Please note that sadly
THE STUDIO in SANTA monica IS CLOSED PERMANENTLY
My name is Doro Hofmann. I’m a mom, a painter, have a Master of Fine Arts, and love teaching kids and adults. I offer drawing, cartoon, manga, painting, and crafting classes throughout the week to students 6 years old and up. My classes are fun, instructive and nurture hands-on expression.
In class each student is provided their own art supplies to use in class. Maximum class size is 6 students for youngest age group and 8 for age groups 8 and up, minimum are 3 students.
While my family decided to move back to our roots in Germany, I am working on opening another studio in Ettlingen near Karlsruhe in Germany soon !
So please stay tuned for future information! And classes in German language and or english language.
THE SANTA monica STUDIO IS CLOSED PERMANENTLY
Contact is still possible through the form below ! I look forward to hearing from you !
Past Class offerings
AT DORO’S ART STUDIO in SANTA MONICA
Drawing, Cartoons & Manga
This was a 90-minute drawing, cartoon and manga class, perfect for the child that wanted to learn how to draw or already doodled characters and comics on their own. The class helped students learn core fundamentals, advanced stylization and proportional knowledge needed to draw characters and their environments. Students were always free and encouraged to choose and suggest an area or project they wanted to work on. This class was an open subject class, meaning students were free to choose what they wanted to be working on in an inspirational environment, with their likewise interested class mates. Ages 8 and up, a class had been $35 single class while including tools and materials.
ADULT & TEENAGE ART CLASS
This class was meant for the advanced artist teenagers and / or an adults. Classes happened on an open curricular basis, which meant students were able to choose of a variety of areas independently from others participating in the class and worked on their own projects independently, with an according step by step guided approach, achieving higher skill levels. Areas included drawing stylized or realistic, mixed media & collage, acrylic & tempera painting, Manga Watercolor.
For this class it was very important to have a clear understanding which area students wanted to work on before class (at least 48 hours prior) so I was able to prepare the projects students committed to. Payments were also due at least 48 hours in advance.
This was meant as an ongoing class with a Step-by-Step process. That means it was best to be booked over at least a one month block, or ongoing but with a minimum of 4 classes.
A class was 1 1/2 hour and had been $40 per class.
If students chose to work with watercolor, copic markers, acrylic or tempura, I sent them a list of material to bring.
This class was recommended for ages 13 and up only.
MANGA & Watercolor
This class was for the advanced artist, already quiet familiar with Manga and drawing in general. I used Lisa Santrau’s book MANGA WATERCOLOR to guide students step-by-step in Manga Art Techniques and from pencil drawing to paint with watercolor.
The ongoing class with a Step-byStep process meant it was and is best to be booked over at least a one month block and/or ongoing.
I asked to only sign up, if a student is eager to learn these advanced techniques and enjoys to be guided through the process. Classes were 1 1/2 hour and were $40 per class.
This class is recommended for ages 10 and up only.
I provided basic tools and material like graphite pencils, mechanical pencil, sharpener, color pencils, markers, erasers and regular paper, drawing board, water glasses, rags and additional mixing dishes, 2" foam brushes, masking and washi tape; and wooden boards and gum tape to stretch the paper in order to prevent curling; when we move to a full paper size project.
Please bring your own basic watercolor paint box, your own watercolor brushes ( Round synthetic sable brushes sizes 0, 1, 8, ), and a medium-grained watercolor paper block (blocks are bound on all 4 sides). I recommend getting a cold pressed, matt, coarse paper between 250 g/m2 and 300 g/m2 = 140lb (For example Arches Watercolor Block 9" x 12", cold press, paper - Archers or Strathmore blocks are bound on all sides, which will prevent paper from curling when wet). Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions ! I am HAPPY to assist you finding the best material for your student.
ART CLASS
The 90-minute painting class explored drawing, conceptualizing and composition with acrylic paints and a variety of accompanying mixed-media, sometimes working in a collage-like style as well as exploration of block printing. The class covered fundamentals and styles for beginners, and instruction scaled up to support the needs of intermediate and advanced students.
Recommended age is 7 and up - $35 single booked classes (includes all tools & materials)
ArT CLASS
The 1 1/2 hour long class wa a lot of fun and an all hands on class, exploring and nurturing ones own creative thinking and realization within a certain project… it was all about recycling paper and paper like materials, and focuses on the student’s basic artistic and practical skills in an integrated and holistic manner, including 2 and 3 dimensional projects. Students will learned how to conceptualize their ideas for their own project, draw a sketch, prepare materials, and finalize their creation 2 or 3 dimensional. It was essential for this class to be booked as a block of at least 3 classes or for the whole month, as many projects required more than one session to be finished. (see some images for reference below ).
Recommended age was & is 6 and up - it was $35 for a single booked classes it included all materials).
SPECIAL HOLIDAY GIFT CRAFTING CLASSES
WALDORF INSPIRED CRAFTING
STAY TUNED
$45 DOLL MAKING
This was and will be a 2 hour long class, based on the Waldorf Method, which focuses on the student’s intellectual, artistic and practical skills in an integrated and holistic manner. Students learned how to make sewing patterns to sew clothes for and make small dolls (see some examples below ).
Usually happening on SATURDAY’s leading up to Valentines Day, Easter and Christmas, from 10 AM - 12 PM.
$45 NEEDLE FELTING
The class was a 2 hour long class and was and will be based on the Waldorf Method, which focuses on the student’s intellectual, artistic and practical skills in an integrated and holistic manner. Students learn how to needle-felt animals. Please note that there is a possibility of the children stabbing themselves with the felting needle. You might want to talk to your child about this and prepare them as well as ask them if they will be ok with this without their parent to sooth ir help. Please make sure your child already has good fine motor skills before signing up - to assure everyones HAPPINESS !
