Tuition & Testimonials
Tuition is tailored to individual needs, aimed at building confidence alongside increasing technical skills. By providing inspiration, guidance and support, students will be encouraged to develop new ways of seeing and creating. With a maximum of six students per group, you are guaranteed plenty of individual attention.
The resident tutor, Lindsay Mackay, has thirty four years experience teaching art to a wide variety of students. With both art and teaching qualifications (Cert ED., BA, CNAA) he is a skilled motivator and brings humour and enthusiasm to the studio. Lindsay's passion for art very quickly becomes obvious to his students, who respond well to his relaxed, easy style of teaching. He will encourage you to develop your own style, whilst working on improving your skills, techniques and knowledge.
Lindsay's philosophy of teaching art is -
Whichever course you are thinking of joining, please be aware that it is YOUR skills and artistic perceptions that matter. You will not be expected to produce work that looks like mine!
My job is to help you recognise any weakness, and show you how to solve them. Every aspect of the structured tuition you receive at Studio Llwyndrain will be designed to allow YOU to maximise YOUR potential. I ask you to bring some examples of your own work so that I can assess your requirements for the time you are here.
The fear of making the mark. The brush, the knife, the paint, the pencil, the pen, the pastel all conspire with the surface, to strike fear into the heart and mind of the beginner. Even those familiar with any art media will understand what I mean. The pencil dents the paper and can’t be rubbed out. The pen scratches and blots, apparently with a mind of its own. The pastel or charcoal smudges all over the place. Watercolour paint runs downhill! Guiding my clients through this initial minefield and seeing the light slowly dawn in their eyes is the biggest buzz I can have in the studio.
Harry came for a three day watercolour course; he met the no. 12 sable inside the first hour. Ten minutes later he had executed a virtually perfect wash on stretched A3 paper. He did not use another brush for the rest of his holiday!.
Pam, an experienced watercolourist, on her three day oils course, picked up a palette knife and ten minutes later the grin went from ear to ear!
The regular watercolour group meet on Tuesdays. Jill came along for the social benefits; she now has her paintings on show in the local doctors surgery, with Marnie’s flowers and Maggie's landscapes hanging along side Val’s watercolour and oils.
Experiences like this have thrilled me for over thirty years. My students, of all ages, suddenly realise that they can create images that make them proud.
Confidence is the key and inspiring that confidence is my expertise. Nothing encourages more than making a mark that you like; combine a series of marks and hey presto – a picture! As soon as this happens, the rest is comparatively easy.
Just a few comments from recent students....
"I came with the materials I thought I needed; I used entirely new methods (now my secrets); I grew in confidence; I'm going home knowing I can paint."
""The course was well prepared with emphasis on developing your own style and technique. Help with mixing colour, preparing a canvas, care & maintenance of oil paints and equipment. Wealth of information on famous art works relating to work in progress. The course was, for me, a reintroduction to oil painting, my first experience for many years, but with careful guidance, I finished art work I am very proud of. Peaceful location and studio facilities excellent, with added culinary treats that were delicious."
"I have much more confidence to explore watercolour painting, plus if has encouraged me to think about other forms of art. Thoroughly enjoyable day - I learned so much."
"Thank you for guiding me through my very first experience of art - my very first experience of oils - I loved it! And I'm already spreading the word about Studio Llwyndrain - inspiring place & inspiring teaching!"
"I did find a large door opening during the 2 days of the course. It was a guided release for the limited talent I have and feel there is more to come. Before I plunge into the purchase of equipment I intend taking part in a longer course with you. The relaxation and change of scene was very beneficial. Thank you for all the work and encouragement given by Lindsay. It was simply an enjoyable learning experience."
"Many thanks again for the wonderful holiday, it was very peaceful and inspiring... Thanks for generously sharing your vision and ideas."
"I hugely enjoyed my 3 days and really felt I learnt a great deal. My paintbox is all unwrapped and ready to go! "
"I received excellent tuition, some new and simple tips that I've already put into practise and I have a newfound confidence for my painting at home, thank you for an inspiring two days in a lovely venue."
"It was a real pleasure to be able to concentrate on painting for three whole days. The course was well-balanced and I enjoyed the division between the demonstrations of different techniques and being able to use them in our own pieces of work. I feel inspired now to continue with experimenting and feel more confident in trying to develop my own style. Many thanks for an enjoyable three days."
"Thank you for packing so many different activities into our course – from the small ‘landscapes’ picture searching, cutting and framing, to the collograph making and printing. Each was a new and exciting experience for me. My biggest challenge was painting large landscapes – and Lindsay, thank you for helping me ‘overcome’ my fear of the ‘big white space’, by encouraging and helping me even when I made huge errors! I had FUN painting and learning on all 3 of the Art Taster days, and I thank you for your easy manner, for chatting away with us, which helped me ‘relax’, and for motivating me as a beginner."
"I really enjoyed my day at Studio Llwyndrain...it was really good that we were able to discuss personal preferences before the day...I broke through whatever mental barrier I had created for myself and actually put paint to paper..... good to have some works of art to take home with me - not just one, but several - it must have been one of the most productive days I've had in a long time! ...great value for money and I would definitely recommend it to others."
"We loved our relaxing few days in the Preseli Mountains in the National Park, Pembrokeshire. We were inspired by our art tutor, Lindsay Mackay who has over thirty years experience teaching art. He skillfully stretched our artistic abilities. Studio Llwyndrain is in a glorious location surrounded by beautiful green Welsh valleys and hills peppered with sheep, horses, chickens and lambs. The sunsets are 'to die for'. The Art Taster Course was stimulating. We learnt to draw and paint using different types of art materials. We also made collographs which we used to emboss and print. Very therapeutic. Painting trips can be arranged in the scenic locations nearby, such as the coastal resort of Newport....This is the place to 'chill out' and be inspired....."
"It was really good that we were able to discuss personal preferences before the day and I greatly appreciated the time we spent using acrylic paints at my request. I broke through whatever mental barrier I had created for myself and actually put paint to paper....it was really good to have several works of art to take home with me....one of the most productive days I've had in a long time! I would definitely recommend it to others."
"I thoroughly enjoyed my day at the studio as everything I did was new to me. I will definitely consider another course."
"I am steadily becoming happier about what I am trying to achieve - I am now filled with enthusiasm and really look forward to every opportunity to paint. Still so much to learn!"
"As a complete and utter beginner who had never picked up a paint brush before I came to Lindsay's classes, I have found a great joy and over the past year have improved no end. As a 75 year old, who can no longer be as active as I use to be, I have found this is a hobby that gives great pleasure not only to myself but to family and friends who look at my attempts. I would recommend any one to give it a try."
"Really enjoyed the course. I thought there was a good mixture of media to explore and it was good to get out of the studio to do some drawing and go and visit some artists! Thanks for your hospitality, lunches and cakes were gratefully received!"
"I have to admit that as I drove into the farm for my first lesson, I was a little nervous as to what to expect from the " artist ", however I was soon put at ease and enjoyed my day. Lindsay’s style of tuition is very relaxed, fun and most informative. The studio is extremely well equipped not only in the materials to be used, but the vast array of books available to the student. Lindsay has an obvious love for painting and drawing and his easy manner and yes, very chatty style, leave a student with many happy memories and inspired paintings even for the beginner (as was my case).Thanks to Anne for the delicious lunches and the copious amounts of tea and coffee. I only wish that business commitments have not allowed me the time to visit the studio as frequently as I would have wished."
Watercolour • Oils • Mixed media • Printmaking • Drawing
Weekly classes • Workshops • Courses • Studio Hire