StART Art Classes

START Art Classes in Oxford teach drawing and painting courses for adults of all abilities but especially beginners. START aims to, well, get you started! Art lessons are practical and hands-on; you are encouraged to have a go and have fun. You can produce some amazing effects with just simple techniques. At the end of most classes you will have produced something with your own hands which you can take home and be proud of.

Please check the homepage for the latest START art courses running in Oxford. Most courses are 2 hour sessions that run once a week for 5 or 6 weeks. The subjects on offer rotate throughout the year and include:

Drawing (with pencils)
Watercolour Painting
Acrylic Painting
Drawing with Charcoal & Pastels
Card making
Making Jewellery (beading & wirework)
Illustration
Style-specific classes e.g. Celtic Art
In future we may start a regular Life Drawing class, if there is enough interest.

START art classes are run by Amy Letts, a professional website designer and illustrator with a BA in Fine Art and 7 years of teaching experience. She has a genuine passion for art which she loves to share.

Teaching methods include presentations, demonstrations and project work. Painting Evenings are specifically teacher-led, step by step paintings with an emphasis on accessibility and enjoyability. Amy believes in the principals of 'show don't tell' and positive feedback.

Amy says:

“I find teaching very rewarding because I get to see first-hand how much I am helping people. I also love to talk about my pet subject (art). Who doesn't love to share their passion? I've always really liked how artists share their techniques; I've picked up a lot of my tips and tricks from other artists. I guess we just get so excited about our 'breakthroughs' we can't keep them to ourselves!

There are some that make the process of making art just so much easier my students think they are cheats! In fact my catchphrase may have become 'It's okay to cheat.' If the Art Masters had known of these techniques they would have used them – and some of them did! For example during the Renaissance artists apprentices did most of the painting for them. Just so you know: I don't allow that!

But there's no such thing as rules in art; at most there are guidelines. You pick what you like, what works for you and make something unique. Art is where we get to express our individuality and have it valued. As an art tutor I get to see students take an idea and all do it in their own way. It's wonderful to witness that raw creativity, encourage it and help them make the breakthroughs I wish I'd made earlier. I get to show off occasionally too!”

Amy also provides private tutoring and runs START Art Parties.

Hours not provided