Founder and Owner Rebecca Kimmel has taught at the public and private college and high school level in the Los Angeles area since 2007. She initially studied Fine Art and Liberal Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, where she was a full scholarship finalist. She received her B.F.A. in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, and her M.F.A. in Digital Art from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at Otis College of Art, where she teaches through the Digital Media and Toy Design Departments.

Rebecca specializes in Figurative Art, with a particular focus on Traditional Figure Drawing. She has experience teaching a wide range of topics, including College Portfolio Preparation, Drawing Fundamentals, Figure Drawing, Anatomy, Portraiture, Master Copies, Pastel, Painting Fundamentals, and Digital Painting Fundamentals using Photoshop. Rebecca also has extensive online experience running workshops geared toward traditional and digital figurative artists.

Rebecca has a particular passion for College Portfolio Preparation for High School students. She has extensive knowledge of a range of schools across the U.S., and works closely with her students to prepare the right kind of portfolio for the right kind of school, based on the individual student’s stated needs and preferences. Previous College Preparation students of Rebecca’s have gone on to receive large financial rewards to their top choice schools, including one student who received nearly $40,000 per year to her top choice school, RISD. Each student with whom Rebecca has worked exclusively one on one has gained entrance to their top choice school, and each has received significant financial aid and scholarship money based on their portfolio.

"My daughter is a senior in high school and has made a choice to apply to universities offering strong art programs. This is a tough decision because not only does she have to go through the academic admission requirements, she also had the added pressure of submitting an art portfolio. For most university art programs, the portfolio plays a determining factor to admission. So my daughter started taking classes with Rebecca, primarily focusing on improving her portfolio. Rebecca turns out to be the most amazing art teacher my daughter has ever had. Being a good teacher is an art - at its heart is an ability to connect with audience and share the view of the world found in the discipline. Rebecca is an awesome artist and she has mastered the art of being a great teacher as well. My daughter often comes home after Rebecca's class and talks for hours about the discussion she had with Rebecca about objects, like a model or a bike, for the next project or ideas for future work. When I see the passion in my daughter's eyes when she talks about art, I know Rebecca has waved her magic wand. My daughter has gained so much confidence in her ability to create art because of Rebecca. Because Rebecca loves what she does, the passion is naturally passed on to her students. Even though the portfolio is now completed and submitted, my daughter continues to take classes with Rebecca. Oh, I must also mention that Rebecca accompanied my daughter to a National Portfolio Day, waiting in line for hours for RISD's interview, just to show her support. Rebecca is just amazing like that!"

-Kathy Yeh

*Kathy Yeh’s daughter, a high school Portfolio Preparation student of Rebecca Kimmel’s, was accepted to Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), with a $30,500 per year financial aid package - with $23,500 of that per year in pure scholarship money. Her daughter was also accepted to Boston University (BU) with a $44,800 / year financial aid package - with $39,000 of that per year in pure scholarship money. Her daughter was additionally accepted to Cornell University, University of Southern California (USC), University of Santa Barbara (UCSB), Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), and Pratt Institute.

"I wanted to let you know that I did indeed get a merit scholarship from Otis! It was for $6,250 a semester (or $12,500 a year) renewable for four years. I'm super excited about that since it's basically 1/3 of my tuition!

I want to thank you SO MUCH for all you've taught me at Korpus! I've had a lot of fun in your classes and they really gave me the courage to create my portfolio. I seriously could not have done it without you!!"

-Tracy S.
Accepted to Otis College of Art & Design, Fall 2012 with $50,000 scholarship ($12,500 per year)

“If the artistic journey happens to often be a lonely road paved with questions and fears, excitement, passion and recklessness, then teaching is - I believe - a science of knowledge and sharing that require a true understanding of the laws of nature, perception and their interpretation as well as an obvious ease to communicate on all of them: a lot you might say. How can one combine those two sensibilities without collapsing under their weight is true mystery to me, that's probably why I feel privileged to have found such an instructor as Rebecca; one whose work I truly enjoy (holy CtrlZ, the grace of her gesture drawings...) and whose teaching I devour like a cheese plate on a munch.”

