Stefan Baumann on location in Mount Shasta California

My growth as a painter is directly related to your coaching and my treating painting like a full-time job. Many Hours of painting with conscious intention and your shared knowledge has been a key element in my growth. I find self-competition is my best growth path. Thank you Stefan Baumann.

Ed Penniman

See The work of Baumanns Coaching Students

What Students Have To Say About  Stefan Baumann Coaching Classes

 

This my very personal story. Yours might be different.

I watched this guy on YouTube for about five years and among all the others giving their knowledge for free on that network he did it differently. He did not paint. But he had a lot to say. And among those that have a lot to say he did it differently. He’s not one of those arrogant know-it-alls. I didn’t need to watch someone painting and I didn’t need someone throwing his wisdom at me. What I desperately needed was someone to ask questions that I couldn’t answer and help me finding my voice. (As a German I was afraid that I couldn’t answer anything but that fear was unfounded and as a side effect my English improves every week.)

From week 1 he kicked me out of my comfort zone. I remember my first homework assignment and I still hold that painting dear. I heard him talk to students on Youtube about their homework assignment and hey, now I got one, too! How cool is that?! I never painted from life before and it was a massive satisfaction to see reality appearing on a canvas and realize that I can acutally do it. What you get from Youtube is good, but it’s a whole different story when it’s about your own thoughts, feelings, brushstrokes – and frustrations.

Not every given task is an obvious step towards my very own style and as the very impatient person I am that’s frustrating at times, but from that I learned the most important lesson so far: I still don’t have a style and doing the same things over and over will certainly keep me from developing one. Stefan saves me carefully from following my own footsteps over and over again. And by doing this, he made me execute my best paintings. Not by telling me what to do or how to do it (well, sometimes …) but by giving me the chance to overcome fear, self-doubt and uncertainty. This also means that I created my most awful fails while working with him! And from each fail I learned ten times more than from any painting I’m proud of today. Guess thats why Stefan also took these crappy paintings seriously. In this one year, he forced me to produce the trash that I stand upon today as a slightly bigger artist than I was before. Today I don’t care anymore if a painting went into the wrong direction cause I know how to fix it (and if not, I know who to ask). That would not have been possible without Stefan. 

Besides all that he is a quite funny dude and I had some funny talks within these months – about politics, aliens, pyramids, accordions and german Volksmusik… you get the idea. He finds the right mix between serious art-talk and chat which is a really hard thing to do.

I will stay with Stefan for some time to come! Becoming a painter is a not that easy and you should have someone holding your hand.

Thanks,

Stefan Fuchs

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Coaching with Stefan Baumann is special. He describes what he does as ‘coaching’ but it is actually far more than that. He is one of those special teachers that not only really cares about his students, but one that can create the bridge from where you are right now, to where you want to be, no matter your skill or experience level.  I finally picked up the telephone after watching Stefan’s videos for about 2 years and yes, he answered….  I told him I wanted to move towards my goal of being an Abstract painter and we moved right ahead with some homework that would allow him to see my skill level and identify the direction I needed to go in. I knew I needed to learn the rules of painting before I could break them and having Stefan work with me on the paintings I produce has been invaluable. My first few homework painting submissions were ugly, but Stefan concluded that it gave us lots to talk about, which was encouraging. Stefan gently guides and nudges and within a short period of time (8 weeks in fact) I had work good enough to go on his coaching page…. 2 pieces in fact which was delightful. His many years of experience and the hundreds of students he has helped, allow him to accurately help each person move in the right direction of their own personal journey. For me it was like he was clearing the fog, helping me be more confident and to get a better focus and understanding. He doesn’t encourage you to paint or create work like him, but to create your own work authentically. If you want to move forward with your creative journey and work with Stefan, then don’t hesitate to pick up the phone…….Pavllou Kokko

