Mindful Artist Academy
Learn to draw with confidence and discover what you're capable of along the way.
Through classical drawing and painting instruction, personalized guidance, and a mindset that values patience and progress, Mindful Artist Academy helps aspiring artists build strong skills while learning to enjoy the creative journey.
Learning art can feel overwhelming when you are trying to piece it all together on your own.
You may be wondering if you’re talented enough, feeling frustrated by slow progress, or trying to learn from disconnected tutorials without knowing what to practice next. Joe knows that feeling.
His approach breaks complex concepts into manageable steps and gives you the guidance, encouragement and structure to keep moving forward.
Classical art, taught with patience.
Joe is an artist, instructor and lifelong student who specializes in realistic classical drawing and painting.
He combines clear step-by-step instruction with encouragement, constructive feedback and a focus on mindset, helping students build stronger skills without losing the joy of learning.
Why Mindful Artist Academy
CLASSICAL FOUNDATIONS
Build realistic drawing and painting skills through strong, time-tested artistic principles.
CLEAR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE
Complex ideas are broken into manageable steps so the learning process feels approachable.
MINDSET & TECHNIQUE
Develop patience, confidence and trust in the process alongside technical skill.
SUPPORTIVE TEACHING
Learn with an instructor who meets you where you are and is genuinely invested in your growth.
How It Works
ONE
Choose Your Course
Build realistic drawing and painting skills through strong, time-tested classical principles.
TWO
Learn Step by Step
Complex ideas are broken into manageable steps so the learning process feels approachable.
THREE
Practice & Keep Growing
Develop patience, confidence and trust in the process alongside technical skill.
Ways to Learn with Joe
Whether you prefer self-paced study, live instruction, or personalized coaching, there are several ways to learn with Joe and grow as an artist.
Online Courses
Self-paced, step-by-step instruction designed to help you develop stronger drawing and painting skills, build confidence, and learn Joe's approach to classical and representational art.
In-Person Classes
Hands-on classical drawing and painting instruction with Joe at Crealdé School of Art. Joe works directly with students in the classroom, providing personal instruction, demonstrations, and guidance throughout the learning process.
Live Group Coaching
Interactive online sessions with additional instruction, demonstrations, questions and encouragement. Details and availability will be announced as these sessions are developed.
Coming soon!
Personal Drawing Coach Two Ways
Choose the kind of personal guidance that works best for you.
Personalized Video Coaching
Send Joe your drawing by email and receive a private, personalized video critique created specifically for your work. Joe uses Procreate to draw over your artwork, explain what he sees, and give you clear, actionable steps to help move your drawing forward.
4 Sessions | $120
Live One-on-One Coaching
Meet privately with Joe online for personalized, real-time drawing instruction. Send your drawing ahead of time, then work directly with Joe as he demonstrates techniques, answers questions, and helps you make adjustments during the session.
Starting at $50 per session
PREFER TO LEARN IN PERSON?
Join Joe for local art classes in the Orlando area.
Joe teaches classical drawing and painting classes at Crealdé School of Art. Explore the current classes below, then follow the links below for class details and registration directly through Crealdé.
Realistic Drawing with Colored Pencils WG
An exciting new twist to a classical drawing technique is colored pencil. Adding thin glaze-like layers of colored pencil to a carefully constructed drawing can produce surprising results. A step-by-step breakdown of the process will gain understanding of color, value structure, and traditional drawing methods.
DATE & TIME
Mondays | 03:00 pm - 05:00 pm
DURATION
8 Weeks
ADDRESS
310 N. Dillard Street Winter Garden, FL 34787 United States
LOCATION
Jessie Brock Community Center - WINTER GARDEN
START DATE
Monday October 19, 2026
Charcoal / Pencil Drawing
Create vibrant, drawings with full value range using charcoal/graphite. Starting with a block-in sketch then learn the principles of form modeling to create a look of realism and dimensionality. Work from still life set-ups or choose to draw your own subjects.
DATE & TIME
Thursdays | 06:00 pm - 08:00 pm
DURATION
8 Weeks
ADDRESS
600 St. Andrews Blvd Winter Park, FL 32792 United States
LOCATION
Main Campus - WINTER PARK
START DATE
Thursday, October 22, 2026
PREFER TO LEARN ONLINE?
Join Joe for online art classes.
Foundations of Realistic Portraiture: Block-in Techniques
In the "Foundations of Realistic Portraiture: Block-in Techniques" mini course led by Joe Mattus at the Mindful Artist Academy, students will dive deep into the art of starting a portrait drawing using precise block-in methods. This course focuses on establishing accurate measurements and guidelines that help create lifelike portraits. Through Joe's expert guidance, students will learn to save time and reduce frustration by setting up a systematic approach that ensures consistent results with every drawing.
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Beginners & Seasoned Artists
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Establishing accurate measurements for the initial portrait block-in
Using points, tilts, and shapes to build the drawing
Refining the block-in in multiple passes
Developing the eyes and other facial features
Making corrections and finalizing the block-in
Includes a high-resolution reference photo and materials list
Bonus: An Artist's Materials
Bonus Module: Success Path of the Mindful Artist
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US $37.00
Reference to Reproduction: Drawing A Master Copy in Color Pencil
Learn Joe Mattus's step-by-step process for creating a realistic color pencil portrait, from accurate proportions and the initial block-in through modeling, layering color, and finishing. Joe doesn't leave the important decisions to chance. He breaks the process down so you can understand what you're doing and take those skills with you into your own drawings.
