Private Lessons

I offer zoom and in person egg tempera painting lessons at my studio in Ithaca New York. Though egg tempera is my primary focus, I can also provide you with a solid technical foundation in:

• silverpoint drawing

• manuscript illumination with gouache and India ink

• Broad pen calligraphy (Hebrew and Latin)

• Copperplate and Engrosser’s Script

• gilding

• traditional gesso panel making

• classical portraiture

• proper use of the camera oscura

These lost arts are rarely taught in modern art schools, and most traditional artists I know had to spend long years traveling to far-off workshops and searching out elusive supplies and equipment. I aim to shorten the learning curve for aspiring artists buy providing one-on-one coaching and in a fully equipped tradition studio where they can practice all the skills they need to create traditional paintings and illuminated manuscripts.

My preferred teaching method is to have students make study copies of historical paintings and manuscripts. This technique allows you to paint alongside the master brush stroke by brush stroke. It’s how apprentices learned to paint in Renaissance Florence when a master painter’s business and livelihood depended on turning raw apprentices into accomplished workshop painters quickly and efficiently. It worked for them, and it can work for you.

For reference, the paintings on this page would be typical first projects for beginning students with no prior painting experience.

My lesson prices are:

• $60 for a one hour lesson

• $90 for a two hour lesson

Please contact me to schedule a lesson. I look forward to working with you!