Been oil painting at Red Dot Gallery for years. Dori DeCamillis is not only an excellent teacher, but a very beautiful oil paint artist herself. She also takes the time to teach us art history while we are painting. Her guidance and instruction is first class! Highly recommend this location for, drawing or painting! read more

Red Dot Gallery - Art Schools Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Highly recommend Dori's oil painting class. I started as a drawing student to reconnect with my long-buried artistic roots. Thoroughly enjoyed being a drawing student but was too shy to try oil painting (the one art medium I'd never attempted). With kind patience, Dori introduced me to the wonder of oil painting. Dori is encouraging, low stress and extremely adept at drawing out her students' hidden talents. Thank you Red Dot for introducing to my love of painting!! read more

Red Dot Gallery - 8" x 10" oil on canvas - Art Schools Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

I have taken oil painting classes, drawing classes, and workshops from Dori since 2009. I have learned so much from her, and we have so much fun in class! Dori is a master artist: Her talent is inspiring! But what makes her special is she can actually teach others how to draw and paint which takes exceptional skill and patience. I treasure the friends I've made, and I learn not only from drawing/painting my art, but from the critique of all the other students in class as well. It has been fun seeing everyone grow and improve. I encourage any potential student to visit the Red Dot website and look at the student art pages. I highly recommend Red Dot because you will learn the skills to draw or paint anything from life! read more

Red Dot Gallery - Rose colored pencil drawing - Art Schools Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

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I have been taking oil painting classes here for about 3 years now andI have learned so much. I love the teacher and my fellow students. Everyone is kind and encouraging read more

I've taken painting classes in several cities but when I moved to Birmingham I found my forever teacher. Skilled, supportive and a joy to learn from - Dori Decamillus has upped my painting game! Red Dot is a find! read more

I have been a student at Red Dot for nearly two years. I would recommend Dori's classes to anyone interested in learning oil painting. She has a method of teaching that has allowed me and my fellow students progress in our skills and enjoy our time in class together. read more

I've been taking classes here for more than 9 years and highly recommend it. Dori is a fantastic teacher and the environment is really supportive and not all intimidating...so if you're new and hesitant, don't worry! I look forward to every class; it's a high point in my week. And I've learned so much. read more

For the past year, I have been taking a weekly oil painting class at Red Dot with Dori. In that time, my skills have expanded immensely. I came in with no prior painting experience - only the desire to learn a new hobby and wanting a creative outlet. I have completed paintings beyond what I ever imagined I could accomplish due to the help from Dori. The community in our weekly class is amazing. I walk out of class feeling so refreshed and joyful! I can't thank Red Dot enough for giving me the hobby of oil painting, and my weekly class has become something I look forward to every week! read more

I've enjoyed my oil painting classes with Dori. I'm a novice. Dori has been encouraging, patient (extremely!) and helpful as I attempt to develop my skills. Interactions with Dori and the other members of my class have been so much fun. Highly recommend Red Dot Gallery and Dori if you are interested in learning! read more

I have been taking oil painting with Dori at Red Dot Gallery for at least 10 years. She encouraged me to try painting and it has been a most marvelous experience. Dori is an organized and experienced teacher and artist who helps you build your skills while learning and getting practice. She is quite encouraging for all skill levels, and I have met some lovely folks there. Dori continues to expand my knowledge and abilities every week. Dori is welcoming, helpful, nonjudgemental, and can be hands-on when necessary for instruction, but leaves room for you to develop your creativity and skills. I highly recommend Dori as a teacher. read more

I signed my husband and I up for beginner oil painting classes with Dori. She was friendly and informative over email. We had to get on a brief waitlist because her evening class was the only time we could attend. I was a little nervous walking in because I had never painted before in my life and there were other students in the room who were working on their own paintings that looked advanced. We watched a series of pre-recorded video tutorials Dori made on iPads and learned the basics first. As the weeks went by, I started noticing that if we just followed Dori's instructions, we would get good results in our beginner painting. Dori is so encouraging and patient, as well! She has a gift for teaching and is always checking on each student to give tips and guidance. I've learned so much already in 8 weeks. We are now on our second painting (a landscape) and I can't believe I'm actually painting something that I would be proud to show friends and family and this is thanks to Dori and her excellent teaching methods! I am so happy I have found this rewarding new hobby and something my husband and I can enjoy doing together. I highly recommend signing up with Dori if you're interested in learning oil painting. read more

