Did you miss out on art school?
Improve your drawing skills without spending tens of thousands of dollars (or hours) investing in a piece of paper. Uncover the tips and techniques to improve your skill and create the art you’ve only dreamed of making.
If the idea of being self-taught has you hiding instead of standing proud, let’s fill those learning gaps with the kind of practice that not only improves your drawing skills but has you proudly proclaim, “I’m the artist!”
Self-Taught to Self-Confident is an advanced drawing program for creatives who know drawing can take their art to the next level.
This program is right for you if you struggle to get your marks where you want them to go. You admire people who produce something that’s taken a lot of skill and you are curious to see how good you can become.
You’re right for Self-Taught to Self-Confident if you want to build your skill and ultimately develop your unique artist voice. You’re tired of taking “paint-like-me” courses and seek foundational learning that develops in you the confidence to begin asking, “what do I want to say?”
If you:
⇒ Want to confidently create your art,
⇒ Struggle to climb out of your creative plateau,
⇒ Taught yourself at a young age but stopped,
⇒ Feel lost in a sea of Youtube and Pinterest tutorials,
⇒ Feel like you don’t have natural talent,
⇒ Always wanted to pursue art but never fully committed,
…you’re in the right place!
Self-Taught to Self-Confident will give you the tools, inspiration and unparalleled support to create art that makes you proudly proclaim, “I’m the artist.”
My name is Carrie Brummer and I’ve taken everything I’ve learned from:
>> working on my own art, including being part of a group exhibition at The Smithsonian and The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts,
>> exhibiting art across the US, in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Canada,
>> celebrating a solo show of my art in Ottawa, Canada in November 2019, and combined it with:
>> my background in education, which includes winning several grants for my lessons,
>> decades of teaching experience, and a masters from the George Washington University,
to create a complete system and practice strategy for building your art foundations so you can confidently make any art with you wish to create.
Self-Taught to Self-Confident isn’t so much a curriculum as it is a training program
Yes, you’ll learn the knowledge and theory that feel like learning gaps in your education, but more importantly, you’ll have a step-by-step strategy for practice you can use with any medium.
The end result: See quick improvements in your skill because you have a clear system and step-by-step strategy to build your skill and ultimately improve all of the art you make.
By the end of this program you will:
1
Improve all of the art you create because of your confident use of the basics of composition and design.
2
Use the exact techniques to be more realistic so that you’re ready to explore different styles and develop your unique artist voice
3
Be completely capable of drawing anything you want so that you’re eager to take creative risks with your art
4
Confidently offer and receive valuable feedback to and from your peers as you start to believe in yourself and your work
5
Unlock the artist you’ve hidden away as you follow through on your art goals
6
Create the art you dream of making and proudly share it with the people you love
I have gone through feeling like I WANT to be an artist to knowing that I AM an artist.
I have started developing the skills that help me realize my vision and create unique artwork.
I understand better how to listen to feedback and stay on the course while setting aside criticism that isn’t helpful to me as an individual.
Carrie is a valuable asset to my art practice, and I am glad she provides so many opportunities to learn from her.
“She Rises” by Tia Sunshine
The cost of attending ONE year of a local community college is over $19,000 USD (and that’s if you commute!).
My alma mater? Today the cost for one year’s tuition is $84,000.
Self-Taught to Self-Confident is NOW open for enrollment
6 MONTHLY PAYMENTS of
$237
A ONE-TIME PAYMENT of
$1297
What I loved the most was your authentic and honest way of listening to my questions and giving your feedback… I feel that you care and you have helped me to stay focused.
You are amazing and a true gift for all artists!
Carrie does a wonderful job of asking questions and helping me to “see” things that I had previously missed.
I attribute a significant amount of my drawing abilities to Carrie and the feedback I received from her.
Carrie is my favorite “go to” teacher when I get stuck on a painting or it just seems off. Her critique always is spot on.
I have been able to finish several paintings I might have given up on thanks to her critique.
What’s Inside Self-Taught to Self-Confident
Module 1
Learning techniques are only one part of becoming a skillful artist. This module will help you unpack the beliefs you have around talent and prepare you for the discomfort that naturally comes with learning something new.
You will learn the formula experts use to build skill and develop expertise so you can apply it to your artist practice.
By the end of Module 1 you will begin the mental mind work you need to truly up level your skill and confidently create the art you dream of making.
