BENEFITS and WHAT I CAN HELP YOU WITH TO BECOME A DIGITAL PAINTER

There are plenty of benefits when you become a student at Digital Art Academy.

Instructor Support

I am here for you through your entire learning process. I am always here to answer your questions, and I take the time to work with you to identify areas for growth in a positive and encouraging way.

The DAA Community-Dedicated To Students

The Digital Art Academy Community is a vibrant and supportive community of fellow artists who share a passion for digital art. Engaging with this community allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, seek feedback, and receive constructive criticism to help you grow as an artist.

Stay Informed

To ensure that you feel confident moving forward, we at Digital Art Academy and Digital Art Academy Community work hard to keep you informed and educated about all the new updates to the main software we use.

Are You New To Digital Painting? THERE IS A COURSE JUST FOR YOU!

Find The Perfect Course To Begin Your Journey

Are You A Beginner?

If you are new to digital painting, you should sign up for enjoyable classes that will assist you in learning the software. Remember that I am here to support your journey.

Are You an Intermediate Painter?

You will want to keep pushing yourself while picking up new skills.

Master Painter

You are ready to take your skillsets to the next level.

Learn, Create, Inspire

That's Digital Art Academy

Since opening our doors, we’ve been committed to helping students master and paint with Corel Painter and, most recently, Rebelle. Digital Art Academy provides a unique and highly personalized method of learning, creating an environment to nurture, educate, and encourage creative individuals to achieve the highest level of success. Browse through our site to learn more about what we have to offer. Digital Art Academy is a senior-friendly site!

Course Categories

Find the Right Course For You!

Our Courses

Learn, Create, Inspire

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Your Instructor

Your Instructor Karen Bonaker

MEET YOUR GUIDE Karen Bonaker Karen Bonaker is a renowned digital artist celebrated for her innovative approach to blending traditional art techniques with modern digital tools. With a career spanning over two decades, Karen has established herself as a leading figure in the digital art community, inspiring artists around the world with her unique vision and mastery of digital media.

Early Life and Education

Karen's journey into the world of digital art began with a strong foundation in traditional art. She studied fine arts, where she honed her skills in drawing and painting, which later became the cornerstone of her digital artistry. Her educational background provided her with a deep understanding of color theory, composition, and technique, which she seamlessly integrates into her digital creations.

Artistic Style and Influence

Karen Bonaker is best known for her vibrant landscapes and expressive portraits that capture the essence of her subjects with striking clarity and emotion. Her work often reflects a harmonious blend of realism and abstraction, achieved through the use of advanced digital painting software. Karen's art is characterized by its bold use of color and intricate detail, drawing viewers into immersive visual experiences.

Contributions to the Digital Art Community

As a passionate advocate for digital art, Karen has played a pivotal role in its growth and recognition as a legitimate art form. She is the founder of the Digital Art Academy, an online platform dedicated to educating and empowering aspiring digital artists. Through her teaching, Karen has helped countless students develop their skills and confidence, making digital art accessible to a wider audience.

Achievements and Recognition

Karen's work has garnered numerous accolades and has been featured in various exhibitions and publications. Her contributions to digital art education have earned her a reputation as a leader in the field, and she continues to inspire artists to explore the limitless possibilities of digital creation. She is a certified Rebelle Training partner and Featured Artist, as well as an Elite Painter Master.

Personal Philosophy

Karen Bonaker believes that digital art is an extension of traditional art, offering artists the opportunity to explore new realms of creativity. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and experimentation, encouraging artists to push the boundaries of their imagination.

In summary, Karen Bonaker is a trailblazer in the digital art world, whose dedication to her craft and commitment to education have left an indelible mark on the art community. Her work continues to inspire and challenge artists to embrace the future of art-making with enthusiasm and curiosity.

See What My Students Are Saying

Read what my amazing students are saying about Digital Art Academy!

Lana Frye

Student and Long Time Heartfelt Artist

If you are a digital artist, DAA is the perfect place for seasonal as well as unseasonal artists. Every course offers something unique to explore with clear, concise instructions. The most fulfilling component for me is the camaraderie and support given by staff and fellow artists. However, I would be amiss without mentioning the fabulous critiques given by Karen.

