“Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

- Picasso

THE ART OF LZM STUDIO →
THE ART OF LZM STUDIO →

Learn to draw with the LZM Studio Drawing Method

You can learn to draw!

From stick figures to realistic still life drawings in 17 hours of drawing lessons!

Learning to draw is really about seeing your world in a new way. I work with people 7 years of age to adults, giving detailed drawing instruction in both my online drawing course & in private drawing lessons. Both the online drawing course & private lessons will give you new access to seeing, processing, recording, & communicating about your world visually. It is a lot easier than you might think to learn to draw. You can banish those stick figures!

PRIVATE DRAWING LESSONS
PRIVATE DRAWING LESSONS
ONLINE DRAWING COURSE
ONLINE DRAWING COURSE

LZM Studio’s Portfolio
LAURIE'S ART PORTFOLIO
LAURIE'S ART PORTFOLIO

LZM Studio’s Student Portfolio
MORE STUDENT ARTWORK
MORE STUDENT ARTWORK

What clients say about LZM Studio:

  • Avery was a student of yours back in 2011-2012. I wanted to share with you that a drawing she did a month ago went to the state level in the VASE competition. She then medalled at the state level. She is currently a freshman in high school & is really getting back into art this year. She has actually not done anything since taking lessons with you.

    Parent of a student who was an LZM Studio private lesson student in 5th-6th grade

  • “It’s the best part of the house, Laurie. Truly. I don’t care if this sounds cheesy: you have blessed this house with your talents, thoughtfulness, attention to detail…I could go on and on. This has been such a pleasure. And honestly it’s kept me sane at times. I wish you could see people stop and stare. I asked my dad his favorite part of the home. He didn’t hesitate and said your piece. I wholeheartedly agree.”

    From the homeowner who commissioned Every Moment Is New for her gorgeous property

  • “The handouts that accompany the video lessons are truly amazing. Often, I will go back and read over the notes for extra clarification. I sometimes process information better if I can read it, so the additional reinforcement puts your lessons over the top for me. I also appreciate the large number of images you provide for us to practice drawing. Sometimes it is so hard to figure out what to draw! Thanks again for the time, thought & effort you’ve clearly put into creating your online drawing lessons. It’s fairly priced & worth every penny!”

    Online student (who also happens to be a teacher)

  • “Laurie has been a wonderful teacher who has given me basic skills in drawing. Laurie is a patient teacher. She is an inspiring teacher. She is a teacher who also stretches her students, helping them discover more about themselves. I can now draw! I continue to be a student of Laurie’s and look forward to each coming lesson.”

    Adult LZM Student, Business Owner/Dad, private lessons for himself & 8 year old son for 3 years

  • “I always like to brag to the parents when their kid does well. R. had the highest audition score!”

    Teacher, regarding a former LZM Studio private lesson student’s audition to the Fine Art Middle School Magnet

  • “This is a beautiful letter of recommendation from a thoughtful and caring mentor. Thank you and thank you for your friendship with her over the years. There has NEVER been a week in which she had her lesson with you that she was not happy or looking forward to seeing you.”

    Parent of a Senior in High School who was an LZM Studio private lesson student for 7 years

  • “You have a very calm & measured way about you, and I assumed you would provide sage advice. Thankfully you were gracious enough to prove me right.”

    Adult LZM Studio private lesson student, with a neurospicy brain

  • "Thank you so much!! It’s so annoying when you crumple the paper & it just ruins everything. Your videos helped me. BTW you’re so underrated, you deserve much more for such good quality."

    Online LZM Studio student

  • “Learning to draw with Laurie opened a new world for me. I loved learning that I can be patient & take my time & create something beautiful. Laurie is gifted in the way she explains complicated processes to make them manageable."

