Art lessons · Children & adults

For curious hands and
wandering minds.

Penguin painting by Nicole Ellsworth

Having grown up in San Diego, I have a special fondness for the community that raised me. I attended La Jolla Elementary and The Bishop's School before heading just a little farther down the road to UC San Diego, where I recently graduated with a degree in Human Biology. I'm currently pursuing a career in medicine, but art has been a lifelong passion of mine, and one I'm especially excited to share with others. I am also a former Youth Art Month state winner for California and regional winner for 3 years while I attended Bishops. I am happy to assist with prepping materials for these kind of competitions.

I've had the pleasure of teaching both children and adults, and one of my favorite parts of teaching is watching someone surprise themselves with what they're capable of creating. I believe artistic ability is something we develop, not something we're simply born with. Whether your child is eager to explore every art supply within reach, you're hoping to master realistic portraiture, or you haven't picked up a paintbrush in twenty years, I'd love to help you discover what you can make. And, more importantly, enjoy making it. While I am happy to provide traditional art lessons focusing on mastering the foundations of fine art, I am happy to indulge your wildest visions! If you ever wanted to make a fantasy papier-mâché mushroom center piece for your dining table, we can make it happen.

I think we spend far too much time deciding whether we're "good" at art and far too little time actually making it. I offer lessons for children and adults who want to learn something new, develop their skills, or simply enjoy creating something with their own hands.

Fill out the art lesson inquiry form →
A little about my approach

Technique matters. So does curiosity.

I have experience teaching both children and adults, and I've spent years exploring different mediums myself. I love the technical side of art—the observations, the problem-solving, the small decisions that eventually become a whole piece. But I also believe art should leave room for experimentation, peculiar ideas, and the occasional happy accident.

I can teach realistic fine art, including portraiture, observational drawing, and the technical foundations that make an image feel alive. But not everyone dreams of drawing a perfectly proportioned nose (understandably). My lessons are shaped around the person making the art, not a rigid formula for what their work should look like. Whether you have a specific project in mind or no idea where to begin, we'll find something worth making.

Colorful dragon sculptures by Nicole Ellsworth
Who I teach
01 / For younger artists

For kids with big ideas

Kids have a remarkable capacity for invention, especially before they learn to second-guess every choice they make. I enjoy helping young artists explore new materials, practice useful skills, and bring their wonderfully strange ideas to life. From drawing and painting to papier-mâché sculptures, there's plenty of room to get creative (and, within reason, messy). We can even make whimisical terrariums or come up with a jungle mural for your child's room.

02 / For older artists

For adults who want to begin—or begin again

You don't need years of experience, expensive supplies, or some mysterious natural talent to enjoy making art. We can work on drawing fundamentals, experiment with paint, explore three-dimensional media, or develop a project that's been living in the back of your mind. I want you to leave with more than a finished piece: with the confidence to keep creating after the lesson ends.

What we can explore

A little bit of everything.

I've taught and worked across a variety of mediums, including sketching, oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting; sculpting; chalk and oil pastels; mixed media; and three-dimensional crafts such as papier-mâché and resin work. Currently, I am learning how to make naturalistic rock landscapes out of foam board. My philosophy is to dream first, figure out the rest later. Don't know how to make that halloween centerpiece you've dreamed of? Let's figure it out together! I also enjoy designing creative projects specifically for kids. Lessons can focus on one medium or combine several—the materials don't always have to agree with one another.

Portraiture & realismSketching & drawing Colored pencilOil paintingAcrylic painting WatercolorChalk pastelsOil pastels SculptureMixed mediaPapier-mâché Resin craftsKids' crafts
A look at my work

Different materials. Different possibilities.

Explore a few of the things I love making. I can provide lessons using any of these materials or more! Use the arrows to browse work in each category. You can view more of my work in my art gallery .