Michelle Webb

Lion Art Studio

I came to DAA about 5yrs ago, when I decided to try digital painting & in particular Corel Painter. Karen was a wonderful tutor, & through her classes I learnt Painter quickly & then felt confident to go out & expand on this. Karen is an amazing landscape artist, I specialise in concept, character & portrait art.. but I learnt about L environments which helps me to this day with backgrounds for my subjects. Learning Painter much faster than I would have on my own, I was able to achieve my goal of working professionally as an illustrator earlier. Karen also encourages her students to submit their work for Painter call-outs, & through this I have become a Corel Painter Master & gained a seat on their advisory council. I’m so thankful for the early days of my digital journey spent at DAA.

Bob Fisher

Student

I've found Digital Art Academy to be a rich haven for those wanting to get into digital art. It is full of friendly and helpful folk, students and instructors, who are brilliant. Patience and kindness abound. The artwork produced, and the instruction given are superb. Digital Art Academy is a superb place to grow your skill in digital art.

James Ranka

Student-Digital Artist

Karen’s videos have elevated my artistic journey to heights I could only dream of reaching in a very short time. A fantastic artist in her own right, Karen’s teaching methodologies are thorough and enjoyable.

Raquel Bigby

Student

I started at the Digital Art Academy back in 2012 when it was called Open Studio. This has been the best way to learn digital painting coming from a traditional art background. I started using Painter IX trying to learn Painter with books but ended up spending most of my time learning Photoshop. After I found Karen Bonaker classes, I never turned back. Half the fun is not only learning Painter and different methods of how to work with Painter with art instruction, is the interaction with the other students. I love seeing all the improvement of their artwork over the years. Karen has also started teaching Rebelle, software that traditional artists will feel at home with. All I can say is I highly recommend the Digital Art Academy.

Theresa Ruby

Student

My art has progressed tenfold from taking Karen’s and Skip's DAA classes. One reason is that Karen and Skip are able to give specific just-in-time feedback. Another reason is that they teach a large variety of styles and techniques using different mediums. Usually artists can only teach one technique or style so you end up copying their style, but not with Karen and Skip. As a result, I have benefited far more with Karen and Skip’s classes than with traditional art classes. Another huge benefit is that you learn the Painter software while painting. In this way, you learn the software features in service of your work. For me, it makes it much more meaningful and “stickie.” In addition, since you own the courses forever and you can take them anytime it allows me to keep progressing with a busy work schedule. I still have a lot to learn, so I’m glad the Digital Art Academy is here to help. Karen is also the host a fabulous art community where we learn from each other. She has made it a safe and fun environment where I've developed other artist friends. Without her, there wouldn't be such a great community.

Richard A. Koch

Student

Hi, I’m Richard, an 82-year-old retired Psychoanalyst. I’m an amateur painter and glass blower. One of my undergraduate degrees is in Fine Art: Drawing and Painting from the University of Maryland and the Maryland Institute College of Art. I have been taking workshops in that field since I was 25. I tell you this because I believe the education, I receive at the Digital Art Academy(daa) is as good or better than those mentioned. I have been taking daa courses since April of 2010. From then on, I have taken all the courses except for a few that did not interest me. I use the courses in a way that encourage, influence, stimulate and fertilize my individual goals as an artist. I only officially completed, i.e., submitted the homework assignments, for approximately half a dozen courses. At my leisure, I have studied 85 to 90 percent of the rest. The instructors, Karen Bonaker and Skip Allen, are stellar. Their support to me when in the ongoing courses or now for any of the courses I took has been, dare I say about a word I never use, perfect. They care about teaching Corel Painter and care about me, their student. They will never know how much they have contributed to my growth as a Digital Artist. The choice to go digital was hard and over the last 10 years I have questioned giving up traditional art, except for drawing and glass blowing, but because of the support from daa, “it is what it is”, and I am satisfied. I am open to questions if you please. Richard Koch [email protected]

Nancy Zeltvay

Student

I have been using Corel Painter for many years but I just played with it once in a while until Karen opened Digital Academy. I started with it when it first opened and have continued up to the present time. If it had not been for this academy, I am sure I would have quit using Painter a long time ago. I am constantly learning new things as well as correcting bad habits..