Create art you love
inspired by nature:
Nature and Nurture
Online art course
Learn how to use the shapes and motifs of nature to nurture your creativity and inspire beautiful and unique art
Testimonial
“Having soooo much fun reconnecting with drawing through this fantastic short course.
Thank you.”
Gillian
In this class you’ll learn how to seek and gather inspiration in nature as a springboard to inspire all sorts of beautiful mixed media, semi-abstract art.
In the 14 short videos, about 2 hours in total, I will share step-by-step techniques, practical wisdom and actionable theory to guide you through a comprehensive process of seeking inspiration, exploratory drawing and then using your drawings and inspirations to inspire stunning mixed media art works and acrylic paintings.
The class will cover:
How other artists have used nature to create striking art
Ways to curate and reflect on the art you love
Ways to seek and gather inspiration and source material whilst out in nature including taking photographs and quick visual note-taking drawings
We will use the quick drawings, photos and ideas we have gathered and collected when outside and unpack them and develop then when back home.
We are only doing quick note taking drawing when outside, this is not a class where you have to take lots of materials, paint etc outside we will just use simple materials when outside such as paper and a pencil
We will explore and develop the inspiration and ideas we have gathered when outside when back at home
I have included a gallery of reference photographs for participants who are unable to go outside and gather their own
Generative and fun drawing exercises and advice
Mixed media art demonstrations using watercolour, ink and coloured pencils
How to go about creating a mixed media art work from start to finish
How to paint stunning paintings inspired by natural forms using acrylic heavy body paint
The emphasis of this class is on experimentation, discovery and play. The videos are circa two hours in total but the processes and techniques shared in this class will fill many more hours.
Here’s what is included in this class:
Testimonial
"Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring art classes. Your creative joy is so infectious, I have finally found a freedom to just ‘let go’, and experiment with colour and shapes in a way I have never done before, nothing is now an obstacle, it is an opportunity to play and make creative discoveries. ”
Karen
Testimonial
"I'm halfway through and just love it. Inspiring and so versatile with many options…"
Debbie
If you want to get loose and experimental but are not sure where to start, this class shares ways to start and gives you powerful step by step processes you can develop and make your own.
It’s a positive and playful class which shares helpful ways to make your art feel more dynamic and interesting.
Testimonial
“It is wonderful. Endless inspiration. Thanks Helen.”
Janet
This course is designed to inspire and ignite your own art making and to help you create original and beautiful nature-inspired art which feels unique to you…
It is self paced, available to take immediately and explores lots of drawing and art making processes for creating striking and beautiful semi-abstract art inspired by the shapes of nature.
This class will help you to get inspired by plants and flowers, nurture your own creativity and make art you love.
Testimonial
“I’m loving your open ended approach with teaching. I’m already learning that my approach toward creating comes from me and your techniques are just enhancing my ability”.
Donna
Testimonial
“You have been my teacher as I'm taking 4 of your courses. I find that they each contribute to each other, in areas of skills and exploration. They are leading me in some new, exciting directions”.
Judith
Testimonial
Helen's classes always cheer me up as she is a very unique teacher and imparts knowledge in her own way. I am working through this course now and as ever each video causes me to think!!!!!
Janice
Nature and Nurture
You’ll be guided through art processes step by step, I’ll share lots of advice and lots of art making insights and you’ll learn how to find interesting starting points for your art making in nature…
The course consists of fourteen bite sized videos, about 2 hours of video in total. But the exercises within this class are designed to fill more than two hours, this course could be worked on over several weeks. It sets out a method and approach for completing a comprehensive selection of striking art.
English subtitles are included and can be turned on or off.
Testimonial
Helen, thank you so much for a wonderful inspirational class. You gave me so many wonderful ideas to create. I love that I am not copying what you are doing, but creating original pieces of my own. I have taken other botanical painting classes and did not have good results, but with your guidance I am really pleased with my drawings and paintings!
Sheri
14 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
If you’re not satisfied with Nature and Nurture for whatever reason, you're covered by my no-questions-asked 14 day 100% money back guarantee.
All the info
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This class is aimed at folk who have some art making experience. We will be drawing and painting from things we find in nature, so this isn’t a class where you just copy exactly what I am doing. I will provide clear instructions but it will require a little '‘have a go spirit“. If you are a total beginner your mindset is probably more important than your experience, it will suit those who are creatively curious and happy to have a go and try things out without knowing exactly where it will take them.
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The class costs £48 (regular full price.) You can pay via credit card, debit card or Paypal. The currency of my store is British Pounds (GBP) but the class is available to anyone worldwide.
I have been lucky enough to welcome students to my classes from America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and beyond.
If you are paying in a currency other than GBP the conversion rate will be handled by your payment provider (ie Paypal or your card).
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This class is not for you if:
• You want to know exactly how something will turn out before you have started creating it
• If you want to copy an instructor. I will provide clear instructions, but as we are using our own starting points this is not the type of class where you just copy exactly what I’m doing and we all make art that looks exactly the same.
• If abstract art is not your thing
• If a messy or unpredictable outcome puts you off
• If experimentation doesn’t appeal
• If the idea of experimental drawing and experimental painting sounds too daunting. But do note this class does not require you to be ‘good’ at drawing, this class is designed to help develop your skills in a playful way
• If you want bespoke and personalised feedback on your work
•If you want a Facebook Group or community support, this class does not come with a group.
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Once you have signed up you will receive a link to our classroom with instant access to the course. It is hosted here on my website. You are able to log in at any time from my website.
You decide upon your own password and will have access to all the content immediately.
This means you can work through it at a pace which feels just right to you; you can binge watch it, watch it over a number of days, or come back and dip in to re-visit and re-watch it as you like, when you like. You will have complete access to all content for TWELVE MONTHS.
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I am a full time artist and the author of Expressive Sketchbooks: Developing Creative Skills, Courage and Confidence which was published by Quarry Books in 2020. I am passionate about helping others develop their creativity and advance their art skills. My greatest hope is that I can help inspire and encourage others to find their own creative voice by experimentation and practice..
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This is a mixed media, semi abstract class.
The class has been designed to encourage experimentation, improvisation and using the supplies you already have. We will be drawing, painting, using watercolour, ink, painting acrylic studies and more….
None of the exercises are prescriptive in terms of using the exact brand of materials. I positively encourage using what you have and improvising..
Items that are used in the demonstrations include (you do not need to have everything on this list):
A sketchbook or stack of paper for drawing and painting experiments.
In the majority of the demonstrations I am using a 200gsm or 90 lb mixed media paper in an A3 size which is circa 12 x 17 inches.
A camera or phone camera
A glue stick and scissors
Fine liner pen or similar drawing tool
A pencil 3B-9B
A felt tip pen or acrylic paint pen
Watercolour paint and brushes
Coloured pencils or coloured drawing materials of any sort
Acrylic ink. I use a fluorecent pink one called FW Ink from Daler Rowney
A few colours of full body acrylic paint including white
Brushes to use with acrylic paint. I also use a paint shaper or silicon brush which I highly recommend
A printer is used to print out photographs and images, but this is not necessary at all
Testimonial
Helen is a really good teacher, very engaging and honest.
Gillian C
Testimonial
“This has been a great, informative course, packed with interesting techniques and ideas. You have been enthusiastic and inspiring! I have really enjoyed it, and feel it has helped to get me back to painting again.”
Lynne