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Go from raw idea to agent-ready pitch—with expert guidance from a professional book editor and a published author.

 

 
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Unlock your full potential as a portrait artist with this all-in-one bundle featuring over 120 video lessons and 22+ hours of expert guidance.

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There’s a story only you can tell.

There’s a story only you can tell.

Soul & Structure: a Writer's Journey

Writing a book is not simply the task of recording thoughts—it is the sacred work of translating soul to page.

With LEAP: Launch your Expression into Authorhood & Publishing, this 12 week masterclass offers both the architecture and the alchemy: the clear scaffolding of publishing know-how and the deep, intuitive process of finding your voice.

You’ll learn to shape your idea with precision—understanding audience, purpose, title, and tone—while also being gently guided into the heart of your message. In this fusion of strategy and spirit, a book begins to move beyond the page—and take root in the world.

When I set out to write my book, Become a Great Artist, I was overwhelmed by everything I didn’t know about the publishing world. That’s where Franny Donington came in. As a professional editor at Page Street Publishing (distributed by Macmillan), she guided me through every step of the process—from crafting a compelling proposal to getting a real publishing deal. Now, she’ll help you do the same.

This is a journey for the writer who knows there’s a book within them—but isn’t sure how to say it or how to share it. You’ll leave with a finished pitch, a complete proposal, and a deep understanding of how the publishing world actually works.

This is where your book begins.

TAKE THE LEAP

Soul & Structure: a Writer's Journey

Portrait painting is not merely the act of copying features—it is the art of conjuring presence. In every line and hue, there lies the chance to whisper something honest, something felt. With Brush & Beauty and Face & Feeling, this bundle offers you both the foundation and the fire: the precision of form and the pulse of emotion. You’ll learn to shape a face with clarity—understanding proportion, anatomy, light, and tone—while also being guided into the subtler language of expression: the quiet tension in a brow, the hush of light across a cheek, the breath between thought and gaze. It is here, in this duality of structure and soul, that portraits begin to transcend likeness and become something more—intimate, haunting, unforgettable.

This is a journey for the artist who longs to see beyond the surface—to capture not just what a face looks like, but what it feels like to be that face in a fleeting moment. You’ll deepen both your technical confidence and your emotional intuition, learning to respond to your subjects, not just study them; to interpret with grace rather than chase perfection. These are faces that speak in silence, that carry stories in their shadows, that reveal the unseen. If you’re ready to bring presence to the page and paint portraits that linger in the heart as much as the eye—this bundle is your invitation.

Draw breath with every brushstroke

START PAINTING

Hi, I'm Franny Donington!

Hi, I'm Franny Donington

 

I'm a Boston-based editor and writer. I spent seven years working in traditional book publishing at Page Street Publishing Company, acquiring and developing best-selling titles on an array of topics. My editorial process prides itself on developing author’s unique voices and bringing them to the surface, marrying together beautiful, authentic prose with cutting edge book design.

I received my BFA from Emerson College in Writing, Literature and Publishing in 2018. I received Highest Distinction in the Non-Fiction category for their Senior Writing Awards. Prior to working at Page Street, I served as the Editor-in-Chief of Scene Magazine in Boston.

 

A Canadian-born artist currently residing in New York City. My paintings have been described by Galleries West as “contradictory and enigmatic scenes (that) unravel centuries of power relations and imagine a new future.”

I obtained my BFA from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 2011 and completed my MFA at The New York Academy of Art in 2013. Currently, I serve as an adjunct Professor at the New York Academy of Art.

My artwork has been widely showcased in solo and group exhibitions across Canada, the United States, Europe, and China. Notable venues include the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, Spain, the National Academy Museum in NYC, and Flowers Gallery in NYC.

Hi, I'm Kristy Gordon

I'm a published author, professional artist, and the founder of Down2Art, an educational platform that helps artists find their voice and build thriving creative careers. My debut book, Become a Great Artist, was published through a traditional book deal with Page Street Publishing—a lifelong dream that became reality thanks to my brilliant editor, Franny Donington, who’s now joining me to co-lead this course.

As an internationally exhibited artist, my paintings have been shown at Sotheby’s, Flowers Gallery, and The Untitled Space, and are included in major collections such as the European Museum of Modern Art and the Government of Canada.

I'm so excited to help bring this course to life because so many people in my community want to write a book—but don’t know where to begin. That’s exactly why I invited Franny to share her insider insights into both traditional and self-publishing.