Fantasy artwork by Nicole Ellsworth
Fantasy1 / 4
Realism & portraiture artwork by Nicole Ellsworth
Realism & portraiture1 / 6
Sculpture artwork by Nicole Ellsworth
Sculpture & resin1 / 2
Mixed media artwork by Nicole Ellsworth
Mixed media1 / 3
Resin & 3D crafts artwork by Nicole Ellsworth
Pencil work & doodles1 / 5
Illustration & creative projects artwork by Nicole Ellsworth
Surrealism1 / 5
How it works

Art lessons, your way.

I know everyone has a different idea of what a good art lesson looks like, so I like to keep things flexible. We can work toward a specific skill, spend an afternoon trying something completely new, or plan a project around an idea you (or your child) have been dreaming up.

01 / At your place

I'll come to you.

Prefer to create at home? I can bring the lesson to your house, so we can work somewhere familiar and comfortable. We'll coordinate materials and setup beforehand.

02 / At my place

Come make art near UTC.

I can also host lessons at my apartment near UTC in San Diego. A dedicated afternoon for making something, without having to find room for another box of art supplies at home.

03 / Something bigger

Parties, schools & events.

Birthday parties, school activities, and other group events are welcome, too! I'd love to put together a hands-on project that fits the group, ages, and occasion. A little organized chaos can be a very good thing.

Location, group size, materials, and any additional travel or event costs can be discussed when you inquire.

For returning students

A little home for your creative journey.

Art doesn't have to end when the lesson does! Students who attend recurring lessons receive access to their own private online studio, where they (or their parents) can collect inspiration, keep track of assignments and projects, and see how far they've come. Think of it as a home for all those ideas that haven't quite made it onto paper yet.

01

A growing portfolio

Upload and organize photos of your artwork, revisit past creations, and watch your skills develop.

02

Ideas & inspiration

Collect inspiration images and keep a list of dream projects you'd love to bring to life.

03

Assignments & progress

View assignments between lessons, check off completed tasks, and keep track of your artistic goals.

04

Lessons, past & future

Schedule upcoming lessons and revisit your lesson history, all from one convenient place.

Each student has their own space. Parents with multiple children can access their children's individual portfolios through a single parent account.

An introduction to the studio staff

Meet the assistant, Wallie.

Wallie is my female bearded dragon, occasional art critic, and remarkably dedicated supervisor. She's spunky, endlessly curious, and spends a surprising amount of time watching me work on art. Her contributions are mostly moral support and intense staring, but I like to think she's part of the creative process.

She has yet to pick up a paintbrush. I'm keeping my expectations reasonable.

Wallie · Assistant / Artistic supervisor
Lesson pricing

An investment in making something.

One-on-one
$35 / hour

Individualized instruction tailored to your interests, experience, and artistic goals.

Two students
$25 / student / hour

Perfect for siblings, friends, or anyone who enjoys a little creative company.

Three to four students
$18–20 / student / hour

Small-group lessons that combine individual guidance with collaborative creativity.

Planning a birthday party, school activity, or a group of five or more? I'd love to help put something together! Contact me for a custom quote.

Additional costs may apply depending on materials, travel, and project complexity. A pencil drawing and a resin sculpture have rather different shopping lists. We'll discuss all costs before booking.

For new students & families

Before we begin...

Before we break out the paint, pencils, and inevitable creative chaos, I'd love to get to know you! All new students and families are asked to complete a brief interest form and schedule a free 30-minute virtual meeting before their first lesson. This gives us a chance to discuss your interests, creative goals, and what you'd like to make.

01

Tell me a little about yourself.

Fill out the student interest form so I can learn about your experience, interests, and what you're hoping to explore through art.

Complete the interest form →
02

Let's get acquainted.

After submitting the form, schedule a free 30-minute virtual consultation. We'll talk about your goals, possible projects, and how our lessons might look.

Schedule a free consultation →

Following our meeting, I'll help you set up your student portal, where you can schedule lessons, track your projects, and watch your art portfolio grow.