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Learn to Draw and Design from Rémy

Rémy considers himself lucky to have  been able to study drawing, painting and design from the best teachers in Europe, and he has continued to perfect his art through study and practice in the decades since. Today, he takes great pleasure in giving back to aspiring artists through teaching. Whether he is teaching a live class at a jewelry training institute, or producing one of his acclaimed DVDs, Rémy delights in bringing his passion, talent, and unique teaching methods to students.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in person classes are suspended.  Rémy continues to teach online in private or group sessions.  He is happy to work with students at any phase of their training from beginner to professional.  For more information please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Rémy’s Online Teaching and Classes

Classes are now currently being conducted online, including one-on-one classes and classes for groups/schools.

I teach my classes on Zoom, using two cameras – one on me and one on the drawings – and a microphone. Students also must have a camera/microphone. This allows us to communicate clearly and see the drawings and each other. Each class is three hours long. One class per week seems to work well and provides enough time for students to complete their homework and practice what they’ve learned. We will establish a regular weekly schedule and confirm the next class from week to week. Mastery of these techniques requires focus and commitment. Your ability to bring your and your clients’ ideas to life is well worth the effort.

My black and white drawing curriculum generally requires 24 hours of instruction (8 classes). The watercolor curriculum also runs 24 hours (8 classes). The colored pencils curriculum is a bit shorter and generally requires 18-20 hours of instruction (6-7 classes). It is best to begin your lessons with the black and white drawing classes as they provide a strong design foundation before moving into color.

Please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for pricing information.

For even more instruction and unlimited access to my drawing and painting methods, I created 3 DVDs covering my techniques. You can find them on the page below.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to schedule a class!

For private coaching, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New classes are added from time to time, so you may want to bookmark this page and come back. For more information on classes, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Testimonials

  • "Remy Rotenier might  be the best teacher I've ever had for anything. His patience, encouragement, and complete talent make me feel like I am receiving a treasure each time we have class. He graciously shares his gifts and immense talent and has made me feel there is hope for me to achieve some competence by listening and observing him carefully."

    Diana Widman,
    Chicago, USA
    metalsmith, gemologist, appraiser
    Diana Widman, Graduate Gemologist, AiS-GJV (Gems and Jewelry Appraiser)
    Diana Widman Design
    dianawidman.com

  • ”Remy is such an incredible teacher, mentor and resource for all things related to the art of jewelry design. He is worth every penny. In each private session, Remy not only coaches you through the technical side of drawing, coloring, painting, etc. but also teaches you about the tools you’ll be using and resources available to you and tailors each class to your individual goals. You truly come out with a much deeper understanding of the everything that goes into the discipline. Plus, he is the nicest guy! 10/10 would recommend to anyone looking to add jewelry design and rendering to their repertoire, business or resume. ”

    Hannah Niemer
    Chicago, USA

  • “ I want to thank my sweet loving teacher  Rémy Rotenier for enjoying to teach with such a great passion and for adjusting to my style. Thank you for all the great knowledge you have given me through all these months!!”

    ilonka Palocz
    Santiago, Chile

  • “I found Remy’s classes so easy and more importantly, lots of fun!  Remy’s so patient, sweet and professional. I hate taking classes, but I LOVE taking classes from Remy!”

    Erica Courtney,
    L.A., USA

  • ". . . Not only is [Rémy] an extremely skilled artist, but he is a very good teacher. His classes are well prepared, his materials very helpful, and his attitude is friendly and caring.

    ". . . Everyone in the class walked away with a vastly improved skill level, no matter what level they came in with. I believe that anyone who takes a class with Rémy will be making a valuable investment in their future career as a jeweler, metal smith or designer. At the end of his workshop they will be able to sell their work just by drawing it!" 

    Elichai Fowler
    Designer and Owner
    Paradise Ring Works, Livingston, Montana
  • “I had no compasses, no rulers, no vector based software---but there I was designing, as part of a fantastic counter-sketching workshop with Rémy Rotenier. . . [He] had us drawing without tools or templates. And though it took me a few hours to get past the initial discomfort, I soon was scribbling and drawing and having fun.

    “Ditching my usual tools helped me to explore new facets of creativity. . . I am having fun getting lost in the creative process, without the distraction of my tools. And getting lost on purpose takes me to the place where magic happens.” 

    Kate Wolf (from MJSA Journal, Jan. 2011)
    Jeweler, Educator, Tool Queen, and Wicked Wench of Wax
    Portland, Maine
  • "I had the pleasure of working with Rémy Rotenier in which some of our time was dedicated to his teachings of jewelry rendering. I have been designing for many years but will be forever thankful for the techniques he showed me.

    "It has opened up a new way for me to look at and improve my own work by guiding me to a way to see things differently than what I was able to easily do on my own." 

    Jill Suddendorf
    Corporate Designer
    IB Goodman Company

Class Images

Jewelry Design Supplies List

Recommended Supply Sites: dickblick.com and riogrande.com

  • -Mechanical pencils (0.3mm and 0.5mm, I like 0.2 and 0.9mm also!)

    -Erasers (a kneaded eraser, a Mono Tombow 2.3mm click eraser, and a Pentel Click or just a larger plastic eraser)

    -Paper stumps (3 sizes: small, medium, and large)

    -A transparent ruler with millimeters and an 8th graph Westcott pink beveled ruler

    -Copy (32lbs?) or drawing paper

    -Thin tracing paper (Canson 25lbs)

    -A 0.8mm Sakura Gelly Roll white pen

    -Low Tack Artist Tape

    -A piece of blotting paper (square)

  • -A Huion light pad (Amazon)

    -A set of Prismacolor Scholar coloring pencils (24 or 48)

    -A little compass

    -A ball burnisher

    -A digital caliper

  • Winsor and Newton gouache 14ml tubes:

    • -yellow ochre
    • -burnt sienna
    • -burnt umber
    • -lemon yellow
    • -yellow deep
    • -cadmium orange
    • -ivory black

    In Winsor watercolor:

    • -Titanium white 
    • -Payne’s grey 

    To paint the Stones:
    - koh-I-Noor color wheel
    Or
    - Grumbacher 24 transparent watercolors
    Or
    - Pelikan

  • -Winsor and Newton Series 7 round brush in size 1 and 3

    -a piece of white cotton fabric (t-shirt for example)

    -2 clear cups for water

  • -Heavy Grey paper like Canson Or Staples card stock:

    https://www.staples.com/Staples-Cover-Stock-Paper-8-1-2-x-11-Gray/product_620701

Ground-Breaking DVD Series

Rémy has produced a ground-breaking series of jewelry design training DVDs. The first, Counter Sketching Jewelry, teaches how to make black and white custom design sketches on paper in front of a client. The second, Color Rendering of Jewelry, instructs how to render jewelry designs into finished paintings that can be presented to customers. His most recent course, Advanced Jewelry Design, includes more than 7 hours of instruction in black and white design and drawing skills.  These three courses encapsulate classes that Rotenier has taught at jewelry and design schools for years, and incorporate skills he has learned in 30 years as a professional designer.
Learn More and Buy

Buy the Videos