Maksla Studio
Art classes that focus on the foundations — seeing form, structure and proportion — to help you draw and paint realistically, even if you’re a beginner.
Here at Maksla Studio, we believe that anyone can learn to draw!
We teach drawing and painting through a clear understanding of structure, form, and light. Students of all levels — adults and teens — learn to see like artists, exploring perspective, composition, and shading to bring their work to life. Our classes build a solid foundation for both life drawing and imaginative work, in a calm and focused environment. Join us to develop confidence, skill, and creativity in the classic tradition.
What do we mean when we say observational drawing and painting?
It’s not just looking and copying - far from it!
What exactly do we teach here?
How to look at (whatever you chose to draw), how to approach a clean sheet of paper, what to start from, what things to keep in mind.
How to measure correctly, how to use the rules and intuition combined, different ways to hold your pencil for different reasons and aims, how to correctly sharpen your pencils.
How to shade. The role of a shadow - how shadows “explain” the shape of an object.
How to use construction lines to help them build the structure of their objects.
Squinting - a way of looking in order to ignore details and see values clearly.
What things to ask yourself toward the finishing stage.
You will learn about basic formal elements and how to use them successfully:
Line - different kinds of line - how and when to use, how to produce.
Tone - different values and their relations to each other, how to support your drawing with tone.
Colour - what makes painting alive, creating an interplay between cold and warm shades.
Contrast! - a beautiful tool that makes everything better :)
Composition - basic compositional structures and rules, using them with confidence.
Interactions between all these elements - a playful dance.
You will also learn more material/technical side of it like:
- How to sharpen a pencil in a particular way and why.
- Different pencil grips for different purposes.
- How to control your hand and your arm to produce different lines and hatchings.
- Paper: different kinds, when to use what. How to stretch it for a wet medium.
- Everything you need to know about watercolours, tips and tricks, different ways of application.
Meet your tutor — Katya
Katya is a professional artist with a strong traditional background and over 25 years of creative practice. She has been teaching drawing and painting for more than 10 years, helping students develop both solid skills and confidence in their artistic voice. With her clear, structured approach and encouraging guidance, you’ll be in good hands from the very first lesson.
Register your interest here: