As a child, I loved to draw and paint but had no opportunities to be trained. My kids were out of the house and it was time for me to tend to my long time dreams and aspirations. And that’s when I came across Kevin. I visited his class and saw the work of all his fantastic students. It was decided. I was going to paint. And here I am seven years later still learning from Kevin. 

 

What to expect from Kevin is: 

His absolute devotion to the work of his students. He notices a single small brush stroke that you happen to make when he wasn’t looking. Kevin teaches painting the scientific and intellectual way. He rationalizes how things must be done and how they’re found in nature. With him, painting becomes a logical art form. He allows you to experiment with your talent and how you see things. He has a keen eye for what needs to be done, and he masterfully does it in all media including oil, pastel, water color, charcoal, etc. 

 

What not to expect from Kevin is:

You do not get away with much with Kevin. He is a perfectionist and wants you to be one as well. He trains you how to see the details of a painting. 

 

Kevin is a gift one does not find that often. In the past seven years, he’s only missed a few classes due to family death or illness. He’s even willing to work on Christmas Day if his students show up. 

 

We, as Kevin’s students, have unilaterally declared that: 

He’s always right. 

He’s our mentor.

And most of all, he’s our friend. 

We really love Kevin. 

 

Rebecca Simon

Rancho Palos Verdes

 

 

 

I have been studying under Kevin for the past 5 years. He is the best of instructors, knowledgeable and patient. He works to develop an understanding of your style and skill level, and instructs accordingly. He has a keen insight into what is needed in way of instruction and focuses on those issues as you practice your craft. I feel my abilities have much improved under his tutelage.

 

Lynda Decell

 

 

 

 

Kevin has been my art teacher for a year.  Kevin has taught me how to create wonderful oil paintings, that I never dreamed I was capable of. Kevin is knowledgeable, patient, thorough, fun, creative, & a very talented artist. I feel like I have a private tutor who tailors his instruction to my personal learning style, & what works for me.  I have taken large group classes in other settings, & always went home frustrated & not knowing what to do next. Kevin walks me through my painting process step by step so that I learn what I need to do & how I need to do it, to create a beautiful end result.  I highly recommend Kevin. He is a fantastic painting teacher!

 

Judy McInturff

 

 

 

Attending Kevin’s Saturday morning art class is something I always look forward to.  My daughter and I first started taking art classes at Hesse Park years ago when she was in middle school.  Neither of us had any drawing skills or art experience, but we thoroughly enjoyed our lessons and we kept up with a progression of very interesting projects.  We started with drawing (the first attempts were truly laughable), and gradually moved to working in pastels, then painting in oils.  I can look back now and say I’m actually quite amazed to see how much we’ve learned and accomplished.  We’ve painted many pieces as unique gifts for family and friends and we even have our very own ‘private collection’ at home.  We’ve both had this wonderful opportunity to grow together…. priceless, really.  My daughter is now attending college in N. California, but when she comes home to visit she still joins us at Saturday art class.

 

Of course, the class is excellent first and foremost because of Kevin McCants.  He is a fine artist and a fine teacher who understands each student, in terms of their abilities, their goals, their needs, their individual styles and personalities.  Beyond his teaching skills, Kevin is just plain fun and so is the entire class.  We paint, we chat, we eat, we paint.  We paint, we discuss technique, we listen to music, we paint.   We paint, we share stories, we laugh, we paint.  Art classes with Kevin are worthwhile for a myriad of reasons, but Kevin is definitely at the top of the list.

 

Cindy Bandel

 

 

 

 

"I've dabbled in art for quite a few years

but when I wanted to get serious about painting I couldn't find a competent

teacher.  I was looking for someone who could teach me the process and

techniques I needed to complete a painting from start to finish. A friend

referred me to Kevin.  He has provided all the things I needed in an instructor

and continues this with mentoring and honest critiques.  And he is a really nice human being too."

 

Irene Hopkins