What I teach

I teach drawing, painting, and character design to students of all ages — from young artists picking up a pencil for the first time to adults exploring gouache and oils.

I’ve been teaching children ages 6–13 for years, including private one-on-one instruction, after-school and enrichment classes at Sanderling Waldorf School, and youth programs at Cre8 Art School in Encinitas. I love watching kids discover that they can draw — that it’s a learnable skill, not a talent you either have or don’t. My approach is patient, structured, and encouraging: I break complex techniques into steps that build real confidence and real ability.

Drawing & Illustration — Character design, creature drawing, portraiture, gesture and figure drawing, observational sketching, inking, and comic/trading card art. Graphite, pen, and marker.

Gouache Painting — My favorite medium and the one I recommend for anyone starting to paint. Gouache is vibrant, forgiving, fast-drying, and produces professional results. Great for portraits, pet portraits, landscapes, and illustration.

Oil Painting — Classical painting techniques, color mixing, alla prima (wet-on-wet) portraiture, and landscape painting. Solvent-free methods available.

Digital Illustration — Procreate on iPad. Character design, digital painting, and portfolio development for teens.

I’m available to teach summer camps, spring break camps, after-school programs, and weekly workshop series for kids and teens. My camps and classes focus on character design and creature illustration — the most engaging way to teach kids real art fundamentals like proportion, shading, color theory, and composition. Students leave with finished artwork they’re proud of and skills they can keep building on their own.

If you run an art studio, community center, or school program and are looking for a guest teaching artist, I’d love to talk.

I offer private art lessons for kids, teens, and adults in gouache and oil painting. Lessons are available at my home studio in Encinitas, at your location, or at Mikey Kettinger’s Art Studio (811-B N. Vulcan Ave, Leucadia/Encinitas) — a great creative space with everything you need to paint.

Private lessons: 1-on-1, tailored to your goals — whether that’s learning to paint a portrait, building a college portfolio, or just having fun with a new skill.

Small groups: Bring 2–4 friends for a semi-private painting session. Same personalized instruction, more social energy.

Rates and scheduling are flexible. Reach out and we’ll figure out what works.

I studied at OTIS College of Art & Design (scholarship recipient), Laguna College of Art & Design, the Watts Atelier of the Arts, and The Städel Museum in Frankfurt, Germany. I’m fluent in English and German. My work spans graphite, gouache, oils, digital illustration, and sculpture.

If you’re interested in lessons, camps, classes, or collaborations, I’d love to hear from you.

Niklas Hoover (858) 775-5166 niklashoover@gmail.com