Yim Mau-Kun
Yim Mau-Kun studio teaching
The Academy

Study Classical Drawing and Painting with Master Artist Yim Mau-Kun.

A lifetime method refined over decades — now available to serious students around the world.

Yim Mau-Kun in his studio
A Rare Opportunity

Study with a master.

Yim Mau-Kun is a master portrait artist with over 60 years of experience in drawing and oil painting. His work reflects a deep commitment to classical training, careful observation, and the disciplined pursuit of truth in art.

Throughout his career, he has painted renowned cultural figures and taught generations of students in his private studio. Now, for the first time, his complete approach is available online.

The Problem

Why most people struggle to improve.

Many students begin with details — eyes, noses, textures — without first understanding structure. They copy what they see without knowing what they are looking for. As a result, their drawings lack cohesion, accuracy, and life.

Yim Mau-Kun's method is different. He teaches students how to:

  • See the underlying structure before details
  • Organize forms into clear relationships
  • Build drawings step by step, from large shapes to refinement
  • Understand light, shadow, and value as a unified system

This is not a shortcut. It is a disciplined way of seeing — and once learned, it transforms everything.

The Curriculum

The classical study path.

This academy is structured as a progression, not a collection of disconnected lessons. Each stage builds upon the last, guiding you toward a deeper understanding of both drawing and painting.

Stage 01

Seeing & Structure

Learn how to observe accurately and establish strong foundations using straight-line block-in and proportion.

Stage 02

Form & Value

Understand light and shadow, and organize forms into clear value relationships.

Stage 03

Portrait Drawing

Apply structure and value to achieve likeness and expression.

Stage 04

Oil Painting

Translate drawing principles into the language of color through controlled, deliberate painting.

I thoroughly enjoyed Mau-Kun Yim's philosophy and approach to drawing the portrait, particularly how he broke down the concepts and related everything to building a house, from blueprint, foundation, all the way to finishing.

— Marie, Amazon reviewer
Inside the Academy

What you will experience.

Inside the academy, you will study through:

i.

Full-length studio demonstrations

Watch the entire arc of a drawing or painting unfold, from blank surface to finished work.

ii.

Step-by-step processes

Each demonstration is broken down so you can study every decision in sequence.

iii.

Detailed artistic explanations

Hear the reasoning behind each move — what is being seen, organized, and refined.

iv.

High-resolution process images

Stop at any stage and study the work up close, the way a private student would.

Rather than isolated tips, you will gain insight into how a master artist thinks and works.

Student Experience

I have been an artist since 1992. For decades, I thought my path was set, my skills complete, my voice found. I believed I had no need for further formal art education. I was wrong. Profoundly wrong.

From the very first lesson, something shifted. His approach is disarmingly simple, clear, and grounded in a deep respect for the classical tradition. He does not overwhelm. He reveals. Step by step, stroke by stroke, he removes the fear of oil painting and replaces it with curiosity, confidence, and genuine joy.

— Bin Katia JH
Student working at easel in Yim Mau-Kun's studio
Who It's For

For serious students at any age.

This academy is designed for those who:

  • Want to move beyond casual drawing
  • Value depth over shortcuts
  • Are willing to observe carefully and practice thoughtfully

Whether you are returning to art after many years, or beginning with a strong commitment, this approach provides a clear and lasting foundation.

About the Studio

An extension of a private teaching practice.

This academy is an extension of Yim Mau-Kun's private teaching studio, where students have long been guided through the principles of classical art.

The goal is not only to teach technique, but to cultivate the ability to see, understand, and express form with confidence and sensitivity.

What I really appreciate in this book is that it's less of a how-to book than a why book… What we need is more mentorship from absolute masters like Yim Mau-Kun.

— Stuart Hamby, Amazon reviewer Read more reviews on Amazon
The Master's Studio Membership

One membership.
All courses. Full access.

Full access to all current and future courses, plus entry to the private community for discussion and questions. For those who want everything in one place.

Monthly $29 per month

Cancel any time. Best for students who want flexibility.

Lifetime $489 one-time payment

Lifetime, unlimited access to the entire teaching archive.

Join the Studio
Studio Letter

Join the Studio Letter.

Receive occasional notes from the studio, including insights on drawing, painting, and the philosophy behind the work.