Testimonial 

Making that call to Stefan in Jan 2020 literally changed my life. I had a dream and a vision of becoming a full-time artist but the reality of me closing my existing business that I had completely and mentally burnt out in and pursuing my art career was far beyond my reach, but a dream that I wanted more than anything else. I found him online and had watched his youtube videos for close to a year, learning what I could with bits and pieces here and there but I knew I needed more structure and commitment if I was to move forward with my life.   So, one day I took a leap of faith, a deep breath, and called…. He answered. I’ve never had an art coach like him before. He saw what I was able to do and then immediately began to teach me things and concepts that I have never heard of before. My education began that day and I have never worked so hard at trying to grasp new concepts, ideas, and different ways of seeing things. He told me “You’re a great painter of things Deb, however, we do not paint things, we paint light and effects”. So as an uneducated artist with a ton of bad habits, I was always bound and stuck to a photograph and my learning curve was huge. I began painting from life and later began this thing called “plenaire” I had no idea what that was, but it was hard, and I laugh at myself with every painting I do!!!! But that is when everything began to change and all of my bad habits came to the surface and dissolved and new habits and styles formed, my artist within began to emerge I learned his 12 keys one by one and these things called values and temperatures that I have never heard of before became my new vocabulary, and a new solid foundation was forming and building within me. I had to break down the pieces of what I had learned and rebuild again bit by bit into something better, something more solid. I remember beginning a specific painting and then I just stopped, threw my brushes down, calling him crying “You broke me! I have no idea what to do now!” That was yet another one of my many breakthroughs and he was always there for me. Through practice, I learned a lot about what did not work as each assignment became more frustrating than the last but with each bad painting and Stefan’s incredible patience with me, I kept listening and learning and never gave up. I just kept painting, believing that one day I’ll get it, knowing that I have just one more bad painting behind me and one more painting ahead of me closer to reaching my enormous goal of being a master. Stefan’s patience with my learning curve and his belief in me is simply astounding. I struggled, (and still do) but I keep going, taking his advice and knowledge every week and applying it to the best of my ability. Quitting was never an option because he never quits on me and then a little bit by little bit it just started getting easier. Elements of my assignments started to get better, and I could begin to problem solve on my own, seeing mistakes when I made them. I began to see things differently, everywhere. I began to grasp what he was so patiently teaching me every week and then one day it just clicked. Something shifted and I had an “ah-ha” moment. I got it. I saw the light and effects of a painting that was still in my imagination.   When I finished it, Stefan told me that it was one of the best paintings I have ever done, ever. It received the Peoples Choice award at a regional Federation of Canadian Artists show and sold on the first day. I realized then that my dream was within reach.   He helped me to step far beyond my comfort zone and do things I’ve never done before, believing in me every step of the way, pushing me to become a better artist. Doing the work is expected, there is no free ride, and putting in the time to make my art career a priority is non-negotiable, as his time with me is precious and valuable. Our ½ hour sessions every week together is truthful and heartfelt. His compassion and commitment to help us go far beyond any coach I have ever had. I’ve only been with his group for less than a year and I know I still have a lot to learn, however, I am amazed as to how far I have come in such a short period of time. I am completely addicted to this new sport called “plenaire painting”. Yes, it is a sport when you’re in a grizzly country!       As I have closed my business and am now backpacking deep into the Canadian Rockies, experiencing and painting the Canadian wild. So, thanks to Stefan’s coaching, mentorship, and friendship, I am now beginning to live my dream of adventuring into our incredible backcountry becoming a full-time artist and one day a Master Artist. And yes, he always answers when you call.

–Debbie Lund

I’ve been painting off and on for 40 years but never felt like I was a real artist or that I had salable paintings but I didn’t know what was missing or what to do to make them better. After finding Stefan Baumann’s YouTube channel, I felt that what he was teaching was so much more usable and valuable than any other teacher, book, or YouTube channel that I had ever tried before. I learned a lot from his channel and my paintings improved some but I was looking for more. I wanted to become a pro artist. So I signed up for his coaching. The first two weeks showed me how much I didn’t know and how far I had to go. Around week 5 my paintings were already at the next level.  After 8 weeks of coaching, it was astonishing the difference in my paintings and my attitude. And now, after a few months of coaching, my paintings are exponentially better than before. Stefan helped me create a plan and set up a system for marketing my work, and I have a confidence I never would have believed I would have as an artist. In reality, without Stefan’s coaching, I am sure that I would never have made it to this point and I am so grateful that he makes his time available for me. Thank you so much, Stefan! —–Randy Robinson

In May, I set myself a painting goal: improve my plein air painting skills. As we are moving into the festive season, it is time for me to take stock over this “Summer of Painting Plein Air” as I called it when, after a long and grey Winter, brighter days began to make their appearance. So why my focus on plein air painting? Why not paint some still life setups or scenes from beautiful pictures in the shelter of my studio (bedroom corner)? To me plein air is one of the most difficult forms of painting to master because you are always under time constraints (the light changes every 7 minutes) and in an uncontrolled environment (clouds, rain, people, animals etc etc). These constraints tend to drive emotions to shine through more intensely in these paintings, as you are physically and emotionally experiencing the site and the events surrounding it while painting. Because I like a challenge and because at this point in my painting journey, my overarching pursuit is “I do not want cute, I want passionate” (in a controlled kind of way, as in ‘know the rules to break them’), my reason initially for wanting to master plein air was that I feel it would be beneficial for all painting I would want to do down the line. After all, if I can master painting decent paintings outside, surely I will be able to paint Great Passionate Paintings in the studio?

