Clean-up 5 minutes before the bell (not sooner).

Make sure that your area and areas (and brushes) that you use (like the sink) are completely clean.

Protect all surfaces when painting or applying gesso.

In order to paint:

1st- Sand the masonite to remove ALL shine.

2nd- Prime with gesso (latex Kilz works on masonite when using acrylic paints)

3rd- Use a watered down paint to roughly gesture your subject placement and be willing to change and adjust your light gesture completely

4th- Begin painting remembering to mix colors on the canvas, not the palette most often

5th- You may want and acrylic "extender" that promotes a longer drying time to help you blend (create soft edges)