What I Offer
Courses, Workshops & Weekly Classes
I offer a few different art classes across the week as well as courses and workshops to suit the different goals and interests of students.
There are regular weekly classes running on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings open to anyone age 13+. I am also offering a teen-only class on Wednesdays from 4:30 - 6:30pm.
For these weekly classes you can either bring you own materials or use oil paint provided in the studio at no extra cost. You are welcome to work in any medium, but I specialise in oil painting.
Likewise you can bring your own ideas/ photos/ props for painting or use what I have in the studio (an assortment of trinkets, seashells, fruit, and even a few creepy dolls). There are iPads for you to use for photographs, or you can use the clamps to hold your own phone or tablet.
Starting from January 18th I am running a ten-week Introduction to Oil Painting course, which might suit you if you prefer a more structured approach to learning. You can find details on the ’Courses and Workshops’. This course is also running from Sunday 19th for teens (more info on the ‘Kids and Teens’ page).
There is plenty more information across the website on materials and teaching, so have a browse! If you have any questions, the best way to contact me is through the contact form on here or on WhatsApp (information at the bottom of the page).
About me
I'm an artist and teacher based in Glasgow, Scotland. I teach students one-on-one and in small groups in my studio.
I have an MA in Art History (St Andrews), an MFA in painting (New York Academy of Art), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Art, Law and Business (Christie’s Education, London).
I have exhibited and sold my own work in the UK and the US.
I am also a visiting tutor at the Barbican Art Society in London, where I teach workshops in the summer. Examples of past workshops are 'Turner and Whistler', 'Modern London', and 'Telling a Story: introducing narrative to your art'. I am offer similar workshops here in Glasgow in the coming months, so keep an eye out or sign up to the mailing list! Right now I’ve got ‘Expressive Portraiture’ and ‘The British Palette’ running in the spring.
My Approach
I use project-based learning, rather than rote learning using casts in the dry academic tradition. Learning technique is important, but I don't believe that you should be limited to what's in front of you when you make art, and I think that learning to trust your own imagination and draw from life experience is as much a part of improving your work as learning how to convincingly paint a nose or an eye.
My students range in age from aged under ten to over ninety! Whether you are a a complete beginner, a weekend hobbyist or an aspiring professional, I will do my best to work with you towards your goals.
When I teach I dip into a range of techniques that were developed over centuries, from the 'glazes' of paint that make Renaissance portraits so luminous, to the impasto techniques that give impressionist paintings their vivacity. It depends on what you are painting and what you wish to achieve.
I take a pragmatic approach to the use of technology. Working from life is great, but its often unrealistic, particularly for portraits. There are iPads in the studio onto which you can upload photos to use for reference.
The Studio Cat
My sweet cat, Prince, might be mooching about in the studio while we work. I make a point of highlighting his presence in case you have an allergy or an aversion. He'll appreciate a little extra love and fussing as we just lost his life companion, Elton (the black cat), very suddenly, and we both miss him terribly!
Gift Cards
If you are buying classes as a gift, you can preload an e-gift card with the amount required for a certain number of classes, and the recipient will then be able to use it to book classes at their convenience.
For a physical gift card in an envelope (at no extra cost) please see the Q&As for more info, or contact me.