Lessons

Drawing and Painting Lessons in Gatineau and Ottawa Region

My Method

I have been teaching art classes since 2009 (located in Vancouver, BC – RUSART Fine Arts Co.) and passed my “2000 student” mark. Many of my students got accepted to art schools, universities and colleges, and displayed their works on art shows.

Unfortunately, after COVID-19 closures and my personal health issues, I had to have a long (almost 3 years) break in teaching. Now, I’m residing in the Outaouais region and happy to offer private and group lessons.

With me, students learn any medium from these:

  • oil
  • acrylic
  • watercolour
  • pastel
  • mixed-media
  • gouache

I’m open to all levels, from beginners to advanced, to explore one or more of the following techniques:

  • realism
  • abstract
  • conceptual
  • illustration and animation drawing
  • pop art
  • collage
  • impressionism
  • others

 All students work on their individual projects (regardless of what the others are working on), at their own pace. No competition, no rush, and no frustration – just learning techniques, finding your special style and discovering your artistic potential. 

My goal is to help you find your own style and explore your artistic potential. I don’t want you to be someone else.

Before the lessons, we can discuss your goals and interests and make a plan to achieve them. I suggest sticking to one medium to complete at least three works.

We’ll choose a project together, I’ll describe the stages needed to complete the project and we start working. Depending on the project, I may show the steps that students should repeat after me, or may just describe them and show different options for how they can be done.

Regardless of the age, subject and medium chosen, I’m teaching composition, colour use, value practice, perspective rules and piratical techniques related to the medium chosen.

All people are different and will work with different paces and in different styles. You will find yours.

My address: 128 Rue des Marronniers, Gatineau, QC, J9J1T9

Private Lessons

Private lessons are the perfect solution for achieving confidence working one-on-one or in a group of 2 (like a parent and a child, or 2 children together). This service is also good for children and teens with ASD and learning disabilities.

Private lessons can be either online or in-person, depending on your location. My rate is  $45+GST for 1 hr, $60+GST for 1.5 hr, and $80 for 2 hrs.  Drawing supplies, paper and paints are included. Canvas and special materials are not included.

Group Lessons

Each group is small, up to 5 students or less. Lessons are ongoing. There is no such thing as level 1 and level 100 in art, so all students will work on their individual projects and receive individual instructions based on their skills, interests and goals. 

Schedule for group lessons.

 Monday /Tuesday  / Thursday (1 lesson a week): 

4.00-4.45 pm, Children 6-9 years old ($120+GST for every 8-week chunk, 1 lesson a week)

5.00-6.00 pm, Children 10 + ($150+GST for every 8-week chunk, 1 lesson a week)

6.30-8.00 pm, Youth and adults ($180+GST for every 8-week chunk, 1 lesson a week)

Art supplies are included, except for canvas and some special mediums that are optional.

Missed lessons can be rescheduled or transferred to the next payment period with reasonable notice (24 hours for non-emergency reasons).

Examples of what we do can be found in galleries of children’s and adults’ works.

Portfolio Preparation

Portfolio preparation is a very special and specific process, and it’s best if you start working on your portfolio 1-2 years ahead, so you accumulate enough skills and projects to demonstrate.

Before starting portfolio preparation, make sure that you have a list of the following things:

  • portfolio requirement for EACH institution you’re going to apply. Criteria vary from school to school, so you need to make sure that you’re working in the right direction
  • deadlines
  • dates of info sessions

My rate for portfolio prep is the same as for private lessons: $45+GST for 1 hr, $60+GST for 1.5 hr, and $80 for 2 hrs.  I’m providing most supplies, however, canvas, and special mediums are not included.

Please, give yourself plenty of time for preparation. One or two months are not enough to create a good selection of works to choose from. Normally, you’ll need to have 20-30 works ready, so you can choose which ones to submit.

Normally, each portfolio should demonstrate:

  • variety of mediums (drawing, watercolour, acrylic, ink, pastel, collage etc.)
  • variety of techniques used within a medium
  • observation skills (drawing from life)
  • perspective drawing
  • creativity and/or design and/or illustration
  • attention to details
  • human body drawing and/or portrait

It takes time to obtain the skills and create decent work.

If you already have some pieces for your portfolio and a list of requirements, I’m providing portfolio assessment service – $120+GST (up to 15 pieces). You’ll get detailed feedback regarding EACH piece of work that you have if it may or may not fit the institution you chose.