Before I signed up for the Little Art School course, I would look at other art courses in various colleges and private studios. My predominant feeling was excitement but also a sense of dread. Even though I was really drawn to the idea of me being able to paint one day, I was also very much overwhelmed. I didn’t know where to start or what skill I should choose to master? I wanted to try a little bit of everything before I commit. I didn’t have a portfolio or any idea what I would like to draw even If I could. Each year I would look at some art courses online and after a few heavy sighs decide to move on and maybe look again soon.
“…when I saw the Little Arts School tag line: ‘For Adults who always wanted to learn’ and I thought: ‘yes that’s me!’”
I wanted to learn how to draw and paint since I was a little girl. I used to sit for hours and fill in my colouring books or draw my favourite movie or book characters. It was the time for me when I could feel completely at ease but also very happy and excited when little characters came to life on my paper. When I grew older, I went in a different direction but was always hoping to get back that feeling of being in the flow while drawing again. During lockdown this year I started thinking about art again and searched through different courses. I remember when I saw the Little Arts School tag line: ‘For Adults who always wanted to learn’ and I thought: ‘yes that’s me!’ I looked into it and I saw that the school also provides lessons for children and has experience in providing well-structured classes even for complete beginners who are maybe a little bit overwhelmed. The little girl in me thought, well I will just pick it up where I left off! Even though I knew my skills and knowledge stopped with my childhood I felt so encouraged by the school’s welcoming atmosphere and family feel, which provided the reassurance that I would be able to develop my skills. I was sold and I was all in!
The sign up was very easy and I received all the materials I needed directly to my address; it was like Christmas! Everything came beautifully packed and I was so glad I didn’t have to try and figure which brand or type of tools I needed as I really had no idea.
Each week you’re welcomed by lovely Joanne who gives you all the tips and tricks for drawing each picture, breaks it down for you and shows you how to achieve the result in the reference provided. You then have the freedom to follow the rules or go your own way, it’s up to you! For me it was a perfect mix. At first, I followed everything to a tee but with each drawing I would gain more confidence and try something slightly different, maybe a different brush stroke or maybe a little bit more colour, or a little extra light here and there.
Gradually I could see that I was developing my skills and wanted to learn more while also believing that I could do more. This moment came to me when we had to draw an eagle, and when I first saw it, I thought I would never be able to paint this. But I did, and I was very pleased with myself that it looked like the reference picture, and it was a totally believable eagle that people would recognise immediately.
Gradually I could see that I was developing my skills and wanted to learn more while also believing that I could do more. This moment came to me when we had to draw an eagle, and when I first saw it, I thought I would never be able to paint this. But I did, and I was very pleased with myself that it looked like the reference picture, and it was a totally believable eagle that people would recognise immediately.
“Gradually I could see that I was developing my skills and wanted to learn more while also believing that I could do more.”
As we all share our pictures on a Facebook group, we start seeing little differences in our work. Some paintings have a little bit more flair, some are very precise, some have more unruliness to them, and some are more delicate. You slowly start appreciating and noticing different styles for each drawing while also developing your own style. For me it was the details, I can get completely lost in them and enjoy fine pen work and all those tiny little strokes that would make your flower pop. The more fine-work for me the more relaxing and rewarding it is at the end.
The biggest challenge and reward is the last painting of each term. I like to prepare myself for them, I usually watch the whole instruction in advance and give myself a lot of time to complete them. I love to just completely switch off, put the kettle on, put my favourite music on and just enjoy the painting for the whole afternoon or two. And even though things don’t always go to plan, sometimes you mix the wrong colour, or you put a line in the wrong place, it’s okay. You learn that it’s all part of the process and where you make the biggest progress, after all you’re painting, which you always wanted to learn!
