Watts Atelier of the Arts Reviews

THE best online art school out there (and I tried them all - Vilppu, New Masters, schoolism, local art academy) - I saw THE fastest progress with Watts online for fraction of the price of other places. I know first-hand how frustrating it is to try drawing something amazing - only being confronted with a crude ugly drawing that does not reflect any of the magnificent vision you had in your head.

I had joined Watts online about 8 months ago. Before that I tried few online programs and then took few semesters of very expensive figure drawing classes at a local art academy. The progress was extremely slow and my charcoal drawings had that "don't quit your day job" kind of pathetic look. With Watts I saw amazingly fast progress. Their online course is really well structured and takes you from one stage to another in clear logical manner.

I love it that the school focuses on traditional media (charcoal & oil) with constructive approach, it is perfect to building up your skills to draw from imagination and creating fantasy illustrations. However they are totally not fanatical about traditional-only approach like some Italian sightsize ateliers. For thumbnails / value studies / color comps teachers encourage the use of digital.

The price point for Watts monthly membership is extremely reasonable especially since all your submissions receive feedback. They also offer more livestreaming classes that have 20 mins of weekly personalized video feedback recorded just for you.

I love learning at Watts. Their teachers art is nothing short of amazing, and they are very adept at explaining how to (eventually, with time and hard work) you can reach that level of mastery. Google the artwork of Jeffrey Watts, Eric Gist, Meadow Gist and see for yourself. Watts community and dedicated forums feel very supportive and offer encourement even if you are super raw beginner. When I see artwork of people who had been studied with Watts for 4+ years I feel so inspired, the level of mastery students achieve with Watts is amazing.

I feel very lucky I had found Watts Atelier school and would had given them 10 stars out of 5 if I could. Try their online program for 1 month and if you do it every day I guarantee you will see so much progress your jaw will drop.

Watts Atelier is in my opinion the best art school around, both online and in person. The teachers are so loving, passionate, skilled, and well rounded. They are truly the best of the best in the art industry, teaching those who can't hold a pencil to the high end professionals. Unbelievable.

Perfect school to study traditional art. I'm now enrolled for almost 6 years. Kind and encouraging teachers, really good atmosphere and for me most importantly - no sugarcoating, it's not an easy way to train Watts way, but ones that gives you amazing results if you follow instructions.

I started going to Watts Atelier on weekends to get better at drawing and unplug. I was attracted to the quality of the art in the brochure, which was kind of intimidating. After getting a BFA from a 4 year school the prices seemed really reasonable also, and I wasn't satisfied with the fine art education I received previously and wanted to get "back into it".

I went to a new student orientation and it exceeded my expectations in every way. The community here caters to casual artists, full time professionals, and everyone in between. Men and women, young and old, novice and master, all work side by side. The atmosphere is challenging but supportive. It's rare to find people so highly skilled in art who also teach.

I know online reviews tend towards hyperbole but I've been to many art schools and Watts Atelier is not only the best art school I've been to, it's the best learning environment I've ever been a part of. The people, the place, the program... it created a kind of alchemy that changed my life.

Just a generic building in an office park, next to a dentist, with no campus and no dorm and no loan office, with 15 parking spots and a dumpster full of pencil shavings... changed your life?

Yes. To call this place a hidden gem is a criminal understatement. Despite my best efforts the teachers actually got me to improve and after several years of weekend classes I switched to full time, learned painting as well as drawing, and now work as a fine artist. And I'm not the only one. So if I had any words of caution to prospective students I would say be careful or you might walk in a casual and end up changing your career. :)

Watts Online is an excellent program. The content is fantastic and the teachers are passionate about what they do, not to mention highly skilled in both the arts AND teaching. If you're ready and willing to do the work, Watts definitely has the curriculum set up to get you to a pro level. I hope someday to also have the opportunity to check out the brick and mortar school as well. Thanks Watts, keep up the excellent content!

