Jake Taplin
Jake Taplin, known online as @jakedontdraw, is a self-taught artist and teacher with more than 350,000 followers on Instagram. Since 2019, he has reached a worldwide audience by sharing simple, clear lessons on classical drawing through tutorials, reflections, and studies.
Jake didn’t grow up drawing, he first picked up a pencil at 19 while studying engineering. With no formal training, he found traditional art education confusing and scattered. Wanting to make learning easier, he started creating the kind of tools and lessons he wished he’d had.
Today, Jake teaches drawing in a way that is structured and clear, using proven methods from 19th-century masters. His work connects with students who want strong foundations instead of scattered tips.
At the Eden Winter Symposium, Jake will present on art history and how it applies to modern artists. Focusing on French academic art, he will show not only how these works were made, but also how to practice and think like the old masters. His goal is to give artists practical tools to strengthen design, problem-solving, and creative confidence—skills that apply to any medium, including tattooing.