Enrollment in the How to Paint a Dog Portrait course is open for a short period during Winter 2024.

As soon as you register, your log-in details arrive in your inbox from me, and you can peek inside your course right away. There’s a bonus module waiting for you that will teach you how to thrive and follow through in this course. 

Make sure you order your supplies right away (or shop your art drawers at home) so they arrive before your first email reminding you of your first lessons.

You can choose to go at your own pace throughout the year, or join fellow students and finish the course in 9 weeks. This course is open to our alumni every year to hone their skills and continue to grow.

Everything is online so you can grow as a painter and expand as a wholehearted artists from the comfort of your home.

This course was filmed over the entire painting process of painting a portrait of a Yorkie named Baka. It includes video lessons of every step of my proven process of painting a pet portrait. You’ll have access to every real-time brushstroke and views of my palette work.

For each of the nine modules in the course, you’ll watch several video lessons while you paint. Taking this journey with me takes less than 5 hours per week.

As a student, you’ll also be invited to join Peer Love forum inside your Member Area to gather with your fellow painting students, ask questions, share progress and learn and grow together. I’ll pop in now and then to share advice and tips.

I’ll host several Live Group Coaching Video Calls hosted via Zoom where I’ll answer questions, demo techniques or elaborate on a specific topic.

Here’s what past students have said about the format:

“How to Paint a Dog Portrait is so different from the other painting courses I’ve seen offered online — it is way more than a bunch of files and videos to download and teach yourself! You’re able to work at your own pace through a structured process and have the added advantage of personal interaction with Erica and other classmates — to the level you’re comfortable with. The environment is one of community and encouragement. It’s such a positive, safe space to grow.” – Emily L.

“It’s really in depth, which has helped me stick to it. Erica’s way of teaching really works.” – Olya H.

“Erica has a lovely way of guiding you through the total experience of painting in a nurturing and non-judgmental way. She encourages you through the process and understands where the struggles will appear and prepares you for it.” – Jayne M.T.

You have lifetime access to this course so you can’t fall behind in this course. There is no specific time you need to login to access the course content. You have immediate access to the full course when you enroll. However, if you’d like to follow along our 9-week live program you’ll receive our weekly email (Mondays at 10 am ET) reminding you of your next module to complete.

With that said, to fully take advantage of the Eriksdotter Support System which includes the Peer Love forums where you receive support from and engage with fellow students in the course and the Live Group Coaching Video Calls, it’s helpful if you do the modules as they are released.

Since you have unlimited access, some students return the next year to participate in the live portion of the course to absorb new skills that they weren’t ready for the first time.

Here’s what some past students have said about the schedule:

“Before enrolling, I was afraid that with my crazy schedule that I wouldn’t be able to make it work. How to Paint a Dog Portrait is an amazing experience! I really enjoyed the community of meeting with Erica and other classmates online, and I also really appreciated being able to work on my own, at my own pace.” – Emily L. (not only did she finish the course, she booked 3 commissions before completing!)

“Before the course, I just didn’t know whether I would have the time to dedicate to the course, but I loved it. What a great course!!!” – Mandy K.

“What I specifically liked was her acceptance of each student no matter what place in the course they’ve been at, yet with a gentle encouragement to continue on with their project. As an added bonus, taking care of my creative needs has also helped me maintain my work balance.” – Olya H. (juggled three jobs while taking this course)

The doors to this course are open during Winter 2024 for a limited time.

Students have immediately access to all the modules, the bonus module, bonus videos and the PEER LOVE forum.

The course is designed as a 9-week live program where you complete each module when you receive our weekly email reminding you of your next lessons.

You do have immediate access to the full course and can take it on-demand and at your own pace if you prefer.

We have Live Group Coaching Calls on several Thursdays at 1 pm ET throughout your 9-weeks.

This gap allows you to take the bonus module so you can thrive in this course, order and receive your paint supplies.

If you’re already an acrylic painter, chances are you may already have some of the material on hand. It’s particularly important that you get the same canvas size I use in the course. In total, the cost of materials necessary is less than $100.

This course is for you if you’re ready to:

• Grow your confidence in painting pets with purpose and intention
• Become more connected to your creativity
• Become a commissioned pet portrait painter
• Awaken the joy you feel when you paint and elevate your skills
• Adapt a painting process to support and nurture your creativity
• Learn how to paint with acrylic paints
• Hone your painting process and expand as a wholehearted painter for a sustainable career

This course is not for everyone. This is intense, challenging and tedious. There is no shortcuts or guaranteed results without doing the step-by-step process and showing up for all the 9 modules, 6 live group coaching calls and PEER LOVE feedback. 

I deeply care about the success and growth of my students. I designed this course because I saw no other program like it. I teach it from the heart and encourage my students with a wholehearted approaching to release resistance and tap into the joy of painting.

How to Paint a Dog Portrait is not for you if you:

• Need in-person teachings or feedback, or one-on-one coaching.
• Prefer technical art instructions. While there are art techniques discussed, Erica paints and teaches from the heart and encourages her students to get out of their heads.
• You’re a fast painter with no desire to learn or include details or magic for added soul or personality.
• Looking for a quick way to build an art business to sell custom pet portraits.
• Need critiquing of art work before moving continuing your painting.
• Are used to finishing a painting in one sitting with no desire to paint in steps or in sessions.

Oh my goodness my friend, I see you. I’m a self-taught, third generation painter and have taught students with varying levels of painting experience. In fact, one student who had never painted before taking this course received two commissions before she was even finished!

