Whether you’re a total painting novice or are looking to refine your existing skills, I believe in equipping my students (you!) with the the fundamental and essential skills you need to be able to draw and paint anything you envision from start to finish!

GROUP CLASSES NOW AVAILABLE IN FOUR LOCATIONS IN ORANGE COUNTY!

Oil Painting 1

Learn essential oil painting skills in Oil Painting 1 in a 6-week group class setting. Unlock your inner artist with my Beginning Oil Painting class! Perfect for novices, this course offers a comprehensive introduction to the vibrant world of oil painting. You’ll learn the essentials of materials, mixing colors and navigate the color wheel with confidence. Dive in to fundamental concepts like value and color theory through engaging step-by-step demonstrations and personalized one-on-one guidance. Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or seeking to refine your skills, join me to explore your creativity and build a solid foundation for oil painting! Projects: Create 2 paintings on 8”x 10” canvas.

Oil Painting 2

Learn the next steps in your oil painting skills in a 6-week group class setting. Take your oil painting to the next level with my Oil Painting 2 class! Designed for those with a basic foundation, this course dives deeper into essential drawing skills, effective composition techniques, the art of simplification and continued practice of basic painting skills. Learn to create your own still life setups and bring them to life on canvas, while gaining practical tools that will enhance your independence as a painter. With expert instruction and hands-on practice, this class is the perfect step forward after completing Oil Painting 1. Elevate your skills and start painting with greater confidence and creativity! Project: Create 1 painting on 8”x 10” canvas.

Oil Painting 3

Learn advanced techniques in your oil painting skills in a 5-week group class setting. This advanced course builds on skills established in Oil Painting 1 and 2. Students will select a subject for their artwork, collaborate closely with the instructor for guidance, and create a small-to-medium-sized painting from concept to completion. Emphasizing one-on-one instruction, the class focuses on refining skills in color theory, composition, accurate drawing, and tackling diverse painting subjects.

  • Michaela is an excellent artist and teacher! I highly recommend her courses! She does a wonderful job of explaining the basics of theory and technique to lay a solid foundation for success. She’s very passionate, knowledgeable, patient and encouraging. An overall wonderful experience I looked forward to every week, and I look forward to taking more of her courses!

    Jessica (Oil Painting 1)

  • Michaela's introduction to oil painting was a joy. I am returning to oils after years and wanted a refresher course. I have learned to think about colors and mixing in new ways. I'm looking forward to the next round of classes! Thank you. Michaela!

    Roxane (Oil Painting 1)

  • This is a fun and informative class with a wonderful teacher. You'll learn a lot about color and shading and at the end you'll have a nice little painting that you did yourself and will want to frame! Michaela is so helpful and suppportive and gives you all the extra attention you might want. She's A+++

    Diana (Oil Painting 1)

  • Many elements of your class were a beautiful and much needed refresh for me. However, the way you taught us how to easily analyze and mix color has been mind blowing and game changing for me.

    Dana (Oil Painting 1)

  • Michaela is personally very talented and was good at helping me to understand technique. I especially liked the way she explained shading and color theory. I highly recommend Michaela’s class for all levels of students

    Mike (Oil Painting 1)

  • Everything was great! The slideshow was super helpful and the history behind the paints was also cool to learn about. Drawing tips were great and step by step through the paint process helped me feel really confident.

    Michaela (Oil Painting 1)

  • I appreciate that supplies were provided for a reasonable fee. Starting with value/ black and white was a great way to start. For a beginners class, the steps and progress were appropriate. So glad I learned how to prep canvas, the recommended brushes and how to clean them. I would recommend this class for beginners. Good use of visual aids and encouraging and constructive comments on work.

    Susan (Oil Painting 1)

  • I enjoyed color mixing - learned a lot about dulling and muting colors. I like the 4 step mixing technique.

    Sarah (Oil Painting 1)

After an extensive education in drawing and painting, from a celebrated BFA program in the U.S., to international studies at Italy’s most renowned painting academy, I’ve designed these classes to deliver art school-level essentials in a way that’s engaging and accessible for everyone—even complete beginners. Each course builds on the last, expanding your artistic toolbox step by step. After 5 years of private one-on-one instruction, I prioritize individualized guidance, even in larger class settings, ensuring every student gets personal attention. My oil painting classes are an absolute blast—so much so that most students keep coming back for more! Through live demos, rich visuals, and hands-on instruction, these classes create the perfect balance of structured learning and creative exploration.

 FAQs

  • No! I am passionate about providing a place for you to try and explore without the investment of supplies - especially as a beginner. Try it out and if oil painting isn’t for you, no problem. I provide all of the supplies you need for each class. By buying in bulk and sharing the materials with everyone, I can make the class even cheaper for everyone.

  • You could jump right into my Oil Painting 2 class if you have some experience working with oil paint. However, even if you have painted a bit in oil, refreshing on fundamental skills such as value, color mixing, color theory and the general process of creating an oil painting, is always a good idea! My courses are designed to build upon one another and you will experience the most benefit by participating in each class before the next.

  • The short answer is no! Many people try acrylic paint or even watercolor as beginners because of the convenience and accessibility of supplies, but oil paint is a wonderful material for beginners. There is no need to try out any other paint medium prior to trying oil. (In my opinion, it’s probably THE MOST FORGIVING paint you can use!)

  • For Oil Painting 1:

    Because of the limited time we have to work together (just 6 classes total), I have prioritized our time to focus on painting and all that goes into it. That being said, we do not draw our images, but rather trace them in order to utilize our time to practice painting techniques.

    For Oil Painting 2 & 3:

    For each of these classes, I have dedicated time for a drawing lesson and adequate time to sketch out your painting yourself.