Turn your art dream into an
Art Career
We offer online art mentorships & workshops to help artists thrive.
Illustration
Gallery Art
Skill Development
Career Development
Art school — but with rocket fuel
We give artists a competitive edge through hands-on training from working pros at the top of their fields.
Live
Classes
Personal
Feedback
Professional
Mentoring
Portfolio
Development
Programs & Courses Now Enrolling
Illustration Program
Instructors: Adam Gustavson, Ashly Lovett, John English, Dale Stephanos, and more.
Program
Mentorship
All Skill Levels
Networking opportunities, finding gallery representation, and learning how to sell your art is the backbone of this course.
Length: 3 courses, 10 weeks each
Fine Arts & Gallery Program
Instructors: Raymond Bonilla, Cassandra Kim, & John English
Program
Mentorship
All Skill Levels
Networking opportunities, finding gallery representation, and learning how to sell your art is the backbone of this course.
Length: 3 courses, 10 weeks each
Process: Skill & Craft
Instructor: Adam Gustavson
Illustration
Mentorship
Beginner
Establish fundamental skills for advanced drawing and painting techniques for various visual arts industries.
Length: 10 weeks
Ideation & Visual Storytelling
Instructor: Ashly Lovett
Illustration
Mentorship
intermediate
Develop a process for creating compelling and engaging original stories, a critical component of visual narrative.
Length: 10 Weeks
Portfolio & Career for Illustration
Instructors: Dale Stephanos & John English
Illustration
Mentorship
Advanced
Build your portfolio, identify your dream illustration clients, and pursue a career doing what you love.
Length: 10 Weeks
Skill & Style for Fine Arts
Instructors: Ray Bonilla, Cassandra Kim, & John English
Gallery Arts
Mentorship
Beginner
Equip yourself with tools and skills to build a career and thrive as a working fine artist.
Length: 10 Weeks
Developing Voice for Fine Arts
Instructors: Ray Bonilla, Cassandra Kim, & John English
Gallery Arts
Mentorship
Intermediate
Equip yourself with tools and skills to build a career and thrive as a working fine artist.
Length: 10 Weeks
Career Development for Gallery Representation
Instructors: Ray Bonilla, Cassandra Kim, & John English
Gallery Arts
Mentorship
Advanced
Networking opportunities, finding gallery representation, and learning how to sell your art is the backbone of this course.
Length: 10 Weeks
Illustrating Your First Children's Book
Instructor: Adam Gustavson
Illustration
Workshop
All Skill Levels
A comprehensive, hands-on guide to creating your first children’s book.
Length: 5 weeks
The Art of Crowdfunding
Instructor: Ashly Lovett
Workshop
All Skill Levels
A hands-on guide to planning and launching a successful crowdfunding campaign
Length: 4 weeks
Figure Drawing
Instructor: John English
Illustration
Workshop
All Skill Levels
Learn and master the steps to drawing the human form with confidence, skill, & expression
Length: 4 Weeks
Sketchbook: Finding Your Voice
Instructor: Sterling Hundley
Illustration
Workshop
All Skill Levels
Strap your sketchbook to a rocket—bring ideas to life & discover your artistic voice.
Length: 5 weeks
Art of the Cover
Instructor: Edward Kinsella
Illustration
Workshop
All Skill Levels
Design & illustrate impactful cover art for films, posters, books, and albums
Length: 5 weeks
Learn from artists shaping the industry
When your instructors work with the biggest names in the industry, you can trust that your class is loaded with golden wisdom and deep insights, giving you a competitive edge.
Join a community and grow as an artist
With weekly live classes, group critiques, and a private community platform, you’ll have access to the resources and support system you need to thrive.
Connect with industry leading guest artists
Ask questions, join the discussion, and gain industry knowledge from the best in the game. Next semester features these rockstar artists. Illustration & Fine Arts Students can access all guest artists.
VAP Students Get Work & Win Awards
Nate Sweitzer
Illustration Student — Editorial & Publishing
Nate Sweitzer attended the Illustration Program at VAP. During his enrollment, Nate identified The Folio Society as his dream client. His instructors helped him prepare a portfolio and shortly after he was hired for their recently published edition of To Kill a Mockingbird. His illustrations were exhibited by the Society of Illustrators in 2025. He was also recently featured in Communication Arts', "Fresh Artists".
"There’s a desire to bridge the gap between historical and contemporary modes of imagemaking" - Nate, featured in Communication Arts
Recognized by
Erin Ruffino
Illustration & Gallery Arts Student
Shortly after attending our Fine Arts & Gallery program, Erin found representation with RJD Gallery. Erin has been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine (Jan/Feb 2023 issue), Artist Network Magazine, The Best of Drawing.