    Adult student of LZM Studio for 3 years

  • "I think what she learned were the foundations that helped her understand WHY things looked the way they did to her (which is different than the way they look to other people... I still come across instances of this today where it becomes clear that she sees something I don't see)... & the skills to bring those things out for other people. I would say that she learned that drawing was something she could DO, that it was something she could study, rather than just as a fun thing she did all the time. You were really good at pushing her at her speed, allowing her strengths/needs to guide what you did. She is finishing Year 2 at RISD, majoring in Illustration. She has gotten so many accolades, it's nuts. She has a gigantic painting (6' x 5') at the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles right now. She did the most recent album cover for someone designated the UK's "princess of rap" (I cannot remember this person's name). She won Best Stop Motion film last year at the Vermont Animation Festival. She just continues to astound me. (& in the summer, she does boring landscapes she hates for money, hahahaaaa. One of her grandmother's friends commissioned her to paint this terrible view of their country house (it was literally 3/4 roof) & said they are going to sell it for a lot of money when she gets famous... she was like, "That is not a thing that happens anymore." hahaha)."

    Parent of a Middle School Student who went on to major in Fine Art at RISD

  • "I just read the letter of recommendation you wrote for me. It was beautiful, I appreciate you so much! You’ve been such a fun & amazing teacher & friend."

    Student of LZM Studio for 7 years

  • “This is a beautiful letter of recommendation from a thoughtful and caring mentor. Thank you and thank you for your friendship with her over the years. There has NEVER been a week in which she had her lesson with you that she was not happy or looking forward to seeing you.”

    Parent of a Senior in High School who was an LZM Studio private lesson student for 7 years

  • “Laurie’s work ethic is meticulous, experienced, and reliable. After studying with Laurie for 4 years, I have continued sketching and drawing because she taught me a lifelong skill. My ability to draw has provided me with opportunities to sketch places I visit or find extraordinary. I keep a sketch travel journal of places I have seen which is an incredible enrichment for my brain. Drawing wakes up my brain and makes me more alert.”

    Adult LZM Studio private lesson student

  • “Please forgive my walk down memory lane - I was a student of yours in an Art 111 class, years ago. I'm cleaning up some papers and folders and unearthed a grading sheet with your notes on my portfolio. The one that stands out to me is "keep getting darker - you want a full range from light to dark"... I was in architecture school at the time and am a professional architect now. I've always kept drawing but hadn't drawn 'for fun' in a few years until the pandemic, when I started up again. When discussing those drawings with some friends I found myself describing my process as "I find the darkest area and try to make that black, and find the whitest area and make it off limits, and the rest is just connecting the two." Charcoal certainly helps with the blacks :) Anyway, I don't know if that line of thought is mine or originates with subconscious memory of your comment, but just wanted to share. I'm glad to see you now have this practice. Hope all is well!”

    College Student, taking a Drawing 1 class from Laurie when she was in graduate school

  • “You have a very calm and measured way about you, and I assumed you would provide sage advice. Thankfully you were gracious enough to prove me right.”

    Adult LZM Studio private lesson student, with a neurospicy brain

  • “We are incredibly grateful to you for not only teaching Kate, but being a mentor to her. We certainly consider you an important part of our lives and can’t imagine making it through these bizarre COVID times without the consistency and joy of art classes with you.She’s learned so much from you, and probably in large part because you create such a wonderful, supportive environment.”

    Parent (a University of Texas Researcher) of an LZM Studio private lesson student of 6 years & counting

  • “Thank you for your gracious introduction to the art world.”

    Adult student of LZM Studio

  • “Oh my gosh Laurie!!! I should be thanking you for teaching me art, and being such an amazing teacher!!! I loved getting to meet you and thank you SO SO much for everything you've done for me. I will never forget how kind you were to me, and the amazing discussions we've had!!! You are a truly amazing person, and cherish you for that!”

    Middle School LZM Studio private lesson student (who sent this email on her own!)

  • “We both miss you & I consider you one of several very critical mentors in her life.”

    Parent of the same Middle School LZM Private lesson student who wrote me on her own

  • “We are grateful for how much you have taught E. You are an amazing teacher and have inspired both E. and J. to be very passionate about art.”

