Seeing Beyond the Pencil… A Father and Daughter Art Experience in Cornwall

There is something very special about watching a father and daughter learn together.

Recently I had the pleasure of teaching this wonderful pair during their visit to Cornwall. They chose to spend part of their holiday exploring Part One of my Visual Awareness programme… Draw Out Your Potential.

Many people arrive believing that drawing is about copying what they see. It isn't.

Instead, we began by exploring the fascinating psychology of seeing… understanding how our brains interpret light, shadow, shape and form. Once you understand these principles, drawing becomes far less mysterious. You begin to understand the optical illusion we simply call art.

Working with charcoal, they discovered that creating a portrait isn't about having a special talent. It's about understanding what your eyes are really seeing.

As the lesson progressed, so did their confidence. They encouraged one another, laughed together and celebrated each new discovery. Those shared moments are often just as rewarding as the finished artwork.

The smiles at the end of the lesson say everything.

After more than 25 years teaching art in private and state schools across Britain and Australia, followed by over 20 years developing the Visual Awareness system, those moments never lose their magic. Watching someone discover they can achieve far more than they ever believed possible is still one of the greatest joys of my work.

Whether you're visiting Cornwall for a holiday or you're lucky enough to live here, learning to understand rather than simply copy can completely transform the way you draw and paint.

I hope these two continue their artistic journey together for many years to come.