Drawing Classes

These drawing classes are an ongoing class suitable for people with all levels of experience.  There will be still life, life drawing, creativity exercises and experimentation with materials and techniques.

Beginners will get some extra attention to cover the basics and familiarise you with materials.  More advanced participants can listen in an get a refresher on things like line, tone, perspective and texture, or they can concentrate on their own work.

It is a space where you can be among other adventurous souls and help each other along with feedback and encouragement.

Quotes

"A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires. "
Hedy Lamarr

"A writer should write with his eyes and a painter paint with his ears. "
Gertrude Stein

 
"An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one."
Charles Horton Cooley

"The history of art is the history of revivals."
Samuel Butler 


"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls. "
Pablo Picasso


"What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit."
John Updike

"Every artist was first an amateur. "
Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Classes in Melbourne

At the moment there are no classes running in Melbourne. 

Please still feel free to contact me to inquire about future classes or to request a class or workshop. 

Private tutoring

I am happy to offer private tutoring sessions to both adults and kids.  These can take place either at your home or we can meet in a cafe somewhere.  I am happy to travel to neighbouring towns around Castlemaine, in Central Victoria.

In a private session I would want to talk to you about what you wish to achieve artistically, what you feel is holding you back and if you have any work you have already made I would love to see it.  We would then talk about what might be the best way to proceed and we will go from there. 

I might ask you to do some exercises, I might explain some artistic concepts or techniques and we can talk about what it feels like to make art and what can happen along the way as we become artists.   I may also recommend some artists or movements for you to look into.

The rates for private sessions:

1hour
1 person       $45           ($45 per person/per hour)
2 people       $60           ($30 pp/ph)
3 people       $75           ($25 pp/ph)


2hours
1 person       $80           ($40 per person/per hour)
2 people       $100         ($25 pp/ph)
3 people       $120         ($20 pp/ph)


3hours
1 person       $120         ($40 per person/per hour)
2 people       $150         ($25 pp/ph)
3 people       $180         ($20 pp/ph)
4 people       $210         ($17.50 pp/ph)

Testimonials

"Thank you also for ‘creating the space’ for the painting class.  The free form of the class was a great way to get back into painting, and your helpful reminders and instruction of techniques much appreciated."

Christine

"I have come away from the course with a love of painting, more courage to experiment, knowledge about the basics and a desire to learn so much more.  I found it to be a relaxed, non-judgemental, gorgeously friendly atmosphere.  I loved the hands-on experimenting with different techniques and it was done with perfect instruction. Not obtrusive."

Jill

"I found Alison to be the most dedicated of teachers, every handout full of practical and uncomplicated information.  She communicated her expert artist skills in the simplest manner without compromising the depth of her craft.  I could not be happier in recommending her as an art teacher." 

RG

 

"Thanks so much for the classes.  I really enjoyed them, and the way you instructed us.  The drawing was personally challenging, but the techniques you showed and your ideas and encouragement around practicing and just giving it a go were very helpful. I’m now less inclined to say ‘I can’t draw’ – which is a fantastic outcome."  

Christine

"I enjoyed the course. You were most helpful."

 Jen

Feature artist: Rosalie Gasgoine

http://alisonhanly.blogspot.com.au/2009/02/rosalie-gasgoine.html

Creativity in Education

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Follow this link to watch an amazing animated public lecture by Ken Robinson about how creativity is treated in education systems and valued in our culture in general.  He's brilliant!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&feature=share

Beginners Painting

This class is a gentle intro into all things canvass and paint.  Perfect for people with little or no experience with oils or acrylics you will learn about paint, supports, brushes, mediums, under painting, colour mixing, composition, layering, and so much more.

The classes are relaxed and friendly, everyone is there to have fun and have a go.  Skill comes with time and practice, and everyone, even the masters, are always still learning.  One of the best things about painting is that there is no wrong way to do it, but there are tips and tricks to help you create the type of art that you want to be making. 

You will come away from the course with new skills, new knowledge and some quality practice time under your belt.  I hope you will also walk away with some exciting works of art of your own creation and feeling inspired to continue painting. 

Beginners Drawing

The beginners drawing class is designed for those who have never drawn, have not drawn since school, or for whom it has been a bit of a while since they picked up a pencil and they'd like to have a refresher.

It is a great chance to brush up on drawing basics like line, tone, contour, basic perspective and composition.  You will also learn a lot about materials and experiment with a variety of drawing tools.

The classes are relaxed and friendly, everyone is there to have fun and have a go.  Skill comes with time and practice, and everyone, even the masters, are always still learning.  One of the best things about drawing is that there is no wrong way to do it, but there are tips and tricks to help you create the type of art that you want to be making. 

You will come away from the course with new skills, new knowledge and some quality practice time under your belt.  I hope you will also walk away with some exciting works of art of your own creation and feeling inspired to continue drawing.

What Eric Maisel says about the creative proccess

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ShSVdCl7pY&feature=related
Follow this link to hear Eric Maisel talk about the creative process

summary:

• creativity requires an acceptance of the potential to make mistakes/mess
• it requires mistakes to get to the good work, you cannot separate them
• it can be hard to come out of your everyday highly efficient and mistake-less behaviour and enter into a creative mistake permissive head space
• creative success takes persistence and courage 
• persistence and courage can be more important than talent

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General Painting Class

The general painting classes are fluid with no set structure or course material.  You bring your own painting ideas and projects to class to work on.  I will be there to help you at any given point and any level of experience is welcome.  If it seems that a lot of people are wanting to learn about a particular thing then I can give a little workshop about it in class.  For example we might do sessions on colour mixing, perspective, how to stretch a canvass etc.  We will also talk about your personal direction and what you would like to achieve in your artistic life.

It is a wonderful environment where experimentation is welcome, peer feedback is encouraged and everyone gains from the energy and experiences of the others. 

Beginners are very welcome.  I might offer you some simple exercises to do to familiarise you with the paints and materials and how they work and I can also sit and explain some of the basic concepts if you have not had much, or any, experience in painting before.


Please call or email me if you have any questions about this class or just want to talk about it and what it might be able to offer you.
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