Art is a method of communication. It is part of every culture, part of who we are as humans. Among those creative minds throughout the world, the truly lucky ones, and the ones who strive to improve their skills, get to go to art school. However, in today’s technologically advanced society, art and art school exist also in the digital world, and students have a choice whether they pursue in person learning or online venues.
Various artists learning together in person, atelier style, at the Grande Chaumière
For many, nothing beats the in person experience of being at an easel with friends and colleagues around as you create and learn together. Traditional in-person fine art school can be very rewarding and often enlist the top artists and teachers in the fields they offer. From art history to tools and materials, from figure drawing to color mixing and perspective, these schools excel at teaching time tested traditions that give results.
A very good example of a thriving fine art school with realist studio courses as well as graphic and entertainment art is Laguna College of Art and Design. (Yes, my alma mater.) This hands-on college of the arts accomplishes both in-person and online learning and has the advantage of the Old Masters teaching you as well. A full liberal arts degree with a well-rounded education can be achieved here amidst the classic wooden easel studios, top-of-the-line advice from the pros, a career center that helps place you after you graduate and more. In addition to the excellent hands-on training, they organize guest speakers, and even bring groups to Europe in May each year to enjoy the museums. I can personally tell you this is a truly amazing experience.
A master copy of a Sargent portrait by Vanessa Rothe. This was a work in progress created during her time at Laguna College of Art and Design.
The world of online learning has expanded as well, offering multiple opportunities for those who do not possess the funds for a full art school. Here are just a few of the many venues out there, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. These types of art class offerings are wonderful for those who work during the day and want to learn when they have time. These modern day art schools online also encourage students of any age to pick up a brush. Online learning takes lots of discipline; there is no official course teacher directing you and no particular deadlines. I recommend you set up a calendar of your own making and map out time for class as well as homework to do in between sessions to progress.
I highly recommend Patreon (www.patreon.com), an online platform where you can find many of today’s masters such as Stephen Bauman and Cornelia Hernes. With pre-filmed pay per use videos or subscriptions, you can watch and download instructional videos from professional artists in the comfort of your home or studio. These professors have taught live classes at Florence Academy in Italy and New York and have translated this knowledge to recorded classes. Mixing techniques, drawing and more are included.
Cornelia Hernes, Varvara, oil on linen, 12 x 12" (30 x 30 cm). Hernes is a teacher on Patreon.
Suchitra Bhosle, Diaphanous Response, oil on linen, 14 x 18" (35 x 45 cm). Bhosle is a teacher at Sentient Academy.
More wonderful options include online and in-person atelier style schools, including schools like Sentient Academy, which boasts esteemed teachers like plein air artist Bryan Mark Taylor and portrait master Suchitra Bhosle. It also focuses on useful business advice from professional gallery owners and artists making their living in the art world. Owner Keith Huang notes,
“Sentient Academy partners with professional artists to provide a career-focused online art education option. Our students develop solid skills and become better artists as they follow structured learning paths...Sentient offers live mentorship programs that will prepare them for real business know-how, on top of skill development, with personalized guidance.”
Important drawing skills and human anatomy can be learned at www.proko.com. Stan Prokopenko graduated from Watts Atelier in San Diego and started his now famous online learning system, which incorporates some of the leading illustrators and artists of our time. From traditional realism, figures, sketching and proportions to the dynamic poses of game art, Prokopenko is world-renowned for his specialty.
A head study by Rothe, utilizing resources from www.proko.com.
A very exciting way to learn and travel is attending a workshop abroad with your favorite artist. Workshops in France, a company led by artist Julie Snyder, is such an amazing hands-on travel and art class experience. Not only will you meet other artists, but you’ll spend a week or more learning their tips and tricks.
Once you find a few master artists that you admire (Instagram is a great place to discover new artists) follow their work and go to their website. You will be amazed to learn that most of them also teach. They have workshops in their studios, or they are asked to conduct workshops in France or another of the schools mentioned above.
This list is a general starting point to finding great solutions for art school today. If you are not sure which direction to take, try a variety of these solutions until you find where you fit best. Try a semester at a live art school with a few classes, or take an online class on weekends. Opportunities abound! And above all—practice, practice, practice. —