    Parent (a University of Texas Professor) of two LZM Studio private lesson students

  • “I studied digital art at my university for games and film, but it wasn’t until I learned traditional drawing with Laurie that I began to understand the astonishing human capacity for visualization. Unlike a digital canvas, every stroke is remembered indelibly by fibrous paper, whether it’s done with a pencil or an eraser. Laurie helped me to think deeply about my mark making, which noticeably enhanced my visual memory and comprehension. As that improves, so does the drawing! Laurie is incredibly patient and passes on a deep understanding of how to make a successful drawing. It’s been such a privilege to study her method.”

    Adult LZM Studio private lesson student

  • "Laurie, this image & piece is such a reflection of how I remember you! Elegant, decisive, natural, delicate & powerful at once! Love the movement, the catch of shadow & light in this piece."

    Adult, Art Therapist review of Every Moment Is New

  • “It's been ages since we communicated, G. is now at McCallum in the Fine Arts major and doing very well. We're still so grateful to the head start you gave him.”

    Parent (a University of Texas Professor, Author, & Artist) of an LZM Studio private lesson student

  • "I found the class to be very valuable in several ways. I thought your method and approach made drawing more understandable as an activity rather than it being some sort of esoteric thing that only gifted people could do. I really liked the step-by-step approach to both seeing and drawing an object. Especially valuable to me were the lessons in perspective and the value scale--extremely useful tools! I also like your explanations of how people see objects in general, how to observe them in more detail and draw from observation rather than from a preconceived mental picture. Sighting and proportion are great tools as well. I took many art classes as a young person but don't recall learning these elemental and useful concepts! I hope to take more drawingclasses in the future. But, as it stands, your class has offered many techniques and concepts to keep me busydrawing on my own. I thought your approach was thorough and very understandable. Thank you for an excellent experience! Attached is a picture of my final project--I can see in the photo I sure can work on those ellipses & angles! Thanks again, have a great summer!'

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks who then took private lessons

  • "Thank you for such a lovely class, Laurie. I learned so much and gained so much confidence in such a small period of time with your class. Hope to take another one of yours in the future."

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks

  • "You’re very welcome—thanks again for the instruction and encouragement!"

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks who sent me a thank you note & gift in thanks (never expected & so sweet!)

  • "I just wanted to thank you for the amazing course. I’ve learned so much and was able to draw things I was never able to before. You really helped me with the concept of “learning to see”, which really helped me with breaking down “hard” tasks into smaller easier components.I’m really grateful for you and hopefully we’ll get to meet in the future again."

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks

  • "I love your videos, and the way you touch on areas of the craft that get overlooked in other courses, as though it's a given that, as in this example, any old straightedge will create equally precise lines."

    Online student

  • "Laurie's instruction was excellent. I love how she broke down the complex concepts into easily understandable pieces. I would love to take another class from Laurie."

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks

  • "This is a basic drawing class and it was just what I needed."

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks

  • "Laurie was great about teaching us both theory and process in such a way that we can apply it to any drawing project. I can't say enough about her organization, knowledge, patience, and ability to work with students at every level."

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks

  • "Laurie, I am grateful for those twelve weeks of your drawing instruction. It was a good group, and we had the benefit of your thoughtful experience figuring out how to explain the tricks of the trade. I think your steadiness becomes the foundation to our bravely facing that blank white page."

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks

  • "It was a great class. It was full of practical information and tools that have helped me be more confident in my drawing. I see more detail in the world than ever before."

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks

  • "She was very good at presenting drawing basics that I didn't know about. Easy pace. I felt comfortable and I learned a lot."

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks

  • "Laurie is an excellent teacher. She provides clear, methodical instruction on technique which we were able to apply on our final project. In addition, she has a wonderful way of providing critique in a way that was helpful and not intimidating. I highly recommend her."

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks

  • "Laurie is a great teacher and very helpful, focusing on the specific skills I was interested in practicing."

    Student from a group class that met 10 weeks

  • “Great video. I always feel like online artists are focused on getting views and doing more “interesting tutorials” and self taught artists like me don’t see the importance of these kinds of exercises, causing a stunt in artistic growth. So thank you.”

    Online student

  • The handouts and videos are amazing. Absolutely top quality. I’m a teacher and the instruction is phenomenal. Thank you!

