When most people walk into Atelier School of Art in Royal Oak, MI, they say the same thing:
“I’ve always wanted to learn how to paint… but I don’t have any natural talent.”
Yet time and time again, those same students—many of whom have never picked up a brush—walk out months later with gallery-worthy paintings they never imagined they could create.
So what changed?
They didn’t suddenly become “talented.”
They followed a method.
And that method was designed by one of Michigan’s most accomplished painters and instructors: Todd Burroughs.
This article will show why talent is not something you’re born with—it’s something you develop. We’ll highlight real stories, explain Todd’s structured teaching approach, and show why anyone—at any age, skill level, or experience—can learn to paint beautifully.
The Myth of Natural Talent: Why So Many People Never Start
Many aspiring artists hesitate to enroll in a class because they believe great art requires something mystical or innate.
But what Todd Burroughs teaches is the opposite:
Art is a skill—just like learning piano, cooking, or speaking a new language. When taught correctly, anyone can do it.
Students from Royal Oak, Birmingham, Troy, Detroit, and the greater Metro Detroit area consistently prove this point. They begin as absolute beginners—no experience, no confidence, no drawing background—and within weeks they’re producing work that shocks even themselves.
This transformation doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens by design.
Why Todd’s Program Works: A Method That Makes Art Accessible
Todd Burroughs has spent decades refining a curriculum rooted in classical atelier principles but adapted for real, everyday beginners. His process is built on three essential pillars:
- Clear Foundational Principles
Instead of telling students to “just feel it out,” Todd teaches art the way professionals actually work:
- Learning value before color
- Understanding shapes and proportions
- Building compositions layer by layer
- Using light and shadow intentionally
Students don’t guess—the method shows them what to do and why it works.
- Step-by-Step Guidance That Removes the Intimidation
Every lesson follows a sequence.
Every brushstroke has a purpose.
Every stage builds on the last.
Beginners love this because they never feel lost. Todd’s instructions are simple, clear, and repeatable—so progress becomes inevitable.
- A Proven System That Builds Confidence and Skill
Todd’s program works because it is:
- Structured enough for true beginners
- Flexible enough to allow for creativity
- Supportive enough to help students overcome fear
- Advanced enough to grow with you
The result? Students feel confident from day one, and their skills grow faster than they ever expected.
Real Success Stories from Beginners Who Became Artists
The Atelier School of Art is filled with stories that prove this system works. While every student’s path is unique, their journeys share a common beginning:
They walked in unsure.
They walked out proud.
A few examples:
- A retiree from Troy who had never painted in her life and now confidently completes beautiful still life’s and landscapes.
- A young professional from Birmingham who started in beginner drawing and is now producing portraits with incredible depth and realism.
- A student from Grand Rapids who drives in on weekends just to train with Todd because she couldn’t find another program where she felt supported as a beginner.
Every one of these artists started at zero.
Every one of them flourished because they followed Todd’s proven method.
The Key Takeaway: Talent Isn’t Born. It’s Built.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to paint, draw, or simply be more creative, Todd Burroughs’ program at Atelier School of Art offers something rare:
A system that guarantees progress for anyone who follows it.
You don’t need:
- natural talent
- years of practice
- artistic background
- creative confidence
You just need a willingness to learn—and the right teacher.
Todd’s program has helped hundreds of Metro Detroit beginners discover their creative potential. You can be next.
Ready to Start Your Own Artistic Journey?
Whether you want to learn to draw, paint in oils, or develop a new meaningful hobby, Atelier School of Art in Royal Oak, Michigan is the perfect place to begin.
📅 Schedule a Class Today
Explore our classes and enroll directly through our website:
https://atelierschoolofart.com
🖼️ See What Beginners Have Created
Check out our Gallery page to view artwork from students who all started with zero experience and succeeded by following Todd’s process:
https://atelierschoolofart.com/gallery
📍 Visit or Contact the Studio
Atelier School of Art
407 E. 4th Street
Royal Oak, MI 48067
📞 (248) 951-4400
Your blank canvas is waiting—let us show you what you’re capable of.