Skip to content
mp-lp-desktop-crop-2-2

Become the Artist
You Were Born to Be

The Mastery Program

Build real skills. Find your unique style. Create a portfolio.

Your journey starts here.

The online Mastery Program is designed for all skill levels and covers everything from oil and acrylic painting to portfolio creation, personal branding, and marketing. Whether you're starting fresh or leveling up, you'll gain the skills, confidence, and clarity to become a professional artist.

  • Learn at your own pace with expert feedback along the way
  • Find your artistic voice
  • Build a cohesive, sellable body of work
  • Launch your art career with a proven strategy for success
Join Our Next Group of Artists

Enroll in the Mastery Program TODAY

Next cohort starts: Saturday, XX XX — Only X spots left!

Featured Graduates

Thousands of artists have transformed their lives with the Mastery Program.

Now it's your turn.

elli-brushes-bg

Risk-Free, Flexible, and Designed for You

The Mastery Program is designed to be completed in 1 year, but it’s flexible enough to fit your life—so you can learn at your own pace, without pressure. Whether you move fast or take your time, you'll have the structure, mentorship, and guidance you need to grow.
 
Try it risk-free for 30 days with a full money-back guarantee.

money-back

 

Milan Art Institute's Mastery Program Reviews

Real Reviews By Artists Like You!

Our reviews speak for themselves—students from around the world have shared their inspiring journeys and success stories after taking our online art classes, praising the Milan Art Institute for life-changing experiences.

 

Every Artist Has One

Discover Your Unique Style With Us

Featured Students

Each month, Mastery Program contest winners take home thousands in cash prizes.

You could be next.

Mastery Program Curriculum

A Proven Path to Mastery

With every transformative step mapped out so you can focus on your art, not the guesswork.

Part 1 - Drawing & Oil Painting Techniques

Skills

Develop your sills and build a strong foundation in drawing and oil painting. From your very first week, you’ll create artwork that you never thought possible. Lessons are strategically designed to build on the last, so your skills grow stronger each week.

Sections: 12  |  Lessons: 94

Part 1 - Weekly Syllabus
1. Contour Drawing & Subtractive Glaze Painting
2. Value, Scale & Indirect Painting
3. Proportion, Planes & 8 Brush Stroke Portrait
4. Still Life Drawing in Graphite & Alla Prima Still Life
5. Break
6. Gesture Drawing & Fat Over Lean
7. Perspective & Subtractive City - Learn the Secrets of the Renaissance
8. Portrait Proportions & Alla Prima Life Painting
9. Small Scale Realism - Learn to See like an Artist
10. Break
11. Mark Making & Directional Marks - Experience the Freedom of Expression
12. Foreshortening & Alla Prima from Source
13. Self Portrait - Learn the Psychology of Seeing Your True Self
14. Expressive Drawing & Summary Final Assignment
15. Break
16. Break
Part 2 - Weekly Syllabus
17. Acrylic Painting & Art History - Discover Your Place Among the Greats
18. Ink & Identifying Your Personal Aesthetic
19. Mark Making & Archetypes - Create Themes and Motifs in Your Work
20. Spray Paint & Your Process - Learn the Process Authentic to You
21. Collage & How to Synthesize - Learn the 4 Phases of the Creative Cycle
22. Break
23. Break
24. Painting an Abstract & Critique - Discover Dimensions Previously Unknown
25. Rollers & Source Material
26. Gold Leaf & Choosing a Source
27. Elli's Mixed Media Process & Creating Sources
28. Dimitra's Mixed Media Process & Integrating Source Material into Your Voice
29. Break
30. Break
Part 2 - Mixed Media, Personal Aesthetic & Authentic Expression

Voice

Move beyond technique and create with authenticity. Through innovative mixed media lessons, you’ll uncover and refine your unique artistic style—the voice that makes your work magnetic and unmistakably yours.

Sections: 10  |  Lessons: 66

Part 2 - Mixed Media, Personal Aesthetic & Authentic Expression

Voice

Move beyond technique and create with authenticity. Through innovative mixed media lessons, you’ll uncover and refine your unique artistic style—the voice that makes your work magnetic and unmistakably yours.

