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.
We have adult and children’s classes.
Help with Art GCSE and A- levels is available.
Small groups up to four people allow your tutor a more personalised approach to tailor tasks to your abilities and ambitions, and also to give you plenty of attention!
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.
“I never thought of myself as an artist and taking art lessons wasn’t something I would think of naturally. What I found that an hour in Katya’s studio is a perfect way to switch off from stress and worries of life. Katya’s excitement, drive and passion are contagious. I wholeheartedly recommend Katya’s lessons to everyone, even if like me you thought art have no space in my life. You might surprise yourself!”
Natasha
What People Say About Us:
“We were so lucky to find Katya for our daughter. She is a truly talented and experienced artist and teacher. Our daughter enjoyed every single lesson with her and learned so many new approaches and techniques. She studied with Katya for almost two years, just before Covid, and the experience had a lasting impact on her artistic growth. Katya’s guidance helped her not only in school but also later in college, where she studied Graphic Communication Design and created excellent work. She even received an unconditional offer from one of the best art universities in the world! We’re so grateful for all of Katya’s help, inspiration and support. We also had the pleasure of visiting some of her art exhibitions in London, they were absolutely amazing. We are very proud of what our daughter has achieved with Katya’s help and can wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a passionate and dedicated art teacher.”
Eleonora
“Katya is an amazing artist and teacher! I am very grateful to have been taught by such a patient and focussed mentor when I did my art GCSE years - that A* definitely wouldn’t have been possible without her teaching me the small details and tricks of portrait drawing.”
Sofia
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: