Melissa Schatzmann is a self-taught pencil realist artist. Her passion for Realistic Pencil Drawing started at a young age, influenced by Canada’s well-known artist, Robert Bateman, and Belgium’s wildlife artist, Carl Brenders. While she mainly uses graphite as her medium of choice, she also enjoys working with coloured pencils, pastels, charcoal pencils and oils. Her subjects range from wildlife, nature, people and pet portraits. She is also an avid photographer who enjoys taking photos of nature and wildlife animals.
Melissa has taught realistic pencil drawing classes through Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, for both youth and adult drawing classes. In 2003, she designed Canada’s first online pencil drawing classes offered in Community Colleges. Melissa is an OntarioLearn Facilitator teaching pencil and coloured pencil courses in 10 Ontario Colleges in both pencil & coloured pencils. Melissa also teaches youth drawing classes in her home.
Youth Art Classes (8-18yrs)
Students learn how to draw realistic subjects in pencil. Starting with graphite pencils, they can learn how to draw wildlife animals, pets, people, still life or landscape. Later, after having some experience with pencils, students can move on to coloured pencils. The focus is to have fun and learn how to draw at the same time!
Adult Online Drawing Courses
Beginners and those with some drawing experience will learn how to draw with step-by-step instructions. Learn professional pencil shading, blending and erasing techniques. Twelve tutorials include still life, landscape, animals and portraiture.
Learn drawing techniques and artistic tips by breaking down subjects into simpler shapes to improve observation skills. Students will understand the core fundamentals of drawing, such as values, contour, perspective, light and shadow.