Lesley Hollands

I like to teach by giving demonstrations as well as descriptions of what is being taught and show my own painting so that students can see something that is complete. I make sure that I am at a student’s side before they go too far and as soon as they need help not after. I believe that constructive words create confident students and a confident student achieves far more. Students are encouraged to develop their strengths and find their own styles.

Different things will be achieved on different courses. For instance on The Loosening up Without Losing Control course the students will be to let the paint flow while still controlling it, work with freedom and confidence and produce several small studies and a number of larger works. On the beginners course students will be taken from the basics of brush control, colour mixing, and composition through to setting up their own still life. During a weekend they should make a number of studies and progress with confidence to creating one or two larger works.

Lots of support and encouragement and the introduction to a wide range of approaches and techniques depending on the particular course.

Still life in every shape and form. Colour first and foremost with pattern and the effects of light on objects coming next.

I trained at Brighton College of Art and the West Surrey College of Art and Design in Farnham where I gained a Dip AD in Fine Art. I took my Post graduate Cert Ed at Brighton Polytechnic and went from there into teaching both children and adults and until recently was Head of Art at Highfield Prep School.

32 years of teaching all age groups and abilities and loving every bit.

My work is in private collections across the world.

I have had articles published in The Leisure Painter and am at present working on a book which will be published next year called Painting Still Life in Watercolour.