Private Art Lessons in Rio Rancho
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Why Private Art Lessons Might Be Exactly What You've Been Waiting For
There is something that happens in a one-on-one creative space that simply cannot happen in a group setting. The instruction bends to you — your pace, your vision, your blocks, your breakthroughs. That is what private art lessons offer, and it is why I believe in them deeply enough to offer them myself.
I work with beginners and developing artists alike, in acrylic, oil, and mixed media, right here in Rio Rancho. What I bring isn't a generic syllabus. It's 15+ years of devoted creative practice, a working studio, and the genuine desire to watch someone discover what their hands are capable of.
Here is what I know to be true: the moment you stop being afraid to make a mark is the moment everything opens up. Private lessons create the container for that. A safe space to experiment, to fail usefully, to receive real feedback in real time — from someone who has lived inside this craft long enough to know where the doors are.
We work on what matters to you. Technique, yes — color theory, composition, brush handling, how to actually see what's in front of you. But also the deeper stuff. Your creative voice. Your relationship with the work. The confidence that comes from making something with your own hands and knowing it is yours.
Working with Me
All lessons are held in my private studio in Rio Rancho, NM. Sessions are 90 minutes, tailored to where you are and where you want to go. Bring your own supplies or add mine — either way, we make it work.
A 50% deposit holds your spot.
Materials list provided upon booking for those bringing their own supplies.
Payment via Venmo, PayPal, or cash.
Ready to begin? Reach me at rensarasvati.com 🎨
Mixed Media — Student Supply List
Graphite Pencils — Look for an HB for general sketching, a 2B or 4B for softer darker marks, and an H or 2H for light structural lines. Staedtler or Faber-Castell are solid mid-range options.
Charcoal — Vine charcoal for blending and erasing easily, compressed charcoal for richer darker marks. Having both in a few thicknesses gives you the most range. Sticks preferred over pencils.
Inks — Start with a black India ink. A sepia or walnut ink adds warmth for layering. Higgins, Speedball, or Winsor & Newton are all reliable. You'll also want a dip pen or a brush dedicated to ink work.
Acrylic Paint — Titanium white, ivory black, cadmium yellow (or hansa yellow), cadmium red and/or Alizarin Crimson, ultramarine blue, and burnt sienna. Liquitex Basics or Golden Open are great student-grade options.
Brushes — A flat or filbert for coverage, rounds in sizes 4–8 for detail, and a larger wash or hake brush for backgrounds. Synthetic brushes hold up well with acrylics. A palette knife is a great addition.
Canvas — Stretched canvas or canvas boards in the 11x14 to 16x20 range. Pre-gessoed is ideal. Heavy watercolor paper (140 lb / 300 gsm) also works beautifully for mixed media.
Oils — Student Supply List
Oil Paint — Warm Colors — Cadmium Yellow or Hansa Yellow Medium, Cadmium Red or Napthol Red, Ultramarine Blue, Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber. Winsor & Newton Winton or Gamblin 1980 are great starting points.
Oil Paint — Cool Colors — Cadmium Yellow Light, Phthalo Blue or Prussian Blue, Viridian or Phthalo Green, Alizarin Crimson, Dioxazine Purple, Titanium White (buy the largest tube available), Ivory Black.
Brushes — Hog bristle flats or brights in sizes 4, 8, and 12; filberts in sizes 6 and 10; a small round in size 2–4. A palette knife is essential for mixing and can also be used for painting directly.
Paint Thinner — Odorless mineral spirits. Keep one jar for cleaning brushes as you work.
Liquin Original or Galkyd — Speeds up drying time, increases transparency for glazing, and improves paint flow. Use sparingly — a little goes a long way.
Palette — Wooden, glass, or disposable oil-proof palette paper. Give yourself plenty of mixing space. I recommend getting a Tempered glass cutting board.
Canvas — Pre-gessoed stretched canvas in linen or cotton. A few sizes in the 8x10 to 12x16 range to start. Linen is more archival; cotton is more affordable and perfect for learning
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