If you’ve been thinking about joining an online art academy, you’re not alone. There are so many options now, and honestly, the hardest part isn’t finding one… it’s choosing the right one.
I’ve gone through this evaluation process myself, and later I’ll share the courses I’ve joined and what I liked about each one. For now, here’s what I recommend looking at before you sign up for anything.
1. Start with your goal
This sounds obvious, but it matters more than anything else. Ask yourself: What am I hoping this course will do for me?
If your goal is simply to make pretty art and enjoy the process, a “follow my steps / paint like me” kind of class might be perfect. There’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes you just want something that feels fun and satisfying.
But if your goal is to actually build skills you can use forever—so you’re not dependent on copying someone else’s process—then you’ll probably want something more fundamentals-based (more of an atelier approach). That kind of training can feel slower at first, but it gives you something way more valuable in the long run: a solid foundation.
With that in mind, the rest of this post is going to focus more on the fundamentals-based approach, since that’s what gives you the strongest long-term growth.
2. Make sure they teach real fundamentals
Some courses are basically “watch me paint” (which can be inspiring), but they don’t always teach the building blocks.
If someone says they teach fundamentals, you should see things like:
- drawing and proportion
- values (light and shadow)
- edges (hard, soft, lost)
- composition
- color theory (especially hue/value/chroma)
Those are the things that make your work improve across the board, no matter what you’re drawing or painting.
3. Will it translate to the medium you use?
This is a big one. Even if someone is an amazing painter, their exact process might not translate if you work in a different medium.
For example: a bold painted style with loose, expressive brushwork might be inspiring… but if you work in colored pencil or graphite, you may not be able to apply the technique the same way.
That doesn’t mean the class is useless. The fundamentals still transfer: drawing, values, edges, composition, and color theory.
A good question to ask yourself is: Am I buying this for the principles… or for the exact process?
4. Do you like their work AND their teaching style?
This matters. If you don’t actually love their work, you probably won’t stay motivated. And just as important: a great artist isn’t always a great teacher.
One tip that helps a lot: look them up on YouTube. Most instructors have at least a few videos out there where you can get a feel for how they explain things and whether you connect with their teaching style.
5. Is the instructor reputable?
Reputable doesn’t have to mean famous. It just means they’re legit, consistent, and professional.
A few things I look for:
- their work is consistently strong (not just one great piece)
- they explain what they’re doing (not only speed painting)
- they show student results
- they’re clear about skill level (beginner, intermediate, etc.)
- pricing and policies are straightforward
6. How much content is actually in there?
Before you sign up, take a second to check what you’re getting access to.
Some academies are packed with content and have been built out for years. Others are still being created as they go. Neither is automatically bad… but it’s good to know what you’re paying for right now.
7. Is it a subscription or a one-time purchase?
This makes a difference too.
A monthly membership can be great if you want ongoing learning and variety, but only if you’ll actually use it. If you’re not logging in, it adds up fast.
A one-time course can be a great deal if you know exactly what you want to learn and you like having something you can come back to without another bill every month.
Final thoughts (and two I have personally enrolled in)
The “best” academy isn’t the one everyone else is doing. It’s the one that fits your goals and helps you stay consistent.
Two artists I personally respect, who produce beautiful art, and I recommend looking into:
Daniel Gerhartz — strong traditional training, beautiful brushwork, and a deep understanding of color, values, and edges. I was enrolled in this for a short time, and only left because I didn't have the time I wanted to work on my art. Even though I wasn't enrolled for a long time, there are things about color & edges I learned that I believe made a marked improvement in my work. You can find his course here. Daniel Gerhartz Teaches
Andrew Tischler (Tisch Academy) — This is the course I'm currently enrolled in. He provides clear teaching, hours and hours and HOURS of content, strong fundamentals, and a structured program that continues to grow. There are also livestreams (it seems like ALL THE TIME). I honestly don't think he sleeps. There is also an active online community to interact with. If you want to check out Tisch Academy, here is the (affiliate) link: TISCH ACADEMY
Quick checklist (save this)
Before you enroll, ask:
- Does it match my goal (style vs fundamentals)?
- Do they teach drawing, values, edges, and color?
- Will it translate to my medium?
- Do I like their work and teaching style?
- Do they show student results?
- Is there enough content to be worth it?
- Is the pricing model right for me?
- My current personal favorite - Tisch Academy