workshops
Ever wondered what makes a good painting great?
come paint with me and find out!
I am author of 'Creative Me' Keys to Creativity (Graffeg, 2015)
have regular articles published in Artist's and Illustrators, Leisure Painter and Psychologies magazines.
I am also an accredited Golden Artist Paints Artist-Educator.
I host a free to join FaceBook community group 'The Artist Mentoring Group' for artists of all abilities.
You can also join my painting demos on my YouTube Channel
My studio, gallery, and workshop experiences won Gold in the Visit Carmarthenshire Awards.
I have been teaching art and creativity workshops for fifteen years, online and in-person,
and I look forward to welcoming you to one of my groups.
Summer 2021 Workshops
Sketch to Finished Painting
5/2/21 - 7/2/21
fully recorded and downloadable
Take part live as it happens or download to watch at your convenience.
Join me live from my studio for this interactive weekend workshop where we will explore one of the biggest questions artists have - how do I get from the idea and rough sketches through to a finished on the wall painting?
Working step by step on my own paintings, follow me as I show you key skills to getting your art onto the wall.
Prepare for some surprises!
This workshop will be fun, informative and provide you with the tools to create satisfying finished paintings.
You will also need some sketches, scrapbooks, ideas about what you want to paint. Or indeed paintings you have started and are at a loss with ... these are perfect!
WORKSHOP INCLUDES:
An hour of live, interactive group tutorial /demonstration on Friday evening, from 6-7pm GMT
Live painting workshop on Saturday and Sunday from 11-1 GMT.
Daily live Q&A and review session after class.
The workshop is delivered via a Zoom meeting room so that we can all see each other, as we would in a face to face workshop.
£90
fully recorded and downloadbale
Towards Abstraction
5/3/21 - 7/3/21
fully recorded and downloadable
Take part live as it happens or download to watch at your convenience.
Join me, live in the studio for this interactive workshop where we will explore starting to work abstractly. And it's going to be fun!
It's long been my belief that there's no such thing as abstract art.
I believe that all art is abstract art. When we start to look at how paintings are built- shape, line, design, value - we see that by understanding these aspects, we can then use these building blocks in the form we desire.
Looking at modern and historical greats in the abstract art world, we'll build, step by step, an understanding of the how and whys of abstract art.
Using collage, note-taking, sketches and colour, we will explore through hands-on exercises on paper and board, the basics of abstraction and how to apply them to your work.
WORKSHOP INCLUDES:
An hour of live, interactive group tutorial /demonstration on Friday evening between 6 and 7pm.
Live painting workshop on Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 1pm BST.
Daily live Q&A and review session after class.
Individual support and feedback based on your course work if desired.
The workshop is delivered via a Zoom meeting room so that we can all see each other, as we would in a face to face workshop.
£90
fully recorded and downloadable
The Art of Colour
7,8,9 May
fully recorded and downloadable
Online 'live' workshop which is fully recorded and downloadable so even if you can't be with us live, you can join the workshop.
Join me, live in the studio for this interactive workshop where we will explore my favorite part of art - the foundation, the essence of great paintings - colour.
'Color is all. When color is right, form is right. Color is everything, color is vibration like music; everything is vibration.' Chagall
Using acrylic paints, we will explore through hands-on exercises on paper, and using some of the 20th centuries greatest painters as our guides, just why colour is so essential and so exciting.
Why do Teal and Cadmium red vibrate so well together?
Why is quinacridone red more suitable for glazes than cadmium red?
Why is a thimble full of violet more powerful than a bucketful?
We'll explore colour schemes, colour palettes, and the use of colour in relation to each other.
It's going to be magical - join me for my favorite obsession.
WORKSHOP INCLUDES:
An hour of live, interactive group introduction/tutorial /demonstration on Friday evening, 6-7pm.
Live painting workshop on Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 1pm GMT
Daily live Q&A and review session after class.
The workshop is delivered via a Zoom meeting room so that we can all see each other, as we would in a face to face workshop.
£90
fully recorded and downloadable
suitable for experienced artists and adventurous learner
Got a question?
See what previous participants are saying:
SEE PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS WORK HERE
"I most enjoyed just listening to Helen talk about art. It makes me excited to think that this is my new adventure.
I can no longer do my old hobbies, so I am relieved and happy to have found something I can enjoy, after a couple of years of not being able to do anything creative at all."
Kasturi Tussler, June 2020
"I have enjoyed all of Helen's workshops I have so far attended. I think Helen is a great teacher and she generously shares all she has learnt about creating art. I like all the tips and techniques to help develop my own art, and continue to learn and challenge myself."
Carla Jeffery, June 2020
TESTIMONIALS
"This is the first time I have taken part in an online course and it worked really well. Because I was at home on my own, I didn’t feel distracted by others in the group and wasn’t tempted to compare work. A large group in a room face to face may not have been so productive for me, as I feel I made really good use of the time.
Helen’s way of teaching was superb, with a great mix of demonstration and theory, along with encouragement. I feel that I was challenged to get out of my comfort zone and explore new ways of working, which was exactly what I wanted."
Sarah Jones, May 2020
I live in Tenerife so being able to do this workshop from home via Zoom was fantastic!