“Visual Passage is the best investment I’ve made for my career.” — Erin Ruffino
Recognized by
Peter Cassell
Illustration Student
Peter's work has been featured in top exhibitions like the LA and NY Society of Illustrators, 3x3, and American Illustration. His talent earned him a full-page commission from The LA Times for a Grammys feature on Adele and Beyoncé—an opportunity that followed a leap in skill after studying with Visual Arts Passage.
“I didn't have experience with art directors, and I was wary of a contract. My instructor had experience working with that specific magazine and offered clear advice.” — Peter Cassell
Recognized by
Zack Rock
Illustration Student
Zack's work has won the Folio Book Illustration Award, the Gold Award from the Society of Illustrators, has been featured in Communication Arts, 3x3, Spectrum, American Illustration, ImagineFX, the Society of Illustrators, the Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrator's Gallery, and is part of Les Maîtres de l’Imaginaire (“the Masters of the Imagination”) collection.
“Literally all of the illustrations I completed while studying at Visual Arts Passage have gone on to be selected for competitions or annuals.” — Zack Rock
Recognized by
Jeff Arsenault
Illustrator & Gallery Artist
Jeff was selected as the featured exhibitor at The Mezzanine Gallery. He also received recognition from the state of Delaware for his work, showcasing it on the state's website.
"They helped me discover and define my voice as an artist, encouraging me to narrow in on what I truly want to say and do through my work."
Hear It From Our Students
Visual Arts Passage offers a program that gives you a real tangible sense on how to move forward as an artist and develop a career as an artist or illustrator. It’s left me feeling optimistic and with a clear path forward!
The whole of the VAP experience thus far has been extraordinary. I couldn’t have asked for a better class! It allows you to fully immerse yourself in visual arts, and is a treasure trove of information regarding illustration, ideation, and the industry!
At Visual Arts Passage, this course maximizes your efforts by not only guiding the development of your artistic voice but also clarifying your desired direction in the industry. Because of tremendous support and guidance from the mentors, I had an artwork accepted into the 64th Society Of Illustrators annual and started receiving paying job opportunities from real-world clients.
Visual Arts Passage isn’t just a top pick for online illustration classes, it is my top pick for illustration curriculum period. The combination of inside information, individual mentoring and a small, committed cohort of fellow students is eye-opening and motivating. From day one, the instructors worked to really understand and meet me where I am, and the sequence of classes has propelled me down the path of becoming an illustrator in today’s marketplace. Most importantly perhaps, I’ve seen my confidence grow — helping me to build skills and a sustained creative practice. I’m interested and excited to do this every day.
They meet students where they are at but manage to elicit high-quality results regardless of an artist’s background. Mentors genuinely care about their students’ success and want to help them find where they fit into the Industry. Good people with great insights.
Taking the portfolio development class with Visual Arts Passage was exactly what I was looking for to support my growing art career. I met so many talented individuals during the class that I continue to share my art with. Dale Stephanos and John English gave me the clarity I needed in moving forward in illustration.
This was a deep dive that really helped me push boundaries. I was encouraged to experiment with mediums and styles, developing habits and finding alternative approaches to composing professional art.
I can not recommend them enough. What I have learned with them is all of the things I wish I had gotten in college and have searched for all my life.
There is so much to say l would most likely still not do this organization justice—a fantastic place just to absorb knowledge and compassion towards art creation.
The program has been a tremendous help for me. Getting personal support and lots of in-depth discussions of one’s own work with some of the world’s leading professionals in the field is a true eye opener and a magical experience.
Featured By
"The Best Online Art Schools"
Featured By
"The Best Online Art Classes"
Featured By
"The Virtual Illustration Academy"
Dip Your Toes With On-demand Classes
Not ready to commit to a full-blown mentorship? Explore some of our recorded classes and get a taste.
Color Theory Masterclass
Instructor: Brent Watkinson
On dEmand
Beginner/intermediate
Lifetime Access
Learn and master your use of color, to elevate the mood, emotion, and impact of your illustrations.
Foundations of Drawing & Painting
Instructor: John English
On dEmand
All Skill Levels
Lifetime Access
Dive into a foundational masterclass and emerge with the advanced techniques to craft captivating, show-stopping artwork.
Digital Still Life Painting Fundamentals
Instructor: Lake Hurwitz
On dEmand
Beginner/intermediate
Lifetime Access
Build fundamental and technical skills for drawing, painting, and composition in digital media.
Mixed Media Drawing & Painting
Instructor: Raymond Bonilla
On dEmand
Intermediate
Lifetime Access
This learn-by-doing workshop fuses acrylics, colored pencils, and airbrushing to create a methodically beautiful mixed-media painting.
Book a Free Portfolio Review
Get expert eyes on your work—see what’s working, how to get better, and what it’ll take to go pro.