What does a membership cost and what are the benefits of membership?
An FCDA Membership costs $15 for one year, from September to August.
As a member you pay reduced rates for classes, workshops and seminars. You will be invited to attend all General Meetings which sometimes also include demos, show and tell, tips & tricks, etc.
Members are also invited to two virtual socials each year where we chat, eat, maybe play a game, and always laugh and have a good time getting to know our painting friends without a brush in hand!
What is your refund policy?
All digital sales are FINAL. If a class is canceled or rescheduled by FCDA, a credit for the amount of the class will be added to your FCDA account for use towards a future class.
You agree that any payments made by you are final and you may not initiate any chargedbacks via the payment provider i.e. Paypal.​
I've received a coupon, how do I use it on my order?
When you review your cart, you will see "Enter a promo code" on the left side of the screen. Click on it and enter the promo code you received by email. This will deduct the amount of the coupon from your order total.
How do I receive the supplies list and preparation instructions for the class?
You will receive a supplies list, preparation instructions and line drawing by email. Please allow the following timelines after making payment to receive this information:
Credit Card - 24 hours
E-Transfer - 7 calendar days
Cheques - 14 calendar days
If you have not received this email within the timelines above, please inform us by email at fcdafinance@hotmail.com.
What payments methods do you accept?
All amounts shown on our website are in Canadian dollars. We accept Visa and Mastercard payments via PayPal. Payment made with credit cards in any other currency will be adjusted based on the current rate of exchange at the time of purchase and will be shown on your credit card statement.
Email transfers can be made to fcdafinance@hotmail.com or cheques made payable to FCDA can be mailed to
FCDA c/o 67-1247 Huron Street , London ON N5Y 4X7 in Canadian dollars only.
You will not be considered registered until payment has been received in full.
What is your digital product policy?
Your digital purchase(s) on this website allows you to download, print and save to your computer the files provided for your own personal use and reference. You may sell any pieces you produce using these files and in-class instructions, whether modified or not, but must clearly identify the original designer/artist. All of these files/designs are copyrighted and are made available on our website with the consent of the original artists.
You shall not copy, resell, sublicence , share or otherwise distribute any of our files, whether modified or not, to any third party.
You agree to not use any of these files in a way which would be detrimental to the original artist or FCDA.
Your use of our website, and purchase, download and use of our files, constitutes your full acceptance of these terms and conditions.
How do I prepare a surface for painting?
It depends on the surface you plan to paint on.
Canvas: Usually when painting on a canvas there is no preparation needed. If it is a less expensive canvas and seems rough or you want a very smooth surface, you might choose to put a coat of Gesso on the canvas first.
Paper: Generally, there is not a need to prepare paper surfaces (watercolour, Bristol, mixed media, Mi-Teintes, Stonehenge, etc.). If there is anything needed to prepare the paper, the preparation instructions you receive after registering for the class will provide this information.
Wood: Needs to be sealed before painting on it. First sand the wood (always in the direction of the grain). Remove all the sanding bits and apply a coat of sealer. Sand again and apply another coat of sealer. If the wood now feels smooth sand it one more time with very light pressure and a fine grit sandpaper. If still rough, sand and apply another coat of sealer.
Glass: When painting on glass, acrylic paint will not want to stick. First wash well in hot water and soap. Dry well and wipe with vinegar. Try not to handle the surface any more than you have to as the oil in your skin will also affect the adhesion. Use an adhesion medium or a glass etching solution to ensure the paint will not easily peel off.
I've received the supply list, preparation instructions and line drawing. Now what?
You will need to ensure you have the supplies required for the class. If you are uncertain what is being asked for you can contact the teacher for more information.
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Supplies can be purchased by a variety of art supply stores and retailers, depending on the area you live in. Examples include Michaels, Bijan's Art (London ON), Krafty Kennedy's (London ON), Dick Blick, Deserres, Joann Fabrics, Walmart, Amazon, to name a few.
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Follow the instructions for the pre-class preparation. This will usually include preparing the surface you will be using, applying a backgound colour, sometimes doing some basecoating and tracing the pattern on. To trace the pattern on, first trace the pattern you receive in the email onto tracing paper. Use the tracing to then trace the pattern on to the surface using graphite tracing paper. If the tracing is too dark use an eraser to lighten the lines as needed.
What level of class difficulty is right for me?
Beginner: These classes are geared to people who have little to no experience in the medium. The classes tend to move slowly with a great deal of guidance, also giving you lots of time to practice and complete the steps required.
Post Beginner: You have some experience but still need guidance and time to complete a project.
Intermediate: You have quite a bit of experience but are interested in furthering your skills with new techniques. These classes move along more quickly, but there is still guidance provided.
Advanced: In an advanced class you might learn some new techniques. A teacher will be present to answer questions and provide limited guidance, but for the most part your will be working independently.
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The important thing to remember if you take a class beyond your abilities, the teacher will not be able to slow the pace of the class for you to keep up or provide additional instructions. On the other hand, you will probably learn a great deal, but may not be happy with your completed piece. Sometimes this is necessary to continue improving and push your skills to the next level.
If I have a question not covered here, how do I contact you?
You can use the Contact tab above to send an email to our registrar.