    Online student

  • "This has been the single most understandable [video on] how to use these things I’ve ever gotten - wish my art teachers had made that much sense."

    Online student

  • “I’ve already started the course. I’m so glad you include things to draw for an art “newbie” it helps a lot!”

    Online student

  • "I am taking the LZM Studio Online/Remote Learning course and it is superb! The course is chock full of videos and packed with all the information a beginner like me needs to get traction and gain momentum with my drawing goals. The instructor, Laurie Mann, really explains all the how's and why's so well -- she's very articulate and makes both simple and complex concepts easy to understand. She covers both drawing techniques and how to properly use the various artist's tools. The camera work is professionally done for easy-to-follow visuals, and she sprinkles her sessions with dry wit and good humor which really personalizes this online class. When I was searching for a beginner online drawing course I found several to choose from, but I settled on this one and it's the perfect one for me. That said, I sense that even more experienced artists would also enjoy this course because there's so much in it for everyone -- and especially considering how much info and enjoyment there is packed into this course, the cost is a bargain!"

    Online student

  • "This online course is super! I learned so much and highly recommend it. Laurie breaks the lessons down in an easy way to understand for a beginner. Her teaching style and methods are encouraging and professional."

    Online student

  • "Thank you so much!! It’s so annoying when you crumple the paper & it just ruins everything. Your videos helped me. BTW you’re so underrated, you deserve much more for such good quality."

    Online student

  • "I just took my first adult beginner drawing class & felt really disheartened. My teacher had us free draw a still life for the last hour & I was spending so long just trying to start drawing a chalice I had picked out. I could not get the ellipse symmetrical or when I tried to do a fast stroke to begin with, it wouldn’t connect. Once I got one that at least looked okay, I would realize that the perspective of the ellipse wasn’t in the same perspective I was drawing. This video has helped me so much & has given me the courage to go to my second class."

    Online student

  • “You really understand the questions and topics that drawing "students" want and need and break it down into practical bites. Success!”

    Online student

  • “Concentration is like a muscle: with exercise, it can strengthen and develop. I discovered this several years ago when I decided to take drawing lessons. I wanted to understand proportion and shading, to see like an artist. But I couldn’t compose images right away. First, I had to build a foundation. I had to learn about one detail at a time – line, proportion, and condensing space; value, light, and texture – and improve my manual dexterity. Drawing forced me to be precise, sketch by sketch.”

    Private lesson student of 4+ years (middle school through early high school)

  • “I just wanted to share with you how much Lane & I both loved our lesson today. Thanks for making it so approachable & fun. We are so glad to be your students!”

    From a first private joint lesson with a Mom & tween kid

  • “Ethan loved his lesson with you today. The first thing he said is that he wished it lasted longer. He also said he wants to have as many lessons as possible with you. Thank-you! Ethan carried around his paper and art supplies when we ran errands today and, at my office, he used his new pencils to draw a figure of Freud that I had on my shelf (from a former student)”

    From a first private lesson with the younger sibling of a former student

  • "Last night, I had a lightbulb moment and I finally got what you were trying to teach me with the apple yesterday. I practiced a new drawing today and will show you next week. I think it looks better than the one I worked on yesterday. This process of learning with you feels so spiritual. As the saying goes, when the student is ready…"

    From a long time adult private lesson student

  • “Thank you for another great year!!”

    Private lesson student

  • “On our way home from David's lesson last night he said, ‘Every time I'm with Laurie I feel like I'm with a famous person because she's so good.’ He is so excited about having a 2-hour lesson coming up!”

    Tween private lesson student

  • “It's been ages since we communicated, G. is now at McCallum in the Fine Arts major and doing very well. We're still so grateful to the head start you gave him.”

    Parent (a University of Texas Professor, Author, & Artist) of an LZM Studio private lesson student

  • "Just wanted to say thank you for the sketching and drawing meditation lessons, it was a great experience!! I had not sketched in over 7 years and was looking to gain more confidence with my drawing skills. I found LZM Studio through a Google search as I was going to be visiting the area from another state. Laurie created a positive & comfortable environment that made me excited to start drawing again! The drawing mindfulness class was very relaxing and provided techniques I can utilize during the work day. Next time I am in the area, I will definitely carve out a few hours for a drawing class with Laurie!"

