I've been attending Marin Art School for about 2 years. I've been painting on and off most of my adult life. I've taken lots of workshops and classes over this time but had never found a place/teacher who could really TEACH me what I need to know to skillfully paint as I wanted. Dorallen is this teacher. I've learned more in these past 2 years of how to actually paint, mostly in the impressionist style of actually painting light, than ever before. Is the school or teacher perfect? No, nothing is perfect. But here's a real community of folks of various skill levels with whom you will really learn read more

Here is an update to my PERSONAL experience at Marin Art School. I write the update to balance out my earlier enthusiasm. When I wrote the earlier review, I was still considered new in the class. I make this point now, because it is important to remember that when you start an adventure, one often puts aside seemingly unimportant and unpleasant details in order to get to the heart of the journey. So, as the weeks passed and I continued to attend the classes, I could no longer ignore those above mentioned unpleasant details. Again, this is a personal thing. I got triggered by D.D's behavior. When someone yells and pitches a fit in front of the entire class because they don't agree with you, it is distracting, not only to the person getting yelled at, but the entire class. That is it. read more

I am a retired illustrator/graphic designer with many years of experience drawing and painting with pen & ink, pastels, colored pencil, acrylics, etc. and am also a returning student at Marin Art School. I have always wanted to learn to paint with oils (being especially fond of the Impressionist/ Colorist painters), so I signed up for a session of six 3-hour classes. I have completed over 18 sessions and am starting my next six classes. So far, I have gained an amazing amount of knowledge from Dorallen and Jane. I had no idea how little I knew about color! These artists live and breathe impressionism and their passion for art is infectious. intuitive, and positive, and they truly care about their students. If I could afford it, I would sign up for a year. Dorallen promised she would teach me to "see" and it's true, I really am learning to see the light. I just returned from a week-long MAS plein-air intensive in the Gold Country and am amazed at the amount of experience and knowledge I gained in such a short time! read more

Such a great school. The owner - Dorallen Davis was so exceptionally kind and caring to my daughter who is going through some social challenges at the moment. Dorallen is so talented and a great teacher but most of all she is a kind person who cares about her students. I would recommend this school to anyone wanting to take drawing/painting classes and she is reasonable as well. Thank you Dorallen! read more

A few months ago, I purchased a coupon from LivingSocial for 6 art classes at Marin Art School. I wanted to learn how to paint, so I thought it would be good for me to take a few basic oil painting classes. After checking their website, and seeing what classes they offered, I purchased the coupon and called the school to sign up for some classes. I left a message and got no response. I sent them an e-mail and got no response. Finally, a day or two later, I got a phone call. The teacher sounded annoyed, saying that I misunderstood the way the school worked. I couldn't just sign up for whatever classes I wanted. I had to take drawing classes first, and then, when they thought I was good enough, I could move on to painting. This was a bit disappointing to me, since I considered myself a pretty good drawer. I had been drawing my whole life and just wanted to learn how to paint. But I had already bought the coupon, so I had no choice but to go and see what the school was like. First of all, the name "Marin Art School" makes it sound much more distinguished than it actually is. It's an apartment, in which the two teachers reside, with a couple of rooms that they turned into studios. When I showed up for my first class, the teacher asked me to bring any sketching materials that I owned, so I brought a large newsprint pad and some charcoal pencils. She told me my materials were not the right kind, and I had to buy the charcoal that they had, as well as the newsprint that they had, which was the exact same kind as the one I brought, only a few inches bigger. I later realized that the drawings they made me do never filled more than half the page, and it irked me because I would have been just fine using the paper that I already owned. In fact, I would have been better off because I wouldn't have been wasting so much space. Each day that I went, I had to warm up by drawing a bunch of circles, and then I had to spend the rest of the three hours drawing perfect three-dimensional boxes. The teacher would set me up and then go off into some other room and tell me to yell at her when I was done with my box. Then she would come and tell me that one line was slightly too long and I had to fix it, or my box was too big or too small. Then she would leave me alone again. After a few days of this, I was really tired of it. I wanted to move on to painting. Then I overheard a woman purchasing the oil painting kit and the total sounded like a lot of money. I realized that I would also have to buy the same painting kit, and I wasn't sure if I could afford it. It upset me because I thought I should be able to buy whatever materials I could afford, not the specific ones that the teachers wanted me to buy. I just want to make clear that I have nothing against the teachers of this school personally, they are both nice women and I don't think they had bad intentions. I just misunderstood what the coupon was for. The other day I got another offer in my e-mail for the same school, only advertising "painting" classes instead of "art" classes. I hope everyone knows that they have to take drawing before they can take painting, and that they are also expected to purchase materials - not just any old materials, but very specific materials. All in all, it's not a bad school, I just think they need to make their advertising a little more specific so there will be no confusion after people purchase coupons. read more