 

START YOUR BOOK

Unleash the story only you can tell with this transformative 12-week masterclass. LEAP guides you through the full journey of writing and publishing your book—combining creative clarity with industry insight. Whether you’re starting with a spark or a half-finished draft, you’ll gain the tools, structure, and support to shape your idea into a powerful, publishable project.

 

We begin with the heart of your book—clarifying your concept, refining your message, and discovering what sets your story apart. From there, you'll learn how the publishing world actually works, exploring the paths of self-publishing, indie publishing, and traditional deals, so you can choose the one aligned with your goals.

Each week builds your momentum: from crafting a compelling pitch and writing sample, to understanding chapters, titles, and proposals that truly connect. You'll receive expert guidance from Franny Donington, a seasoned editor at Page Street Publishing, whose insights have helped dozens of authors land agents, secure book deals, and confidently launch their work into the world.

By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with a finished book pitch, a polished proposal, and a deep understanding of how to publish—either on your own terms or with the support of agents and publishers.

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Unlock your creative depth and master the art of portrait painting with this transformative bundle—combining Brush & Beauty and Face & Feeling. Learn to craft expressive, unforgettable faces by blending technical skill with emotional nuance, capturing the subtle power of skin tone, structure, and soulful expression in every brushstroke.

 

Brush & Beauty lays the essential foundation—teaching you the skills of color mixing, facial structure, and painterly technique needed to craft beautiful, realistic portraits. Building on this, Face & Feeling invites you to explore the human face as a vessel of emotion, story, and spirit, guiding you to capture the subtle language of expression.

Together, this bundle helps you paint everything from the quiet curve of a smile to the tension in angry eyes, each stroke revealing the feeling beneath the surface. With dedicated lessons on representing a wide spectrum of skin tones, you’ll learn to portray diverse identities with accuracy and sensitivity.

By the end of your journey, you’ll create portraits that are both technically strong and deeply alive—portraits that speak, connect, and resonate.

Ready to bring both brush and feeling to your canvas?

SIGN UP NOW

Your Writing Journey:

L.E.A.P.

Craft a Compelling Book Concept

In this foundational module, you’ll get clear on the core message of your book—what you want to say, how you want to say, who you want to read it, and what you want your reader to walk away with. We’ll help you get to the heart of the story you want to tell, and help you tell it in a way that is authentic to you, and stands out in the book market.

Choosing the Best Publishing Path

In this one-of-a-kind lesson, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the publishing options at your disposal. We’ll go over the process, the pros and cons, and what to expect when choosing to self-publish or sign with a traditional publishing house, so you can have a realistic understanding of each process and pick the best path for you.  

How to Pitch Your Book

This essential module will teach you how to pitch your book—to agents, to readers online, to editors and everyone in between. We’ll help you craft a strong pitch tailored to your unique voice and grabs attention. You’ll also learn how to polish your sample chapter, write a proposal, maximize SEO functions, and begin crafting the title and copy affiliated with your book.

Writing and Editing Your Manuscript

This behind-the-scenes look will explain the realistic process of writing and editing your manuscript, so you know what to expect and can find a successful path forward. You’ll learn how to organize and structure your manuscript, work through road blocks, and refine and rework your story—whether writing solo or working with an editor. If you want to write a memoir, children’s book, self-help book, or something totally different, we’ll help you finish your manuscript and craft a compelling, creative story that resonates.

Mastering Book Production

This essential module prepares and primes you for every step of creating a book that isn’t the writing—the design, the production, the marketing and beyond. We’ll dive into getting an ISBN, writing your back cover copy, figuring out where your book will be sold, and finalizing an eye catching and poignant book design, so every layer of your book highlights your core message and speaks to your audience.

Promote and Launch

In our final module, we’ll teach you how to cross the finish line and launch your book into the world with gusto. You’ll learn how to create an effective and fresh marketing campaign, and what the essential pillars of that are in the world of book publishing. We’ll help you gather endorsements, pitch and land PR hits, and perfect your online listings to grab the most readers.

Included in your Program

Writing Community

Benefit from an exclusive membership in our private Facebook group, where you can engage with fellow writer and artists and share your progress.

14 Day Guarantee

We guarantee the quality of the course and provide a risk-free opportunity. You can request a full refund within 14 days.
We are committed to ensuring that you are delighted with your learning experience!

Write Anywhere, Anytime

Access the course on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. You'll also receive recordings of all our calls, which you can listen to whenever convenient and revisit whenever you want.

... and much more

JOIN TODAY

Included in your Course

 

 

Portrait Painting Community

Benefit from an exclusive membership in my private Facebook group, where you can engage with fellow artists and proudly display your creative works.

