Book a Demo

Ryan Martin brings over 25 years of professional experience working with a diverse range of art materials. His extensive knowledge covers traditional and contemporary mediums, ensuring deep insights into texture, durability, and application techniques. Ryan offers specialized material lectures and art tutorials tailored for groups such as college students, retail customers, or conference attendees. These sessions provide practical demonstrations, expert advice, and interactive discussions designed to enhance understanding and mastery of art materials. Booking a lecture with Ryan Martin offers a comprehensive learning experience grounded in decades of hands-on expertise.

Materials Lecture

Observation-Based Learning • Materials Education • Guided Q&A

Great for College Institutions, Art Centers, Museum Members, Art Groups & Collectives

These sessions are focused on watching technique, understanding material behavior, and building artistic knowledge without the pressure of producing a final artwork. Participants may take notes and ask questions throughout.

Materials are demonstrated live and provided to examine, but not used hands-on.
No art is made during this session — this is a demonstration and knowledge-building experience.

    • 2 hour visit

    • Live demonstration of techniques for the selected medium

    • Discussion of cost, care, sourcing, and workflow

    • Best practices, common mistakes, troubleshooting

    • Time for Q&A, open conversation, and specific problem-solving

    • Handout option available upon request

  • Lecture Rate (up to 40 attendees)

    • Graphite - $300

      Graphite softness & hardness, sharpeners, erasers, line weight, shading, gesture, contour, composition

    • Color Pencil - $350

      Pigment, dye, binder, layering, blending, burnishing, paper

    • Watercolor - $400

      Pigments, binder, wet into wet, washes, paint mediums, brushes, paper

    • Acrylic - $400

      Pigments, binder, wet into wet, layering, paint mediums, brushes

    • Oil Painting - $400

      Pigments, binders, alla prima, indirect painting & glazing, paint mediums, solvents, safety, brushes, varnishing

      Online Lecture Option

      Any medium: (up to 200 attendees)

      Travel

      For locations more than 50 miles from Richmond, CA: $0.75/mile round trip.

Contact

Make & Take Tutorial

Hands-On Guided Art-making • All Materials Provided • Artwork Goes Home

Great for retailers (showcasing products/brands to customers), small drawing/painting groups (meetups, conferences, art societies)

These workshops are project-based and skill-building.
Participants will create a finished drawing or painting, learning step-by-step technique and practicing alongside the instructor.

All materials are provided for use during the session and must be returned afterward.

Participants keep their completed artwork.

    • Graphite (Recommended for Beginners & Foundations)

      Great for groups new to drawing, focusing on shapes, shading, and confidence-building without pressure. Can also customize project based off of groups interest (to be discussed during planning/scheduling stages)

      • Example Projects:Shaded sphere + cube composition, simple still-life of fruit, step-by-step animal silhouette with light and shadow.

      Professional Color Pencils (Recommended for Groups Wanting Color Without Mess)

      Ideal for studios, classrooms, or mixed-age groups — allows vibrant results using layering and blending techniques.

      • Example Projects:Gradient color wheel bloom, simple realistic leaf, layered gummy bear or soft candy drawing.

      Watercolor (Recommended for Relaxed, Calm, Flow-Based Classes)

      Perfect for adult groups or team-building — watercolor encourages creativity and loosens perfectionism.

      • Example Projects:Abstract sky + horizon landscape wash, loose floral bouquet, simple koi fish or jellyfish with soft gradients.

      Acrylic (Recommended for Bold, High-Impact Visual Results)

      Great for participants who want vivid color and strong shapes; works well in lively or high-energy group settings.

      • Example Projects:Simple sunset with silhouette foreground, stylized pop-art fruit or flower, layered mountain landscape with three values.

      Oil Painting (Recommended for Adult Studio Environments and Slower Pace Learning)

      Ideal for groups wanting a richer, more traditional painting experience — focuses on thoughtful layering and blending.

      • Example Projects:Small tonal value study on canvas, simple pear or apple still life, mini landscape block-in using three colors.

      What’s Included

      • All materials (borrowed) such as pencils, brushes, paints, palettes, trays

      • Paper or canvas depending on medium (canvas is kept in Acrylic/Oil workshops)

      • Personalized coaching and technique support

      • Encouraging, structured guidance throughout

      Participants Take Home

      Their completed piece
      (Not the art materials, those are returned at the end)

  • Graphite

    $300 (Group Size 10-20)

    $400 (Group Size 21-30)

    Step-by-step guided drawing

    2 hours

    Color Pencil

    $400 (Group Size 10-20)

    $500 (Group Size 21-30)

    Layer & blend full-color drawing

    2 hours

    Watercolor

    $450 (Group Size 10-20)

    $550 (Group Size 21-30)

    Complete watercolor painting

    2 hours

    Acrylic

    $500 (Group Size 10-20)

    $600 (Group Size 21-30)

    Canvas painting

    2–2.5 hours

    Oil Painting

    $550 (Group Size 10-20)

    $650 (Group Size 21-30)

    Learn safe oil workflow + canvas painting

    2–2.5 hours

Contact
“I came in curious and left excited about painting again. Ryan’s demo reminded me why I fell in love with art in the first place.”
— Ava (Retail Customer)
“He manages to make even technical material feel exciting. You walk away feeling smarter and more confident with your tools.”
— Marcus (Workshop Attendee)
“Ryan’s deep knowledge of pigments and oil painting techniques blew me away. You can tell he’s spent decades refining his craft”
— Lena (College Student)