My son Logan wanted to branch out and try oil painting, and I'm very happy that we came across Russ at the Fine Art Studio. Russ has a variety of students using pencil, oil, or water color and he is able to provide great instruction across different media while letting the students do their own work at their own pace. Early on, Logan gained confidence to paint on his own and gets a lot of constructive feedback from Russ. Instruction is friendly, casual, and encouraging. I'm very happy we found Fine Art Studio and I think it is a great value for artists at any level. read more

Fine Art Studio - Logan with his second oil painting learning from Russ. - Specialty Schools Near Me - Tustin, California

This is such an amazing place to learn art and techniques. The owner is a master at so many mediums watercolor,pencil,and more! He has a gift with people and truly helps guide them to become the best of there abilities. I highly recommend these classes for kids and a adults alike. His instructions are easy to follow and are eye opening. Money well spent. It is a wonderful investment! read more

Fine Art Studio - This is a crane I did in his class ! - Specialty Schools Near Me - Tustin, California

Thanks to Russ I am making strides in my watercolor paintings! He really cares about his studio and has a true passion for what he does. Highly recommend. read more

Fine Art Studio - Specialty Schools Near Me - Tustin, California

My 3 grandchildren have been coming here to receive private lessons with Russ for several months now. My goodness have they ever improved! He's very patient with them, his studio is neat, clean and the environment is perfectly conducive for creativity. He even has cool breeze music playing softly in the background. The kids are always excited to show their works of art. I highly recommend this art studio! read more

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Russ is such an amazing teacher. So patient and caring with kids. I love the mixed age format. It encouraged my son to patiently sit and focus for the entire class. Can't recommend enough! read more

My daughter is 7 and she loves coming here. The atmosphere is open and personalized. She's in there with teenagers and older folks and everyone is pursuing whatever they wish, it's really inspiring to see the variety! Russ provides just the right amount of help. My daughter's knowledge about technique and confidence in her drawing has grown. He's helping her branch out into watercolor and other mediums. Russ is great about accommodating scheduling needs and changes. Thanks Russ! read more

Really enjoy Russ's teaching.He is very encouraging and accepts each person's experience level. He's really an art mentor. Russ includes children and adults in the same class. I was glad to see it works! read more

My daughter and I we came to the Fine Art Studio tree weeks ago to meeting Russ.He very kind and an amazing teacher.and my daughter suggested we celebrate for her 10th birthday party here. The studio itself is very cute. Russ and Brooke they took care of us from the beginning they're was very helpful.in reserving our spot and making sure the kids having fun.my daughter and all her friends had so much fun and a great time definitely we will coming back. I recommended this place for any occasion birthdays!....Thanks again Russ you are amazing teacher read more

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Ive been here for two months and my experience has been amazing. The way Russ teaches is amazing, he is patient, funny and a really nice guy. When I came here I was drawling stick figures and now I can paint awesome paintings in just two months. His price is reasonable too. He not only teaches me art but he teaches me the technique and the style of how to paint. Overall Russ's teaching is amazing Lucas 11 years old student read more

"Your daughter draws so well...does she take art classes?" Before we found the Fine Art Studio, we heard this question a lot, which started us thinking that it's about time she got going with proper lessons to expand her abilities. FAS is a wonderful place for kids and adults that want to express themselves artistically and receive expert instruction in an encouraging and fun setting. Our daughter has been attending weekly art classes with Russ for several months now and I see that its been an enjoyable experience for her as well as the other students we've met there. Wednesdays for us is a "no homework" day, so it worked out that our child can go to the Fine Art Studio and relax and enjoy drawing and painting. Art has been a #1 passion for our 7 year old, so we're happy she gets the chance to enjoy her hobby in a space that we're unable to provide her in our own home (it beats trying to work on a piece at home where your little brother or sister come up and ruin your hard work), plus she is surrounded with peers that enjoy art as much as she does. Russ Varon is the instructor and he offers excellent guidance to his students as they explore the different media they're working in and he keeps the class sizes small so each student receives plenty of one-on-one. He has plenty of materials and reference art books for the students to use, but he does arrange for each student to buy their own materials as well. Russ is also great at accommodating for make-up classes if we miss our assigned day. Really appreciate the flexibility. I didn't know it was possible, but I see that our daughter loves art even more since taking classes. It's been amazing to see her confidence and ability improve. She's having a good time and $85/month for a weekly 1-hour class is a fair value, so we're happy. Side notes: FAS is located around the corner from the Tustin City Library (where we like to go on Wednesday afternoons before art class) and Larwin Square is across the street (Vons/Rite Aid)...so its nice to be able to get some errands done during the classtime! read more