-Loic Zimmermann
Concept Artist, Luma Pictures

"Previously, I took several different life drawing courses ranging from the Gnomon School of Visual Effects to Art Institute teachers, but none were able to impart their knowledge and skill of structure, anatomy, and art as Rebecca was able to. Rebecca has helped me make quantum leaps in my understanding of the human form. She introduced me to whole techniques and media that were not even touched on by my other teachers. Throughout my college years and even after, I did not realize the potential and meaning of a great teacher until meeting her and was surprised (and quite grateful) that I was able to obtain this caliber of education from a community college. Through Rebecca, I learned that it is not the name of the school that matters, but the type of teacher that the school has. Whereas other teachers mostly demonstrated in front of the class and provided minor comments on students' personal works, Rebecca did a combination of both that worked to excel all of her students' abilities and confidence, no matter their skill. She works extremely hard as a teacher and even when class sizes are overfilled, she takes the time and energy to do one-on-one demonstrations and provide constructive criticism for each and every student, for each and every class. I am continually amazed at her dedication as a teacher and although I have had her for two semesters already, I would not hesitate to take another class instructed by her again. In fact, I would very much look forward to it."

-Leanne Huynh

"I can now call myself an artist thanks largely to Rebecca Kimmel. Rebecca's classes have always been innovative and interesting. She, as an artist and a teacher, inspires her students to continuously push themselves, to produce their best work. I consider myself fortunate to have been in her classes."

-Kamini Aiyer

"My experience with The Drawing Workshop was impressive. I was struggling in class and Rebecca suggested I attend classes on the weekends and they helped me out tremendously. Within just one semester I noticed a difference in understanding composition and technique and it showed in my work. She quickly realized how I learned and tailored each lesson to my needs. The atmosphere was informal but be ready to work! I really enjoyed my time there and would recommend it to any level, from beginning to professional."

-Patrick Cambria

"Since graduating with a Biology degree and working a job with industry I decided to take some drawing lessons on the side to pursue Medical Illustration. I took Rebecca Kimmel's class at Irvine Valley College a few years ago with very little drawing skills. Rebecca's technique with teaching was very different from the classes I've previously attended. She was able to to show step-by-step techniques that were comprehensible and tangible at the same time. Feeling intimidated by other students that had natural talent, Rebecca made drawing seem like it CAN be a learned process. By following her direction and guidance I was able to produce results in drawing that I thought I could never accomplish. What I appreciate the most with Rebecca's teachings is her time, care, and abundance of knowledge she is willing to share. She is able to sit with you individually and steer you in the right direction with developing your drawing skills. There are only a handful of teachers that are able to really impact a college student's life. I believe that Rebecca is one of those teachers that had a strong influence in my own growth as an artist and she still does have this strong influence with every stroke I take in my drawings."

-Melanie Maralit

"I would highly recommend Rebecca’s classes. I began to the study of art when I met Rebecca. Honestly, I am a very very very beginner student. I didn't even know how to draw before I joined her private drawing workshop. She not only contributes infectious enthusiasm to all forms of teaching using a wide range of media, but also is a positive person who knows how to communicate with all different people, such as me, I didn't speak English well during that time, but she gave me a lot of encouragement. She makes me feel that we are a family. I just suddenly fell in love with drawing. By the way, she is not only a teacher, but also is a very very good friend. After 7 classes there, I could draw a portrait like a photo. That just made me feel like “Is that my stuff?” I couldn't believe that I did some awesome works. I mean, it's better than what I want before I joined her class. I really appreciate that I could meet her. I could do nothing without her help. So, I just want to tell you guys, if you know even know how to draw. It doesn't matter. Sunday Workshop will change your life. Don't hesitate, just go for it. You'll find what you want and how amazing you are."

-Hongyu Zhou