Dorrie teaches by integrating and emphasizing design, composition,value, color, contrast and negative space. She allows students to apply these elements to their own work during her classroom work and assignments.
She has a relaxed and enjoyable style of communication and she is always positive and encouraging.
Dorrie Rifkin is an accomplished and award-winning artist who shares her knowledge and talents with her students. Since taking Dorrie‘s class, my level of work has improved tenfold. She’s fun and comes to class well prepared to teach color, technique, tools, and much more.
Dorrie and your teaching style- you changed my perspective of myself- (single-handedly)! I am forever in her debt!!
Dorrie meets you where ever you are in your watercolor journey. From that standpoint she shows you what’s possible for you to accomplish. I have the impression that she’s actually inside my head. That’s what I call “scary brilliant.
Unique, creative, patient, supportive, positive, warm, caring and encouraging.
Dorrie breaks down a project into smaller segments making it easier to master one baby step at a time.
Dorrie is more concerned with the process and not necessarily with the product.
Her demonstrations are clear and easy to follow the creative process .
A class from Dorrie is fun – playtime…but when you are done – oh my, look at all you learned. Dorrie provides inspiration, how-to’s, critiques…and you grow!
Dorrie’s classes are taught with humor, self deprecation and lots of talent. She is patient, quirky and an amazingly skilled artist. It is always a fun learning experience.
I would like to say a few words about Dorrie. My painting experience is extensive because for several years I hosted workshops for instructors from all over the country. I knew Dorrie’s and I was going to ask her to teach for me, but circumstances had me close my door.
Then I took online classes from Dorrie. WOW! The best experience with a watercolor instructor ever! Fun, knowledgeable, precise instructions and the process left me with paintings that I didn’t know I could do.
Dorrie is the best !!!❤️
Dorrie is my favorite watercolor teacher ever. She is not only a exciting artist, she is a wonderful teacher. She does demonstrations in small bites, then walks around to answer questions and give recommendations. She often helps me turn one of my mistakes into a creative opportunity. Whatever the result of my painting efforts, I never come away without having learned something unexpected and frequently exhilarating. When I look through several years worth of paintings, I understand how what she taught me lingers, and how I continue to think about my work differently because of her.
Dorrie is an impressive artist. She continues to develop her style, so I’ve had to buy additional paintings! They make excellent gifts. I always receive my art right away, packaged very, very carefully. Dorrie’s also a good and fun person, and I’m proud to know her.
Love this artist and would give her 10 stars if I could. This is my fifth purchase and I couldn’t be more pleased. Thank you Dorrie..
I just love a watercolor I purchased from Dorrie of a ukelele, from a series of paintings of stringed instruments that she did. It reminded me to have fun — I am an amateur watercolor artist myself — during chemotherapy treatment. I had been following her career for over two years and enjoyed watching her success, after I first saw, in a Transparent Watercolor Society show, her painting of Lincoln Center. I would have bought it, but it was unfortunately already sold. She shares herself though her paintings. I love the colors and subjects. She is an inspiration to me, I still am having fun with watercolor, and I love living with a little bit of her spirit in my home.
Dorrie’s watercolors are alive. There is a depth that takes you into her vision. Dorrie was able to bring MY vision to life through a commissioned piece. I was invited to go along for the ride as the work progressed. It was a delightful experience. The finished painting will be cherished.
Dorrie’s work is so inviting. I own two pieces…The Farm which takes me right back to my grandparents home, where my dad grew up, and Somewhere In Carolina, which is a beautiful boat scene – so appropriate for a Long Island girl who lives 10 minutes from the water. The colors and images transport me to a different place, and these pieces always make me smile.
We have been fortunate to acquire several of Dorrie’s paintings, and they grace the walls of our home. We have also given them to friends as gifts. One hangs in a friend’s home on Seabrook Island, SC, and another, in a three-story beach house on Emerald Island, NC. They add warmth and beauty to every place they adorn. Great works by a great person!