High quality art courses and drawing classes for beginners to experienced artists and those of you yet to try My art courses, drawing classes, and creative workshops are inspirational, wonderfully challenging, and definitely rewarding. You will find me in Manchester within easy access of the city centre. STUDENT QUOTE “Loved it! you’ve shown me a different way to approach art and my creativity. I feel as if you’ve opened up in me a new way of seeing things.” Donna B | Hi, I’m Brian RaymondAs lead tutor I’m passionate about every art course and drawing class that I have planned for you. Each one is designed to leave you inspired, passionate, and more able to make a success of your drawing and painting. “Being an artist today requires us to find our voice and express our uniqueness and individuality.” As artists, we are always keen to develop our technical skills in the craft of drawing and painting – and rightly so. But how much time do we devote to developing and nurturing ourcreative skills as artists? You need both to truly develop as an independent artist. My teaching is designed to guide you towards reaching your goal of being a creative confident independent artist. I focus on 3 aspects of being an artist 1. Core drawing and observational skills to give you the ability to master the technical challenges of observing what you see and drawing it accurately on paper or canvas. 2. Creative techniques in a wide variety of materials to help you develop a rich and vibrant visual language. 3. Developing self-expression and nurturing your creativity to help develop your own artistic style. My courses and classes are designed to teach Creativity and Technical skills together – hand in glove. Think about it – technical skill on its own, is not the pot of gold you hope to find at the end of the rainbow – learning how to make satisfying, personal and expressive artwork – probably is. My courses are suitable for everyone. But why? Mixed ability classes are dynamicand offer increased learning opportunities. Beginners are inspired by working alongside more experienced learners. Experienced learners build self confidence by sharing their knowledge and skills. Streamed classes can put a ‘glass ceiling’ on your learning and limit your progression. Adult learners bring a life time of skills and experience to the class. This can’t be streamed. I believe in leaving the opportunity open for unexpected leaps of learning and creativity that can propel students beyond the narrow definitions of ‘beginner, intermediate or advanced’. This is why – We draw. We learn. Have fun – together. WHEN YOU BOOK ON A COURSE WITH CREATIVE ART COURSES YOU WILL EXPERIENCE High quality teaching to nurture your creative spirit, actively encouraging you to find and develop your own artistic voice. Your learning and artistic self-confidence lies at the heart of every art course I have planned. Art courses and drawing classes designed around your needs as a developing artist.Skills and techniques that provide the springboard to your future artistic independence can be learnt on all my drawing classes. All ability levels are welcome on all my art courses and drawing classes. My teaching suits all ability levels. Within easy reach of Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan. Beginner – Intermediate – Experienced. Everyone is welcome. BLACK IS BANNED. THIS STATEMENT RINGS IN MY EARS FROM MY ART SCHOOL DAYS, AND I KEEP READING IT IN HOW-TO BOOKS. IT CAN’T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. Black acrylic paint is an extremely versatile addition to your colour palette – just use it VERY carefully. Small amounts will have a dramatic effect on the colours you are mixing. You need to understand what it can do to use it correctly and avoid dirty colours. A bit about Mars black:It has a slightly blue bias: So what you ask! Well it is this colour bias that can work in your favour to mix some gorgeous subtle colour mixes. The Bestpencils for drawing and sketching There is a huge range of pencils to choose from which can be confusing. This post will help you cut through the confusion and let you know what the best pencils for drawing and sketching are, and how to use them. You’ll find out why you really only need 4 pencils. Firstly, I’ll talk about pencils in detail – so you understand exactly what is involved in selecting the best pencils for drawing and sketching, and know how to use them.If you simply want to know what 4 pencils you need to buy – scroll to the end! Standard range of drawing and sketching pencilsThis post is about your standard Graphite drawing and sketching pencils. Even though wood pencil fills are generally called ‘lead’ they are actually made of a mix of graphite and clay. Pencils that make darker lines (eg: B range) have more graphite, while harder pencils (eg: H range) have more clay. CHOOSE A COURSE BEGINNERS COURSES WEEKEND COURSES EVENING CLASSES Student Quotes “Completelyrefreshed my style of drawing, and attempting to put myself out of my comfort zone.”Giovanni I | Life drawing“Challenging, fun, encouraging, exciting.”Elaine L | Life drawing Student Quote “From week one I knew this was going to be good, and that first class was almost worth the fee alone. I think this course was an incredible experience and I know I’ve learnt a lot over the six weeks.”Meg K | TYPES OF RUBBERS AND ERASERS FOR DRAWING Using erasers for rubbing out mistakes comes last on my list of top 10 uses for rubbers and erasers! Read further to find out my top 10 tips. Then you’ll know exactly how you should be using them when drawing. If you’re new to drawing or just enrolled on an art course or drawing class you may be wondering what else you can do with a rubber or eraser other than rub out your mistakes. Learning to use rubbers and erasers is just as much of a creative journey as learning to use your charcoal, chalk pastel or paint. Oddly this is very rarely taught on artcourses. TYPES OF ERASERS AND RUBBERS EVERY ARTIST SHOULD KNOW ABOUT In addition to the 3 main types of rubbers that I use all the time, which I talk about in detail in this blog, you can also buy the following types of rubbers and erasers; Why bother keeping a sketchbook? This is a very good question. At the moment I keep 3 different sketchbooks – each for a different reason. Way back at art school I was always told to keep a sketchbook and you will find virtually all art teachers will tell you the same. So there must be a reason – but what is it? Horses for courses Sketchbooks are your place to explore, play and experiment. They’re yours and should look like yours – not someone else’s. To be of value they need to be unremittingly selfish, about your ideas, your thoughts, your likes and dislikes. Sketchbooks are about your ideas, creativity, and inspiration. No matter what art course or drawing class you’re attending I would advise you to keep a sketchbook, or 3, even if it’snot expected of you. H Blyth & Co Art ShopEnjoy 15% discount off art materials from H Blyth & Co before or during any ‘Creative Art Courses’ course. To qualify, take a printed copy of your completed PayPal receipt with full course details and dates with you when shopping. BLOG | Tips Techniques NEWSLETTER Subscribe NOW News, events, tips info. No spam. Unsubscribe when you wish. Email address Facebook Twitter