Author: Aaron Rutten

One of the best ways to learn digital art is through one-one-one instruction with an expert digital artist. I’m Aaron Rutten and I have been teaching digital art online for more than a decade. I have worked with artists of all skill levels from locations all around the world.

📃 Intake

When a client discovers my services, they can either contact me directly via email or fill out a contact form. The form gives the client an opportunity to share key information that helps me better understand their goals.

Some artists may be absolute beginners and want to take traditional art lessons. But I have also helped many established artists succeed with their projects through consultation.

I’ll also need to gather critical information like the client’s computer, operating system, and art hardware and software.

And then of course, scheduling information is needed to book the session. Have a look at my contact form to see what information I collect and what my rates are.

After assessing the clients needs, I put together a plan so that we can hit the ground running during our session.

☎️ Meeting Software

I am fairly flexible about what service I use for online sessions. There are lots of options like Zoom which is what I use. If the client has a preference for a different software, I am happy to accommodate them.

During the first lesson, there will inevitably be some troubleshooting I will need to help the client with so that we are both able to connect effectively through the meeting software. This can be minimized or even avoided if the client takes time before our session ensure their camera, audio and screensharing are all functioning correctly.

At a minimum, the client will need to share audio and a screenshare of their computer. This allows us to synchronize with the art software open on both of our computers.

For example, I can share my screen and demonstrate while the client follows along with me. Likewise, clients can share their screen and I can verify if they are doing it correctly.

There is some flexibility, such as if a client prefers to call in on a phone, but screenshare on a computer.

✏️ Lessons

The subject of my lessons is quite varied and depends on the client’s needs.

• I could be asked to walk a client through a work-in-progress to suggest more efficient workflows.
  
• Some clients have an idea for an illustration and want me to guide them through it to completion.
  
• Others just want personalized assistance making sense of a feature in their software.

Sessions are, on average, 1 hour long, but some clients may want to go longer.
By the end of the session, the client will have achieved all, or at least part, of their objective. Complex subjects may require more than one session.

Some clients may want to take additional lessons in the future. And I even have clients take monthly or weekly sessions.

I have taken several classes from Aaron, as well as watched his You Tube videos.  We have also done in-person instruction.  Aaron is a really great teacher of not just digital art, but art.  I thought I couldn’t draw realistically.  But after taking Aaron’s Landscape class, I can!  I never could have learned to use Painter were it not for Aaron.  Thank you, Aaron, you’re the best! – Kerry Mitchell

Aaron’s deep knowledge of Corel Painter, coupled with his considerable gifts as both an artist and a teacher, were invaluable to me. Digital art was not only something very alien to me, I was initially somewhat wary of it, but the path of discovery Aaron helped put me on has reinvigorated my creative impulses, and made me a true believer in this medium. – Gary Larson (TheFarSide.com)

⭐ Premium Features

Included with your session are a few premium Zoom features that can increase its value:

• An optional Video Recording of our session is available upon request. Otherwise, sessions are not recorded. A recording can be watched again and again so that you don’t have to rely on memory.
• An optional AI-generated summary of our session is available upon request. This can be more succinct than watching a video, but there is also the possibility that the summary contains inaccuracies.
• Automated live captions are available, but may not be 100% accurate.
• You have the option of giving me remote control of your mouse to demonstrate or help you directly solve a problem.

💳 Payment

I require payment for each session upfront before the session starts.

Typically, clients use an online payment method such as PayPal, but I also accept other options.

🎨 Getting the Most Out of Your Session

Aside from sufficiently communicating your objectives and ensuring you are set up to use online meeting software, there are some other tips for maximizing your session with me.

• I offer video lessons which cover the basics of many popular art applications. You may want to start with a video course to at least get a basic understanding of how the software works while learning at your own pace. We’ll be able to move through our session more smoothly if less time is spent training on software basics.
  
• Gather any relevant assets like artwork, websites or reference images before the session so you aren’t using up time hunting around your computer.

📆 Book a Lesson

If online digital art instruction sounds like an effective option for you, don’t hesitate to contact me to set up your first lesson.

I also offer in-person sessions in the greater Seattle area and I am willing to travel to your location for Private Intensive Courses or Consultation.