Doug Minkler Art Classes
Community SubscriberDrawing the Unusual Art Class -- The primary goal of my classes is to build students’ confidence in drawing and painting. I encourage outrageous and unusual creations. This freedom, I’ve found, provides students with a unique opportunity for invention. In the process of creating new work, we will learn perspective, composition, and color theory. We will also explore realistic and abstract representation. Often the parents want to take the class as well.
When my daughter was seven she struggled with reading an writing, as I did at about her age. Wanting to enhance her self esteem, I created a weekly art class in my studio for my daughter and her friends. The choice of subject matter was open, ranging from personal experience and fantasy to issues of social justice. After fifteen years of teaching, I still enjoy helping my students discover their talent.
Class meets Saturday and Sunday 10:30-11:45 am. Class is hosted in my print studio at 1715 Ward st. Go through the gray gate and look for the Blue door in the back yard. First time students please call ahead of time to let me know you are coming.
$30 per student per class - scholarship are available, Cash or Zelle preferred.
For more info call Doug (510) 548-7119.
Doug is a wonderful teacher. My 12-year-old child has been taking classes with him since before COVID and they love the classes. Doug gives students a short lecture, introducing or discussing a technique and then lets students explore. His classes have a good balance of instruction and freedom to explore each student's own interests. He is patient, smart, kind and really gets kids. My child has definitely become more confident as an artist. The most impressive thing is that my kid has been going back to Doug's classes for years, and my kid is not one to easily sustain their interest in extracurricular activities. The combination of good vibes and freedom to explore their art range has kept my child going back, and they look forward to it every Sunday. I definitely recommend Doug. He's a hidden gem.
Our 6 year old daughter has been taking art classes with Doug all year, and it's been a great experience.
Classes are structured, and also have plenty of room for individual expression and creativity.
We recommend Doug and his art classes!
Doug is great! He discusses an aspect of technique, shows the students what he's talking about, then let's them practice. My daughter did a lot of work that was unique from everything else she had done in the past. Doug's approach is professional, kind, open-minded and non-judgmental, while getting students to create unique work. Any level of artist will learn from Doug, and the classes are really reasonable priced. If you have a child who is interested in art, I highly recommend Doug's Sunday morning classes.
If your child loves to draw, I can very highly recommend Doug Minkler’s art classes! His website is dminkler.com, and you can also find reviews on yelp. He’s very fun, kind, supportive, warm, talented, and engaging. He’s a very skilled teacher and connects easily with all kinds of kids. My kid has taken classes with him, as our schedule permits, for a few years now. Give him a call at 510-548-7119. He teaches at his studio in Berkeley.
My 12 year old son has been attending Doug's Sunday morning class for 2 years. Doug is a patient, wise and incisive teacher who gives a small lecture at the beginning of every class before letting his students free to draw for the reminder of the class. Throughout the class, he'll pepper each student with small suggestions and critiques but never in an overly critical fashion. It's suitable for both students who are just starting to love drawing to advanced students looking to hone their drawing techniques. You only pay for the classes you attend, so it's risk free to try the class a look without a big commitment.
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Oct 2012
RE: Art Class for our unique 9 year old?
Your son might really enjoy taking Doug Minkler's Sunday morning art class for kids/teens in his print studio in Berkeley. It's creative, fun and reasonably priced. Doug is really an extraordinary and unique art teacher. See his yelp reviews at http://www.yelp.com/biz/doug-minkler-berkeley Cleo
I'd recommend Doug Minkler, 510 548-7119, who lives and works in Centralish Berkeley, near MLK and Ward St. He's been working with kids for years, teaching careful drawing through careful observation, as well as the creativity and satisfaction of expressive drawing, unique drawing, and imaginative drawing. I think he also includes other media as well: oil pastel, ink, paint, and printmaking.
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