ColorBrush Art School - Where Imagination Meets the Canvas

About the School

ColorBrush Art School exists to nurture creativity and provide a welcoming sanctuary where artists of all skill levels can explore the transformative power of painting. Our mission centers on encouraging individual artistic expression while teaching foundational techniques and advanced methods that help students develop their unique visual voice. We believe that art has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people across all backgrounds, which is why our inclusive community embraces beginners taking their first tentative brushstrokes alongside experienced painters refining their mastery. Through patient instruction, supportive guidance, and access to quality materials and inspiring spaces, we create an environment where imagination flourishes and artistic dreams become tangible reality on canvas.

Painting Styles Taught

Watercolor

Transparent washes and delicate blending. Watercolor painting celebrates the spontaneous beauty of water meeting pigment, creating luminous effects that capture light and atmosphere in ways unique to this medium. Students learn to embrace both control and surrender as they master wet-on-wet techniques, layering transparent glazes, and working with the natural flow of water to create ethereal landscapes, vibrant florals, and expressive portraits.

Oil Painting

Rich textures and deep colors. Oil painting offers unparalleled depth and richness, allowing artists to build layers of color that seem to glow from within the canvas. Students explore traditional techniques including alla prima and glazing methods, learning to manipulate the extended working time of oils to create smooth transitions, impasto textures, and the luminous quality that has made oil painting the choice of masters for centuries.

Acrylic

Fast-drying and versatile for various effects. Acrylic paints provide the perfect bridge between watercolor transparency and oil painting opacity, offering artists incredible flexibility in technique and application. Students discover how to use acrylics for everything from detailed realistic work to bold abstract expressions, learning to control drying time, create texture with mediums, and achieve effects ranging from watercolor-like washes to thick impasto applications.

Mixed Media

Combining paints with collage, ink, or texture. Mixed media painting breaks traditional boundaries, encouraging artists to incorporate diverse materials and techniques to create richly layered works that tell complex visual stories. Students experiment with combining acrylics, watercolors, pastels, collage elements, found objects, and various mark-making tools to develop personal artistic languages that push beyond conventional painting approaches.

Class Formats

Group Painting Sessions

Group painting sessions foster shared inspiration and creative community, where artists learn not only from instructors but also from observing and interacting with fellow painters. These collaborative environments encourage artistic growth through peer support, constructive feedback, and the infectious energy that emerges when creative minds work together toward common goals of artistic expression and skill development.

Individual Mentoring

Individual mentoring sessions provide personalized attention for skill refinement, allowing instructors to focus specifically on each student's unique artistic goals, technical challenges, and creative vision. These one-on-one sessions accelerate artistic development through customized instruction, immediate feedback, and the opportunity to explore specialized techniques tailored to individual interests and learning styles.

Open Studio Hours

Open studio hours offer dedicated time and space for personal projects, allowing students to work independently while having access to professional-grade facilities, quality materials, and the inspiring atmosphere of the school. These self-directed sessions encourage artistic exploration, provide time to practice newly learned techniques, and support the development of personal artistic style.

Facilities & Equipment

ColorBrush Art School operates from a beautifully renovated warehouse space featuring three spacious studios flooded with natural light from oversized north-facing windows that provide consistent, even illumination throughout the day. Each studio is equipped with professional-grade easels that accommodate various canvas sizes and can be adjusted for standing or seated work, while built-in storage systems keep personal projects secure between sessions. We maintain a comprehensive inventory of high-quality art supplies including professional-grade paints, brushes, canvases, and specialty papers that are available for student use, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent artistic exploration. Climate control systems maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels to protect both artworks and materials, while proper ventilation ensures a healthy working environment. Additional amenities include comfortable seating areas for critique sessions, sink stations for easy cleanup, and exhibition walls where student works are regularly displayed to celebrate artistic achievements and inspire continued growth.

Instructor Team

Emma Richardson

Watercolor & Botanical Art

Watercolor artist with 12 years of teaching experience, specializing in botanical illustration and plein air techniques that capture the delicate beauty of the natural world.

Marcus Thompson

Oil Painting & Portraiture

Classical oil painter and portrait artist who combines traditional techniques with contemporary approaches to help students master this timeless medium.

Luna Rodriguez

Mixed Media & Abstract

Contemporary artist and educator who explores the boundless possibilities of mixed media, encouraging students to push creative boundaries and develop unique artistic voices.

Art Tips & Inspiration

Start with light layers and build up gradually to create depth and richness in your paintings
Experiment with color mixing on your palette to discover unexpected and beautiful combinations
Take breaks to view your work from a distance and gain fresh perspective on composition and balance
Keep a sketchbook for daily practice and to capture inspiring moments and ideas
Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and allow happy accidents to guide your creativity
Study the work of master painters to understand different approaches to light, color, and technique

Exhibitions & Community Events

Annual Student Art Show — showcase of works created during the year celebrating artistic growth and achievement

Open Air Painting Day — creating art in the city park while connecting with nature and community

Winter Creativity Week — themed workshops and collaborative group projects exploring new techniques

Spring Color Festival — celebrating the return of vibrant seasonal hues through outdoor painting sessions

Accessibility Information

ColorBrush Art School is committed to making art education accessible to everyone, regardless of physical abilities or limitations. Our facility features step-free access throughout all studios and common areas, with wide corridors and doorways that accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices. Adjustable easels allow for comfortable seated work, while tables of varying heights ensure that all students can find ergonomic positions for their art-making. We provide specialized support for students with visual impairments, including tactile guidance techniques, high-contrast materials, and detailed verbal descriptions of visual concepts. Our instructors receive ongoing training in adaptive teaching methods, and we work individually with each student to modify techniques and approaches as needed. The art-making process should be joyful and accessible to all, and we are dedicated to removing any barriers that might prevent someone from exploring their creativity and developing their artistic potential.

Operating Hours & Location

Monday – Saturday, 09:00 – 20:00

15 Artisans Lane, Cityville

Located in the cultural district near the main library with convenient public transportation access.

Student Impressions

I rediscovered my creativity here. After years of thinking I wasn't artistic, the supportive environment and patient instruction helped me find my artistic voice again.

— Sarah P.

Every class inspires me to paint more. The instructors share their passion in ways that make even the most challenging techniques feel achievable and exciting.

— David K.