 

14 Day Guarantee

I guarantee the quality of the course and provide a risk-free opportunity. You can request a full refund within 14 days.
I am committed to ensuring that you are delighted with your learning experience!

 

Paint Anywhere, Anytime

Access the course on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Enjoy unlimited access for the flexibility to learn at your own pace and revisit the material whenever convenient.

... and much more

JOIN TODAY

Bonus Content

Live Expert with Published Authors
Case-Studies of Best-Selling Books Franny Edited
Ultimate One-Page Resource Kit

There is nothing more powerful than hearing from the experts themselves. Join us for a candid Q&A with two authors who took different routes to the publishing process. We’ll hear about their experiences and journey, insights into what worked and what they’d do differently, and answer any outlying questions you have about each. They'll also share information on the editing, marketing and contracting process, so you know what each option affords.

VALUE: $500
FREE

In this exclusive, behind-the-scenes look, Franny will show you the exact process she took with authors to create best-selling titles. From raw idea to a beautiful, completed book sold in stores, Franny will walk you through powerful, real-world examples of the book creation process. explore authors in similar situations to yourself, and get an insider look into the path they took—from beginning their manuscript to marketing a best-seller.

VALUE: $500
FREE

As a powerful takeaway, you’ll receive a free downloadable bundle of the most essential publishing information in this course. These simple and straightforward handouts cover the most important information on self-publishing options, traditional publishers at your disposal, and how to get started with both. If you’re ever feeling stuck, you can come back to these again and again to navigating the publishing world with success and ease.

VALUE: $150
FREE

Bonus Content

Art History Insights: Discover Famous Paintings

Whether you're a seasoned art enthusiast or a curious newcomer, my library of images of my favorite portrait paintings throughout history offers a gateway to a world of creativity and inspiration.

VALUE: $97
FREE
Color Mix Mastery:
In-Depth Mixing Mini Class

You'll learn the principles of color theory, explore various color mixing techniques, and gain a deeper understanding of how to achieve the perfect hues and tones for your artworks.

VALUE: $150
FREE
Depth Enhancement Tutorial: Glazing for Portraits

Learn how to harness the transformative effects of glazing to enhance the depth and richness of your paintings and explore various aspects of glazing, and the interplay of light and shadow.

VALUE: $150
FREE

What People Are Saying...

REGISTRATION IS CLOSING SOON

00

DAYS

00

HOURS

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MINS

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SECS

SINGLE PAYMENT

$1530

  • 120+ video lessons in Full HD, for a total of over 22 hours of content
  • Final Project: Create your own portrait from A to Z
  • Dedicated assistance and support
  • Access on any device
  • Lifetime access to all course materials
  • Certificate of completion
  • 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Bonus 1: Color Mixing Mini class $97 FREE
  • Bonus 2: My favorite paintings through history $150 FREE
  • Bonus 3: A glazing tutorial $150 FREE
  • Bonus 4: Construction of Hands and Feet $97 FREE
  • Bonus 5: Tutorial on Glazing, Scumbling and Impasto techniques $150 FREE
  • Bonus 6: High-Res Inspiration Archive $150 FREE
Total Value: 
$4000
Special Price: 
$1530
SIGN UP NOW

3 MONTHLY PAYMENTS

$550

  • 120+ video lessons in Full HD, for a total of over 22 hours of content
  • Final Project: Create your own portrait from A to Z
  • Dedicated assistance and support
  • Access on any device
  • Lifetime access to all course materials
  • Certificate of completion
  • 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Bonus 1: Color Mixing Mini class $97 FREE
  • Bonus 2: My favorite paintings through history $150 FREE
  • Bonus 3: A glazing tutorial $150 FREE
  • Bonus 4: Construction of Hands and Feet $97 FREE
  • Bonus 5: Tutorial on Glazing, Scumbling and Impasto techniques $150 FREE
  • Bonus 6: High-Res Inspiration Archive $150 FREE
Total Value: 
$4000
Special Price: 
$550/m
SIGN UP NOW

Our guarantee to every student

Your satisfaction is our top priority. If you are not completely satisfied with the course, you can request a full refund within 14 days of enrollment. This ensures that you can explore the course risk-free.

We encourage you to try the course firsthand and see if it’s the right fit for you!

My guarantee to every student

Your satisfaction is my top priority. If you are not completely satisfied with the course, you can request a full refund within 14 days of enrollment. This ensures that you can explore the course risk-free.

I encourage you to try the course firsthand and see if it’s the right fit for you!

Questions you might have

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