Sections: 10  |  Lessons: 66

Part 2 - Weekly Syllabus
17. Acrylic Painting & Art History - Discover Your Place Among the Greats
18. Ink & Identifying Your Personal Aesthetic
19. Mark Making & Archetypes - Create Themes and Motifs in Your Work
20. Spray Paint & Your Process - Learn the Process Authentic to You
21. Collage & How to Synthesize - Learn the 4 Phases of the Creative Cycle
22. Break
23. Break
24. Painting an Abstract & Critique - Discover Dimensions Previously Unknown
25. Rollers & Source Material
26. Gold Leaf & Choosing a Source
27. Elli's Mixed Media Process & Creating Sources
28. Dimitra's Mixed Media Process & Integrating Source Material into Your Voice
29. Break
30. Break
Part 3 - 30 Unique & Cohesive Expressions of You

Portfolio

Bring it all together by producing 30 original masterpieces that tell your story. This cohesive body of work will reflect your unique voice, give you confidence, and form the foundation of your professional portfolio.

Sections: 12  |  Lessons: 42

Part 3 - Weekly Syllabus
31. Studio Habits & How to Build a Portfolio
32. Artist Habits - How to be Productive in Your Workspace
33. Setting Goals & Assessing Your Portfolio - How to Build a Business Strategy
34. Emotional Intelligence & Final Touches - Become More Self-Aware and Succeed
35. Motivation & Prepare for Your Production Period - Become a Prolific Painter
36. Break
37. Through to week 42 - Independent Production & Developing Your Portfolio
38. Break
39. Through to week 42 - Independent Production & Developing Your Portfolio
40. Break
Part 4 - Weekly Syllabus
44. Start Selling Your Art
45. Getting Your Product Ready
46. Building Your Brand
47. Creating Marketing Collateral
48. Creating Your Website
49. Social Media Marketing
50. Promoting Your Product
51. Sales and Promotion
52. Launching Your Career
Part 4 - Marketing, Galleries & Launching Your Career

Marketing

Your art deserves an audience. Learn how to brand, market, and sell your art with proven strategies—building a professional presence, a high converting website and amplifying your message with social media. Attract collectors, and launch a career you love.

Sections: 9  |  Lessons: 55

Part 4 - Marketing, Galleries & Launching Your Career

Marketing

Your art deserves an audience. Learn how to brand, market, and sell your art with proven strategies—building a professional presence, a high converting website and amplifying your message with social media. Attract collectors, and launch a career you love.

Sections: 9  |  Lessons: 55

Part 4 - Weekly Syllabus
44. Start Selling Your Art
45. Getting Your Product Ready
46. Building Your Brand
47. Creating Marketing Collateral
48. Creating Your Website
49. Social Media Marketing
50. Promoting Your Product
51. Sales and Promotion
52. Launching Your Career

The Mastery Program VS Art School

Choosing the right path for your artistic journey is crucial, and the Mastery Program offers a unique and powerful alternative to traditional art school. With a much more affordable price point starting at $3,600 compared to the $40,000 to $60,000 you’d spend at a conventional art school, our program provides real-world training from successful professional artists. Unlike the typical 4-year commitment of traditional schools, the Mastery Program can be completed in just 12 months at your own pace. Plus, you'll gain invaluable business knowledge on how to market and sell your art, along with group coaching and or personal mentorship* from accomplished artists.

Self-Taught

Traditional Art School

The Mastery Program

Offerings ➡️
Find Your Voice
Maybe
Maybe
Find Your Style
Maybe
Maybe
Group Coaching
Personal Mentoring
Structured Classes
Long-term Career Support
Learn From Real Professional Artists
Learn From Home
Learn How to Market Your Art
Supportive Social Platform
Length to Complete
Varies
4 Years
12-24 months
Price
Varies
$100,000 - $250,000
$3,600 - $4800

Get World Class Art Education That's Affordable

Join our next cohort starting: Saturday, XX XX — Only X spots left!

THE MASTERY PROGRAM PRICE WILL INCREASE $696 IN JANUARY 2026 SO LOCK IN LEGACY PRICING NOW

1 Year Plan

$350/mo
12 Payments
Lifetime access to the entire Mastery Program curriculum of 250+ lessons that compound your artistic skills.
2-year access to coaching groups where you’ll receive daily feedback on every assignment throughout the program.
2-year access to weekly coaching calls with our Professional Artist team to get your questions answered when you need it.

2 Year Plan

Only $200/mo
24 Payments
Lifetime access to the entire Mastery Program curriculum of 250+ lessons that compound your artistic skills.
2-year access to coaching groups where you’ll receive daily feedback on every assignment throughout the program.
2-year access to weekly coaching calls with our Professional Artist team to get your questions answered when you need it.

Visual Stories Told by Our Students

More Love from Our Students❤️

This program provided the best value I’ve ever received for my money. I’ve sold over $10,000 worth of art since I started the program, and I haven’t even been focused on promotion for all of that time. Thanks for giving me the confidence to call myself a professional artist!

