This course is for you if ... you feel like you’re painting too tightly or unable to develop your signature style.

Or if you want to express yourself but aren’t comfortable with drawing from life.


  • Understand how abstract art can help improve the structure of your paintings.
  • Get rid of the fear in your art making in order to paint with confidence.
  • Develop a signature style so that your paintings don’t look like everyone else’s (even mine!).
  • Express yourself with loose brushstrokes for a more exciting painting.

Bonjour! I'm Monique Carr

I've been a professional painter since 2008. I've taught over a thousand students to paint with confidence, with more freedom while increasing their knowledge of painting techniques.

My success as an artist began when I embraced the freedom and emotion of abstract painting. It pushed my creativity and transformed my work, helping me stand out and become a better painter.

Take the leap and discover what abstract art can do for you. You won't believe the transformation!

In this course, you will...

  • Learn to express yourself through aggressive mark-making.
  • Layer your marks for depth and visual interest.
  • Discover my technique for a compelling underpainting.
  • Mix colors properly for a harmonious palette.
  • Understand design and composition for a successful painting.
  • Explore unexpected tools that lend intriguing textures to your paintings.
Expressive mark-making and energetic painting


Master expressive mark-making techniques. Incorporate collage to enhance your design process. Embrace and push through the 'ugly' stage of creation. Experiment with unconventional tools to create unique textures.


Create a series of
6 abstracts


Enhance your skills in creating a body of work. I will guide you to develop a cohesive series through design, composition, and limited palette.


Paint a large abstract ... and know when you are done!


I demonstrate how to paint a larger abstract painting from mark-making, layering, and my secret to create depth and visual interest. I explain how to know when a painting is finished.





Plus 2 Fun Projects

to Loosen Up

Enjoy the exploration in two grid exercises that will stimulate your brain. 

Let go of preconceived notions of what a painting should look like. You will be able to tap into your inner creativity and discover new possibilities in this fun exercise.

Great Value!


Watch the course preview

Review

"I love your work Monique! I've bought 2 of your courses and they are brilliant! What I love is that you are able to dip in and out whenever you please to refresh your memory, and there isn't a time limit."

Jo S.

If you can imagine,

I used to paint very tightly, focusing on detailed portraits and landscapes. My work, while skilled, looked like everyone else's because that's how I was taught.


Everything changed when I took an abstract workshop. I was instantly captivated. Incorporating abstract techniques into my landscapes and floral works revolutionized my approach and set my creativity free.

Join me, take the leap and discover what abstract art can do for you. You won't believe the transformation!

Includes

VIDEO INSTRUCTION (a total of 2 hrs and 45 min of video) 

8 videos that demonstrate the painting process. Monique reveals all her secrets. You will learn to build a successful design, develop an interesting composition, and how to create expressive mark-making. You will have unlimited access to the videos anytime and anywhere as long as you have an internet connection!

HANDOUTS 

Download 8 documents to keep and refer to forever, including:

  • Monique’s top secret supply list for abstracts
  • 4 ways to create depth in abstract painting 
  • How to distinguish between the importance of design and a composition
  • Never-Fail checklist for evaluating your work with more confidence

PRIVATE COMMUNITY

  • Private Facebook group where you can share your work and connect with other artists.



Review

"Monique, thank you. I really enjoy your videos. I appreciate your joy and excitement. You are a great teacher and I am feeling very inspired."

Sarah O.

Access from any device

All the courses are pre-recorded. With your internet access, you can follow your courses from your tablet, phone, or desktop. All of your content is housed in a secure space.


Private community support group

For those who are on Facebook, you will have access to a private group where you can share your creations, and get feed back from other student members and from Monique! This also is the place where you can ask questions. 

Questions? Email me! 

[email protected]

Video painting lessons that you can watch anytime, as many times as you want.

Start painting as soon as you are enrolled.  Everything is pre-recorded so you can watch at your own leisure! (There are no live Zoom classes.)

Downloadable documents that you can save.

You will have 8 documents downloadable to keep and refer to forever.


Review

"Thanks for your feedback Monique, love reading your comments in our private community group. Learn from the best! Thanks to you, I have learned a lot. Studying your courses carefully and incredible works of heart."

Linnea N.


Questions? Email me! 