M1: Assessing (and Defining) Skill
Highlights:
- A Confidence Tracker to help you assess your growth and develop a strategy of practice
- How to measure your growth with baseline assessments
- Research that debunks the myth of the talented artist, and
- 3 criteria for high-quality feedback on your art
Module 2
In order to build your skill you need to know which techniques to practice.
Module 2 is an introduction to all of the foundational skills that will help you draw what you imagine.
By the end of this module you will be familiar with foundational drawing techniques that you can use to practice building skill.
M2: Filling in Your Foundations
Highlights:
- What exactly ARE foundational drawing practices?
- The one thing most artists miss when working from photo reference
- 3 Common mistakes made by newer artists
- Special tricks to help you better train your artist eyes
Module 3
Here is when we fill the greatest of your learning gaps.
This module will introduce you to the true building blocks of making art. You will learn how to consciously use each element to make powerful, realistic art.
By the end of Module 3 you will have both the tools and the theory to start applying your newfound skill and knowledge to create stronger art.
M3: Elements of Art
Highlights:
- Why art theory helps improve your art
- Practice activities so you know how to use each element of art
- How different techniques convey different elements of art
Module 4
In this unit you learn about different rules of composition.
You’ll learn how to use the Principles of Art to create stronger art.
By the end of Module 4, you will understand how techniques, Elements and Principles of art work together with composition to create skillful art.
M4: Composition
Highlights:
- Best practices for working with an image reference
- How a kind of fun and quick planning can pay big dividends for your finished work
- A method of laying out your composition invented by Renaissance masters
Module 5
Learn the unique ways techniques apply to different subject matter.
This module will help you explore still life, landscape and people as a means to practice and further develop your skill. You will learn subject specific techniques that help you create better still lifes, landscapes and portraits.
By the end of Module 5 you will begin to connect how all of the practices inform your art. You’ll realize the power of training our eyes to see like an artist.
M5: Still life, Landscapes, and People
Highlights:
- The one kind of perspective artists often forget
- How a specific kind of space can transform your portraits
- Different ways to make a more compelling still life
Module 6
Learn the unique ways techniques apply to different subject matter.
This module will help you explore still life, landscape and people as a means to practice and further develop your skill. You will learn subject specific techniques that help you create better still lifes, landscapes and portraits.
By the end of Module 5 you will begin to connect how all of the practices inform your art. You’ll realize the power of training our eyes to see like an artist.
M6: How to Use This in Your Art
Highlights:
- Key takeaways you can use to inform future art
- A fillable PDF Assessment guide
- How to create your next steps for practice
Inside Self-Taught to Self-Confident you get…
⊕ 6 Implementation Modules
that show you everything you need to do to reach new levels of skill to confidently draw and paint whatever you want.
⊕ The Finish and Follow Through Guide
to help you show up, make the most of this program, and most importantly: make more art.
⊕ Extensive Mindset Training
Embrace your inner critic as a tool for good and stop procrastination and creative block before it starts.
⊕ Step-By-Step Demonstrations
so that you can get your practice in AND still have time for your “regular” art.
These Bonuses to Master Your Skill and Maintain your Momentum
Online Forum For Connection and Feedback
(value $297)
Art can feel lonely. Community provides support AND accountability to get you where you want to be with your art. This is where you’ll meet and connect with like-minded artists, trade valuable feedback and enjoy virtual high-fives and encouragement every step of the way.
Weekly digests sent to your inbox keep you updated about ongoings inside the group while also limiting the notifications inside your inbox. It’s our space away from the grind, comparison and drama of social media.
Our community space integrates directly with Teachable so no extra passwords needed, either.
You’ll be able to use this space to:
- quickly troubleshoot drawing exercises
- have someone else’s fresh eyes to look at your work
- hold yourself accountable on different activities
- get extra support from kind, supportive creatives doing the same work as you
Monthly Group Mentorship and Coaching
(value $497)
I host monthly Zoom calls where you can ask questions and get feedback tailored to your art. This is your opportunity for regular art critique that actually improves your art.
Feedback is one of the key ingredients listed by Anders Ericsson in his research on developing skill and expertise. You grow faster with feedback.
(We believe in consent, being in service of the artist and the work, and honoring the need for affirmation and validation as part of the process.)