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Beginners & Seasoned Artists
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The five stages of artistic development and how mindset supports growth as an artist
Block-in fundamentals for establishing accurate proportions, shapes, angles and relationships
Color matching, mark making and choosing the right colored pencil materials
Complex grid and traditional block-in methods for building an accurate portrait
Drawing transfer and modeling techniques including veiling, hatching, stumping and layered shading
Building the final color portrait from the main color pass through facial features, hair, clothing and finishing touches
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US $99.00
Make Your Portrait Drawing Come To Life
Work alongside Joe Mattus as he creates a realistic charcoal portrait from beginning to end. Joe takes you through the complete process, from the initial block-in through modeling and finishing, explaining the techniques and decisions behind each stage. Follow along at your own pace as you learn the techniques, decisions, and structured approach Joe uses to bring a portrait to life, and develop skills you can carry into your own drawings.
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Beginners & Seasoned Artists
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Drawing Techniques & Set-Up: Learn three modeling techniques, how to use a single light source, and how photo reference differs from direct observation.
Thumbnail Measuring: Learn Joe's method for accurately measuring and establishing your portrait before moving forward.
The Block-In: Build and refine the portrait using measurements, points, tilts, shapes, symmetry, and light and dark shapes.
The Transfer Process: Learn why Joe transfers the block-in and how this prepares the drawing for modeling.
Form Modeling: Follow Joe as the portrait begins to come to life through value, modeling, shaping subforms, and adding white chalk.
Work Alongside Joe: Follow the complete creation of a charcoal portrait from beginning to end, at your own pace.
Included: 26 Video Lessons, 22 Downloadable Resource Guides, and a high-resolution reference photo.
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US $99.00
Mindful Painting - The Still Life
Paint a classical still life alongside Joe, from the initial drawing through the final touches. Joe takes you through the entire painting process step by step, demonstrating each stage as he creates the painting himself. Each module also includes a written guide to reinforce the lessons and give you a resource to return to as you work. You’ll learn how to measure and draw accurately, establish values, mix and apply color, build believable three-dimensional forms, and thoughtfully refine your work while developing a more mindful approach to seeing and painting.
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Beginners & Seasoned Artists
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The Success Path of the Mindful Artist: Explore the five stages of artistic development and learn how challenges, mistakes, and stuck points can become opportunities for growth.
The Block-In: Learn how to establish the composition, measure accurately, refine shape relationships, develop likeness, and block in the objects of the still life.
The Transfer Process: Prepare the painting surface, prepare the drawing, and learn how to transfer your finished block-in onto the canvas.
The Wipeout: Establish the overall value structure of the still life by removing raw umber, developing light and shadow, refining edges, and creating a foundation for the color pass.
Color Match & Color Pass: Learn how to observe and mix color using hue, value, and chroma, then follow Joe as he develops the vase, lemon, limes, leaf, bricks, and other objects.
Glazing & Finishing Touches: Learn how to evaluate the nearly finished painting, make thoughtful adjustments, refine color and value relationships, glaze where needed, and complete the painting with final touches and varnishing.
Work Alongside Joe: Follow Joe as he creates the complete still-life painting from the initial drawing through the finished, varnished painting, at your own pace.
Included: 35 video lessons, 12 downloadable written resource guides, still-life reference materials, lifetime access, and access to the Mindful Artist community.
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US $99.00
Not ready to choose a course yet?
Start with a free lesson.
Why Accurate Measurements Matter and How to Set Them Up
Before you begin modeling a portrait, you need to get the block-in right. In this free lesson, Joe shows you how to establish the measurements for your portrait block-in and get the proportions right from the very beginning. Getting this first stage right gives you a stronger foundation for everything that follows and gives you a process you can use again in your own drawings.
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Beginners & Seasoned Artists
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How to set up a thumbnail measurement for a portrait block-in
How to establish accurate measurements and proportions from the beginning
How the initial block-in provides the foundation before beginning to model the portrait
A process you can apply to your own portrait drawings
Includes a matching PDF download
Bonus video: An Artist's Materials
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Free to enrol.
What Students Are Saying
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![Diane F., Mindful Artist Academy student]()
"Joe was an exceptional teacher who was patient, giving of his time and talent to make each part of the process understandable. I highly recommend Joe either his online courses or in person at Crealde"
— DIANE F.
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![Steven A., Mindful Artist Academy student]()
"I really have enjoyed the online structure and content you’ve created for us and the zoom sessions really bring it home."
— STEVEN A.
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![Renee N., Mindful Artist Academy student]()
"This class helped me create a portrait I’m proud of—it’s the best I’ve ever done! Repetition and your guidance have made all the difference."
— RENEE N.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Absolutely. Many of Joe's students begin with little or no experience. Lessons are designed to build skills step by step while helping students gain confidence.
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Both. Joe offers self-paced online courses, live online coaching, private mentoring, and in-person classes at Crealdé School of Art.
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Joe specializes in realistic classical drawing and painting, including graphite, charcoal, colored pencil and oil painting.
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Depending on the course or program you choose, students may receive critiques, live coaching, private instruction and opportunities to ask questions.
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Yes. Online courses are designed so you can learn when it fits your schedule and revisit lessons as often as needed.
You’re capable of more than you think.
Start with the learning path that fits where you are today, then keep growing one step at a time.