I had a very negative experience at Marin Art School. I dropped out after 2 classes even though I paid for 6, because I did not want to be in such a negative learning environment. Dorallen yells at people and belittles them in front of the group. "Why did you paint that color?" "Didn't I say no lines?". There was actually very little instruction. She does not want student input during critiques. It is a very narrow approach to learning to draw or paint. I am not sure why people go back. Her teaching style is not for me although she is a good painter. read more

I had been looking for serious painting lessons for a long time, and aside from going back to school, couldn't find any intense, consistent classes in the city. Fortunately I broadened my search and discovered Marin Art School in Novato. I've been going almost two years now and it has been exactly what I needed: drop-in, affordable classes, with the intensity I craved. While I have an art background, I hadn't picked up a brush in over 20 years, so I basically had to start over. Which is fine, because the teachers at MAS have a certain method of teaching. They're serious about their art and, just like learning a new language, you need to stick with it to see the payoff. They're also set up with everything you need to work: live models, easels, a range of still-life items, and even supplies you can purchase. So it's very convenient. Like anything, you will get out of it what you put into it and once you get past the basics, you will build on that and progress. While I'm still "learning to see", I can honestly say I'm much more educated in my approach to painting and drawing now. I mainly work with Dorallen and while she can be tough, I wouldn't have it any other way. She's a very accomplished painter (as is Jane) and I recognize what a valuable resource she is. For that reason alone I find the drive up from the city worth it! read more

Be prepared for boot camp art basics. Classes are inconsistent even though the teachers are drill sargents. One teacher says one way, another teacher tells another way all in the same class/lesson/day. One day i am ready to paint, the next day not at all ready to paint. Nothing is well thought out except to get your money and use up your 6 classes without even getting to what you signed up to get. You must use the exact right brush (purchased from there), paints(purchased there), OMS (purchased there) paper towels ( purchased there), drawing supplies (did I mention purchased there?) did I also mention I didn't sign up for a drawing class, but had to use several of my paid classes on drawing. Dark, poorly lit, crowded and bureaucratic. If you like this style go for it. read more

I first came to Marin Art School in 2006. I had painted in high school, and was interested in reviving my art. The teachers started me in charcoal on newsprint, teaching me the mechanics of how to really draw. They take each student at his/her individual level. For me, the charcoal stage lasted about 2 months. I learned how to solve the puzzles of "value." Then I painted in black & white, then in color. After about a year, I was painting outside. I had broken many bad habits, but to do that I had to destroy my comfort zone. It has been the most rewarding struggle of my life (okay, except childbirth!). Now, I am accepted to prestigious painting events. I teach others. I take commissions. And I wish that some of my painting friends would listen to what Marin Art School teaches: a total respect for the warm/cool relationship, aka the quality of light. It's a rare and lucky find to have such sincere, tough-love guidance in today's "feel-good-everybody-wins" world. You may arrive as a casual hobbyist, but it wouldn't surprise me if you found your passion, and learned to love that struggle to the next level. read more