“What an incredible artistic journey this farming grandmother from Australia has had since joining Alyona on her online course. I 'laid to rest' my graphite pencils from the '70s to embark on a new adventure in colour with her and..... Wow.... what a ride it has been !!
Alyona's brilliant teaching program has helped me dust off my raw talent and educate it to be able to create pencil painting miracles...... Congratulations to you Alyona!!!

All this would not have been complete without; the incredible CD archives of insightful theory and practical demonstrations she provides as part of the course, and the personally informative and encouraging Webinars each week in person.

If your heart’s desire is to draw, then I thoroughly recommend buying Alyona’s book to get started. If you want to master more, then jump into her online school to grow beyond your wildest dreams. I have!

Thank you Alyona for helping us awaken the artist within.”

Lesley Elizabeth Allison-Peterson

"I am loving this art experience with Alyona Nickelsen. For the last four years I’ve been able to devote more time to drawing and studying design concepts. Last Spring I bought a few Prismacolor pencils, a colored pencil book and started trying my hand with this medium. Then I bought another book and another. I began to look for someone who was teaching drawing/painting with colored pencils but didn’t have any luck in my area. Linda Foster, my drawing teacher at the time, showed me an article in the Art Calendar by Alyona Nickelsen describing her online courses. It included two of her paintings. I emailed her that afternoon and bought her book as soon as it came out. I just finished Course 1 and eagerly look forward to the next one. Alyona’s course is very well organized and includes lecture and demonstration DVDs for each week, individual assignments based on the lecture materials and quality art supplies. The weekly online meetings make the experience very personal. I looked forward to interacting with Alyona and the other students, asking questions and discussing the week’s assignments. Equally important were the detailed critiques and comments Alyona sent after she received each weekly project. I learned so much during this one-month course with Alyona who is dynamic, demanding and very supportive. My materials have just arrived for the challenging Course 2. I can’t wait to get started."

Jeri Robinson, Santa Barbara, CA

"I was first introduced to Colored Pencil about 5 years ago in a Botanical Drawing class.  I was hooked.  I've been involved in Decorative Painting for almost 30 years, working in various mediums.  I felt I'd finally found my niche so to speak.
My collection of Colored Pencil books is extensive and I have taken a number of classes.  However, I still didn't feel I had found the techniques or knowledge to create the look I wanted in my work.  I love realism, detail and rich color.
I can't say enough about Alyona as a teacher or these classes.  They have given me a solid foundation and confidence to try any subject I choose to.  This Challenge Project is a perfect example.  Before taking the classes I wouldn't have ever attempted a subject like this not knowing where or how to even start it.
Thank You Alyona!"

"Having been a graphite artist in my youth, I was expecting the CP2 course to be a challenge indeed.
But Alyona has set the lessons and exercises in such a comprehensive way that mixing colour just flowed.
Again she has shared with us her wisdom and knowledge of time and experience unselfishly, helping
us understand colour and its visual interplay, enabling us to execute fabulous drawings in such a short time.
I am truly amazed at what I have learnt and produced !    The back up DVD's and class notes are such a bonus to refer back on at any time.  Her encouragement and advise via email is so supportive.
   Once again...thank you special lady and gifted teacher."

Lesley Allison-Peterson

“Painting and drawing has always been my favorite past-time. I graduated from the Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.  For the last three years I have been working mainly in Colored Pencil portraits.  Even though I thought I already had a pretty good understanding of how to work with colored pencil, but Alyona’s class has taught me a lot. I learned many new techniques that I know will enhance my future work.  I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in improving their skills with colored pencil.”

Kim Hammel

www.kimhammel.com