How to Paint a Dog Portrait Online 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. I just didn’t know whether I would have the time to dedicate to the course, but I loved it. What a great course!!! 

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! 

I loved the live coaching calls! Erica’s teaching style is both structured and open, and I particularly enjoyed her engagement and responsiveness with concerns and questions from students. It’s obvious that she cares about the students’ success, both in painting the portrait as well as learning to paint in general! 

What’s definitely different from other courses is the emphasis on the painting process, how to work through resistance, and the general discussion of some of the emotional and mental aspects of a painting practice is definitely different from other courses. 

Thank you Erica for all of your guidance and encouragement!”

— MANDY KAISER
Professional fine arts painter

Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Before the How to Paint a Dog Portrait online course I knew literally nothing about acrylic painting. I was worried that the course would be too advanced for me since I had very little experience. I not only found that I could easily follow along amongst the other more experienced artists, but also Erica and those students were always there to answer any questions I may have had. And they had plenty of questions too that were addressed quickly and thoroughly. Erica created a comfortable and supportive space where nobody felt judged to ask any questions they had.

Since finishing the How to Paint a Dog Portrait I definitely have more confidence in how and what I’m doing now! A lot of what I’ve learned about the in-depth process that Erica teaches has given me a strong base on how to approach a painting of any kind. I’ve learned that there is a definite process and that patience is a must! I’m excited to do more pet portraits and am looking forward to honing my skills.

I did a TON of online research before stumbling upon Erica’s painting course. I had watched several YouTube videos and none of them really drew me in. There was something more to Erica’s videos and descriptions on her website and I immediately felt a connection. Erica really seemed to care and wanted to help people at all stages of painting skill levels. I wanted specific instruction on blending, brushes and techniques directly related to painting animals. The one thing I didn’t expect was the in-depth videos on all the rest of what goes into painting, which was the mental and physical aspects of getting through a painting as well as your workspace and how to find what works for you as an individual.

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. I really couldn’t have found a better course to begin my painting career with than Erica’s! It has inspired me more than words can say to continue to grow and enjoy painting.

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.

How to Paint a Dog Portrait course and the people in it definitely inspired me to paint more! I’ve started on my own dog portrait as well as another painting of a Buffalo for our own house, plus I’m taking Erica’s Paint Along course too. Her supportive and nurturing way of teaching, along with the bonus videos with other non-painting professionals and their journeys to success have given me a better insight into how I want to proceed with purpose and intention. Otherwise I’d still be doing things willy nilly and would have been pretty frustrated by now!  🙂

I thoroughly enjoy how Erica teaches with her calming voice as well as the insights she shares as you’re going through the course. She teaches with her whole heart and soul and it’s just as much about the mental and physical aspects as it is about the painting technique. She teaches you how to get through the ups and downs of getting through a painting with understanding and nurturing motivation. She helps us understand that painting someone’s beloved pet is not just a painting but a service to their owner and can help them through the grieving process.  The one thing that sticks in my mind is that she makes us realize that our art is “needed” out there. It’s not just a craft, but a necessity for all our mental health.

How to Paint a Dog Portrait delivered over and above what I ever expected. It will be hard to try any other online course as I don’t believe they will ever rise up to the level of teaching that Erica delivers!

— JAYNE MORTON-TERRAULT
Retired & now a pet portrait painter

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

“Before How to Paint a Dog Portrait I had a hard time starting an art project and finishing it in a timely manner (or ever). I was feeling like I’d never be able to create a painting I’d want to actually display on my wall. I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy the course because I didn’t pick the subject and that I’d never be able to replicate Erica’s amazing professional work even closely. 

I’m utterly grateful for How to Paint a Dog Portrait. It has really spearheaded my own creative and personal development. It definitely has been a tool to manage my lifelong depression, and having this painting routine and available community has been great to turn to while going through normal life ups and downs. As an added bonus, taking care of my spiritual/creative needs has also helped me maintain my work balance. 

