Lessons and Workshops

Mark Mittlesteadt offers art lessons for young and old, experienced artists who want to improve, or those who simply wish to learn to drawn or paint.

Mark does not simply teach people to draw or paint, but helps them to look at life differently, so that they can interpret what they see.

If you can hold a pencil and write your name, you can draw. Mark believes anyone and everyone can draw and paint as well as they want. It is about desire and how you see things, not about talent. We are all blessed with the capability to do anything and everything we desire, and are not limited by anything but ourselves.

His philosophy regarding the teaching of art is that what we most need to learn in order to draw or paint, is to strip away the illusion of the subject and really see it the way it is, instead of the way we "think" it should look. That doesn't mean he feels we shouldn't put something of ourselves into it, or that we can't render it from our perspective. It is more about first seeing the subject for what it is, and really understanding it. Only then can we truly interpret it's meaning to us and reveal to others that meaning.

Rather than teaching you to draw a tree, or a face, Mark will show you how to really "see" that tree or face. Before you even pick up a pencil, he will show you interesting ways to look at things. In his words, "To simply show you how to draw or paint a subject will do nothing more than teach you how to draw that one subject, leaving you in a never ending "need" of more lessons to draw something else. I'd rather teach people to see the world around themselves in a new way, so that no matter what they choose to draw or paint, they will always find the answers within."

Sometimes group settings are more effective in the learning process as critiquing each other's work and offering suggestions to each other can lead to faster growth as an artist. We often learn by teaching, and helping others helps us to see our own work in a new way. Group settings like workshops are more fun too as we all learn together in interesting ways.

Mark offers lessons in either one on one, or group settings. Prices vary depending on what type of class or workshop you want to attend.

Individual lessons for adults are $50 per hour, and $25 per hour for students (those under 18). Lessons must be booked in blocks of two, one hour sessions, minimum. Workshops, though more expensive upfront, are more cost effective as sessions run much longer and more often. For a $200 fee, adults will get 5 sessions of two hours or more. Workshops are not offered to those under 18, unless they are conducted at schools or for groups like scouting. Under certain circumstances, those under 18 can be included in adult workshops.

Both individual sessions and workshops must be pre-paid, and no refunds will be given once lessons have begun unless they are cancelled one week prior to the first one. Dates and times can be flexible and rescheduled however.

Lessons and workshops offered by Mark Mittlesteadt are an interesting and fun way to learn how to tap into your inner artist, expand your view of the world and make your art more meaningful. Many who attend workshops and lessons often end up viewing their whole world in a different way, even if they don't continue to draw or paint.

Give us a call or e-mail us for more information. You can contact us here...