I signed up for the oil painting class with Dori. In the class description they offer a kit for an additional fee which is almost as much as the cost of the class. After exchanging a few emails regarding questions I had, I asked if I could bring my own supplies. Dori said that would be fine. I showed up for class and she asked to "see what I brought". She started by telling me that the paint I brought wasn't worth the tubes it was manufactured in, then she told me the brushes I brought were "flimsy". Then she moved onto the palettes I brought which I wasn't even told to bring but did anyway. She looked at them with disgust and told me I *could* use them but they were made for watercolors. Why does it matter where you mix paint as long as you have a surface to use??? So at this point I am feeling insulted, unwelcome and angry that clearly Ive gone through all this for no reason. She made me feel like I wasn't elite enough to be there so I immediately wanted to leave. I asked for a full refund and received it. I also have no idea how you can "teach a class" if you can come any date and anytime they have available. That never made sense to me and should have been my first red flag. It seems this isn't much of class. If you want to save yourself the trouble of being looked down upon unless you have $400+ dollars to spend on learning to oil paint, I would look elsewhere. read more

I am so glad I discovered this creativity place leading by talented professional Dori and Scott. For the last few years I have been attending weekly evening classes with Dori, natural teacher and great artist. She was teaching me from scratch. I always thought I do not have talent for painting and never tried until I went to this amazing studio. Dori has her own unique way of teaching with her gentle guidance, encouragement and ability to create such a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere during the class. Looking back I see how much progress I did during last years. I learned how to paint from the my photographs beautiful landscapes, still life paintings and portraits. In my class there are students who coming for a year or more, everyone developing their own style of painting with Dori help. I enjoy my classes as well as other students. For the last few years our painting class with Dori was going in parallel with Scott pottery class in a next room. In both classes there is great atmosphere of respect, professionalism and joy. The door between our classes is opened sometimes and we hear how often they laugh while working on beautiful pottery projects. If you would like to develop your creativity and work with wonderful professionals Dori and Scott I highly recommend this art studio (I know that there is a waiting line to get to these classes since old students not leaving them!) S. read more

If you are looking for an excellent art class, you'll find it at Red Dot. Dori teaches you with a one on one approach while also instructing a class of 8-12 painting and drawing students. I have taken her drawing class. She was very attentive and developed, in me, a much stronger skill set. I worked on a new skill each week. She had me practice new things I have never known before. I never knew I could be so good at drawing! read more

Scott Bennett, one of the pottery instructors, made the entire experience a terrible one due to his lack of professionalism and rudeness. I had a family emergency and was unable to attend a class at the last minute and his response to me was so incredibly rude that I never went back. This is not to mention his attitude during the classes where it is apparent he has no actual desire to teach, and just wants your money. He would throw away other students pieces if they were late picking them up by one day and not notify them. Just awful. Stay away from this place. read more

This is a great place to learn even if you have no prior art background. Dori is an amazing teacher and so patient. The atmosphere is fantastic and very supportive. Dori is such a talented artist but she accepts where you are in your journey and works with you. Highly recommend!! read more

I have always wanted to paint. And at 67 I decided to take the step and try oil painting. Dori DeCamillis at Red Dot Gallery gets you started and encourages you along with demos and instructions. After laying down the initial layers and then adding the details you start to understand the method. It was so satisfying to see some reasonable results. I am a beginner along side some extremely talented true artists who are also encouraging and friendly. At first I felt intimidated but the friendliness and fun factor is always present and relaxing along with great tunes!. I am proud of the few paintings I have done so far and if not for finding the right instructor, Dori DeCamillis, I probably would not have stuck with it. read more

I love this gallery! The classes are amazing and I've never seen such amazing progress in people who thought they had no creative ability. I highly recommend. read more

Horrible experience with pottery class. Limited instructions and support from arrogant instructor more interested in making money off unsuspecting students than making art. Sign up for class if you want to be made to feel like an idiot and ignored. read more

Red Dot Gallery is a wonderful place to take classes or just pass through if your in the area. I took Dori's oil painting class and absolutely fell in love. I am a beginning painter and like most beginners, I was intimidated to try it. Dori goes out of her way to make you feel welcome and comfortable. I left her class feeling confident and proud of myself, with a new painting to show off. I highly recommend you trying her class whether you are just starting out, or are a well blossomed painter. You are allowed to work on whatever subject matter you like, which is a luxury you won't find in most art classes. I have not tried a clay/pottery class yet, but I hear Scott is the best teacher around. I see the work that comes out of there and it is truly stunning. If you need a new hobby, or are picking up an old one, or just need a good laugh with good people, come on in and create beautiful things with us! read more