Since taking the How to Paint a Dog Portrait online course I’m more confident in myself as an artist overall, and also in painting animals in general. I see the value of creating a routine to paint, even if I don’t feel like it, while keeping the end goal in mind (finished art, practicing the skills, feeling proud of myself). 

I 100% recommend this course. It’s really in depth, which has helped me stick to it. 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. 

I feel that I have a chance at becoming a better painter (and artist overall), despite not having any formal art education besides my art High School. I’m definitely more inspired to continue painting, which is why I joined the Winston Paint Along.”

— Olya H.
Mental Health Associate

Northeast, U.S.

“Before How to Paint a Dog Portrait getting the colors right was my initial frustration. I had never painted animals and the paint colors need to be massaged into mixtures that work. Many times over for a single animal. When I found Erica’s course, I was specifically stumped on the color to use for the pink nose on a commission that I was working on. That is literally what I was googling: How to paint a pink dog’s nose with acrylics. Erica’s course stood out to me because I felt she had the professionalism and the talent and the personality to help me take my portraits to a whole new level and confidence and knowledge. Erica’s website called me to not only answer this one question about the pink nose but to think more expansively and consider upping my talent and really committing to realize my potential.

I’ve spent many hours now watching Erica paint, listening to Erica’s thought processes in the videos and pushing myself again and again past my comfort zone. Even though I have been painting for 24 years, still there were depths to plumb, both within myself as an artist and as a person, of which I was unaware. Yes, I am more confident. Yes, I have expanded. Yes, I have less fear and resistance. It all stems from a place of feeling supported and nurtured. Feeling comfortable and safe enough to ask for help and share my process. I’ve been introduced to a slower, more contemplative, more deliberate and thoughtful method. How that will show up in my own work is something I am excited to experience.

While taking the course, I became aware of the value of my talent. The years I have painted, the experiences I have had, the paintings I have done and came to a point here as I sat with Baka. I have raised my prices considerably because for the first time I actually got innately the talent that I have and its value.

This painting course is different because 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.

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. Erica is that rare combination of excellent teacher and wonderful person. She is warm and supportive and humble. Professional and yet authentic. I am honored to now call her my friend.

Yes I would absolutely recommend How to Paint a Dog Portrait because I found such tremendous value in it. I loved the experience of it and I learned in a way that you can only learn by having the experience of something and then owning that wisdom. Every brush stroke on my Baka painting is from me. My discernment. My strokes. My preferences. Even though I followed Erica’s videos. And that is the only way to learn, being right there where the rubber hits the road.”

— Michelle Henderson-Topp
Professional Painter

British Columbia, Canada

Before taking this course I’d 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 — how could anyone who didn’t go to art school really call themselves an artist? Was it too late even to try? I was afraid that even though I really wanted to take the course, I wouldn’t be able to complete it successfully. That it wouldn’t fit into my daily schedule. That I’d be spending money on an online course that I would fail at all by myself. That with my crazy schedule that I wouldn’t be able to make it work, or that I just wouldn’t fit with the class.

I absolutely recommend How to Paint a Dog Portrait. Since finishing the course, I definitely feel more confident about painting overall, and I feel very confident that I can paint an excellent dog portrait! It’s an amazing experience! With the main course instruction, live online class meetings, and all the added bonus materials, you get much more than what you pay for. I booked three commissions before the course was even over and had inquiries on board for more.

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.

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. Especially enjoyed Erica’s introductions to each video lesson. 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.

When I signed up I knew being able to take the course again was one of the benefits, but at the time I couldn’t imagine why I would, unless I dropped out or something. Now, having completed the course for the first time, I cannot wait to take it again! There is just so much to learn — and the layers of knowledge will keep adding up. Plus, it is really a lot of fun!

— Emily Lyman
Horse lover and pet portrait painter

Mississippi, USA