EverythingCoffee

How to Paint with Coffee was not something I ever thought about teaching. It evolved unexpectedly when I began exhibiting my coffee paintings in shows. This exposure gave me a perspective to be able to watch peoples reactions to my paintings. I could observe repeated reactions of people who had probably never heard of painting with coffee. It often surprised me that they didn’t really understand the process. I was using real coffee to paint with. Or they would think I invented the concept. I did not. Or, that I used coffee grounds.I don’t. It seemed to open a new window to look at painting. But the thing that struck me and made the biggest impression on me was hearing someone, in a longing tone, say.
 "Oh, I wish I could do that." 
I believed that if they could see it and wish they could do it - they could paint. They were just too afraid. Fear or past failures had blocked them from their creative rights. They needed another chance so I then started a conversation.
My first question was a “trick-question” to catch them off-guard. I would casually say:
 "Oh, do you paint?" 
I knew they probably didn’t and the immediate reply was always with a defensive shame.
"No, I'm terrible” or “I can't even draw a straight line." 
My next question allowed for a positive response:
"Do you drink coffee?"
“Oh, yes, I love it." or, “No but I like the way it smells”
Once people realized that I was using "real" coffee to paint with something different opened in their minds. It was then that I became tempted .I could see the possibility of their own creativity being released. They seemed to be comfortable with the idea of coffee for paint. I decided to try a Hands-On experiment and planned my first coffee painting workshop. They just needed to try it. In the first workshop people quickly let go of their long-held doubts and begin to freely paint before realizing what they were doing and what was happening. The workshops became an instant success. I have watched hundreds of people change their minds about painting.
Read the Long version of my Story
www.nancynichols.com/about
You can Paint with Coffee
It’s easy! Coffee only comes in one color - it is monochromatic. This is not a limitation. A wide range of rich brown hues enhance the textures, shadows and depth can be achieved. One color offers an infinite palette of possibilities with each new layer of coffee. The aroma of coffee and organic quality also become a part of your enjoyment while painting. The techniques used in watercolor painting are similar but painting with just coffee will brings something unique to the painting. Painting with coffee is mostly about adding layers and having the patience to allow each layer to completely dry. This drying time is one of the most important points to remember because it allows for darker colors and rich textures.
Sometimes people slow down and enjoy what they are experiencing. There can be a relaxing meditative feeling during the pauses between the layers drying. The waiting. The Zen of Painting with coffee has arrived. Please visit my website for more information inspiration and insights about painting with coffee. www.nancynichols.com