Autumn Hunter
Autumn HunterMastery Program Student

Deciding to enroll in the art mastery program was literally the best decision of my life. Not only myself but everyone around me has noticed an enormous improvement in my art. I finally have my own style and voice which has revealed even more creation in me. I haven’t even started the business/portfolio half of the program and I already feel like I have benefited so much.

Christina Cowan
Christina CowanMastery Program Student
This is a brilliant class on a huge variety of styles of drawing and painting. It has stretched my world of what's familiar in the art world and I'm delighted with some of the pieces I've done! I'm also excited to go over some of the classes again to see where I can improve yet again and become even more comfortable with the techniques. And, yes, I'm drawing and painting things that I never would have thought possible before I started the class. And, my pieces are getting attention from people who are wanting to buy them. And, I only started recently! I'm very excited to get through the program. The possibilities seem infinite!
Michelle Nedelec
Michelle NedelecMastery Program Student

I’m only in week 3 of the program and it has already changed my life! ❤️ I’ve learned so much already, my skills are flying through the roof and I am constantly surprised about what comes out of my hands. I’m even in love with my art now, I used to always see imperfections and not like it. On top of that, the lessons give me daily focus and a goal every week. Way less doom scrolling and online shopping for me, unless it is for art supplies 😁 LOVE IT 😍

Caro Eikelenboom - Heineken
Caro Eikelenboom - HeinekenMastery Program Student

I'm thrilled to finally be a part of this course. I watched and waited for almost a year, scouring YouTube for the free workshops and carefully paying attention to the community. Initially I didn't think I had the skills or confidence to be a part of the program but eventually I realized I really do want to take my art seriously and this was the best match for me to do it. Skills to voice and finally tackling the business were the puzzle pieces I discovered on my own but I needed help putting them together. I've set mini goals monthly to pay for the program with my art and I'm so pleased what I've learned already. Thank you for believing in me even before you knew me!

Kirsten K
Kirsten KMastery Program Student
 

Meet Your Milan Art Institute Team

At Milan Art Institute, our team is the heart of our commitment to nurturing and inspiring artists. Meet our founders, John and Elli Milan, who bring decades of experience and artistic excellence to the Institute. John’s innovative approach and Elli’s mastery in Abstract Realism set the foundation for our unique educational philosophy. Joining them is their daughter, Dimitra Milan, a celebrated artist known for her impactful work and mentorship.

Our team also includes dedicated instructors and mentors, each a professional artist in their own right, offering personalized guidance and expertise. Our coaches provide invaluable support, ensuring that every student receives tailored advice to reach their artistic goals. Together, our team combines passion, experience, and dedication to help you thrive in your artistic journey.

Elli Milan
Elli Milan Founding Owner, InstructorAs the founding owner of Milan Art Institute, Elli has been a professional artist for three decades. Elli sold more than 10,000 pieces of art throughout her thriving career. She has transformed the lives of thousands of artists from around the world—helping them find their voice and turn their passion for art into a profession. With her online drawing and painting classes, Elli is a leading voice of the current Art Renaissance.
john-headshot-1x1
John Milan Co-Founder, Instructor

John, co-founder of Milan Art Institute, is a dynamic artist with over 25 years of experience. Known for his vibrant mixed media oil paintings, he’ll share his artistic insights in a captivating and inspiring way. As an avid teacher and mentor, John travels the world, guiding artists locally and internationally.

dimitra-headshot-1x1
Dimitra Milan Co-Owner, Director & Instructor

By age 16, Dimitra sold $1,000,000 in artwork while working with a publishing company, thanks to the painting skills that she gained while studying with her parents at Milan Art Institute. With 400,000+ social media followers, she's a leading artist influencer, pioneering a new era for artists online and inspiring them to change the world with their art.

jake-headshot-1x1
Jake Dunn Co-owner, Director & Instructor

Jake, a Milan Art Institute Mastery Program graduate, combines modern marketing expertise with his artistic skills to help artists reach their potential. A true Renaissance artist, he excels in painting, music, and writing, marketing and revenue generation. After personally generating over $19M in sales in his career at the astounding age of 26, Jake shares his professional business insights for Mastery Program Students and Graduates.

Our Instructors Have been Featured in

elli-chair-2

A Note From the Founder

Hey Artist,
 
When I first started painting, I had no talent—so little that my mom didn’t believe I created my own drawings until I proved it in front of her. But I loved to create, so I kept going.
 