[email protected]

See what students have to say about Monique's teaching:

I just got accepted into a national art show! I'm so excited. I will have two pieces to show. I couldn't have done it without you Monique. Your instruction was the thing that really got me to love acrylics and feel confident. Thank you! 

Laurel Astor

I just want to say thank you so much Monique for your great courses! Since I took your floral course l've sold most of my bouquet paintings. Today during my art festival I sold my largest bouquet painting that I finished last week, a 36 X 36 in.

Francoise Lama-Solet

Monique Carr's classes are simple, straightforward and honest. She guides you gently and warmly through every step of the way and allows you to find your very own style through the art process, which was my experience. What the course promises, it delivers. It's worth every penny, you will definitely enjoy this course with Monique! Go for it, beginner or advanced, whatever level, you will come out of the course richer! 

Suchitra Lata

"Monique, this has been so much fun and I learned so much. I don’t want it to be over. I’m going to take another one of your online classes."

Judy Avrett

  • “Thank you so much Monique. You taught me to paint with negative shapes and mark making. And you made me explore this free way of painting!”

Marijke Prins

"Monique, thank you! I was greatly influenced by your work and your online courses, and even though I have to go back through them again and actually do more of the paintings, you really have been an inspiration and influence."

Laura Jones

"Monique, thank you so much for all the hard work you put into your online courses. It is greatly appreciated."

Catherine Cromwell

I knew I wanted to investigate painting techniques that Monique uses, but I had no idea how much they would influence my style of painting. I feel like I experienced a watershed moment!!!! Looking forward to keeping plugged into Monique's inspirational works.

Carol Dixon

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the course start?

As soon as you register, you will have access to all of the class content.

How long do I have access to the course?

Unlimited access! After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you have the internet.

Where can I find the list of supplies?

Once you buy a course, you will have access the to the list of supplies.

Do I need any special apps to access the class?

No special apps are needed. You only need internet access. After you have made the purchase, simply click on ‘Access course’ button once you receive your ‘Order Summary’ email and follow the instructions.

What medium does this course use?

The demonstrations are all in acrylic in this course.

Do you teach your technique to create the texture you have in your underpainting? 

Yes! I demonstrate my technique to create a compelling underpainting with textures.

Do I need to use the same colors as yours?

You do not. You may use the colors that you already have. However, I encourage you to try different palette combinations to expand your experiences. 

What system requirements are needed?

This is an online course so you will need internet access. You can read, watch and listen to the materials on your laptop, desktop or mobile device. Make sure that your internet browser is updated.

Is my credit card information secure?

Yes! Teachable checkout pages are encrypted and credit card payments are handled by their payment processor, Stripe, which is a well known and secure processor. PayPal is available as a payment option. You may check the Stripe site for more info: https://stripe.com/docs/security/stripe

I’m not computer savvy, what if I get “stuck”?

No problem, we will figure it out together.

Can I download the content/video?

All the pdfs are downloadable and printable. Videos are are not downloadable.

Can I ask a question during the class?

Absolutely! I’ll be using our private Facebook group to offer assistance and keep an eye on questions that come up.

Do you give private online critiques?

Yes! I am offering a mentoring program where we work one-on-one using the Zoom Platform. You will find more info on the front page of this website.

Is this class suitable for any level?

Absolutely! This course is opened to everyone—from beginners to the more experienced painters looking for new discoveries and creative inspiration. If you have some general understanding of color mixing, it is helpful; if you don’t, you can enroll in my ‘Secret of Colors’ course and learn about color mixing and everything else you need to know about colors.

How much time does it take to do the class?

Everyone works at a different pace. You can complete the class in three days or more. You can re-do the class over and over. The course is open to you forever!

Can I give this to a friend as a present?

Yes! You can purchase a gift certificate that you can find on the front page of this website.

Can the work I do in this course be sold or exhibited?

Yes! This class is designed for you to create your own work and develop your own style. Go for it!

What about refunds?

I’m pretty positive you are going to LOVE the class. To put your mind at ease, this course comes with a 14-day money back guarantee. 


Self-paced lessons, easy to navigate

  Introduction
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  Getting Started with Abstract Painting
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  Techniques for Abstract Painting
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  Design Principles in Abstract Painting
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  The Joy of Abstract Painting
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  Experimentation in a Body of Work
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  Advancing Your Abstract Painting Skills
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  Conclusion
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