About Us

"It is the core belief of Martin Fine Art Classes that anyone can learn to draw and paint skillfully, given the right teaching and tools.

This credence is what drives the instructional approach for both children and adults and makes Martin Fine Art Classes unique in comparison to other North County art schools or drop-in arts and crafts programs.

Martin Fine Art Classes uses the approach that has been in existence for hundreds of years, the old masters' approach."

Albert Martin, Owner & Lead Instructor

Why Choose Martin Fine Art Classes?

What is unique about Martin Fine Art Classes is that we will take anybody and teach them the essential skills necessary to be able to draw and paint.

We are giving students one on one instruction, as opposed to coming in and starting off wherever they may be and just receiving tips on how to make their drawing and painting better.

We teach all ages, starting from 4-year-old to 90-year-old. The fundamentals are the same for everybody. We show the 4-year-olds how to see shapes, how to compare shapes, how to develop, build a drawing, and not copy it. We guide the older children, teens, and adults in the same approach. They learn how to sketch, how to look at things in terms of height and width. After that, we teach them various strategies for correcting the drawings.

We also offer a Young Masters Program that aligns with the California State Standards for Visual Arts.

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Our Core Philosophy

The “atelier” approach is made unique in that the concepts and skills are broken down in easy to understand terms so that students focus on mastering a skill or idea before moving on to another. Each skill and/or concept builds upon the other and is taught in a sequence such that the students do not feel overwhelmed and frustrated, wanting to give up because they are not talented. Once a student learns the basics, the frustration and struggle will be replaced by confidence and a world of enjoyment.

Our staff members are practicing artists and are passionate about making drawing and painting available to everyone, children as well as adults, no matter what skill level they possess. Our work behind-the-scenes is focused on designing classes that teach the old masters' approach in a relaxed environment. We strive to:

  • teach the fundamentals that allow students to develop into very fine artists
  • develop the skills of looking at things and drawing in terms of proportions
  • instruct students how to render things with three-dimensions by shading
  • expand to the fundamentals of oil painting
  • show students how to use the brushes, how to clean the materials, how to mix the paint, how to mix colors
  • teach how to use color in a way that paintings will look realistic
  • continue on more difficult subject matters

Our Vision

The vision of Martin Fine Art Classes is that students of all ages will be able to freely create high-quality works of art to enrich their lives and the lives of those around them, develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world and aesthetics, as well as influence career choices and opportunities.

We encourage in students the skill of drawing with confidence by observing the object matter and understanding how to render in drawing its size, placement, and proportion. After mastering the basics, students will experiment with drawing in charcoal, oil painting, and watercolor.

Martin Fine Art has students in the following communities