I earned a BFA from two art schools and left feeling uninspired, with no clue how to build a career. After working a 9–5 at a bank, one local art show changed everything. I met an art dealer, began working in the décor market, and eventually partnered with my husband to sell over 10,000 paintings. We later moved into fine art galleries, selling hundreds more.
 
Artists began asking me, “How do I actually start a career?” That led me to develop the Mastery Program — to give artists what I never had: skill-building, experimentation, career training, and a path to creating meaningful, sellable work.
 
What started as a small school in Arizona has become a global movement. My daughter Dimitra became an internationally recognized artist, and alongside her husband Jake and my husband John, we’ve built something truly revolutionary.
 
Artists from all over the world take this program for different reasons — to find their voice, to sell their art, or simply to grow. But the one thing I hear most? It changes lives.
 
That’s why we call our artists “World-Changers.” Because when you share your beauty with the world, it shifts something. I hope you join us. There’s a whole community of artists waiting to welcome you.

Elli_20signature.png_width_400_upscale_true_name_Elli_20signature-Jun-30-2025-04-46-19-0214-PM

A Note From the Founder

Headshot-Elli-2025-2

Hey Artist,
 
When I first started painting, I had no talent—so little that my mom didn’t believe I created my own drawings until I proved it in front of her. But I loved to create, so I kept going.
 
I earned a BFA from two art schools and left feeling uninspired, with no clue how to build a career. After working a 9–5 at a bank, one local art show changed everything. I met an art dealer, began working in the décor market, and eventually partnered with my husband to sell over 10,000 paintings. We later moved into fine art galleries, selling hundreds more.
 
Artists began asking me, “How do I actually start a career?” That led me to develop the Mastery Program — to give artists what I never had: skill-building, experimentation, career training, and a path to creating meaningful, sellable work.
 
What started as a small school in Arizona has become a global movement. My daughter Dimitra became an internationally recognized artist, and alongside her husband Jake and my husband John, we’ve built something truly revolutionary.
 
Artists from all over the world take this program for different reasons — to find their voice, to sell their art, or simply to grow. But the one thing I hear most? It changes lives.
 
That’s why we call our artists “World-Changers.” Because when you share your beauty with the world, it shifts something. I hope you join us. There’s a whole community of artists waiting to welcome you.

Elli_20signature.png_width_400_upscale_true_name_Elli_20signature-Jun-30-2025-04-46-19-0214-PM

Not Sure If You're Ready to Start Now?

Get the FREE Mastery Program Prep Course

Lay the foundation for artistic success with this free course—no commitment required!

What You’ll Get:

  • Studio setup tips to create like a pro
  • Success strategies from professional artists
  • Guide to build a pro-quality easel for under $100
  • Time management tips to fit art into your busy life—even with very little time to spare
  • Exclusive free resources sent right to your inbox: workshops, podcasts, videos eBooks & more!

Your Artistic Transformation Starts Here!

The Prep Course gives you the tools and confidence to grow as an artist. It will help you prepare for the incredible transformation that you’ll undergo when you sign up for the Mastery Program.

And don’t worry—when you do join the Mastery Program, you’ll still get access to this same great content—plus SO much more!

Join the Prep Course and get started today!

Your Questions Answered

I’m just a beginner, is this too advanced for me?

We’ve seen students who have literally never picked up a brush before go through the program and create masterpieces by the end. So YES, this program is made for you too.

Every section of the Mastery Program starts with understanding the fundamentals. With each lesson and assignment you complete, you’ll become more empowered to create art you never thought you were capable of creating before.

If you follow the order of the lessons and complete the assignments, you’ll become a Master by the end. Your family and friends will tell you, “I never knew that you were so talented,” and hopefully you’ll share the secret of how you realized it.

I already went to art school, why do I need to take this program?

The sad reality is most art schools are run by professional academia, not professional artists. That’s why you spent an entire semester on anatomy, when the useful information you actually needed for your art could’ve been taught in ONE lecture.

Professors spend their lives studying the nuances and hyper specialize over one aspect of art. You graduate school without learning what you actually set out to learn: how to become a professional artist.

Our instructors are obsessed with making a living with art. And they share with you exactly how they’ve been able to do it for themselves in this one year program. The reason we recommend you complete every lesson, even if it’s a reminder for you, is because they’re a great refresher for what you might’ve forgotten, could’ve missed, or not been taught in school.

The skills you learn will compound, so once you reach the mixed media section, it’s crucial that you’ve practiced our oil and drawing foundations.

In summary, if you already went to an art school, this program is perfect for you.

I’ve tried other online art classes and didn’t get what I was hoping for, how do I know this won’t be the same?

