor provides throughout the session.

If you submit your homework by the due date, your mentor will provide a critique during class as usual, and the recording of that critique will be made available for you to view. If you reside in a different time zone and anticipate being unable to attend classes live, please inform your mentor in advance about your situation. Sentient works with artists globally, so this is a common occurrence. Both the Sentient team and your mentor are more than happy to assist you.

What if I decide to leave the program early?

This program requires both a financial and time commitment from you and your mentor. We expect mentees to demonstrate the same level of dedication and priority that they expect from their mentor. Please note that no refunds will be issued for completed payments. If you wish to terminate your payment plan and exit the program, a mandatory early exit fee of $100.00 will apply.
By accepting a seat in this program, you are committing to it fully. Choosing to leave, for any reason, not only disrupts your mentor's time but also takes away an opportunity from other applicants who were denied participation in favor of your placement.

How long will I have access to mentorship recordings?

Students will have access to mentorship recordings for the duration of the program plus one month after the program ends. At the conclusion of that time period students will no longer have access to the mentorship recordings as Sentient will be preparing for a new term and a new student group. This practice is consistent with optimal learning. Sentient Mentors do not advise students to become overly focused on the same lectures and critiques for a long period of time as this ultimately hinders growth and confidence. 

If a student quits the program early they will lose access to the recordings at the end of their pay period. Please email the sentient team if you are uncertain as to when that will take place for you.
Gathering Ideas
Intro to Story Themes

Editing Small Scale References

Approaching Plein Air the Right Way
Honing Ideas
Compositions to tell a Landscape Story

Controlling Value and Mood

Manipulating Light & Color

Simplification & Enhancement
Realizing Ideas
The Scaling-Up Process

Persevering Details & Finishing Work

Critiques & Final Thoughts
Past student

Artist Name

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Meet your instructor

Judd Mercer

Judd Mercer is a contemporary landscape painter and Colorado native obsessed with telling stories through light. Working on plein air and in the studio, Judd explores the tension that exists between ourselves and the landscape and plays with our relationship to wild, exhilarating vastness. Always on the hunt for transient, magic moments that exist in secret places along roads less traveled, Judd seeks to capture the powerful wonder permeating even the quietest scenes. Judd works in both oil and gouache and frequently participates in plein air invitational events across the country.

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