About this tour
When Jake from our team rolled into Artful Soul near Santa Fe's central plaza, he found himself in a small-group acrylic painting class run by Laura Tarnoff, a fine artist with three decades of teaching behind her. The studio sits right downtown, tucked into the heart of the city's creative quarter. Over two and a half hours, Jake tackled colour and composition with just five other people in the room, picking from subject options ranging from New Mexico landscapes and adobe architecture to wildlife studies. He walked out with a finished 11-by-14 stretched canvas and the kind of surprise confidence that comes from actually making something rather than just thinking about it.
Highlights
- Small group size meant Laura could give real feedback on your brushwork
- Canvas and all paints provided — no hidden supply costs
- Laura steers you toward your own subject instead of copying hers
- Downtown location lets you explore Santa Fe's galleries before or after
- Works whether you've never painted or you're already confident
- Takes your finished piece home the same day, not weeks later
- Relaxed vibe — felt more like a creative friend session than a class
What to expect
The space opens with a quick rundown of acrylics and brush techniques, but it's not a lecture theatre moment — Laura keeps it conversational and moves straight into painting. Jake chose a Northern New Mexico landscape and found himself actually experimenting with colour choices rather than following a step-by-step recipe. The pacing works well; you're not rushed, but you're also not sitting idle. About halfway through, people are well into their pieces, and the room settles into a focused-but-relaxed rhythm. Laura circles the group offering pointers, adjusting your composition or suggesting a different tone for the sky. Mistakes become teaching moments, not disasters. By the final stretch, canvases come together surprisingly fast — the acrylic dries quick enough that you can layer and finish within the time.
The downtown location means you're hearing Santa Fe's energy outside: galleries, café sounds, foot traffic. It's a working studio, not a resort-style class, which keeps things grounded. The room's got natural light and is set up for actual painting, not Instagram staging.
Good to know
You actually leave with a finished piece of work, not a half-done sketch you'll never touch again. Laura's teaching style is encouraging without being patronising — she meets you where you are. The downtown spot is ideal if you're already wandering Santa Fe's art scene and want a hands-on piece of it. No experience needed; people who've never held a brush sit happily alongside those who have.
Two and a half hours feels tight if you're a perfectionist or want to fuss over details. Acrylic dries fast, which is good and sometimes frustrating. The room can feel warm once everyone's painting and windows are closed. Group size caps at six, so if you're booking during peak travel season, book early.
All supplies included — just bring yourself. Wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on. The studio is fully accessible and welcomes service animals. Classes run most days; check availability when booking. Peak times are mornings and weekends.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.