About Us
#Team
#Oxford Art Classes
START Art Classes in Oxford teach drawing and painting courses for adults (and now children!) 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, working Artist with a BA in Fine Art and 14 years of teaching experience. She has a genuine passion for art which she loves to share.
Olesia Krivolapova runs our Children's Art Classes. She is an artist from Ukraine, Kharkiv, currently living in Barton, Oxford. Olesia previously worked at the art studio AzaNiziMaza, in her hometown, for 3 years with preschool children. She graduated from an art Academy as a book illustrator and art teacher. For now she is working as an illustrator, whilst also selling artworks and taking part in the children’s education projects. Her main goal during lessons is for the children to have fun and to make something incredible during session. The creative skills they gain will help them to have a bright future
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. StART believes in the principals of 'show don't tell' and positive feedback.
“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!”
