Lana Frye

Student and Long Time Heartfelt Artist

If you are a digital artist, DAA is the perfect place for seasonal as well as unseasonal artists. Every course offers something unique to explore with clear, concise instructions. The most fulfilling component for me is the camaraderie and support given by staff and fellow artists. However, I would be amiss without mentioning the fabulous critiques given by Karen.

Michelle Webb

Lion Art Studio

I came to DAA about 5yrs ago, when I decided to try digital painting & in particular Corel Painter. Karen was a wonderful tutor, & through her classes I learnt Painter quickly & then felt confident to go out & expand on this. Karen is an amazing landscape artist, I specialise in concept, character & portrait art.. but I learnt about L environments which helps me to this day with backgrounds for my subjects. Learning Painter much faster than I would have on my own, I was able to achieve my goal of working professionally as an illustrator earlier. Karen also encourages her students to submit their work for Painter call-outs, & through this I have become a Corel Painter Master & gained a seat on their advisory council. I’m so thankful for the early days of my digital journey spent at DAA.

Bob Fisher

Student

I've found Digital Art Academy to be a rich haven for those wanting to get into digital art. It is full of friendly and helpful folk, students and instructors, who are brilliant. Patience and kindness abound. The artwork produced, and the instruction given are superb. Digital Art Academy is a superb place to grow your skill in digital art.

James Ranka

Student-Digital Artist

Karen’s videos have elevated my artistic journey to heights I could only dream of reaching in a very short time. A fantastic artist in her own right, Karen’s teaching methodologies are thorough and enjoyable.

Raquel Bigby

Student

I started at the Digital Art Academy back in 2012 when it was called Open Studio. This has been the best way to learn digital painting coming from a traditional art background. I started using Painter IX trying to learn Painter with books but ended up spending most of my time learning Photoshop. After I found Karen Bonaker classes, I never turned back. Half the fun is not only learning Painter and different methods of how to work with Painter with art instruction, is the interaction with the other students. I love seeing all the improvement of their artwork over the years. Karen has also started teaching Rebelle, software that traditional artists will feel at home with. All I can say is I highly recommend the Digital Art Academy.

Theresa Ruby

Student

My art has progressed tenfold from taking Karen’s and Skip's DAA classes. One reason is that Karen and Skip are able to give specific just-in-time feedback. Another reason is that they teach a large variety of styles and techniques using different mediums. Usually artists can only teach one technique or style so you end up copying their style, but not with Karen and Skip. As a result, I have benefited far more with Karen and Skip’s classes than with traditional art classes. Another huge benefit is that you learn the Painter software while painting. In this way, you learn the software features in service of your work. For me, it makes it much more meaningful and “stickie.” In addition, since you own the courses forever and you can take them anytime it allows me to keep progressing with a busy work schedule. I still have a lot to learn, so I’m glad the Digital Art Academy is here to help. Karen is also the host a fabulous art community where we learn from each other. She has made it a safe and fun environment where I've developed other artist friends. Without her, there wouldn't be such a great community.

Richard A. Koch

Student

Hi, I’m Richard, an 82-year-old retired Psychoanalyst. I’m an amateur painter and glass blower. One of my undergraduate degrees is in Fine Art: Drawing and Painting from the University of Maryland and the Maryland Institute College of Art. I have been taking workshops in that field since I was 25. I tell you this because I believe the education, I receive at the Digital Art Academy(daa) is as good or better than those mentioned. I have been taking daa courses since April of 2010. From then on, I have taken all the courses except for a few that did not interest me. I use the courses in a way that encourage, influence, stimulate and fertilize my individual goals as an artist. I only officially completed, i.e., submitted the homework assignments, for approximately half a dozen courses. At my leisure, I have studied 85 to 90 percent of the rest. The instructors, Karen Bonaker and Skip Allen, are stellar. Their support to me when in the ongoing courses or now for any of the courses I took has been, dare I say about a word I never use, perfect. They care about teaching Corel Painter and care about me, their student. They will never know how much they have contributed to my growth as a Digital Artist. The choice to go digital was hard and over the last 10 years I have questioned giving up traditional art, except for drawing and glass blowing, but because of the support from daa, “it is what it is”, and I am satisfied. I am open to questions if you please. Richard Koch [email protected]

Nancy Zeltvay

Student

I have been using Corel Painter for many years but I just played with it once in a while until Karen opened Digital Academy. I started with it when it first opened and have continued up to the present time. If it had not been for this academy, I am sure I would have quit using Painter a long time ago. I am constantly learning new things as well as correcting bad habits..