Use these coaching sessions to:
- get specific feedback for a work in progress
- get actionable next steps tailored to where YOUR skill is
- practice giving and receiving feedback to inform artistic decisions
- get questions answered about any of the program content
Common mistakes artists make (Value $97)
In this bonus module, you learn to avoid common mistakes made by artists.
This includes videos where I walk you through:
- how to render hair
- how to convey fur
- how artists can unintentionally flatten their art.
These include student examples as well as video tutorials where you follow along with drawings I complete.
Bonuses Total Value: $1888
Skip the art school fees and become the artist you are meant to be:
Self-Taught to Self-Confident is open for enrollment
6 MONTHLY PAYMENTS of
$237
A ONE-TIME PAYMENT of
$1297
What I loved the most was your authentic and honest way of listening to my questions and giving your feedback… I feel that you care and you have helped me to stay focused.
You are amazing and a true gift for all artists!
Backed by a 7-day Risk Free Guarantee
Self-Taught to Self-Confident is the most comprehensive, step-by-step skill-building program for artists excited and committed to building their skill and developing their unique artist voice.
Our community is filled with kind, helpful, motivated, and supportive members who are practicing art foundations to create stronger art. When you join you will be part of this group.
By the end of these 7 days, you’ll have received access to the first module. Meaning, you’ll have had the opportunity to address your mindset and create a way to measure your growth BEFORE making a final commitment.
If you don’t feel totally confident and motivated by your drawing skill (and your ability to grow), simply reach out and we’ll refund your investment. FULL details here.
Skip the art school fees and become the artist you are meant to be:
Self-Taught to Self-Confident is open for enrollment
6 MONTHLY PAYMENTS of
$237
A ONE-TIME PAYMENT of
$1297
What I loved the most was your authentic and honest way of listening to my questions and giving your feedback… I feel that you care and you have helped me to stay focused.
You are amazing and a true gift for all artists!
If you’re thinking this sounds amazing but
I’m still not 100% sure keep reading…
You should give Self-Taught to Self-Confident a 7-day risk free try if
you’re motivated by any of the following:
1
Are you new or returning to art and want to make the most of when you do show up to make art?
2
You have a strong knowing that you can be better, that you deserve to draw confidently and create the art you’ve always felt called to create.
3
Wouldn’t it be empowering, exciting and even a little scary to know you have all the skill you need, and then truly focus on what you want to say?!
Commonly Asked Questions
How much time do I need for the course?
You have lifetime access to the program. That way, you can devise your own weekly or daily time commitment that suits the life you lead, not the one you hope to live someday. I’ve seen students make huge strides with a daily drawing commitment of 15 minutes. Other people have made weekly commitments for chunks of time.
What materials will I need?
You will need a pencil (any type, I’m not picky), A4 or letter sized paper, a printer to print out image references and a camera to take photos of your art to share and get feedback from me and your peers.
If you want, you can have an HB or 2B pencil and one 4B, 5B or 6B pencil. This is optional, but will help with your values in your drawings.
My personal practice is that the quality of material comes later. Let’s work with what we have!
Student Work
You can check out student work and some of the lesson activities >>by clicking here.<<
What tech skills do I need?
The course is entirely hosted on platform called Teachable. You will need to log into Teachable to access your course videos, which you can download or stream.
Our community space is hosted through Circle.so but it’s integrated into Teachable so you don’t have to leave Teachable or make a separate password to sign in.
Our monthly Q&As will be hosted using Zoom and you can join with video, audio or only with chat.
In order for me (and your peers) to offer you quality feedback I will need quality photographs for you to post in our community. This means taking photos in decent light and square to the camera lens (which can be your tablet or phone). I teach how to do this inside the first modules of the program.
If you get frustrated enough to throw your art supplies through your screen after one tech bump in the road, an online course may not be a good fit for you.
If you are willing to be persistent and patient in the face of tech difficulties (while still thinking about breaking the silly computer) I’m here to help.
What if I’m completely new to drawing?
Here’s the thing: EVERYONE can benefit from this program. Self Taught to Self-Confident is designed to help anyone at any level, be better at drawing. It will help you grow, no matter what your current skill level is, and it is designed to help you continue to grow and improve in your skill for as long as you create.
Sometimes complete beginners feel intimidated by the different skill levels they observe in our Q&As and on our posts. EVERYONE has started where you are, but if that is too vulnerable for you it may be better to wait and join after you have some practice under your belt.
