I am delighted to be able to announce the arrival of art classes with me. These one day workshops which will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of drawing. We will learn a lot whilst having fun with like-minded people.
Self-taught artist to professional artist and tutor
I am a self-taught artist. I have been drawing all my life, and although I always was considered good at art I was in no way a prodigious child. Rather I loved making art, and drawing was the most accessible form – paper and pencil were easy to come by. I would sketch portraits and enjoyed just playing around. Over the years my perseverance paid off. As I began to discover artists whose work inspired me, I realised there was a lot of potential in these simple tools.
As I grew up in the age before the internet, I would draw for my own entertainment but had no tutorials to follow. The books about drawing in my local Cornish library were very limited, and most of my artistic role models lived hundreds of years before I was born. So I simply kept drawing, exploring ways that I could achieve the effects that I wanted. I wondered a lot about what qualities my work did and did not possess. And was curious about what exactly it was about the draftsmanship of the masters that was so appealing to me.
I believe that these decades of self directed learning have made me the artist and tutor that I am today. Every technique I use I do so because I found it works through trial and error. I have a depth of understanding that comes from experience, rather than doing something because that is what I was taught to do. This is what I share in my teaching – an understanding of how to draw, which is the most empowering of approaches.
Art lessons for beginners and improvers
This autumn and winter I am running day workshops exploring the fundamentals of drawing in pencil and painting in pastel. These are designed specifically with beginners in mind, and are suitable for those who have little or no prior experience. I will guide you through the whole process of learning to shade, creating a range of effects, and applying these techniques to drawing portraits of your own.
My classes cover all the fundamentals in such a way that you will have all the skills you need to draw any subject with confidence with a little practice.
All of these sessions will have limited spaces to ensure everyone receives personalised support with their art. Booking early is strongly advised to reserve your place.
Learn to Draw workshops
My Learn to Draw workshops are perfect for those who have no prior experience in drawing; those who haven’t drawn since school (however long ago that was), and those who would like to refresh their knowledge and get back to putting pencil to paper.
In all of my teaching the emphasis is firmly on enjoying the process, building skills through learning techniques, and developing your own style.
I have an informal approach, but will share as much of what I know about making art as I can. I am a very experienced tutor and have never met anyone who cannnot draw – I promise I will not let you be the first! I want you to go away feeling confident in your new found skills as an artist, and to know that you too can make art that you are proud of.
Pastel Painting workshops
Painting in Pastel workshops are also perfect for those who have no prior experience in drawing, painting or pastels. They are also ideal for those who would like to refresh their knowledge.
When using the right materials pastels are not as messy and dusty as you might remember. They are a forgiving and colourful medium with huge potential for both loose and more detailed styles.
Come and make art with me in the heart of Cornwall
These art workshops will be held near St Austell, in a beautiful village nestled halfway up the county and a short drive from the South coast.
If you would like to know more about any of these tuition opportunities or to book a place, please get in touch. I will then send you everything you need to know about the day. This includes a short materials list so you have everything you need to both learn with me, and to continue making art afterwards at home.
I hope to see you for lots of creative fun sometime soon!
