Experienced tutor in Drawing in San Francisco, James offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Not all artists can teach but Jim Gleason
has that gift. He is not only a wonderful artist, he is a great teacher. He is extremly professional and highly organized .
With a subtle sense of humor, he . inspires and motivates you as he generously shares his vast knowledge.
You will enjoy having him as your teacher. You will learn a lot!

From Joyce Rosenstiel

Re James Gleeson

In my years as both a teacher and an administrator, I spent over fifteen years evaluating teachers.

Jim Gleeson is an outstanding teacher for many reasons. Here are a few

1. He understands that people learn in different ways, so he uses the white board for visual learners.

2. He repeats what is important about the lesson, for oral learners,

3. He demonstrates so you actually get to see what you will be learning,

4. He goes around to give individual help so you can get out of trouble if you are having concept difficulty.

5. He never denigrates, but gives suggestions in a positive way.

6. We are very lucky to have hime working with us.

Just about everything. He explains, demonstrates and then assigns. He is extremely helpful. And best of all, he is positive.

I have been drawing for many years and doing watercolors for about 15. I have worked with a number artists but never had the basic skill building that Jim presents. He provides excellent demonstrations followed by hands on experience and supervision. His critiques are positive and informative. Jim also is good at helping with projects that students are working on that are not part of the days lesson. I hope to continue to work with Jim because my skills and insights are growing with his help.

I have had Jim Gleeson for a group class as well as taking private classes from him in his studio. There are many good artists out there but few can teach as well as him. He is so well versed in so many mediums and can enthusiastically teach it all. I first started out in a watercolor class with him and realized that I needed more drawing instructions which I did with him in his studio. It helped immensely, he was great at bringing it down to my level and really helping me...I could go on and on...but I won't!

Jim is very knowledgeable of his subject and a great art teacher! Knows his stuff! I enjoy learning from him. His lessons are well thought out and structured. He presents the art lesson in a clear and pleasant manner and his demonstrations and follow-up to the lesson are well done. He is enthused about teaching art to others. It is pleasant being in his class, and when I leave, I am excited about applying and expanding on the lesson in my studio. Makes me want to paint even more!

I like the energy and attention that Jim gives to the class. He challenges me and I have to do the work but I think I will improve this way.

Jim gives great critiques of your work to help you become an even better painter.

Jim can work with all levels of students. He is one of the best teachers I have ever worked with! Even when teaching basics, he captures the imagination of what and were it can take you, and how limitless it all is!
I have seen him take adult student up several levels in a few week. Plus he's really a fun and nice person to be around!

Jim understands the challenges that beginning and intermediate painters face when dealing with difficult mediums like oil, oil glaze, and watercolors. He teaches how to see shape and form in color and light(and how to apply it in a painting). His color theory is superb. Techniques for different brushes are taught as well.

Jim has the talent ! His experience as a excellent artist comes through
His lessons .. all his students show marked improvement ! Good teacher!

Jim is such a talented artist from icons to abstracts and everything in between! He teaches from a vast knowledge of his craft with enthusiasm and patience. He makes each budding artist feel good about their efforts and their progress while critiquing with suggestions
for an improvement. One can not help but improve with Jim’s
guidance. Plus he makes painting fun!