Hey guys, in this review, I share my experience with oil painting and using the Evolve Artist Academy.
What is Evolve Artist Academy?
The program is led by Kevin Murphy, a seasoned artist with over 30 years of teaching experience. The program is structured to help artists of all levels, from beginners to advanced, improve their skills. Kevin and other Evolve instructors have successfully trained artists from over 55 countries, proving its effectiveness, operational excellence, and global appeal.
Key Features:
- Step-by-Step Learning: The program is divided into blocks of instructional videos and exercises. It starts with basic skills like controlling value and edges, then moves on to more advanced techniques like color and texture.
- High-Quality Art Supplies: You receive top-notch art materials shipped directly to your home, so you don’t need to worry about finding the right supplies.
- Community Support: There’s a strong focus on community, with daily support from instructors such as Piper Talladay and Daniel Folta, weekly live calls, and a forum to share your work and learn from others.
- Guaranteed Results: The program boasts a high success rate, with many students achieving significant improvements in their art skills and commercial success.
Why Choose Evolve Artist Academy?
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Evolve Artist offers a structured approach to learning art, making it easier for beginners to start from scratch.
- Personalized Feedback: Instructors provide regular feedback on your assignments, helping you improve faster.
- Cost-Effective: While it may seem expensive, it includes everything you need to learn, including materials and personalized guidance, which can be more cost-effective than traditional art schools.
Overall, Evolve Artist Academy is a great choice if you’re serious about improving your art skills, especially in oil painting, and want a supportive community to help you along the way.
Join Evolve Artist program here
My Evolve Artist Review
Watch my Evolve Artist Program Review on Youtube
Free Training from Kevin and the Evolve Artist Academy team
I think Evolve Artist Academy program is an amazing investment for beginner artists who didn’t have a chance to go to an art school and want to make realistic art. And based on my experience, I also think it is suitable for advanced and professional artists (digital art, etc.) who want to expand their horizons and improve their art skills. The step-by-step methodical approach and the quality of art materials provided make it a valuable learning experience. However, if you’re not willing or able to invest the time and effort into the assignments and exercises, this program may not be for you.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ Highest-quality art supplies | ➖ Time and effort commitment may not be for everyone |
| ➕ Almost 100% student success rate | ➖ Oil paints may be a tricky medium to master for some |
| ➕ Step-by-step methodical approach | |
| ➕ Super engaged founder and instructors | |
| ➕ Super active student community | |
| ➕ Price compared to art school (Click here to save $100 on full tuition with the coupon code “artsideoflife”) |
Join Evolve Artist program here
Why Did I Decide to Try Evolve Artist?
I usually do digital art using my iPad and Procreate, but I wanted to explore traditional mediums and learn more about oil painting. I believe it’s important to have a foundation in traditional techniques, even when working digitally.
One of the main reasons I chose the Evolve Artist Academy program is because they have over 30 years of experience in teaching art.
After seeing the amazing artworks created by other artists who went through the program, I decided to give it a try.
Students Before and After Progress
See the progress of some of the Evolve Artist students below.
I believe in constantly expanding our skills and never stopping the learning process, and these students are the best example!!
Free Training from Kevin and the Evolve Artist Academy team
What Will You Learn in Evolve Artist Program?
The program provides various exercises that help you improve your art skills.
Overall, there are 8 blocks of instructional videos and exercises that methodically lead you to learn to make realistic art from beginner to professional artist. It’s a journey that will take your art to new heights and help you discover the artist within.
And you will be getting 4 boxes of art supplies for each of the two blocks.
I got art supplies for Blocks 1 & 2 and access to the Block 1 videos and exercises.
Evolve Foundation Blocks 1 – 4
Block 1: Value & Form
In this block, you’ll discover how to bring your art to life by mastering the control of value and edge.
I found the exercises on creating sharp edges and controlling brush strokes especially helpful. These techniques are crucial for realistic paintings with high levels of detail. The videos explain different brush techniques and provide demonstrations, allowing you to practice and improve your skills.
Block 2: Proportional Drawing
In this block, you’ll gain the skills to create accurate and proportional drawings from real-life references.
Block 3: Painting in Color
Once you have a strong grasp of painting techniques, you’ll start gradually integrating the third and final element: color.
Block 4: Direct Painting
This is the exciting part where everything comes together! Get ready to create fully finished works of art that showcase your newfound expertise.
Evolve Advanced Blocks 5 – 8
Block 5: Vacant shadows
In this block, you will learn the classical approach, which will allow you to dive into the fundamentals of light and edge.
