Nika Liping W.

Ms. Dottie has been my oil painting instructor since July 2023. I've always had a passion for drawing and painting, but I was never certain if I could truly pursue it. In end July, I began my journey with her, and she guided me through the essentials, such as selecting brushes, colors, and proper brush cleaning techniques. My first painting under her guidance was a leopard. Ms. Dottie led me through the entire process, from planning and sketching to applying color. She showed me how to break down the complex image, making it seem less daunting. I also learned how to assess proportions and relationships when starting a new piece. While many use transfer paper, I preferred to draw freehand, and she painted the leopard alongside me. Ms. Dottie is not the type of teacher who dictates each step (1, 2, 3). She encourages a more "freestyle" approach, emphasizing that there's no wrong way to paint as long as you feel comfortable. She reassured us that adjustments could always be made, and perfection on the first try isn't necessary. Beyond painting and drawing, she provided valuable insights into color mixing, especially when working with a limited palette of oil paints. She supplied each of us with a notebook to record our color mixing knowledge, which greatly aided me in achieving the desired colors. I'm now nearing completion of my second painting, and I find great joy in every Wednesday's painting lessons, making it the highlight of my week. Learning and painting with Ms. Dottie is a relaxing experience. She is talkative, easygoing, and always available to address any questions. Due to my upcoming job, I won't be able to attend daytime lessons, but I plan to change to her evening classes.

Jonathan C.

Shaun really provides great resources so that you can continue to practice and learn on your own. He showed me an easier way to make different characters and put them in a story scene. Before that I couldn't really draw my own stories.

Heidi F.

Jessica has a passion for art that shines through in her lessons. She's has a knack for teaching and makes her students feel engaged!