Training or degree
Certificate in Painting
Art Students League of New York, 1988
Self-reported
All professionals
Art lessons in Livingston
Sofia Santos
Art lessons: Portrait and still life in oils
Lifelong painter who teaches oil and acrylic portraits with plenty of patience and good humor
- 4.8 from 13 reviews
- Lives in Livingston
- All five checks passed
Ask a question before you book. Contact details stay private.
Credentials
Professional experience
Upper school art teacher, 30 years
Riker Hill Day School, Livingston, 1992 to 2022
Self-reported
About me
I have painted for as long as I can remember. I studied fine art at the Art Students League in New York in my twenties, then spent thirty years teaching art at a private school in Livingston. I retired in 2022 and found I still wanted students.
Portraits sound intimidating, but they are really a puzzle of light and shadow. I start most people with a simple still life, an apple or a teacup, to practice mixing values. Then we move to faces, often working from a family photograph. I use water-mixable oils, so there are no harsh fumes in the house, and I bring a sturdy tabletop easel and everything else we need. Some days we only talk about color, and that counts too.
My late husband and I sang in the choir at a church in Glen Ridge for twenty years. I still go back for the Christmas concert every December.
What a first visit looks like
- 1
Minute 0 to 10
We talk about what you would like to paint and look through a few photos you might work from.
- 2
Minute 10 to 20
I set up the easel and show you how to mix light, middle and dark values of one color.
- 3
Minute 20 to 50
We paint a simple still life together, focusing on where the light hits and where shadows fall.
- 4
Minute 50 to 60
We step back, look at the painting together, and decide what to work on next time.
What to have ready
Nothing to buy before the first visit
- A table near good light
- An old sheet or drop cloth
- A family photo you love
- A smock or old shirt
Where Sofia goes
- LivingstonLives here
- Millburn
- Roseland
- South Orange
- West Caldwell
Where in the home
Dining tablePorch
Usual week
Mon
10am
to 2pmTue
1pm
to 5pmWed
Off
Thu
9am
to 1pmFri
Off
Sat
1pm
to 5pmSun
9am
to 1pm
What families say
“I live in Ohio and this gave me real peace of mind. Mom loves it.”
Tom W.
“Gentle pace, good humor. Exactly what we hoped for.”
Chris C.
“We have a little gallery on the fridge.”
David S.
“Dad told his brother about it on the phone. That is a five star review from him.”
Susan F.
“Patient with my dad, who can be a lot. Worth every penny.”
Luis L.
“On time, friendly, and Mom was smiling when I called that night.”
Linda P.
“We were not sure Dad would go for it. He did.”
Robert F.
“Mom's watercolor is framed in my hallway.”
Rachel G.
“Mom was nervous the first time. By the end she was laughing.”
Janet N.
“Patient and encouraging. My mother painted her first landscape!”
Chris B.
“Kind, punctual and so much fun. Dad is already asking about next week.”
Karen M.
“Easy to book and an absolute delight.”
David L.
“A real bright spot in our week. Highly recommend.”
Susan P.
Checked and vetted
- Online search
- A real conversation with our team
- Signed provider agreement
- Criminal background check
- National sex offender registry check
$105 per hour
Plus a $2.50 booking fee and 10% service fee.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before.