El Estudio Dibujo y Pintura

When you think about your business, what are you most proud of?

At our school, we are especially proud of something we consider essential: understanding that each person is unique. Everyone has their own tastes, interests, motivations and, of course, their own learning pace. That is why we offer truly personalised teaching, in which teachers adapt to the individual needs of each student.

Our classrooms are home to a wide variety of profiles: people starting from scratch, artists seeking a new perspective, those who come for pure entertainment, those who want to improve in a specific area... and also children who discover art as a natural way to express themselves and grow. We love being able to accompany this diversity, because it enriches the environment and drives us to continue improving.

And something else that fills us with pride: we have students who have been with us for more than two decades. They remain here because there is always something new to learn, because the creative process never ends, and because they feel supported, respected, and motivated at every stage of their artistic journey.

What is the history of your commerce?

The history of El Estudio began in 1978, when Ada Gutiérrez and her husband, the then emerging artist Francisco Soto Mesa, decided to open a school that breathed art in every corner. Thus, ESTUDIO was born, a space where professionalism, dedication, and love for painting and drawing turned it, in just a few years, into a benchmark in Madrid.

Art was also a part of their home life. Their daughters grew up surrounded by paintbrushes, canvases and the smell of turpentine, counting down the days until Saturday so they could go to class and paint with other children. Over time, that childhood enthusiasm turned into a vocation, and El Estudio became part of their own history.

The years passed and, as was almost inevitable, the next generation took over. Since 2022, with new ideas and renewed energy, one of Ada and Francisco's daughters has been continuing the family legacy. Today, El Estudio remains a home for art: a place where visitors feel part of a living tradition that has remained strong for almost half a century.

What is your professional experience?

My professional experience is deeply linked to this family project. I have been involved with the studio since I was very young: I grew up among easels, classes and students, and over the years I began to work actively in the school, learning every aspect of the trade from the inside.

Before taking over the management, I spent many years collaborating in the business, accompanying the students, organising classes and immersing myself in the way of teaching and understanding art that my parents built with such love. This trajectory allowed me to get to know the Studio not only as a daughter, but also as a professional.

I decided to become self-employed for a very simple reason: I wanted to continue the project my parents started in 1978 and ensure that their legacy lived on. Taking on this role allowed me to contribute new ideas, continue to grow in the artistic field and, at the same time, keep intact the essence that has always defined our school. I am proud to be able to continue building this path.

How has covid 19 affected your business?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a very difficult time for our business. Although, fortunately, we managed to keep the school open and did not have to close permanently, those were months of great uncertainty: expenses remained the same, but income fell dramatically.

To keep going, we had to reinvent ourselves. We started offering online classes, set creative challenges to keep our students connected to art, and looked for any possible way to keep the business going and support those who wanted to continue creating from home.

But without a doubt, what helped us the most to stay afloat was the incredible response from our students. Many people decided to continue paying their fees even though they could not attend in person, simply to support us and ensure that the school could survive. That gesture of generosity and trust is something we will never forget and for which we will always be deeply grateful.

What services and products does your business provide?

At our school, we mainly offer regular drawing and painting classes for adults, children and teenagers. Our approach is completely personalised: we adapt to each student's level, interests and pace, whether they are starting from scratch or looking to develop a more advanced artistic style.

In addition to regular classes, we offer individual classes and gift vouchers for 4, 6 and 8 sessions, ideal for those who want to try it out, give someone a creative experience or attend on a more flexible basis.

Another of our distinctive services is our Complementary Classes, which are completely free for our students. These are held every week, last one hour and are designed to broaden stimuli and enrich learning. They include Expressive Workshops, life drawing sessions with models and Theoretical Classes on art history.

Together, our services seek to accompany each person on their own creative journey, offering variety, quality and an environment where learning becomes a pleasure.