Don Demers: Painting and Design with Purpose: The Don Demers’ Approach

Discover how Don Demers approaches design and composition to consistently create paintings that command attention and achieve artistic excellence... even if you’ve struggled with these fundamental concepts before!

Have you ever wondered why some paintings immediately command attention while others get overlooked? 

What makes certain artworks stand out with unmistakable presence and authority, while similar subjects painted with equal technical skill somehow fall short?

In this video, you’re going to find out the cause of it and a proven, time-tested method that will have you creating stunning works of art more consistently.

Through decades of painting and teaching across the U.S. and Europe…

…Don has developed a systematic method that takes the mystery out of creating impactful paintings.

That means no more worrying about making the wrong decisions, or constantly wondering if your painting is going to turn out great.

Create impactful paintings with Don’s approach!

You’re going to discover Don’s complete process —- from initial concept through final brushstroke.

He’ll reveal how to orchestrate all the elements of your painting into a unified whole that achieves your artistic vision.

He’s going to show you how to:

●      Start your painting with crystal-clear intention that will guide you from start to finish…

●      Create paintings with stronger visual presence, identity, and artistic strength…

●      Understand how all aspects of design work together to build more powerful compositions…

●      Develop your observational skills and learn to trust your artistic eye…

●      Make more confident decisions about every element of your painting…

●      …and so much more!

Meet Your Instructor, Don Demers!

Don Demers is an internationally known artist who is best known for his marine paintings. 

Born in 1956 in the small rural community of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, Don first developed his interest in painting maritime subjects when he was a young boy, spending his summers with his grandparents on the coast of Maine near Boothbay Harbor.

He began his professional career as an illustrator and expanded into the field of fine art. His illustrations can be found on many book covers and in national publications such as Reader’s Digest, Sail Magazine, Field & Stream, Sports Afield, Yankee, and National Geographic.

Further, his paintings have been featured in a number of publications including American Artist, Artist Magazine, PleinAir Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, Art & Antiques, Yachting Magazine, and various others.

And it’s not just these publications that have recognized Don’s talents.

Don Demers has won a record 17 awards at the Mystic International Marine Art Exhibition in Mystic, Connecticut — including the Rudolph J. Schaefer Maritime Heritage Award in 2006. His Mastering the Sea workshop continues to be a best-selling, well-loved instructional tool for painting seascapes.

To add to this, his illustrations have been recognized by the Museum of American Illustration four times in its national competition representing the finest examples of work in the field. 

So, what is the secret to consistently creating award-winning paintings that move collectors and inspire other artists?

Together with Streamline Publishing, Don Demers has created a brand new course called Painting and Design with Purpose to share his painting knowledge and insights.

This is your chance to learn from this highly skilled and experienced artist. We guarantee that the lessons you’ll learn will be extremely valuable and will provide the insight to take your painting skills to new heights!

What You'll Discover Inside:

●      The COMPLETE Don Demers approach to painting — from start to finish…

●      How to design the rectangle like the pros…

●      How to tackle the drawing or painting — macro to micro, big to small, paintings within paintings…

●      Important tips you need to know about spatial relationships…

●      Don’s unique approach to giving paintings MORE visual presence, identity, and strength…

●      Skills to recognize strong design when you see it (this will develop your artist’s eye!)...

●      In-depth lessons to help you understand how all aspects of design lead to stronger paintings…

●      How to create a NARRATIVE in your work (every painting needs this!)...

●      How to improve your OBSERVATIONAL skills (important if you want to take your work to the next level)...

●      A lesson on understanding the REAL purpose of the thumbnail stage…

●      The ONE practice that is guaranteed to turn you into a highly confident artist…

●      Simple design secrets that will help you create more impactful paintings…

●      Discover the power of a TRIANGLE…

●      Watch how Don ORCHESTRATES a painting, arranging multiple elements together (an eye-opening section!)…

●      Discover Don’s “Line Jog” technique to add MELODY and INTEREST…

●      Learn Don’s “Destination Point” philosophy to achieve more alluring paintings…

●      Learn to see your subject through new eyes as Don reveals his “Hierarchy of Plots in a Painting”...

●      Tips to avoid monotony while painting to stay fully involved in the painting process…

●      How to create a primary point of impact with secondary components that lead to a space of intimacy…

●      How to keep the painting unified even if painting different parts individually…

●      PLUS: The importance of “creating with intention" rather than just hoping for good results…

●      …and so much more!

Chapter Breakdown 

Introduction & Materials

In this opening chapter, Don introduces the three pieces that form the foundation of his teaching: Fundamental Concepts, Basic Principles, and his complete painting process. You’ll discover his organized approach to materials and tools, learning which colors he uses and why. Don encourages both active participation — painting along with him — and observational learning, giving you the flexibility to absorb his methods in the way that works best for you.

The Thumbnail

Don reveals his powerful grid system for creating strong designs from the start. Using a combination of charcoal and white chalk on gray paper, he demonstrates his systematic approach to three crucial elements: Spatial Assignment (arranging 2D elements), Value Understanding (identifying light-and-dark relationships), and Facility Development (getting to know your subject). You’ll learn his “Line Jog” technique, how to develop a primary point of impact with secondary components, and his unique “Destination Point” philosophy that takes focal points to a new level.

The Underpainting Wash

Discover Don’s strategic approach to beginning your painting with what he calls “sympathetic colors.” This stage sets the foundation for everything that follows, showing you how to work quickly and freely while maintaining control. You’ll learn how to tone your canvas in a subject-specific way, laying down color almost like a watercolor technique. This chapter helps you move emotionally and technically forward in your painting with confidence.

Refine the Drawing

Learn how to redraw your subject on canvas with paint, focusing on the most crucial lines and shapes. Don introduces his concepts of positive, negative, and “semi positive” shapes, teaching you how to break complex scenes into “visually digestible components.” His “Hierarchy of Plots” concept shows how to organize your painting like a well-written book — with a main theme supported by contributing episodes that create a cohesive whole.

Block in House & Grasses

Don demonstrates his systematic approach to establishing color and value relationships. You’ll learn his two reasons for keeping darks thin, when to add white, and how temperature shifts can transform your painting. Discover how to use “Connecting Colors” (his approach to neutrals) and explore the crucial concept of Color Relativity. Don shares his techniques for creating unity while painting different elements and shows how to use the “Five Elements of Form” to create convincing structures.

Complete the Block-In

Master edge control and subtle value shifts as Don shows how to create atmospheric perspective and bring your painting together as a unified whole. Learn his “small batch” color-mixing technique and discover how to paint sparkling reflected light. Don shares his unique “doctor doing rounds” approach to painting and introduces “Contextual Implication” — knowing what to include and what to leave out for maximum impact.

Develop the Unified Whole

In this final chapter, Don brings everything together, showing how to add texture with brush and palette knife techniques while maintaining unity. Learn to create natural-looking movement in still objects and discover how to activate multiple senses in your painting. Don shares specific techniques for painting water sparkles, depicting birds, and creating “air” between objects. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to combine silhouette with fully rendered dimensional components for stronger graphic impact.

Extra Bonuses:

●      High Speed View for your painting convenience

●      Exhibit of Don Demers’ works for your creative inspiration

●      Interview with Don Demers by Eric Rhoads for insights and motivation