Join the Pastel Academy List
Sign for Updates!Have you convinced yourself;
‘I’m not good enough to be an artist?
Well You are!
And my 25 Years experience teaching has proved it!
The Academy is designed around the sound principals of understanding the basics; the fundamental principles of good painting, and all too often when learning as a beginner without any guidance, the basics get ignored. Looking at some simple basic exercises, mainly in drawing, you might well progress in techniques you never knew you could do! That is a very common scenario.
Usually the biggest obstacle new artists face is themselves. But self-belief and confidence soon comes with your first successes! Don't blame your lack of knowledge for lack of talent! But, You must find the time to invest in YOU! Your creative time is your personal time, which may one day become your income.
It is not lack of talent which might hold you back - it is lack of knowledge, experience and motivation!
For some it will be a longer journey than others, but for all it will be a worthwhile and satisfying journey!
Am I Too Old to Learn? No You are not!
Art is ageless!
For many years most of the people in art classes have been retired, or returning to an old passion that they had to stop at some point in their lives, like when raising a family. But as they have learnt - their work looks just as fabulous in a frame at their first exhibition as it would have done when they were 20!
I have taught artists to National exhibition level in their retirement.
Fed up of being stuck in a creative block?
Creative ‘blocks’ happen. The key is to work with them. Pastel is the medium many frustrated artists turn to! Why? Because it will not hinder your progress with technique issues before you have even got started.
When you see how your work progresses leaps and bounds, under my guidance and with the help and support of the Academy community, your creative blocks will get fewer and farther in between. You will even learn something from them.
What is The Academy and What Can It Offer You?
What is unusual is that the Academy training is built around the core principles - the fundamental basics of good painting in any subject! These basic principles will underpin the success of your work; far more than 'techniques'.
So the Academy training is based on Heather's real life workshop training. Unlike the majority of painting workshops which teach you to copy one specific painting of the tutors. That approach has fundamental limitations. Copying exercises have their place but should never form the core learning of any artist - you become frustrated because you don't know 'why' you are doing something on a painting, and cant do it on the next painting. It is one step up from painting by numbers.
So your future artistic learning path could not be in better qualified or reputable hands. Click here for more on Heather
How does The Academy work?
The Academy 'apprentices' (beginners) will go straight into core training and projects. Heather is completing a variety of lessons/courses on a whole range of subjects which form the core fundamental basics painting principles, and these trainings will be added to the Academy resources as a permanent feature. The Academy will then have periods dedicated to different 'themes' around these basic principles. For more advanced artists, you will be working on personal projects or within the Academy program.
There will be a dedicated Forum space to discussing your questions and results. The Forum will be a lively and fun place to be!
Live Training
Live demonstrations will be completed on a one a month basis in all subjects, which will follow the Academy theme.
Projects set in advance and feedback given on the following live training.
Academy Challenges and Competitions
With a variety of themes and prizes, for all learning levels. Always fun! A great and stimulating way to learn and improve your techniques, within a friendly and supportive environment.
Blog Interviews with Other Top Artists, Manufacturers and Suppliers.
Special interviews and Q & A’s with the people who make and supply our favourite medium! I expect you will come up with some really good questions for them!
So Where Do I Start?
When you enrol – you will find an Academy Roadmap - which is there to guide you through your options in your level. you might be guided by me or prioritize one subject over another - but you will probably want to fit all the training in at some point.
For example: for Beginners, it might be:
The Academy has its own 'Foundation course'. This is designed to cover all bases in the basics so that you are prepared to advance and grow as an artist; at your own speed. The basics really are the foundation to good work. The Academy's tuition runs on the basis of a 'Theme' for a set amount of time - which might be for instance Colour Theory, and all work done in that period will concentrate and explore Colour Theory. The same for Tonal Values and Composition. We will explore the basics in both landscape and portrait.
For more advanced pastelists:
Your choices might be based on what is of interest to you at the time. or you can join a themed program with Live Training/feedback. On the other hand you might choose to backtrack and fill in some of the gaps in your drawing or pastel knowledge, You might even decide to plunge into a new subject area.
You might even be ready to embark on a teaching career as a pastel tutor? Then in the Academy special training is there just for you (opening to be announced).
Have you got a growing pile of unused Art Materials in your cupboards?
Well we have all been there! A growing pile of drawing and painting materials; a constant reminder of our once good intentions, and the belief that one day ‘I really must get down to going to some classes!’ In truth though, pastel classes are not easy to find.
Well now is your chance to review your stock. Get your motivation back and develop those artistic instincts you know you have! The Academy will help you organize what you need and what you don't need.
Look forward to Improvements, progress and Inspirational breakthroughs. Even new directions!
Are You Ready To Start Learning?
This is a truly unique opportunity.
Unique because there is no comparison to be made out there.
Unique indeed for a top Internationally acclaimed pastel specialist who exhibits on the world stage – to listen to the plight of newbie pastel artists left pretty much high and dry without the tuition opportunities that there used to be - in the UK at least.
Unique in that places at top professional workshops are increasingly limited and not affordable to so many; artists who are homebound; financially or time restricted.
Unique in that real time pastel tuition by a noted specialist is not readily available, until now.
Develop Those Rusty Drawing Skills, and Build your Confidence!
Get the Key to Better Pastel Techniques, and bust through those Creative Blocks!
Work Towards Your Own Art Career! Would you be a Pastel Teacher?
Exactly What Subjects Can I Learn From the Pastel Academy?
The Basics of Drawing and Sketching. The basics of Painting: Composition, Tonal Values, Colour Theory, Landscape in Traditional and Impressionist Styles. Portrait Drawing and Painting, Animal Drawing and Painting. Still Life. Plein Air painting. The Trois Crayon (Sanguine) technique. Blueprint of how to become a teacher in pastel.