Painting instructors teach beginner or advanced painting techniques to students of various ages and skill levels. As a painting instructor, you prepare class lessons, set up necessary materials, demonstrate each new skill, guide students, and provide extra help as needed. In this position, you may hold group lessons or teach private, individual lessons. Painting instructors may use materials such as oil pastels, acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, and pencil, and utilize a variety of work surfaces, including canvas, different types of paper, board, fabric, wood, and leather. Some employers require painting instructors to specialize in a particular kind of material. Digital painting instructors teach how to use cutting-edge software such as Photoshop and Sketchbook for students to develop animation skills.