Kline Academy of Fine Art

The Kline Academy is terrific modern atelier-​style school that will jump-​start your painting success. I came to the Kline academy as an adult after a 25 year career as a creative director in advertising. I had worked with a lot of top creative talent and my standards for professionalism are very high. The Kline Academy is a no-​BS place to get a super solid grounding in how to actually put paint on a canvas with success. There is no esoteric theory or postmodern deconstruction going on here. Instead, you will learn how to draw, and how to mix paint, and how to make the color and value you want. Every class is rock-​solid on methods and materials and the instructors are all well-​considered, sincere, and skilled. Essentially, Kline Academy is a great place to hone your core art skills. You may have to find your personal voice as a painter elsewhere (maybe on a mountaintop or French beach, etc.) But Kline Academy will give you the core skills to be able to paint effectively, an essential start. There are also more advanced classes and workshops any-​level artist can enjoy with interest and some terrifically fun workshops with live models. Well-​run and very organized with nice classrooms that are never too crowded, this is absolutely one of the best atelier-​style schools in LA, and probably one of the ten best places of its kind in America. Suitable for all ages, but seems to attract a lot of adult artists (30 – 50) who are often changing media or experimenting in other ways.

Great school! I’ve taken three different classes weekly for several weeks, and the teachers are amazing. Cheryl is awesome: so talented, creative and helpful as a teacher. Very reasonable prices, too, especially for West LA.

I went to art schools all my life but never really learned how to paint. I wanted to learn the right way and polish my skills, and I am very happy that I came to Kline. It’s a great school with great instructors. Highly recommended.

I’m so impressed with the level of guidance and instruction here. I am amateur at best and am participating in the Classical Painting class. The instructors give guidance but allow independence. They avail themselves for questions and whatever help is needed. They encourage learning from one another. The environment is very casual with people at all different levels which is very motivating got be around. When there is a technique that one person is in need of learning then the group as a whole will watch and learn as well. It is a wonderful find.

My teen age daughter is taking live model figure drawing class here and boy is she happy! This a great place to come if you are serious art student. This is no social hour or crafty art class. This is all about technic and how-to’s. Just awesome. Phenomenal teacher! I would highly recommend.

I have been taking abstract art classes with scott yeskel since june. The atmosphere is warm and scott has a wonderful way of encouraging individuality. While reinforcing the essential and basic principles of painting, scott allows you to explore, but in the right way. He emphasizes painting with intention so that it is easier, faster and more fun. The critiques at the end of class can be challenging and often times disenchanting, but they allow you to step back and analyze your work in a way that you couldn’t outside of a classroom setting. You will leave eager to improve and hungry for more. I have painted more in class and in my free time in the last six months then I had in the last three years.

In Los Angeles there are a lot of outfits that claim to be art academies but are just gimmicky vehicles to attract mostly untalented people, Kline Academy is not one of those fake art academies, they are a legit studio loosely based on what they call, the «European» way. The staff is pleasant and friendly. Kline Academy is mostly for people that like to paint in a «studio setting» but if you are a beginner you will be much better off taking basic art lessons at any community college or buying a DVD tutorial or watching YouTube videos.
The reason I gave Kline Academy only two stars is their unfair refund policy, they will not refund your money under any circumstance (the best you can hope is credit to take another class which you may not like at all). I strongly suggest you insist on taking a free class before making a commitment. Maybe Kline Academy should concentrate more on hiring better art teachers instead of entrapping students.

What a wonderful art school!!! I am a professional artist and there is always something to learn at every level! Kline Academy of FIne Art is an excellent school for everyone!!! Cheryl Kline taught my daughter and I a class on Sunday and it was Amazing!!! I have also taken oil painting classes there that were also Amazing!!! I plan on taking many more!!! They offer every type of art class imaginable!!! Also the studios are large and clean and everyone is very helpful in every way!!! I recommend this atelier for every artist or aspiring artist!!! I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!