We can confidently say we know you’ll experience the success you’re looking for—whether that’s creating beautiful paintings that you, your family, and friends are proud of, or quitting your job to work at art full-time because you’re selling your pieces consistently. We can claim this because we’ve had thousands of students take this program with countless success stories.

If for any reason you don’t love the Mastery Program wholeheartedly with every fiber of your being, you can get a full refund within 30 days of purchasing the program, no questions asked.

So you have nothing to lose at all!

What if I’m not ready to commit to a whole year?

The beauty of the Mastery Program is that you can learn at whatever pace you want to set. At the end of the day, this is your program, so if you want to take the program over the course of two years, you’re welcome to. Likewise, if you want to finish it in just 4 months, you rock!

The program is designed to be completed over the course of a year, so if you follow the curriculum, by this time next year you’ll have an entire portfolio of art that’s more beautiful than you’re even capable of dreaming of right now. Imagine that. Seriously. Plus, several of your pieces will already have sold.

It’s an incredible feeling and we can’t wait for you to experience it!

How do I know I'll sell my art?

We have a proven process that’s worked for countless artists that have taken the program before you. Even if you can’t draw a stick figure and don’t know how to sell anything, we’ll teach you from start to finish everything you need to know. However, for the program to work, you have to work, too.

What if I only need to learn part of the program (i.e. marketing)

The Mastery Program was carefully and meticulously designed to optimize an artist’s success. Skipping to the end might be tempting, especially if you’ve been an artist for a while and have even been selling your work, but marketing alone is not enough for achieving long-term success.

Regardless of your skill level, we’re confident that the harmony o all sections of The Mastery Program will lead to the greatest possible results for you in your art career. Don’t short-change yourself! While our Marketing section is invaluable, it is not the most valuable in considering the whole of your dream to become a professional artist.

The entirety of the Mastery Program is needed for the best possible results in your career. This is truly the investment of a lifetime.

What if I don’t want to become a professional, I just want to get good at painting?

Lucky for you, you’re about to become so skilled at painting that people will be asking how to buy your art. And you won’t really have a choice but to sell it to them because it’s going to mean so much to them—and could even change their life.

If you’re sitting on a pile of money already and don’t have the desire to sell your art, that’s great. During the Mastery Program your skills will skyrocket. You’ll be able to paint anything that you want, so this really is a no-brainer.

I wasn’t born with talent, how can I be successful when I know so many talented artists and am following so many on social media?

The problem with social media today is that it glorifies success without showing you the hard work that people put in. Each of those incredible artists you follow most likely spent years trying to hone their process and develop their style.

You can consider yourself blessed because your new instructors have already toiled and spent years figuring out the key to success for artists. Now, they’re sharing that with you.

That means that you don’t have to spend nearly as long to get where you want to be. Just imagine, a year from now you’ll have an entire portfolio of 30 paintings to impress your friends, family, and entire network.

The secret that most artists don’t want you to know is that talent doesn’t matter. Sure, some people are born with a greater aptitude than others, but every single person has to put in their time and energy to become a great artist.

Mastery Student Mentoring

Accelerate Your Artistic Development with a Mentor

art-icon-9
Save Time & Avoid Errors

Our mentors were once where you are and now know the right steps to take to succeed in their art careers. Don’t waste years on avoidable mistakes. Learn from an artist who can show you the fastest path to thrive.

art-icon-6
Next-Level Accountability

Even if you don’t know what your dream is, you must invest in your accountability to get there. With Mastery Mentoring, you tap into a strong support system to always motivate you.

art-icon-3
Fast-Track Your Success

World-class professionals trained our mentors, and this works like compounding interest in your artistic journey. Connect with the right people at the right time to rapidly reach your goals.

art-icon-11
Feedback & Support

Frustrated because your proportions are off? Struggle to mix colors? As artists, we can feel lost during the creative process. Mentors take away the guesswork and give solutions on the spot.




Never Alone

Connect and Learn Together!

In The Mastery Program, you'll gain access to exclusive group coaching sessions and connect with fellow artists worldwide through our social learning platform, Milan Art (formerly Art Social). This exclusive space fosters collaboration, allowing you to share insights, exchange feedback, and support one another throughout your artistic journey.

While the platform is designed for Milan Art students, joining the Prep Course grants you three months of access. Here, you’ll unlock exclusive Prep Course content and have the opportunity to connect with artists near you and across the globe, building meaningful professional relationships.

Join the Prep Course today and become part of a thriving community dedicated to artistic growth, inspiration, and collaboration!

app-mockup-round01 (1)