Chris Babcock Art Workshop

Chris is a great art teacher. My 7 year old son loves going to the weekly class as well as the weekly summer camps and one day art classes. The studio space is great — very kid friendly (obviously). I’m amazed at the wonderful paintings he’s created and highly recommend Chris and her workshops.

I am an astronomer married to another technical professional so let’s just say our kids don’t get a lot of art time with us. We signed up our boys (now aged 11 and 8) for Chris’s summer camps for the past 2 summers, based on a friend’s recommendation. We were truly blown away by the quality of attention our kids received, and the quality of the work they produced. This past summer, we signed up again, along with our niece and nephew from Davis (who came and lived with us for the week). Chris has several assistants who work closely with the kids, the program is very organized, and the instructor to student ratio is great (7:1). They learned basic drawing, perspective, and painting techniques. Our kids have very different temperaments; our older son is easygoing and self-​managing but our younger can be quite needy, intense and demanding. Chris managed them both amazingly well all week, and they both came home at the end of the week with 3 gorgeous paintings each, two summers in a row. We are so glad we do her camps and our boys are so proud of their paintings. When we wrote to thank Chris for the great time our kids had, she wrote back «I am so happy I can be a small part of their lives». Thank you Chris!

Chris is an amazing art teacher! Our kids love painting, and we had searched for a good art teacher for quite a while until we found Chris. I went to her first class, and I was very impressed. Chris is very kind and has a natural connection with children. My kids are five, but they became very comfortable with Chris immediately. Chris separated her art class into different sections. She let them choose their own images or create their own images. She gave a great art lecture in kid’s language, and my kids were laughing and talking with her throughout the lecture. She taught them how to draw and paint and corrected them when they needed help. She taught them to be creative and to work hard. She also let them do free paintings and take short breaks and even pat her dogs. My kids have so much fun! My kids have been with Chris for almost half a year now. They always have a great time at art class. Chris has always been very nice and sweet to the kids. Sometimes, she even comes to the door to help to get the kids in for safety. My kids cannot stop talking about their paintings and their favorite teacher Chris. We took a vacation to China and had to stop the class for a few weeks. My kids began to tell me that they missed Teacher Chris. They asked me when they would be able to go back to paint with Teacher Chris again. We had to let them go to Chris’ art class as soon as possible. When my kids showed me the paintings they made, I could not believe they painted such beautiful paintings. Every time, my kids are looking forward to their art class before the class, and they are always very happy when they get home after their class. My kids love Chris’ class! We are very happy to find such a wonderful teacher as Chris. If you are looking for a great art teacher in San Francisco, we highly recommend Chris Babcock.

For some reason the kids don’t seem to mind Chris’ gruff demeanor, but as a parent I find her rudeness unnecessary. Got to admit the kids produced some pretty neat art — maybe she’s just the art version of one of those ol’ piss-​and-​vinegar coaches that manage to bring out the best in their players with nary a kind word.

Chris responded with a canned robot email, yet offered a free class for my kid. We don’t need expensive stressed teachers. Get that enough with SFUSD. Thanks but no thanks.

I have been so blessed to have found Chris Babcock Art! I’ve taken incredible lessons w/​Chris. She is inspiring, patient, SKILLED and her space is super lovely and fun-​there seem to be many a happy customer coming in and out of her space, whether it be adults or children-​big smiles and beautiful paintings-​she really teaches you the technique of painting and also celebrates your talent as an individual-​I couldn’t recommend her more-​sign up ASAP and be ready to be inspired!

I had no painting experience and Chris made me feel at ease. She even accommodated my special request to paint Munch’s Scream, and with her help it turned out to be less of a train wreck than I’d anticipated. It was fun, relaxing, and I’d recommend you give it a shot!

We love love Chris Babcock Art! My Son just did a summer session and he absolutely loved it and came home with 3 impressive fun bright paintings that we will frame.
We are looking forward to introducing her art sessions to my Son’s school for the other kids and parents to enjoy!

I have recently taken two one night painting classes and was very impressed. Let’s just say that the look on my husbands face when he asked «YOU painted that» solidifies that painting is not a natural talent I possess. :)
Chris explained just enough so the class felt confident in trying their hand in some painting magic.
It was fun and everyone was so proud of themselves with what they had created.
I would highly recommend one of Chris’ classes!