Russ is getting me to a more proficient level in the technical skills of drawing, color and composition. Everything he has worked on with me has helped my vision of art. I am 70 and have been doing (mediocre) art works my whole life. I am thinking I will live long enough to become really good read more

I just started learning to do oil painting at the end of 2016 with an artist in Italy and went back in 2017. When I returned last year, I wanted to continue learning and trying to paint. Happily, I found Fine Art Studio with Russ Varon and immediately liked his studio and his persona. He is very encouraging and will show you the tips and tricks needed for your medium of choice (whether it be drawing; watercolor; acrylics; or, oil). You can choose to buy a kit from Russ or furnish your own supplies. He has tremendous patience and is skilled at providing guidance if the student wants it. Russ is excellent at suggesting the next project when he is given an idea of what the student wishes to try next. Russ has many books with different subjects to inspire the artists in training. His pricing is very reasonable-a student can participate at the same time as other students(with a limited number, so it is never overcrowded, and he can still give individual attention as needed) or sign up for private (one-on-one) lessons. I combine the two as it is most effective for my needs. If for some reason you can't make your scheduled class, Russ works with you to reschedule-he just asks that he be given sufficient notice(at least by noon) in case someone else needs to use the time normally allotted for you. I am very happy coming here because it isn't as easy to do at home, even with the space and materials. Russ provides enthusiasm and encouragement, which is like having the very necessary ingredient of jam for your slice of buttered toast. Naturally, he provides his expertise, which I feel has helped me improve my skill. I plan to return as long as I can hold a paintbrush! read more

My daughter started at another well-known art studio. It was very pricey and hardly got any personal attention. Russ, the owner at Fine Art Studio, is amazing. The monitors the class sizes to make sure each student has his personal attention. My daughter was at first not sure if she wanted to take anymore lessons, however, after the first lesson she was so excited! She looks forward to going every week and seeing what she can create! I already have framed a beautiful nature scene. Russ is truly a great teacher and inspiration for my daughter! Thank you Russ! read more

Not what I was expecting, over priced Graphic Artist. A live and learn experience is what I went through with Russ, Over all nice guy but I could pay a 15 year old to do what he did for me. Btw Im a new age Apparel Company and he did not provide the quality & vision I had and was lead to believe. read more

Had the opportunity to meet Riss at his studio. He graciously made himself available to provide a 'first time' water color lesson for my 8 year old Grand Girl. Our birthday gift to her. His communication, encouragement, instruction and manner created a perfect opportunity for her to have a very positive experience. He was patient, encouraging, informative, respectful, fun! A perfect balance of genuinely teaching/coaching/assisting/guiding yet leaving plenty of room for her to express her creativity and ask questions and apply his instructions. He did not 'do the painting for her'. An excellent experience and she is very eager for her next session. read more

My daughters, 8 and 6, have been taking art lessons with Russ the last 2 months and they love it! They have taken art classes elsewhere before and here's what my older daughter said after taking her first lesson with Russ when I asked her how it is different from other art classes. Here's what she says: "I like this class better because Russ asked what I would like to draw today. The other class, they just help us draw outlines and ask us to copy the same picture on the board" Russ is good with children by allowing them freedom to explore. Yet, he guides them at the same time to help them see deeper and bringing what they see onto their drawing pad with proper technique. The small class size is definitely a plus as he is able to spend time with each student. read more

My son started taking art lessons here and after just one class, my son has been drawing non-stop! One of the best things about Russ is that he keeps the class sizes so small that all the kids get individual attention throughout the art class. I love that all the students are working on their own projects and everyone gets to choose what they want to draw and what type of medium they will use on their project. This art studio is so relaxing from the minute you enter the door and all students have such freedom to explore and learn. My son loves this place! read more

My husband purchased a Groupon allowing me to attend a one hour class with Russ. Although my Groupon had just expired Russ was kind enough to honor it. I have nothing but good things to say about him and his studio. It is a smaller studio in a quiet location and I took the class with two other people. During that hour he was able to help me get an idea of how to sketch and then work on the full picture with colored pencils. For someone like me who rarely ever draws it was very exciting to leave with a semi finished project. Russ is good at helping you understand the mechanics of drawing and to feel comfortable as a beginner. I would highly recommend his studio to a beginner or an advanced student as he is more than qualified to work with those as well. read more

My daughter loves her art class on Wednesdays! Russ does a great job with all the students and I coundn't recommend it more. In the short time she's been attending the class, she's brought home some amazing work. Thank you. read more

