About Dave Collom — Florida Oil Painter & Art Instructor
I spent decades as a podiatrist. Then I picked up a brush, and everything changed.
Dave Collom is a self-taught oil painter and painting instructor based in Florida. After a long career in medicine — and earlier stints as a plasterer and engineer — Dave discovered painting later in life and built his skills entirely through study, practice, and a deep curiosity about what makes a painting work. Born and raised in West Point, Pennsylvania, he eventually found his way to Florida where he now paints, teaches, and creates tools for fellow artists.
Who Is Dave Collom?
Dave Collom is a Florida-based oil painter specializing in portraiture, figures, and expressive character studies. He sells original oil paintings and fine art prints through his online shops, and teaches beginner oil painting to students who have never held a brush — as well as those looking to develop stronger foundational skills.
In addition to his painting practice, Dave creates digital tools for artists. His flagship product, CanvasCrusader, is an interactive painting companion app covering color theory, brush techniques, landscape painting, figure and gesture drawing, and a reference color wheel — all in a single offline-ready file designed for painters of any level.
What Kind of Art Does Dave Make?
Dave works primarily in oils, with a focus on the human figure and portrait. His paintings explore character, mood, and the subtle interplay of light and color on the face. He draws on classical techniques while remaining open to experimentation — including surreal and fantastical themes, and subjects that blend the human with the imaginative. His work spans oils, acrylics, and pastels, and is deeply connected to his subjects whether they are people, places, or abstract ideas.
Original paintings and fine art prints — including canvas wraps, framed prints, and home décor — are available through his Fine Art America and Redbubble shops.
Does Dave Collom Teach Oil Painting?
Yes. Dave teaches beginner oil painting workshops and individual lessons in Florida, with a focus on making oil painting approachable for people who have never painted before. His teaching style reflects his own learning journey — he knows what it's like to feel overwhelmed at the start, and he breaks down complex concepts into steps that actually make sense.
His core curriculum introduces students to:
- Oil painting materials and studio setup
- Color mixing and color theory fundamentals
- Portrait construction using the Loomis method
- Light, shadow, and value relationships
- Developing a painting from start to finish
What Digital Products Does Dave Sell?
Dave Collom sells two digital products through Gumroad:
CanvasCrusader is an interactive HTML-based painting companion app — a single file that works offline in any browser. It covers color theory, brush selection, landscape considerations, figure and gesture drawing, reference tools including an interactive color wheel, a brush guide, and a full painting glossary. It's designed for painters who want a smart reference tool at their easel.
The Artist Website Template is a complete, ready-to-use website template built specifically for painters. It includes a gallery, shop page, teaching page, about section, and contact form — everything a working artist needs to establish a professional web presence, packaged with a setup guide.
Nature, Bonsai, and Lifelong Learning
Dave is an avid nature enthusiast who finds inspiration for his landscape work in the outdoors. He has practiced the art of bonsai for nearly four decades — a discipline that reflects the same patience and attention to detail he brings to painting. He is also an explorer of the intersection of technology and art, and brings that curiosity to everything he creates.
Connect With Dave
Dave's work is available online through Fine Art America, Redbubble, and Gumroad. Original paintings and commissions can be arranged through the contact page. Follow along on social media for new paintings, process videos, and art tips.