Block 6: Speed Painting
By incorporating multiple layers, you’ll be able to add depth and atmosphere to your pieces, giving them a more realistic and captivating feel. But that’s not all! This technique also comes with a fantastic bonus: it can significantly speed up your painting process. Imagine being able to create more artwork in less time!
Block 7: Puddling
In this block, you’ll learn to add thicker layers of paint to your canvas, giving your artwork a more textured and expressive feel.
Block 8: Master Copies & Advanced Applications
In this block, you’ll be recreating famous paintings using the techniques you’ve acquired at Evolve Artist Academy. It’s like stepping into the shoes of the great masters themselves!
Free Training from Kevin and the Evolve Artist Academy team
What Art Supplies Will You Get with Evolve Artist Program?
One concern I had with oil painting was the smell of the paints.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the paints used in the program are organic and don’t have a strong odor. This is because they are mixed with linseed oil instead of other chemicals.
The Evolve Artist program provides all the necessary tools and materials for each module, saving you the trouble of searching for additional supplies.
The materials provided are of high quality, ensuring a smooth painting experience. I particularly enjoyed unboxing the package and discovering the well-packaged and environmentally conscious materials.
Some of the art supplies you will be getting in the Evolve Artist Program include:
- Old Holland custom oil paint set – since 1664, the finest oil paint in the world!
- High-quality oil paint brushes and palette knife from Old Holland
- High-quality sheets of canvas and palette paper
- Cold-pressed linseed oil with an eye dropper for proper dosage
- Professional photographic references with transfer paper to make lineart
- Practice sheet templates for exercises
- …. and more
The program also includes helpful instructional videos on brush care and cleaning. These tips were new to me and improved my understanding of maintaining brushes in good condition.
Free Training from Kevin and the Evolve Artist Academy team
Evolve Art Education Students Community
The program fosters a sense of community through group calls and the ability to see other students’ artwork. This allows you to compare and learn from each other’s progress.
Getting personalized feedback on your assignments is also beneficial for growth and improvement.
You will be getting access to the online community of art instructors and students like you:
- You’ll receive daily support and feedback from your instructor on your assignments. They’ll be there to guide you every step of the way.
- We have live weekly calls where you can ask questions, get clarification, and learn from others in the program. It’s a great opportunity to connect and grow together.
- As part of the program, you’ll gain access to our private Facebook group. This is a space where you can engage with instructors and your fellow students. Share ideas, ask questions, and build a supportive community.
- If you ever need some extra support or have specific concerns, you’ll have the chance to schedule 1-on-1 calls with Kevin and other Evolve instructors. They are here to help you and provide personalized assistance whenever you need it.
Free Training from Kevin and the Evolve Artist Academy team
Is Evolve Artist Worth it? Should You Get it?
Evolve Artist School graduates were asked whether the program was worth the cost, and the 2023-2024 survey reveals overwhelmingly positive feedback.
The results highlight the transformative impact the program has had on both personal artistic growth and professional success in selling artwork:
- Graduates reported significant increases in confidence, with 95% experiencing accelerated artistic growth and 100% recommending the program to others.
- The ability to sell work improved dramatically, with a 237% increase in commissions and an average commission jump from $420 to $1,656 after completing the program.
- Graduates also valued the community and instruction, with 94% stating instructor feedback was instrumental and 81% finding the private community valuable.
Overall, I believe the Evolve Artist Academy program is worth it for both beginners and those with previous art experience.
The step-by-step methodical approach and the quality of materials provided make it a valuable learning experience.
However, it’s important to note that the program requires time and dedication. If you’re not willing or able to invest the time and effort into the assignments and exercises, this program may not be for you.
I highly recommend checking out the Evolve Artist Academy if you’re looking to enhance your art skills. I wouldn’t be recommending it if I didn’t believe in its effectiveness.
Give it a try and explore the amazing world of oil painting!
Free Training from Kevin and the Evolve Artist Academy team
What Should You Consider Before Joining Evolve Painting Course?
You Don’t Need to Know How to Draw or Paint at All!
The great thing about Evolve is that you don’t have to have talent or serious drawing skills to join the program.
Evolve Artist is all about building those crucial foundational skills that will boost your confidence and help you with any artistic challenge.
But …
You Should Be Ready to Commit to an Online Art Course
… here’s the catch: you’ve got to be dedicated.
Learning art, especially online, needs your time and effort. And Evolve is no different.
You should be ready to invest time consistently every week to make progress. And as I like to say “progress makes perfect.” 🙂
The good news is, Evolve Artist is super flexible. Only 4 hours a week get you through the first assignments and increasing your time to 8 hours a week will get you through the more advanced assignments.
Whether you have a full-time job or need to take care of your family, Evolve is made to accommodate your needs and the Evolve instructors are there to guide you no matter your time commitments.