Watts Atelier is an amazing school. People from around the world travel to be at this place. It is an atmosphere of intense focus but is also incredibly supportive and fun! Most of the instructors were trained by Jeff Watts, so there is a nice consistency (which I have not seen at other schools). All teachers (and many of the students) are excellent fine artists. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran of the arts, this school will teach you things and challenge your socks off.

They also just released a really stand-out online program. I cannot recommend it enough if you want to be a competitively trained artist in any field.

I am rating the online program. I have not seen anything comparabel to the quality Watts atelier offers. I am happy to have found it and to study art while working full time in Europe.

I've received top notch traditional realist training from Jeff and his teachers. The main reason I'm reviewing here is because I tried to give a good review on Yelp but they won't show my f*%king review which I took an hour to write. I'm convinced Yelp is an extortion scam.

But aside from all that, this is one of only 2 places in San Diego that you can get solid realist education on how to draw and paint. I say give it a try.

I've only taken the online program, but the instructors are really the best there is. They will push you to be the best artist you can be, and are incredibly compassionate people. Jeff runs a great atelier, and I would recommend for all levels and anyone who has artistic goals and pursuits.

Amazing art school! I have been studying here for the better part of a year online and seen a huge difference in my work. Instructors are top notch and there is a very helpful forum to chat with other students!

The online program here is great and it's a good value. My art has improved tremendously over the past three months.

Absolutely wonderful school. I spent 2 semesters there and I am currently going through their online mentorship program. Great teachers, wonderful community. Doesn't matter if you are just starting out and can not draw a stick figure to save your life or if you are a seasoned professional - everyone is welcome and you will be immersed in an excellent learning environment.

Excellent curriculum! If you do the work contained in these classes you will absolutely become a better artist! Very skilled instructors, highly accomplished artists, all very good at teaching art as well. Informative forums in the online school. Life changing stuff here, very highly recommended.

This Atelier represents everything I like about art. The teachers are simply amazing and the online courses are incredibly helpful. Can't recommend it enough!

Amazing program. You will learn lots. Follow the course and instructions and be diligent in practice. You will see great results. Jeff is an amazing teacher.

I love Watts Atelier! Great program, great support and the absolute best instructors!

Along with the more classical schools such as Florence Classical Art Academy and Angel Art Academy, Watts is probably in the top 3 of the worlds's best ateliers for classical training. Besides they are well connected with the entertainment industry and teach related courses, so for someone interested in Concept Art and Fantasy Illustration is the best choice in the world.

Excellent program. I have not utilized the full participation but I can recommend the drawing course and the 'watching only' aka auditing classes if you're motivated.

This school is a life-changer! All the instructors are phenomenal artists and teachers who will keep you engaged with entertaining instructing styles and unbelievable skills; there s something almost magical about Watts Atelier. A school steeped in the tradition of the Reilly method of art training, they use extremely efficient tools to help you master head and figure drawing, quicksketch, and one of the most absolutely beautiful methods of painting called the tiling method. Watts Atelier specializes not just in excellence with fundamentals, but also in helping students to cultivate a keen sense of design.

The online program offers a comprehensive training plan. The lessons are structured into phases going from drawing fundamentals, to more advanced drawing methods, to portrait, figure, still life, and landscape painting and all the way up to a rich selection of specialty painting classes that are geared towards artists with specific career goals. The livestreams are amazing because you get to train with the instructors over the course of the school term and submit work each week and get personalized critiques and paintovers that will quickly help to develop your skills.

If you haven t already, go to the WattsAtelier youtube channel and look up Jeff s demos on figure quicksketch, portrait painting, and gouache master studies and see for yourself how at Watts Atelier you re getting a Rolls Royce education for a Hyundai price!

What I would like was for it to have subtitles, because many of us who do not speak English cost us a lot but that's all I was in the course for 2 months and I left because of that because I didn't understand

Good foundation training . Online streaming classes quality can be better. Submissions never on time and quality varies.