I first met @Darren Lockhart a few years ago when I was as coach for Steve Huston's DFL Program. He has left countless kind words and testimonials. I keep forgetting to note them. Thank you so much Darren for making me look good :) 👉"...it was through Chris's critiques that I started to get my hand/eye coordination on the right track. He wasnt just regurgitating talking points (not that Steve was) but he was really talking to me directly with feedback that was effective and in a way that resonated with me and "clicked" like no other teacher Ive had. It felt like he was translating Steves philosophy into something the lay could understand." PS. Guys, I'm on a new campaign to bring in new members and Pros. If you like what we do here, please leave an honest review or testimonial in this thread or channel. Something that will let potential new members on social media and other Pros know that is place is valuable and needed. Thank you 🙏

I wanted to note this before I forget. I've worked with @Natasza Zurek for 3 years now. Her progress is unbelievable to see. Look at her recent painting. Wow 😍. Another one of her gorgeous paintings just got into a group exhibition. Congratulations. I'm beyond proud and humbled to be a part of journey. Thank you for making me look good. 🤝🙏 PS. Guys, I'm on a new campaign to bring in new members and Pros. If you like what we do here, please leave an honest review or testimonial in this thread or channel. Something that will let potential new members on social media and other Pros know that is place is valuable and needed. Thank you 🙏

Even though I've had Steve Huston's book on my shelves for a long time, I find Chris's book much easier to follow, not that I don't find Steve's book good too. Added to my Billy the bookcase in my living room.

I want to share my experience with Steve Huston’s DFL Mentorship Program with you all and I figured this would be the perfect forum. I joined Steve’s program back in 2021, when we were all at home during the COVID pandemic. It was the “beta” version of his program and he had gathered a wonderful cohort of students, including Ellen and Gina who are part of this community (anyone else? let me know!). We had all levels of artists, including the amazing figurative artist, Patrick Jones. I was a new artist then, hardly able to draw a straight line and knowing very little about art, art history or what it meant to be an artist. I just knew that I had recently discovered a love for drawing, especially portraits. I’ve been thinking back to those days and all that I learned from Steve. Shortly, after finishing the program, I had a major move across the country. I kept up my daily drawing practice that I had developed in the program and as soon as I arrived in my new hometown, I found myself drawing cats at a cat café. I also began watercolor painting, something that Steve talked about and demonstrated in his program. He shared sketchbooks of his watercolors, and I was mesmerized by the beauty of his paintings. Long story short, visitors to the cat cafe saw my cat drawings and paintings and wanted portraits of their pets. It wasn’t long before this pastime became a thriving pet portrait business. So many of the lessons I learned in drawing human anatomy and portraiture from Steve, Chris, and Charles Hu, I applied to cats and dogs. Just like we analyze the structure and gesture of the human body, I do the same for cats and dogs. Similar to doing life drawing, I regularly do quick sketches of the cats at the cat café so that I can become more familiar with their personalities, features and anatomy. I’m told time and time again by customers that I’ve captured the likeness of their pet exactly. I could only do this because of the lessons I learned in Steve’s program. When I was considering taking Steve’s program, I thought I was only going to learn about drawing figures and portraits. I wasn’t sure where I would take these skills. Steve said that if we worked hard and applied ourselves, we’d be able to accomplish anything. We’d be world-class. He was right. Even though I didn’t plan to become a pet portrait artist, or a business owner, here I am doing just that, and loving what I do every day. This is just the beginning, I’m excited to think where my Art journey will take me.

Everyday I receive so many wonderful messages, comments and constructive feedback. This is a wonderful gift for me. Thank you. I would like to share your comments publicly so we can show the world how beautiful our community is and how much it is needed in this modern time. I would like to share your comments here, on social media and by email. Your testimonials will help us grow and attract new members that are aligned, AND attract professionals and superstar Artists that you admire. 👉So, IF you are OPPOSED to me sharing your comment publicly, please reply below or DM me. Thanks again for your support and energy. We have a very bright future ahead. PS. I'm starting my 100 reach-outs campaign now so you may see your comments posted more often so the pros I contact will know how much the members enjoy the community.🔥