Emily had never painted acrylics before and she sent me this note:

“Before taking How to Paint a Dog Portrait I had wanted to develop my artistic talent into something more than a hobby, but I really had no idea where to start. I knew I had some talent, but I didn’t have the confidence in my ability. Now, I definitely feel more confident about painting overall, and I feel very confident that I can paint an excellent dog portrait! Plus, I booked three commissions before the course was even over and had inquiries on board for more. It is an amazing experience – a whole new life has opened up to me!” – Emily Lyman, pet portrait painter

Here’s what another student said:

“I’m a beginner and Erica taught me so much! She is a great art teacher but it’s so much more than techniques or how to use a brush with her. She gives her all in building you up and supporting your whole artist being so you can thrive as a wholehearted painter! I plan on taking everything she offers.” – Angela H.

Here’s what one professional oil painter said about the course:

“I’m a professional oil painter and I was struggling with how to use acrylic paint, particularly when creating a pet or human portrait. After taking How to Paint a Dog Portrait I feel more confident painting pets and I’m more connected to my creativity. The course helped me feel less resistance to starting and carrying through with new projects, and trying things I’m less familiar with doing, which is huge!” – Mandy K.

Remember that the course is backed by a 100% risk-free guarantee and if you don’t feel this course is right for you, I’ll give you your money back. If by 12pm (Noon Eastern U.S. time) on the 7th day since registration you don’t feel this is the right fit for you, show me your completed progress from Module 1 and you’ll get your money back.

No. I’ve taught experienced painters, including professional pet portrait painters and they’ve greatly benefited from my teachings.

“Even though I’ve been a professional painter for 24 years, I found such tremendous value in the course. Yes, I’m more confident, I’ve expanded, and I’ve less fear and resistance. It all stems from a place of feeling supported and nurtured in the course. I’ve also raised my prices considerably because for the first time I actually got innately the talent that I have and its value.” – Michelle H-T

Remember, I offer a 100% risk free guarantee so you can sign up and cancel after the first week if you feel it’s not a right fit.

No, the online course is inside a web-based private member only site that you access through my website. All you need is an Internet connection. You can access the content on your computer, smartphone, tablet or other mobile device.

Tuition for the How to Paint a Dog Portrait is $1,499 USD. Paying in full is the best value, however, we also offer a payment plan option of $169/month for 12 months. You can choose the option that works best for you when you register.

The How to Paint a Dog Portrait is only available as a complete course.

I’ve poured my whole heart into this course so you can have as much encouragement and support from my 35+ years of experience as a painter.

During the 9-week duration of the live program, you’ll have access to your Eriksdotter Support System. This includes:

• 24/7 access to our PEER LOVE forum which is a chat function that lives in the private member area. Here you can ask questions, share progress and get to know your fellow painters. Erica and Team Eriksdotter will answer common questions to help you stay focused.
• 6 Live Group Coaching Video Calls together where I’ll answer both live and pre-submitted questions, demo any requested techniques or elaborate on a specific topic. This is so you can dive deeper into the creative process and the phase we’re currently in that week. These sessions are designed to feel like we’re sitting together in the studio for a cozy community and support.

Here’s what past students have said about the support in this course:

“I’ll never forget this experience… the positivity that transpired in the course is both outstanding and uplifting.” – Cristina C.

“I loved the live coaching calls! Thank you Erica for all of your guidance and encouragement!” – Mandy K.

“[Erica] teaches you how to get through the ups and downs of getting through a painting with understanding and nurturing motivation…. One of the best features of the course was the live peer sessions where we could meet and learn from the other artists taking the course! It really became a highlight for me to see where we all were in our painting careers in our lives, as well as really learn from each other. There is so much more to painting than just putting a brush to canvas! It helped me so much to learn that whether you’ve just started painting or have been painting for years that everyone has their struggles and high points during a painting.” – Jayne M.T.

“Erica’s way of instruction really works. She’s mindful, gentle, encouraging, motivating and both didactic and experimental. What I specifically liked was her acceptance of each student no matter what place in the course they’ve been at, yet with a gentle encouragement to continue on with their project.” – Olya H.

“Erica was interested in supporting us as whole people. Not just artists who wanted this talent. But, a deeper listening to where we were struggling and how to support us in finding our own two legs to stand on. She was celebrating our successes. That to me is a real teacher.” – Michelle H-T.

“I really enjoyed the community of meeting with Erica and other classmates online. She has a genuine “big sister” vibe — she’s got your back and will not let you give up on yourself or your art. She is engaging and personable, and very knowledgeable about the subject.” – Emily L.

Remember, you’re the driving force behind your success.

Yes! While this is not a one-on-one coaching program, I’ll host several Live Group Coaching Video Calls throughout the 9-week live portion of the course so you can immerse yourself into the course material even more, get realtime support from me and your fellow students. This is such a cozy community and the live calls are a favorite among students.

Here’s what one student said:

“I loved the live video calls. They kept me accountable. They kept me connected. As I shared my process and my struggles, they became somehow less onerous, lighter and easier to travel along. Erica did a fantastic job of facilitating those calls. She was interested in supporting us as whole people. Not just artists who wanted this talent. But, a deeper listening to where we were struggling and how to support us in finding our own two legs to stand on. She was celebrating our successes. That to me is a real teacher.” – Michelle H-T.

Contact us at support [at] studioeriksdotter.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Yes. This course is also backed with a 100% risk-free guarantee. If by 12pm (noon Eastern U.S. time) on the 7th day since you registered, you don’t feel this is the right fit for you, show us your completed progress from Module 1 and you’ll get your money back. Please note that you need to meet the deadline to receive the refund. This also applies to payment plans.