Helen is such a good teacher in how she explains and demonstrates and even though we were not in the same room I didn't feel like it took anything away from the experience.
I felt more comfortable and free being in my own home and therefore not intimidated by seeing others work.
I enjoyed all of it, spending time with Helen and seeing how she builds a picture was wonderful, pushing and challenging my own creative self, seeing everyone else’s work and different styles at the end of the day.
As a complete beginner, I didn’t have high expectations but taking photos each day of my work I can now see the massive improvement from day 1 through to day 4.
I have learnt so much and looking forward to my 121 feedback with Helen, and to continue learning my new hobby!
Sharon McCully, May 2020
I loved being able to ask questions of someone so talented as Helen. Making new art friends. Daily lessons which were fun.
Having my journal at the end of the week as a reference. I wish I could do it every day.
Ali Woodgate, June 2020
I have attended training with Helen before, but not one on Journalling the Essentials, therefore I knew the course would be well planned and fun! As well as packed full of excellent advice and that I’d be pushed beyond my comfort zone!
Rosemary Oldham, June 2020
I wanted to learn more about what makes a good painting. I loved the Creative course I did with Helen in May, so signed up for this one straight after. The design section was most useful as it was new to me. Learning more about the process of creating a painting that's from your creativity, and the section on 'magic'.
Carla Jeffery, June 2020
Fiona
Thank you again for a lovely day ... I will definitely be coming along to paint with you again.
I'm an engineer so everything I do at work is about detail and precision. I love the colours in your paintings and how you manage to simplify the images and keep them recognisable but stop them looking childish.
Now I feel a lot more confident about how to build my painting up in layers - and not get too worried about it looking a mess at the beginning. I've learned so many new techniques and tips - thank you.
Wilma
Kerry
I lacked confidence to start my own project and initially worried I would not be able to keep up - this soon dissipated however.
I enjoyed being able to plan and draft an interesting landscape I learned so much and Helen put me completely at my ease. I was very happy with Helen’s advice and suggestions throughout.
The day was intense but extremely enjoyable. I could have come back the next day to paint more!"
Booking myself a spot on the course was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Helen is not only an accomplished artist but she is a natural teacher and an excellent mentor. Her guidance and honest advice, both with my artwork and in beginning my new career as an artist, are invaluable.
I cannot recommend the course highly enough!'
Bron
What an absolutely brilliant; superb; inspirational; magical; creative; uncomfortable; positive; collaborative; supported; encouraging; challenging; refreshing; freeing; calming; energising; roller-coaster of emotions day
....LOVING IT.... LOVING IT!!
And her comments 4 years later - Little did I know four years ago today, that a weekend with Helen Elliott was going to change the direction my life would take - and improve it beyond measure. Feeling really blessed that I am where I am right now.
FAQs
Something you’d like to ask about art or creativity,
or a specific enquiry one of my workshops?
First, please check out the Frequently Asked Questions below.
If your answer isn’t there, contact me and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
I'm new to art/coming back to it after a break and not sure where to start.
Are the workshops suitable for me?
Yes, absolutely.
Firstly, no one is a complete beginner. To get as far as reading this you have identified that creative urge within you, that joy of paint, that curiosity that asks what next, what if?
Be Brave. Have a look at these workshops and see which one resonates with you. If you are starting out on your artistic adventure and really want to know about colour palettes, designing a painting, different tools and surfaces then you would benefit from the "Jornalling the Essentials' workshop. Those with some experience, or no experience but of an adventurous disposition, will find that all of these workshops would be suitable.
Message me if you have any questions.
I don't have many paints, will they do? What materials will I need?
Yes certainly they'll do, start where you are with what you have.
Gratitude is the key here. Gratitude can turn the humblest pant set into a treasure, the smallest studio space into a palace.
Mindset is more important than a fully stocked art cupboard - but that is nice too of course!
All my workshops are taught in acrylic paints with a large side helping of mixed media.
Each workshop does have a specific list of suggested paints, canvases and papers and for teaching, I do suggest a mix of student grade and professional paints. When you enroll on the workshop I will email my suggestions for you. But don't let thoughts that you'll need a massive investment in equipment put you off. Start with what you have, and what you'd like next will become clear.
Will I get feedback on my painting and progress?
Yes certainly, if you want it.
Unlike many online art workshops, my focus is on an individual approach, and you getting what you need from the time we spend together. In my opinion, part of that is being able to give your students individual support and individual feedback.
What if I can't make the times and dates?
No worries.
These workshops are broadcast live on the times and dates stated. But you are welcome to sign up for the workshop and receive the full live broadcast, downloadable and saveable,with no expiry date, almost immediately after broadcast (we need to compress and upload the files first).
You'll have the same access the Facebook group, the learning materials, and the feedback on your work as the rest of the group, just in your own time. Downloads and access to the group is unlimited. To keep things focussed, individual feedback is limited, as it is with folk attending live, to questions after each day's session and there is the same final written feedback on your work completed during the sessions, as for those participating live receive.
Yes I'm really interested, can't wait! where can I get an art mentoring fix from you?
Great question!
Come and join my free community of FaceBook. Everyone is welcome, whatever level of perceived ability or experience.
Click on the link to join us.