Excellent instructors. If you really want to paint like the Old Master’s then Cheryl Kline is the person to go to. She has really professional instructors so there is a style for everyone. My painting has improved 100%.

I am not a professional artist nor does it have anything to do with my line of work. In fact, I’ve never held a paintbrush or taken any art classes in my life, before coming to Kline Academy. I’ve now been coming to Kline Academy for a few months and have been taking the foundations in classical painting course and have learned a bunch about mixing paints, shading, and techniques to achieve light and darkness.
If you’re shopping around for a place to learn oil painting or a plethora of other classes they offer (sketching, landscape painting, contemporary, abstract, etc), I’d say definitely check out Kline Academy. Their prices are pretty in line with other studios in the area, except judging by the way some other art studios are run, you seem to get a lot more 1 on 1 instruction.
The studio itself has ample space. There is a back studio and a front studio. The one in front is the one I learn in. Lots of easels and ample lighting. The class itself is very relaxing and easy going. They answer as many questions as you have, or if you prefer to get instructions and tips and then paint away, they are pretty good at understanding each persons needs and appreciate their different painting styles.
They have a wonderful studio and accept all levels of students.

The Kline Academy was my first experience oil painting. I was reluctant to do the Mandala because it seemed tedious and boring, but it was a great way to get started. The teachers and other students are friendly and positive. In any given class, you can have people just starting, or people who have been painting for years, and the teachers are able to adapt their feedback to the student/artist’s skills, style, and goals. The small class sizes make the instructors more accessible for feedback. I’m very satisfied with the quality of instruction, and I’ve received numerous compliments on the artwork I have created under the guidance and instruction of the Kline Academy.

You could not ask for more from a studio than this: perfect. Beautiful atmosphere, fantastic instruction, warm, not-​gushing, working atmosphere. Not competitive — just perfect.

I came across Kline Academy by chance through Unilocal and now more than a year later, I’m here to say that this place is awesome! If you are a serious artist or just a beginner, there is a class for you. My experience has been mostly with classical painting and drawing. I’ve been drawing for most of my life, and my brief time spent at the Academy has deepened my ability and understanding of the process of art by leaps and bounds! Please visit the website or drop in on a class and see for yourself!

I studied still life oil painting under Gary, a local high school art teacher and part time instructor at the academy. Although I have been painting for many years, I was never formally trained and felt that my overall skills could be enhanced drastically by learning the basics of painting. I learned a great deal from Gary and am hopeful to return for additional classes in the near future.
I highly recommend Kline Academy of Fine Art regardless of your art level, your art medium, your budget and art level. They offer flexible classes, weekend classes and afternoon classes for all areas of painting. Give ‘em a go!

I’ve taken classes from Cheryl for 4 years now, and have enjoyed it immensely! Not only is Cheryl an amazing artist, so that you can constantly draw inspiration from her work, she is an amazing teacher. She has an eye for any style, and the ability to share that in a way that really makes you understand what she sees.
She breaks down the painting process into manageable steps so you never feel overwhelmed or not challenged. The other students are pleasant and talented.

This is one of those gems of L.A. — a high quality, affordable traditional art atelier, in a convenient location! I’ve taken painting and drawing classes at L.A. Academy of Figurative Art, as well as with individual artists, but have always had to drive to the valley or Pasadena. This is in the West L.A./Culver City area, near the 10 freeway, so it’s closer to home for us mid-​city Angelenos.
The instructors are wonderful, the atmosphere is laid-​back and comfortable, and the classes are varied and interesting. And did I say affordable? $ 40 – 60 range per 3-​hour class, or $ 20 instructed just to have access to an ongoing long-​pose model. Plus they offer evening/​weekend workshops and special events.
Cheryl Kline is great. She studied in Florence and is a successful figure and landscape painter. She’s also very generous with her advice and help. I’ve learned so much from her in just a year, my painting has grown in leaps and bounds. No attitude here — just friendly, non-​competitive, down-​to-​earth artists helping each other grow.