There is research out there that suggests surrounding yourself with people you admire (their skill or their achievements) and I assure you, there is no better group of humans to show up and share your art with than the lovely people who sign up for Self-Taught to Self-Confident.
How will this help me as an abstract artist?
The abstract artists I’ve worked with in the past have shared a similar interest and concern: they worry their limited drawing skill holds them back from making their best art.
I firmly assert that drawing foundations inform ALL art.
If you feel like learning gaps are limiting your work, let’s fill those gaps and get you back to your canvas, where you can confidently express yourself as an abstract artist.
Why not invest in another online program?
Most online art programs take the approach of “paint or draw like me.” The teachers introduce techniques they use in their specific medium and style and show you how they paint or draw.
This is a great way to learn new skills and if you feel called to take other classes go for it. Find the teachers and lessons that speak to you. But if you want a system of learning you can use and apply to all of your art, for the rest of your life, this is the course for you. You can apply these same ideas to any medium.
What if I change my mind?
Self-Taught to Self-Confident is the most comprehensive, step-by-step skill-building program for artists excited and committed to building their skill and developing their unique artist voice.
By the end of these 7-days, you’ll have received access to the first module.
Meaning, you’ll have had the opportunity to address your mindset and create a way to measure your growth (and a plan of attack) BEFORE making a final commitment.
If you don’t feel totally confident and motivated by your drawing skill (and your ability to grow), simply reach out, show us you’ve put in the work, and we’ll refund your investment.
I’m still not sure if I’m a good fit?
If you’ve read this far, something about the program resonates with you. Email me Carrie@ArtistStrong.com to talk about it.
Let’s help you get the results in your art you’ve always dreamed of!
You might be surprised to hear this:
I don’t really care if you are good at drawing.
What actually concerns me is you,
confidently making the art you were put on this planet to make.
A lot of people say to me, “I don’t want to be an artist Carrie, and I have no plans to sell my art.
I just want to be able to draw a family member for a gift, or draw something in front of people and not feel embarrassed.”
Self-Taught to Self-Confident will definitely help you realize these goals. It has for others. But something else happens, too.
You realize you’ve always been an artist.
This is a transformation that moves you from a creative who “dabbles” in art or feels “all over the place” with their style to
confidently making decisions about your art and creative life as a practicing artist (whether your goal is to draw family members or make abstract art to sell).
Most online art programs take the approach of “paint or draw like me.” The teachers introduce techniques they use in their specific medium and style and show you how they paint or draw. This is a great way to learn new skills and if you feel called to take classes like this go for it.
But if you want a system of learning you can use and apply to all of your art, for the rest of your life, this is the course for you. You can apply these same ideas to any medium, to any style of art.
When it comes to your art, few things move the needle faster than developing your art foundations.
It’s the master key that unlocks time and motivation to keep going, to ultimately make the art YOU want to create.
And while I totally feel the short term pain involved in developing art foundations while also navigating that mile long life to-do list…
I want to offer you this super important reframe:
If you had limited time left on this planet, would you find the time then?
I built this program with you in mind:
▶️ The person not quite ready to call themselves an artist, who imagines what it would be like to realize a greater level of skill.
▶️ The person who can’t afford or doesn’t want to attend art school, but feels like s/he is missing out.
▶️ The creatively blocked person, tired of depending on image references.
▶️ The time-starved person who wants to make every minute of art-making count.
You don’t have to painfully scroll through your Instagram watching fellow artists share inspiring, beautiful art while you wonder if you have something worth sharing.
I promise: you do.
When you’re equipped with the foundational skills to draw or paint WHATEVER you want to create,
your big dreams for your art no longer need to wait for a magical “someday.”
Create art with confidence, knowing that every action brings you closer to owning the powerful, impactful voice that shines through in your art.
You are an artist.
So that’s the opportunity I want to invite you to seize right now.
To FINALLY build the foundational art skills…
… and actively apply them, generating improved skill (and new ideas) for your art starting today.
>>Here’s the project plan to make it happen.<<
Cheering you on,
Carrie
Skip the art school fees and become the artist you are meant to be:
Self-Taught to Self-Confident is open for enrollment
6 MONTHLY PAYMENTS of
$237
A ONE-TIME PAYMENT of
$1297
What I loved the most was your authentic and honest way of listening to my questions and giving your feedback… I feel that you care and you have helped me to stay focused.
You are amazing and a true gift for all artists!