Valley Art Workshop — Local services in Los Angeles

I started my artistic path in earnest at Valley Art. There is simply not a more competent, approachable, and knowledgeable instructor than Miles Lewis. I was fortunate enough to take several years of classes touching on topics ranging from painting, copper etching, printmaking, digital layout/concept art, landscapes, still lives, and live model life drawing. I was introduced to styles and mediums that are abysmally lacking in school art programs.

In painting (a medium I found intimidating before taking the class) we used gouache, egg tempera, raw pigment oils, ink, and watercolor. This introduction to painting presented it as the beautiful passion and craft it is, as well as contextualizing it with the introduction of great artists, art history, and technique I am still harboring an obsession for. We learned more about layout, color theory/mixing, style, and technique in one class than I did in four years of undergraduate courses.

The Life drawing classes I took here are still the most valuable courses I have taken to date. The portfolio we built got me into the majority of my top art schools, and the techniques I learned at Valley Art have proved accurate and beneficial constantly.

Miles is a gifted painter, but his best gift may be in how he conveys his expertise. The classes are intimate and deeply informative while still being fun. Not a single class went by, that I didn't feel like a better draftsman and technical artist.

We went to galleries and museums. We sketched and painted landscapes in person. We even got experience doing a mural which was extremely cool to be a part of.

Miles is also a community leader in the environmental activism movement, and showed me how art can be a tool for speaking out and unifying people.

Go here. Send your kids here. Do what you have to do to be a part of...

I cannot speak highly enough of Miles Lewis and the Valley Art Workshop. Whether you are considering a career as a professional artist or an enthusiastic hobbyist looking to develop your skills, you will find great classes here in a wide variety of media and styles. Several years ago I was looking for an art class for my teenage daughter. Her public high school offered no visual arts classes whatsoever and it was difficult to find a substantial drawing class in the area that catered to teens. We were both delighted to discover the Valley Art Workshop. My daughter is now an Experimental Animation major and a Teaching Assistant at CalArts, and she still talks about the classes she took with Miles, how much she enjoyed them and how beneficial they were to her development as an artist. She appreciates the individual attention that Miles gives to his students as well as his “direct and straightforward” teaching style, and describes the beautiful environment of the studio as a “Sanctuary of The Arts.” Valley Art Workshop is unique entity, a gem of the Valley where students can explore their creativity while developing concrete skills, and Miles Lewis is an excellent teacher. Look no further if you want to study art in the Valley. He also teaches children's art classes at the Tarzana Community &...

I was looking for an art school, not confined to a classroom structure of required assignments and graded projects. I found it at Valley Art Workshop.As its name states – it is an art workshop. It is an open nonjudgmental, relaxed positive atmosphere where every student is free to pursue and focus on their individual area of interest. The studio is in a ballroom size room with high ceilings, natural light, ceiling to floor windows and views of trees on its vast property. Don’t worry if you are shy – there is no need nor are you asked to speak or show your work to others. It is a place where you can concentrate on your art in your own way, your own personal bubble or space. What sets this school apart is the owner/instructor Miles Lewis. He is an exceptional teacher with years of experience as an artist and teacher of all ages and skill levels. His passion and enthusiasm for his craft is evident, as he is genuinely interested in each and every one of his students in helping them achieve their goals. He is proficient in art techniques, art history, and all art mediums, which he generously shares in class. If you are looking for an art school that promotes creativity and artistic freedom, I am confident you will not be disappointed in choosing Valley...