I am elated to recommend CB Art classes to anyone, including parents, who do not think it, even closely related, to above PAR in art mediocrity… I know by seeing with my own keen eyes, possibly and probably, close to an art explored with LOVE and CHARACTERIZED compassion for students, Chris identifies and clearly sees the artist in all students, from the cradle to the grave, bringing out the visionary steadfastness in all… I am excited for the next artistic adventure with CB Art!!! We love Chris and all her expertise along with professional enthusiastic love of ART!!!
We love you and your classes to teach us all truth, beauty and love!
Natalia Stingley and family

My 4^th-​grade daughter and 6^th-​grade son have been taking Chris Babcock’s art classes, one-​day workshops, and summer camps for several years now and I can’t recommend her programs enough. They are fabulous! In addition, I have taken her adult painting workshops with my girlfriends and had such a great time.
In Chris’s classes my kids create gorgeous paintings, have fun doing it, and come home with great «Chris anecdotes and stories» (her larger-​than-​life personality is one of the absolute best). They learn about master painters and influential works of art, all while stretching the right-​brain and having a good time doing it. It’s relaxing and engaging for them at the same time. It’s the first thing they want to do when school lets out for the summer.
I proudly display their paintings on a gallery wall in my house and I think it’s such a self-​esteem boost for them to see their art work displayed. I highly recommend her programs!

The quality of Chris’ caring and professional instruction is evident in our daughter’s unbelievable artwork. In the week (summer session) she was there, our child learned many techniques and perspectives that she uses to this day and now even on different media.
We look forward to returning for future sessions (spring, winter) and feel that Chris’ camp is money well-​spent.

Chris Babcock’s art camp was my daughter’s absolute favorite camp of the summer! We we amazed at the beautiful artwork our 6.5 year old created. The instruction she received from Chris was priceless and the materials used were all professional quality.
We will definitely be sending our kids back for more, well worth the price.

What a fantastic art class. My 6.5 yr old daughter attended the summer camp this year and absolutely loved it. We were blown away by what she created and our daughter was so proud! Chris is amazing how she keeps every one so organized while instructing, being heard all while having fun. A definite must if you are considering!

My son has been taking classes and camps there for many years.
He’s loved them.
Some of his pieces are amazingly good for an elementary school student. We’ve framed them and guests are often impressed.

Very disorganized place. On some of the camps there, only one person for over 20 kids.

I can personally state that Chris Babcock studio is such a great find in San Francisco.
I have 3 young children and they all have unique experiences with Ms Babcock. My boys who attend Stuart Hall are memorized by her character and her painting skills. They have attended her art camps which are week long and also her captivating one day art workshops.
We even love her weekend workshops and get the entire family painting together!
This review doesn’t stop there either! If you want a night out away from the kiddos Chris Babcock is the place to be. I have personally been to 3 of her one night adult only workshops. We are able to bring in snacks and spirits while we paint and it’s a great night of learning a new craft and reconnecting with friends. I have even brought friends who have never held a paint brush and they had a super time.
Best part about going to Chris Babcock for my children is that she lets them paint what they are interested in, my children can’t wait to return very soon!
«She’s an amazing art teacher.»
Owen, age 9

My 6 and 8 year old daughters have loved their weeks of Chris Babcock summer camp and after school classes. It is true that they come out of each session with beautiful pieces of art, but more importantly I feel like they learn about what it is to be an artist, how to use real art supplies, and how to take ownership of and pride in their work. Chris has a wonderful way about her, and the girls always ask to go back each summer.

My now 8 year old daughter has been attending classes with Chris for over 2 years. Our entire house is decorated with her paintings! Chris is really gifted and makes the classes fun with her humor and spirit. My daughter can’t wait to do a week of summer camp this year!

Chris Babcock — or as my daughter fondly refers to her as «Teacher Chrissy» — runs a wonderful art studio in my neighborhood, the Richmond district of San Francisco. As soon as I walked by her studio, I knew immediately that I wanted my daughter to learn how to paint with her.
Two years and 19 masterful paintings later, my now six-​year old will begin a portrait-​study workshop with Chris in a couple of weeks. Aside from getting my daughter’s gorgeous works framed as quickly as she creates them, we are nothing short of thrilled with Chris Babcock.
During class, which meets after-​school, Chris instructs kids on how to sketch and paint — always using professional-​quality acrylics and water-​soluble oils. The results are nothing short of eye-​popping!
For my daughter’s first project, she painted a Pop art depiction based on Wayne Thiebuad’s 1963 «Girl with Ice Cream Cone;» Chris even showed her how to safely use a painting knife to create the creamy texture of an ice-​cream cone. Amazing!
For her fifth birthday, we had a wonderful art party at Chris’s studio — during which my daughter’s friends enjoyed cake and step-​by-​step instructions on creating a portrait of Kermit the Frog. We had so much fun!
Chris understands children, she’s passionate about art, and she’s convinced that anyone can learn how to paint and draw beautifully.