PAL Launches Free 15-Week Oil Painting Atelier for Bay Area High School Students

Pacific Art League recently welcomed 12 students from 10 Bay Area high schools for the first session of the Yumiko Tsumura Oil Painting Atelier, a free, 15-week program designed to help young artists build foundational skills in traditional oil painting.

Students applied to participate and were selected from applicants across the Bay Area. Previous oil painting experience was not required. Students were chosen based on their interest in art, curiosity, and willingness to commit to the full 15-week experience.

The program was made possible through the generous donation and vision of Palo Alto resident Yumiko Tsumura. All painting supplies are provided at no cost, giving students the opportunity to explore oil painting with high-quality materials, professional instruction, and a supportive community of fellow young artists.

Building Skills from the First Brushstroke

The opening class introduced students to the structure of the Atelier, studio setup, painting materials, and safe oil painting practices.

Instructors Darren Kerr and Xiaosy Chen guided the students through gesture drawing, observational techniques, and the fundamentals of working with oil paint. Students then began their first project: creating a copy of a master painting to practice still-life skills and strengthen their understanding of composition, color, light, shadow, and form.

At the beginning of the session, many students were quiet and reserved. As the class progressed, they became more comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and experimenting with their materials. By the end of the evening, the studio was filled with conversation, creativity, and a growing sense of confidence.

Families who visited at the end of class were amazed by the quality of the students’ first paintings and excited to see what they had accomplished in just one session.

Professional Materials for Young Artists

Each student received painting materials to use throughout the 15-week program and was able to bring home paints and an easel to continue practicing between classes.

Pacific Art League is also grateful to Urban Goat for donating painting pochade boxes for the students. These portable painting boxes allow artists to organize and transport their supplies while also serving as compact easels and palettes.

Providing students with their own materials removes a significant barrier to studying oil painting and allows them to continue developing their skills beyond the classroom.

A Transformative Opportunity for Bay Area Teens

The Yumiko Tsumura Oil Painting Atelier brings together young artists from high schools across the Bay Area for an immersive learning experience centered on observation, technique, experimentation, and creative growth.

Because previous oil painting experience was not required, the program creates an accessible entry point for students who are eager to learn, whether they are picking up oil paints for the first time or continuing to deepen an existing art practice.

Throughout the program, students will explore still-life painting, composition, texture, landscape, portraiture, and other traditional oil painting practices. They will receive guidance from experienced artists and instructors while developing a final project over the course of the Atelier.

The 15-week program will culminate in November, when the students’ final projects will be exhibited at Pacific Art League’s 105th Anniversary Exhibition. This opportunity will allow the young artists to share their work with families, community members, and visitors in a professional gallery setting.

We extend our sincere thanks to Darren Kerr and Xiaosy Chen for leading the first session with care, expertise, and encouragement.

Most of all, we thank Yumiko Tsumura for her generosity and belief in the potential of young artists. Her vision has created a meaningful opportunity for students to receive sustained, high-quality arts education at no cost.

The first brushstrokes have been made, and we look forward to watching these young artists grow—and celebrating their final work in November.