How I Accidentally Discovered a Framework That Changed My Painting

I was a hobby artist for 25 years. I painted when I could and enjoyed it.

Things changed in 2014 when I started studying art more, showing my work and even teaching as an elementary school art teacher. Then something unexpected happened. In preparing to teach kids the basics, I rediscovered the seven elements of art: line, shape, value, color, space, texture, and form.

These simple building blocks were there all along and somehow, in all my years of painting, taking workshops, and reading art books, I never understood them in a way that made me feel their importance to my art and painting process.

When I realized this and started applying them intentionally to my own work, everything shifted. My paintings got stronger. I could see why something wasn't working and know what to adjust. I stopped guessing and started painting with a process I could trust – an elemental-based process.

I thought: if this changed everything for me after 25 years, what could it do for someone just starting out?

That's why I built Essential Elements.

What this course is about

Essential Elements walks you through the seven building blocks of art — one at a time, in a logical sequence as we paint— so you understand not just how to paint, but why things work. It's the framework I use in my own studio, the methodology I've taught to hundreds of students, and the foundation behind my AI coaching platform, PADL.

Essential Elements helps you if you're brand new to painting, self-taught and looking for more structure, or already a PADL member who wants to learn the full methodology from the ground up —

this is where it all started.

What you'll learn:

LINE – the starting point of all great art

Beyond outlines: use line to direct the eye & create energy
Quadrant transfer method for accurate drawings.

SHAPE – the glue of a painting

Break complex subjects into simple shapes.
Create a shape pattern that harmonizes the painting

VALUE – more important than color!

Train your eye to see light and dark.
Use value to create form, light, and perspective

COLOR – the science and strategies

Hue, chroma, and value explained simply.
Why modern primaries (cyan, magenta, yellow) mix cleaner, brighter colors than the old red-yellow-blue wheel.
How to avoid mud and unlock luminous color.

SPACE, TEXTURE & FORM – bringing it all together

Build convincing depth with overlap, edges, and negative shapes.
Combine all the elements to create form and dimension.

“This course changed everything for me.”

I realized how important it is to recognize and use the elements of art

_MARGIE

“I can’t recommend Essential Elements enough.”

I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know, needed to know, and will continue to know to keep improving. This course has opened my eyes to the elements of art, and that has made all the difference!

_{JANEY KINNARD}

“I have more confidence to paint now.”

I've seen things I'd like to paint, but it's knowing how to start that's challenged me. You gave us basic steps to get started and techniques as we progress through the painting. I have more confidence to paint now because I know how to get started.

_JEAN

Essential Elements

Essential Elements is your step-by-step guide to the foundational building blocks of art — Line, Shape, Value, Color, Space, Texture, and Form. These aren't abstract theories. They're the practical principles I use every day in my own studio, and they're what I've seen transform student after student from uncertain to confident.

This is also the methodology behind PADL. If you're using PADL's AI coaches for composition, color, and critique guidance, Essential Elements is where you learn the foundational language those coaches speak.

The course teaches you the what and why. PADL helps you apply it every time you paint.

JOIN TODAY

What Makes This Course Different?

I designed Essential Elements around what actually helped me grow as a painter — and what I saw make the biggest difference for my students:

A Clear Path → The seven elements taught in a logical sequence, each one building on the last.

The "Why" Behind Painting → Not just techniques to copy, but understanding that lets you make your own decisions at the easel.

Visible Progress → Each lesson builds naturally, so your confidence grows alongside your skills.

Proven Results → Students who came in uncertain are now painting with joy and independence.

The Artist's Eye → A way of seeing line, shape, value, and color that changes how you look at everything — not just paintings.

What’s Included

Comprehensive video lessons on each of the 7 elements

Practical exercises to reinforce new ideas

Checklists and step-by-step video demonstrations

Lifetime access to all course materials

Students who get the most from Essential Elements tend to be:

Beginners and hobby painters who want more than dabbling — they're ready to build real skills and create work they're proud of.

Self-taught artists looking for structure — they've learned from YouTube, workshops, or experimentation, and want everything to connect into a clear process.

PADL members who want the full foundation — they're already getting great AI coaching and want to learn the complete methodology behind it.

Painters who want to create, not just copy — they want to understand why a painting works so they can make their own creative choices.

About Your Instructor

Kathleen Broaderick understands the unique challenges that come with stepping up into the art world—because she lived them herself for decades as an occasional hobby artist.

What started as a period of serious self-directed art study in 2014 blossomed into a decade-long journey of mastering not just painting techniques, but teaching others to overcome the very obstacles she once faced.

From her studios in North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains and Florida's 30A coast, Kathleen has guided hundreds of students through their artistic transformations.

Kathleen's artwork has earned recognition including Walton County Artist of the Year, and her book "The Artist's Virtues" maps out the four stages every artist experiences.

What students love most is her ability to create a safe space where mistakes become discoveries and structured learning meets creative intuition. Kathleen meets you exactly where you are—with patience, expertise, and the understanding that comes from walking this path herself.

“I have acquired so much knowledge and confidence.”

Kathleen always delivers an outstanding experience. I’ve gained so much knowledge and confidence from her classes, and I’m always eager to learn more. She’s the BEST!

_{SUE HALEY}

Take a look at Sue's first painting with me vs a more recent one...

Essential Elements – Your Guide to

Better • Bolder • Faster • Fresher Paintings

BETTER

Learn to make stronger paintings by mastering the essential skills that guide you from inspiration to finished piece.

You’ll start seeing the world through an artist’s eye, breaking what you see into line, shape, and value and follow a clear, structured painting flow of inspiration, preparation, composition, and layering.

BOLDER

Create more confident work by learning to trust your instincts and choose colors strategically.

You’ll master modern primaries, understand chroma, transparency, and opacity for cleaner mixes, and know when to use bold, high-chroma colors or soft, neutral tones to capture the right mood.

FASTER

Make steady progress with a clear, repeatable process.

You’ll start with accurate drawings using the grid and quadrant transfer method, then work from a modern palette (just three primaries and white) to mix hundreds of colors with ease.

FRESHER

Keep your paintings alive and vibrant by using color with intention and making bold, thoughtful marks.

You’ll learn how to avoid muddy mixes, preserve vibrancy, and create single, energetic brushstrokes that bring your work to life.

The course that makes painting make sense.

Essential Elements Course Access

$379

One-time payment

PLUS

BONUS: Quick Start Guide to Art Supplies — save money and buy only what you need
BONUS: What makes a good reference photo?
30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee, love it or request a refund

YES! I’M READY TO MASTER THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a live or recorded course?

Will I have time for this course?

How long will I have access to this course?

What if I have never painted before?

I've been painting for a while — is this course for me?

What's the difference between Essential Elements and PADL?

Still have questions?

Email us at kathleen@chroma30a.com

“This course has opened my eyes to the elements of art and that has made all the difference!"

I have always loved drawing and painting but had not really done much up until I joined Kathleen's class. I loved it. Kathleen is a great teacher who wants to give you the skills to create art of your own. Kathleen’s process is amazing. She is very ready to answer any questions or concerns, her critiques are always helpful. Her course has opened my eyes to the elements of art and that has made all the difference!

_{JANELLE J}

Take a look at Janelle's first painting with me vs a more recent one...

Ready to get started?

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