    One time workshop student

  • "I love my art lessons… Thank you!"

    Adult private lesson student

  • "Laurie concentrated first on giving my son, Eli (then 9) a good foundation in basic drawing. She worked with shapes and shading. Eli then felt confident in moving forward and using those skills to draw objects. His goal as an artist is to do his best work possible and he feels Laurie helps guide him in that endeavor. As his mother, I appreciate how patient she is and on task Laurie keeps Eli. He has worked with her now for two years and I marvel at her ability to complete her objectives as his teacher and simultaneously allow him space to be himself. The work he has produced amazes me. I know the guidance Laurie extends is a main drive behind the work. It is my hope to keep Laurie's influence over Eli's artistic growth for a long time to come"

    Valerie, Acupuncturist/Mom, private lessons for son for 2+ years

  • "Laurie gave my daughter private art lessons winter of 2008. We loved her! She was very quick to communicate, always prompt and a lovely personality. My daughter looked forward to their classes together. She learned the basics of drawing along with other advanced techniques well enough to help her produce a confident portfolio. This portfolio along with her middle school grades were sufficient in meeting the requirements for entry into the Fine Arts Academy McCallum High School Austin, Texas. Laurie is talented and has a disposition perfect for working with middle schoolers (and therefore probably any age). We admire her and hope to work with her again.”

    Mom/Restaurateur, worked with her daughter for a few weeks for portfolio prep

  • "I took Laurie's drawing class for adult beginners. Her instruction was fun, personable, comprehensive, and effective; by the end of the course I was drawing much better than I would have expected. So were all the other participants. Laurie was patient with questions and always encouraging when a confidence boost was needed. I would take more classes from her in a heartbeat if I still lived in the same city. Year first hired: 2008. Top Qualities: Personable, Expert, Creative”

    Adult, group class participant

  • "I had not been involved in art since my 10th grade art class. After high school, I always thought that I could do a decent job with drawing, but I waited 44 years to see if I was right or just dreaming. I didn't know where to start and someone told me that I should attend a drawing class. I found a convenient class near my home and Laurie was the instructor. She started with the basics and went from there. I enjoyed her approach and was motivated to work between classes. I ended up taking 2 sessions of classes from her and came away with great techniques and the confidence that I could draw. All I needed to do was to practice what I had learned from Laurie's classes. I am very grateful to Laurie as she made each class fun, challenging and easy to follow."

    Adult, Group class participant

  • “Laurie has been working with my 8 year old son for over a year. They have had a great time exploring different drawing techniques. He has learned so much and gained confidence in his abilities. Laurie has a gentle, calm manner with children, and great ideas about how to get them to develop their skills. My son has produced some wonderful drawings with her guidance.”

    Mom of private lessons student age 7-8

  • I had never had a formal art class before. My goal was to be able to easily sketch anything and be able to build on that skill. Laurie is so good at explaining the techniques and focusing on the areas where I need help. I am really enjoying it and I am very happy with my progress. When I was in the middle of my Drawing 2 lessons, we were planning our Halloween decorations at home; we like to do it up big! Each year my husband likes for me to make a drawing of our house and yard and draw in all the Halloween elements for planning. In past years I could not get the perspective right in my drawings, we could see the basic idea but it did not look realistic at all. This time I sat down to draw our Halloween sketch, as I looked at it I realized that the perspective was exactly right! I had just drawn it correctly without thinking about it. My lessons were working! Later I was painting a picture of a skull on a sign. I had planned to use black and white for the skull. As I started painting I saw the skull had several shades of color, from black to deep gray to light grey to white. I would never have noticed that before. I added the shading it gave the picture shape and depth that I had never before been able to achieve. I am very surprised at how quickly I have seen results from my lessons with Laurie. I highly recommend her. An added bonus is when I am drawing, as I focus on my art, stress and tension just melt away. I love it!”

    Adult private lesson student