My 15-year-old son has been attending the Fine Art Studio in Tustin, owned by Russ Varon, for the past school year, September 2010 to May 2011. He enjoys it very much and finds his art teacher to be supportive, helpful, kind and talented. My son has produced some excellent artwork under Russ's tutelage. I think the fine arts studio in Irvine is one of the best in Orange County and recommend it to everyone. The study environment is comfortable and pleasant. The instructor, Russ Varon, is wonderful and creates a happy friendly atmosphere that is a pleasure to learn in. He is a dedicated instructor who truly wants to create the best learning experience possible for his students. read more

This is a wonderful studio to get your creative juices flowing! My son has been taking classes here for the past two months & absolutely loves it. It's fun to watch his drawing skills improve with each passing week. Russ is a superb instructor! read more

My daughter, 11 years old, LOVES working with Russ. The class size is small and he gives everyone one on one attention. The kids decide what they want to draw, what media they want to use, etc. Russ is there to bring out the creativity and the artistic talent in them and show them the right techniques. My daughter has brought home fantastic pieces. She is amazed at what she can create. He is flexible with make up classes or changing class times. I cannot say enough good things about this studio. Thanks Russ! read more

Russ is an amazing teacher. My daughter is very shy, but somehow Russ manages to communicate to her and get his ideas across. She loves going to Fine Art Studio, and her drawing skill has improved steadily. Thank you, Russ. read more

Art classes here are amazing, Russ is a wonderful instructor that will really help you understand everything you need to know about drawing! The classes are set up to where, you get to work on anything you want so there is a lot of freedom, which you don't always find at other art classes. Since you can draw whatever you want, you really get one on one help with whatever your doing! read more

My daughter who's 6 yrs old has been coming to Russ for 5 mos and she loves it! Russ is very easy going and patient with her. He guides her through her drawings, but also allows her to be creative with the subject. I can tell that her sketching skills have improved a lot since she came here. Russ is also very flexible with his schedule and make-up policy, which is also a plus for working parents. : ) read more

Personalized instruction with a gifted artist who loves children, is trustworthy, talented, and from the east coast. Who wouldn't love Russ? My daughter has greatly improved her drawing skills and is learning the finer points of watercolor. She chooses her own projects, loves the interaction and humor of her teacher. We highly recommend this class for aspiring artists. read more

My son, who is in kindergarten, has been taking art lessons from Russ for the past month. Russ is teaching him the importance of patience, slowing down, and staying focused. These are skills that are important to every artist, and will surely help students in other aspects of their life. In a matter of just a few lessons, my son is showing tremendous progress. We love that Russ is kind, encouraging, and knowledgeable about art and teaching. My son is so inspired by the work he does with Russ in the classroom, that he wants to practice the skills and techniques at home! Russ is always friendly, has a positive attitude, makes time for his students and their parents, and knows how to make suggestions to his students that encourage them to stop and look at their work differently. Awesome! read more

My two twin granddaughters have had the opportunity to attend art classes at a lovely studio in Tustin, Fine Arts Studio, owned by Russ Varon. Russ is a talented artist in his own right and shares his passion for art with his students. His classes are small so that he can provide individual attention to each student. He guides more than instructs which is wonderful. My granddaughters had previously attended a popular art studio but there the students were not afforded the opportunity to exhibit their individuality. He allows the students freedom in their choices of art medium and subject matter. He is amazingly patient...truly patient with kids of all ages. I enjoy the environment that he provides, it is quiet and with the background music very soothing. Fine Arts Studio is a gem and I'm thrilled that we discovered it. I drive 22 miles to pickup my granddaughters, 17 miles to the studio and then return them home. I feel it is more than worth it as Russ is opening up an incredible world of art to them. read more

My 2 children, ages 5 & 8, love their art studio time! Finding something they both enjoy + something they both want to continue attending is not easy! It's easy to see that all of the kids (no matter their age) really appreciate how Russ talks with them & supports their individual spirit. The kids really feel listened to and want to treat Russ with the same amount of respect that he shows them. I like that it feels more like creative studio time rather than a classroom. As parents, we have all seen our fair share of instructors of after-school activities that treat the whole process (and the kids) like a factory assembly line. I think the kids really enjoy the open space Russ allows for their "creative brain" to wake up and roam after-school. read more

I highly recommend this place. The Teachers name is Ross He is so kind intelligent and talented artist, his staff here are very friendly and you can tell right away how much they care. From the very first day, the director and staff makes the effort to speak to me, asks me about my children and make sure I feel comfortable with leaving them in their care. They know how to teach in a fun way to keep the kids interested in art. read more