Questions, answered

Ask me anything.

Crystal Lau Art

Frequently asked questions

How do the courses work?

Each course is a series of pre-recorded video units — watch them anytime, as often as you like. Most units ship with reference photos I paint from and downloadable notes, so you can follow along stroke for stroke or take your own route.

I'm a complete beginner — where should I start?

Start with the materials and setting up — it’s completely free. It covers what you need to buy, how to set everything up, and how to get started. After that, any introductory course will be easy for you to pick up.

What's the difference between Apprentice and Fellow?

Both are per-course purchases. Apprentice gets you the full course — videos, references and notes. Fellow adds access to my private Discord channel, where I look at your block-ins, answer colour questions and run monthly critiques.

Do I need expensive materials?

No. My list doesn’t require many tools, and most students already own about half of them. Here is a sincere piece of advice: pair inexpensive paints with high-quality paper, and use brushes made primarily of absorbent animal hair. The results can rival professional-grade work.

Can I download the notes?

Yes — the course notes are PDFs, downloadable from the lesson page along with the reference material. Any limit on downloads is still to be confirmed and will be published here before launch.

Can I send you my personal work for critique?

Absolutely. Once you purchase a course you gain access to our Discord community. There you can submit your artwork and course assignments to receive personal feedback and critiques from me directly.

Can I preview the lessons before purchasing?

Yes. Each course page carries a preview showing highlights from the lessons, so you can get a feel for the teaching style and the core ideas before deciding to enrol.

How do I know what the teaching videos are like before buying?

Have a look at the free videos. There you’ll find full-length paint-along tutorials across a range of subjects, free to watch with no sign-up. You can also browse the short painting tips for a first look at how I teach.

Can I buy your original paintings?

You can — everything in the gallery is available as an original or a limited print. The Buy button on each piece takes you straight to the Etsy listing, where checkout and shipping are handled.

What payment methods do you accept for courses?

Payment methods are being finalised and will be published here before launch.

Ask me directly.

If your question isn’t here, email crystalau430@gmail.com and Crystal will answer.