Are There Any Evolve Artist Bad Reviews?
Yes, of course, as with any online learning program, there are bad reviews about Evolve Artist Program. They mainly concern the price, the methodical approach that may be boring for some and the fact that it’s online.
Meet Kevin Murphy – The Creator of Evolve Artist Program and Your Instructor
Meet Kevin Murphy, the founder, and creator of Evolve Artist Program, who has been a commercial artist and portrait painter for more than 30 years.
Watch the interview here: Ep.197: How Evolve Artist Program students achieve success with Kevin Murphy
Meet Piper Talladay – The Head Instructor of Evolve Artist Academy
Watch the interview here: From Aspiring Artist To Success Story with Piper Talladay (Head Instructor at Evolve Artist Academy)
Meet Daniel Folta – The Student of Evolve Artist Program
Meet Daniel Folta, a student of Evolve Artist Program who is now making a living by being a full-time artist and painter.
Watch the interview here: Ep.202: Choosing the right art education with Daniel Folta (Evolve Artist)
Join Evolve Artist Program
To join the Evolve Artist program, click below and use my coupon code to get a special discount!
Single Payment
What’s included:
- Foundation Blocks 1 – 4 of self-paced videos and exercises
- 2 boxes of highest-quality art supplies
- Daily support and feedback from your instructor
- Weekly calls with instructors and students
- Regular study sessions with other students
- 1-on-1 calls with Kevin and other instructors
Why do students go for this one:
- Save $488!
- ⭐️ Bonus: save $100 with my coupon code “artsideoflife”
12 Monthly Payments
What’s included:
- Foundation Blocks 1 – 4 of self-paced videos and exercises
- 2 boxes of highest-quality art supplies
- Daily support and feedback from your instructor
- Weekly calls with instructors and students
- Regular study sessions with other students
- 1-on-1 calls with Kevin and other instructors
Why do students go for this one:
- Monthly installments fit all budgets
FREE Training from Kevin and the Team
If you want to try parts of the program, click on one of the following options:
- Join FREE Trial class and learn secret tips on how to improve your art skills
- Get FREE Masterclass from Kevin, the creator of Evolve Artist Program
- Get FREE Art Skills Blueprint from Kevin, the creator of Evolve Artist Program
- Get a FREE Painting course from Kevin, the creator of Evolve Artist Program
- Get FREE Pro Level Artist roadmap
- Get FREE Oil Painting for Beginners training
- Get FREE Depth & Volume mini-course
- Get FREE essential shopping guide for oil painting art supplies
- 💰 Make Your First $1K as an Artist
FAQs – Evolve Artist Program
Yes, Evolve Artist is a legit art academy. I had a chance to speak with the founder Kevin Murphy, former student Daniel Folta, head instructor Piper Talladay and I could see real student conversations inside Evolve Academy online community.
No, Evolve Artist Academy is not free. Use my coupon code “artsideoflife” to get a special discount!
Evolve Artist program costs $2,500 as a one-time payment or 12 monthly payments of $249 (2026). Although the price seems steep at first glance, it includes a well-designed curriculum that delivers guaranteed results; the highest quality art supplies; access to art instructors to lead you along the way, and an engaged art community of fellow art students. Use my coupon code “artsideoflife” to get a special discount!
The best Evolve Artist coupon code is “artsideoflife” and it gets you $100 off the full tuition cost of Evolve Academy!
The founders of the Evolve Artist program are the artist Kevin Murphy, Mitch Bowler from Pencil Kings and Daniel Gonske, the CEO/COO. Find out more about Kevin on my podcast: Ep.197: How Evolve Artist Program students achieve success with Kevin Murphy
Evolve is a guided online art academy where students get support and critique from Kevin Murphy (the founder) and from the other art instructors. The price includes art supplies, online courses, art community, and support from the instructors. In comparison, the New Masters Academy provides unguided online courses. There are no art supplies and personal coaching costs extra. Find out more in my post about TOP 15 Online Oil Painting Classes in 2026 [Beginners, Adults]
Yes, Evolve Artist teaches students to draw. Students learn the skills of proportional drawing.
Looking for more oil painting supplies? Then check my guides to the best art supplies and art tools for oil painting:
- Best Oil Paints and Oil Paint Set
- Choosing the Best Oil Paint Brushes
- Choosing the Best Oil Paint Palette
- Choosing the Best Canvas for Oil Painting
- Best Palette Knives and Palette Knife Set
- Choosing the Best Painting Easel
- Best Oil Pastels for Artists
Lire cette revue en français 🇫🇷🧑🏻🎨: Evolve Artist Program : revue, déballage et coupon
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
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