“My goal is to help you discover yourself as an artist” – Elena NL

Elena Nahum Leroy is an art instructor, teaching drawing and painting art lessons since 2009 (in-person and online). Here you can find the most frequently asked questions regarding her way of teaching and what to expect from the classes with her.

What is Elena’s teaching experience?

Elena has been teaching classes since 2009 and she has crossed the line of 2000 students since that time. In winter 2020, right before COVID-19 restrictions, she had about 80 students she was personally teaching on weekly basis and her school RUSART Fine Arts Co. had over 200 “weekly” art students in total.

What are Elena’s mediums?

There are many 2D art mediums:

• acrylic,
• oil,
• watercolours,
• soft pastel,
• oil pastel,
• drawing,
• ink,
• markers,
• coloured pencils,
• collage,
• mixed media.

Depending your level, Elena can help you with the mediums.

Beginner’s level means you have never used this or that medium before or had some experience playing around (like paint parties). Elena can introduce you absolutely all listed mediums all the way from the beginning to upper intermediate level.  

Upper intermediate means you can freely work in a certain medium, but you still need professional advice on your ideas, material use, colour balancing and finishing your project (like portfolio preparation). Starting from this point Elena can help you with

• acrylic,
• oil,
• watercolours,
• soft pastel,
• oil pastel,
• drawing,
• coloured pencils,
• collage,
• mixed media.

And if you need assistance at Advanced level, when you can freely work in a certain medium, but need deeper knowledge of techniques, materials, pastes, archival properties etc., Elena can help you with:

• acrylic,
• oil,
• watercolours,
• drawing, and
• mixed media.

What is Elena’s goal of teaching?

“I’m sure that if you decided to take art classes you’re already an artist inside and my role is to help you to find yourself.” – That’s what Elena is saying about her way of teaching.

Art is not a science and what works there may not work here. Yes, there are a lot of rules to know, but following the rules is not the key. For example, we can find “mistakes” in master pieces by Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Eduard Manet, Edgar Degas and many other masters and famous artists. But their work are masterpieces regardless “mistakes”. The soul, not the rules, brings a picture to life and makes it look remarkable. So, the goal of art sessions here is to let another artist – YOU – to appear.

How your regular art lesson will look like?

You with your teacher will choose a project for your art lessons together. A project that matches your tastes, goals, and skills. Elena will tell you different ways of how this project can “go” and you choose which way looks better to you. Elena will explain what to do step-by-step to create your very own artwork in YOUR WAY. You’ll learn basics of composition, perspective, material use, and mixing colours.

The more projects you make with Elena the more styles and techniques you’ll try and learn. The goal here is to introduce as many styles and techniques as possible, so in the future you can choose what you like better and find yourself in arts. Even if you find this or that style too challenging or not a good match to your personality, at least you tried it and made a choice. Normally students prefer starting with realism (academism) as the classical way to study.

What about homework and independent practice?

Sometimes you’ll be asked to start painting or drawing from what you see, with no instruction for a short time, but with a thorough feedback from Elena. It may be a little bit frustrating at first to work on your own, but only this helps develop observation skills, wake up your mind, reveal your artistic personality, and eventually will make you independent.

If a painting or drawing implies repetition, you may be offered to do repetitive things at home, provided you have time and space for the homework. Yes, we’re trying to save your classroom time.

Does Elena paint for her students?

You may see big improvements after the first sessions or it may take some longer time, but you’ll definitely see progress from the first lesson. It may parents and friends think that Elena is drawing or painting for her students. This myth was completely gone after she switched to online art
lessons during pandemic times. There is no way she can touch your work via zoom.

But still she can make some demo on your work when it’s really needed or she can make finial touch if asked by a student. All these are the same for both kids and adults.

Does Elena help with portfolio?

Elena’s students get awards, participate in art shows and even sell their paintings! And yes, Elena also helps prepare portfolios for universities, colleges and art schools.

Where can I learn more about Elena Nahum Leroy?

• Read Elena’s bio >>
• Check Elena’s paintings >>
• Check Elena’s jewelry >>
• ask your question by email elena@rusart.ca