When the Fundamentals Become Your Own

A couple of years ago, one of my talented students completed my 9 hour Art Masterclass. Since then we've continued meeting regularly on Zoom to keep her inspired, explore new ideas and, perhaps most importantly, make sure life doesn't get so busy that painting gets forgotten.

Yesterday she came to join me at Art at the Beach in Mawgan Porth, where we spent the day painting en plein air.

The painting on the easel is the one she created with me on the beach. The other two, resting on her chair, were painted at home during our Zoom lessons and in between sessions through her own independent practice.

Moments like this perfectly demonstrate why I teach the fundamentals of art rather than encouraging people simply to copy what I do.

I often describe these foundations as the grammar, spelling and punctuation of art. Once you understand them, you gain the confidence to solve problems for yourself, make your own creative decisions and develop your own artistic voice.

Zoom lessons have become a wonderful way of helping students maintain that momentum. A gentle nudge, a new challenge or simply setting aside time to paint can make all the difference. It's so easy for everyday life to take over, but continuing to create keeps those skills growing.

Seeing students return years later with paintings that are unmistakably their own is one of the greatest rewards of teaching. My goal has never been to create artists who paint like me. My goal is to help people become confident artists in their own right.

Whether we're painting together on the beach in Mawgan Porth or meeting online from opposite ends of the country, it's a privilege to be part of that journey.