Usually happening on SATURDAY’s leading up to Valentines Day, Easter and Christmas, from 10 AM - 12 PM.
Adult Paint & sip
Fridays past offers where on demand
Please contact me directly @ doros.art.studio@gmail.com to sign up at least 3 days in advance, 3 participants minimum, starting September 2023, in the Ettlingen, Karlsruhe area.
This 2 1/2 hour class is an adults-only event for a fun evening of painting, snacks and drinks. The class will offer step-by-step instruction for beginners and advanced tutoring for more experienced students. We’ll begin with an art project, then take a break to enjoy some snacks, drinks and conversation, and finally dive back in to finish each student’s painting. $60
Private & Special classes
I offered and will offer private groups, special occasions and one-on-one classes in my studio or at your location (allow an extra $50 for transport and set up). I will work with you to custom tailor a class to meet your interests and skill level. Minimum of 4 participants required.
Classes can be rescheduled with 24 hours advance notice. Advance class purchase must be used within 60 days of purchase.
PAST Classes & Pricing
MANGA/Drawing & ART CLASSES PRICING were in Dollars, which I will be adjusting to Euro’s, considering German price policies.
Drop-In were (48 hour notice) single class : $35/class
Blocks for continuously booked classes:
3 classes $100
4 classes $128
6 classes $190
Siblings in same class had a siblings discount :
- drop-in $31.50 - continuously booked $30/class (needs to be four or more classes.)
MANGA & WATERCOLOR $40/class
Needle Felting sessions were $45/session (120 min)
There was a Refer a friend discount offer in the past.
PLEASE NOTE : walk-ins were not possible and most likely won’t be possible in the future. I also asked to please give me at least a 48 hour notice, in order to come to a class, so I was able to plan in advance for participants spot being clean and prepared with all materials and tool they would need to participate.
I M P O R T A N T : If someone wasn’t able to make it to class, I asked to please give me a 48 hour cancelation notice and I was happy to schedule a make-up class for them at no extra cost NOT LOOSING the tuition they already paid. This meant any missed class simply rolled over to the next month… again, only if I received a notice 48 hours prior to anyone missing a class.
Payment was due at least 48 hours prior to a desired class. Late tuition resulted in non-participation.
CLASS SIZE : All classes did not exceed more than 6-8 participants. And I required a minimum of 3 participants to hold a class.
SUPPLIES : I offered basic materials to be used, like basic white paper, graphite and color pencil, erasers, simple blending tools; and a limited number of gray shaded Copic Markers for cartoon classes. For painting classes I offered basic school grade acrylic colors and quality water color paper, sometimes basic canvas. Crafting Classes included all materials like felt, wool and yarn, as well as pattern making papers and all tools needed.
For the advanced student, I recommended to purchase copic markers for manga class, as well as smooth surface watercolor paper and a small water color set for painting. As having their own materials also motivated and inspired students to create more art work at home.
For a list of materials I offered to write me an inquiry for help @ DorosArtStudio@gmail.com
All classes offered an engaging combination of learning new skills, personalized instruction and plenty of hands-on art creation. Students were always encouraged to bring their own ideas and visual references if they had a project they had in mind to work on in class. Students learned about creative thinking, techniques & tools, medium preparation, and so much more. Maximum class size was 6 students for the youngest age groups and 8 for the age groups 8 years and up, minimum again were 3 students per class given.
TESTIMONIALS
“I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for art class all year. It has been tremendous outlet for my daughter this year, which was really a pretty rough year for her at school. You are doing great things, Doro. A million thank you’s !” — Sarah S. Manga/Drawing Class
“Doro is an amazing art teacher. My daughter (13) has learned so much about perspective drawing. And my son (9) loves drawing his favorite manga characters.” — Melissa K.
”We knew this course was special when my daughter (10) showed off her first drawing after only one lesson. Mrs. Hofmann is a very kind and patient teacher and understands perfectly well how to boost a child’s confidence.” — Michael G.
“I love how the classes inspire more art making on the off days. My kids are in good hands.” — Robin L.
"Thank you so much Doro. My child enjoys this class so much, it is the highlight of her week. The quality of the materials and the projects is above and beyond my expectations as a parent. I am so glad we finally found an awesome art class for children (and so close to us in Santa Monica!)." — Laura K. mother of a 6 year old, participating in the Saturday’s Crafting Class.
“Doro is amazing. My daughter has loved going to her art class and comes home excited about her creations after each class. She has been in a small class with some friends and has had a great time.” — Erica P., mom of an almost 6 year old, coming to Crafting Class on Saturday’s
Students
My DRAWING & Manga classes are for students 8 years old and older, Art Classes are for students 6 years and older. In general I am excited to cater to everyone who has a curiosity for the arts and a desire to develop their skill sets. All skill levels are welcome and I am happy to inspire and foster your creativity by excelling your ways of expression.
For everyone’s success and happiness, your child should be able to focus for 90 minutes and respect other students, instructors and their learning environment and materials. It’s also important that your child can follow instructions and ask any questions, if needed; and helps with the cleaning up process shortly before the end of the class.
Location
1716 Ocean Park Place South, Santa Monica CA, (310) 488-9458
Enter studio through the parking lot at back Alley entrance of the building. Located between 17th & 18th Streets.
My studio is conveniently located within walking distance to cafes, restaurants, boutiques, a market, and other shops.