By Stefan Baumann Mount Shasta Dogwood Blossoms Oil on Canvas

Shortly after I started coaching with Stefan Baumann in May 2018, I started, very timidly, doing some plein air painting here and there in Prague, Czech Republic, where I live. Hidden in a park, out of sight of people as much as possible. Painting as a beginning artist amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, with a million tourists walking around seemed impossible to me because well…a whole lot of insecurity and, frankly, because of this thing called Ego, too, I guess. I remember Stefan got pretty upset with me when I told him I could not find anything to paint “how is that possible, you are living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world %$&#!!”. He had a point. So while I definitely took my first stabs at plein air that Summer, I knew I had to change my approach if I really wanted results! First step towards plein air excellence in 2019 was to register for Stefan’s plein air workshop in Tuscany in September. Then, I finally invested in some serious plein air gear (Hello Strada Easel). With that commitment and some professional gear in my backpack, I was setting myself up for a steep plein air learning curve. By then, it was clear to me that I also had to work on my mindset in order to squash the obstacle of fear and ego and GO OUT and PAINT. Every artist was first an amateur became my mantra and it really has helped me be more confident and relaxed to paint plein air for all to see. I know now deep in my heart that I am a student of plein air with no obligation to produce a masterpiece on the spot. What a relief. These days I am painting in places I would have never painted before. Sometimes it can be quite hectic, but it is always exciting. I have been surrounded by hordes of Asian tourists, wanting to take a picture with me. Another time a police car stopped in front of my easel and 2 policemen came out. As they approached me I thought I was in real trouble but after they realized I was just painting for myself they were super nice and even told me some fun facts about the monument I was painting. Changing my mindset and attitude helped me breakthrough my fears and so I managed to do a decent amount of plein air this Summer, culminating into the plein air workshop in Tuscany by Stefan Baumann in Tuscany, which was even a bigger boost, where I learned a tremendous amount under Stefan’s guidance and first and foremost connected with an incredible community of like-minded artists. So did I reach my goal? Have my plein air painting skills improved? Comparing my paintings from the beginning and end of the Summer, I can see progress and it is a good feeling. But most importantly, I learned that producing better paintings is just as much a matter of the mind, and that by working diligently on both, progress will be made. ‘Do Good Work’, as Stefan always says.

                                                                                                         —–Chantal Spapens

  I have been watching Stefan Baumann for the last few years on YouTube.  I was so inspired by the way he teaches

Grand Buck of the Siskiyou, by Stefan Baumann

that when I saw he had started online coaching I signed up immediately. Because of where I live, I can’t attend his classroom lessons but he can now coach me one-on-one online instead. Although I have been a serious artist for the last 8 years I realized I was not possessing the skills needed to reach the level of a professional artist. Now, prior to our online coaching session every week, he gives me an assignment just like his in-person classes. He analysis my painting very honestly and points out where I can improve so he can help me bring my art to the highest standards. He is very encouraging but firm with his coaching, he has such a way that as soon as we finish our session, I prepare my next painting or sometimes even redo the previous one until I get it right by incorporating his feedback. He is an expert coach and after a few lessons, he has uncovered my weaknesses and has pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I have noticed a marked improvement in my artwork and feel more confident remembering to “paint what you see.” Stefan has not only reviewed and coached my artistic abilities, he has helped me advance my career by insisting I write an “artist statement” and helped me improve my website which are essential parts of being a professional artist. I would strongly encourage any artist that wants to further their career and hone their artistic abilities to contact Stefan as I believe he has helped me make the greatest leap in my art career so far.

                                                                                                                                        ——-Wendy

“I am overwhelmed with the opportunity of lessons online that can reach into my home! From my wheelchair, I have sought instruction to study oil and art, but transportation and ill health have been lifetime obstacles.  Thank you, Mr. Baumann, for conceiving  such an idea of reaching out to the Whole World in this way and lighting the golden candles of Art all around the earth.” Sincerely,                                                                                                         ————-Delaine Strandberg

“The last time I took a paint brush to canvas was back in college some 20 odd years ago. That all changed one weekend when I discovered Stefan’s videos that he posted on YouTube. Stefan’s passion for creating had me glued to my laptop for the entire weekend. On Monday I purchased some paints and canvases and produced two small paintings using the information Stefan shared in his videos.  I was pleasantly surprised by what appeared on the canvas. Those two paintings caught the attention of my friends and family, all of whom raved about my skill.  Well, that was all the motivation I needed to begin coaching sessions with Stefan. His technical understanding of the painting process is so encompassing that I have learned more in a few sessions with him than the numerous courses I had taken in college. Stefan has a gift for teasing out the creative potential of an individual and I have been amazed how much my skills have improved in a short period of time. His tips on setting up a focal point and attention to value have moved my paintings from amateur renderings to more professional looking works of art. I would encourage anyone interested in developing their creative abilities to take advantage of the opportunity to work with Stefan one on one.”                                                                                             —–Jason Nye “Stefan Baumann’s extensive library of training video’s combined with his personalized coaching took my creative visual works from average to impactful. It has directly increased my business both from direct sales of works to acquiring new clients.   His methods and understanding of the visual arts has provided me with the ability not only to create visually dramatic works, but also to understand how and why.  The guessing game and trial and error process has been replaced with a crafting process. Thank you Stefan!” Dr. Michael Wise