Watts Atelier of the Arts Llc

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.
5 13 years ago (02-02-2014)

Great school with outstanding instructors.
5 9 years ago (28-11-2017)

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. :)
5 10 years ago (12-08-2016)

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.
5 15 years ago (03-07-2012)

The best atelier in america
5 9 years ago (03-05-2017)