This year Cruisehammer expands into new waters to provide hobby classes taught by world renowned Miniature artist Matt DiPietro! While underway you can learn to painter better and faster and enjoy all the cruise has to offer in the evenings. While in port enjoy beautiful excursions or relax on the beach with a cocktail- no painting classes those days. To accomodate artists of all skill levels and interests, we will be providing both a two-day class for intermediate and advanced painters, as well as 1 full day of painting classes gear towards all skill levels. Read more to find out all about this incredible opportunity!
Matt DiPietro is one of the most experienced miniature painters working today. His career has spanned all aspects of our hobby. Starting as a wargamer playing games workshop games and painting armies he eventually launched his professional career in 2006 as the lead studio painter for Privateer Press studio. There he shaped the painting of the Warmachine and Hordes studio models for nearly a decade. These days he makes his living teaching the next generation of miniature artisans, and creating miniature art for private collectors under the banner of Contrast Miniatures. When you hear Matt talk about miniatures, art, sculpture, and painting you feel the love he has for all aspects of our hobby. As a teacher, Matt’s goal is to help each student explore the hobby regardless of current skill while loving their work as they grow into a better painter.
Matt DiPietro returns this year to teach hobby classes with an updated curriculum and classes designed for each skill level. Whether you want to paint armies better and faster with his impressive sketch style, or you want to learn to paint high quality display pieces that will wow the world Matt has a class for you to enjoy! We are also adding an open painting area for all. Classes take place only during underway periods so you will be able to enjoy the exotic locations. While underway the classes are scheduled to leave plenty of time for you to enjoy time on the ship with family and friends. Paint as much as you want with our open painting area or schedule a private class session with Matt for personalized instruction. No need to pack any extra gear, all class supplies and models are provided for you so learning is as easy as can be. We also have hobby activities for children with an open paint and take area for those under 13 as well as discounted class rates for children and young adults 16 and under.
Class Curriculum Details
Each day of classes are structured in a similar fashion. We will meet for 3 hours in the morning after breakfast. There will be a break in the middle of the day so that students can grab lunch and spend some time relaxing. We will meet again in the afternoon for 3 more hours of instruction and end class with enough time to get ready for dinner in the dining room.
Day 1
The first day underway is a masterclass day. We will be learning Matt’s personal method of painting figures starting from the beginning of the process. The class will alternate between discussions, demonstration, and student application. There will be demonstrations of color sketching, blending, and textures. We will discuss composition of the colors and lighting of the figure. Students are invited to be creative with their pieces or they can follow along with Matt’s steps to learn in your own way and at your skill level. Every student will have one on one time with Matt to get help working through mastering the techniques presented.
Day 2
The second day underway Matt will be teaching classes geared towards gamers and army painters. We will be learning his signature sketch style method of army painting. The method aims to finish models in a single hour while training the painter to see light and create volume on the figure. This style takes the building blocks everyone already knows and adds sketching to create models that look far better than the traditional methods at table top distances. Better still this method of painting your army will train your eye as and brain to be a better painter and open up doors for future display painting! In addition to the speed painting discussions Matt will also train students on essential topics like paintings eyes, skin tones, and glowing objects. With these essential skills you’ll have a jaw dropping army and a new passion for the hobby aspect of your favorite game.
Day 3
The third day underway is another masterclass day. This day will focus on refining and detailing your figure. We will dive deep on painting faces and expressions with key insights revealed on how to add character to any face. Learn to enhance and personalize your project using free hand and patterns. With Matt’s insights on freehand you’ll find it a fun and accessible challenge. We’ll dive deep on various materials and how we can add details to the sculpture that will make your work tell an unique story. You will learn to refine and polish your work so that people will ask “wow! how did they do that?!”
