About
I teach private, group, and homeschool classes in drawing and watercolor technique.
I have a BFA in watercolor from the American Academy of Art with a focus in figure and portrait. I also paint animals.
Http://elishadasenbrock.com
Seeing the confidence build in my students and their love of art grow.
Photos and videos
Reviews
Paul Z.
Kate B.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first lesson is usually an evaluation of their current skill level and discussing their individual goals.
Depending on where the student is we will cover the basics they need help with while developing sketching and observation skills which is the basis of any painting or drawing.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a BFA from the American Academy of Art in Chicago. My degree is in watercolor.
I have taught private and group lessons for the last 3 years.
I am doing my first international workshop in April 2019.
I've won multiple awards at gallery shows and art fairs. I've had my work in galleries in Chicago, St. Louis, and Florida.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Private lessons are $30/hr if we meet somewhere half way between and $45 if I come to you.
Group lessons are $20/hr for 3-5 students and $10/hr for 6-10 students. There's a 50% discount for the host of the lessons if it's at someone's house.
Buying a block of 4 lessons at a time will include a 50% discount of the last lesson.
How did you get started teaching?
I love sharing my passion for art with other people. My first experience teaching was with an at risk youth group in Chicago. Since then I've done mostly private lessons, but now teach homeschool groups as well.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with children, teens, and adults.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I really love watching my students improve week to week or have moments where everything clicks and they feel like they've been let in on a secret. Today a student told me that she thought when people said it just takes practice, they were being nice and you had to have a special inner ability, but it's actually true. It just takes practice. Being able to watch that confidence build over weeks is a privilege.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find someone whose work you like and/or make sure they don't expect you to do everything exactly as they would. Sometimes, in the beginning, you have to learn how to do a technique properly, like scales on a piano, but it's only so you can become proficient enough with it to put your own spin on it.
Make sure you're comfortable enough with them that you can ask questions and they are flexible enough to begin at your level.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Why they want to learn to draw/paint.
What they want to get out of the lessons.
What subject matter they'd like to learn.
What mediums they would like to learn.
How long they think it will take to get to where they want to be.
What kind of time commitment they will realistically be able to commit to.
Their budget for classes and materials.