This is an experimental, playful, online mixed media art class.

It is self paced, available to take immediately and explores lots of processes for creating striking and beautiful semi-abstract still life art.

This class is designed to inspire and ignite your own art making and to help you create original still life art which feels unique to you… 

It will help you make art you love.

TESTIMONIAL

I’ve LOVED this class! I feel inspired and equipped.

Kara F

THE STILL LIFE LAB
£48.00
One time

✓ Techniques you can make your own
✓ Over 2 hours of video and mixed media demonstrations
✓ Packed full of actionable wisdom and advice
✓ Step by step practical instruction

In this class you’ll learn how to arrange objects as a springboard to inspire all sorts of mixed media, semi-abstract art.

In the 2 hours plus of video I will share step-by-step techniques, practical wisdom and actionable theory to guide you through a comprehensive process of selecting objects, arranging them, drawing them and then using our drawings to inspire stunning mixed media collages and paintings. The class will cover:

  • How other artists have used still life to create striking art

  • Ways to curate and reflect on the art you love

  • We will look, love and learn from some great still life artists

  • Ways to put together a still life arrangement 

  • We will use our still life arrangement as a jumping off point for a series of fun exploratory drawing exercises

  • Various mixed media and art making demonstrations

  • Joyful drawing demonstrations, exercises and advice

  • How to go about creating semi abstract collages from start to finish 

  • How to paint simple responses to our still life set up

  • The emphasis of this class is on experimentation, discovery and play

Here’s what is included in this class:

TESTIMONIAL

Thank you so much for this class Helen. I've really enjoyed it, and it had so much more content than I expected. I'm so sad to have finished it, and I predict getting withdrawal symptoms! Thank you for a fabulous course.

Rachel

TESTIMONIAL

I have really enjoyed The Still Life Lab class (and a previous one I did). Always inspirational and fun. Fabulous.

Lynne A.

TESTIMONIAL

Thank you for a wonderful class. You’ve made it so motivating. I will definitely be going through the class again & trying some other iterations of the pieces.

Shelley

I’ll take you through the process step by step, sharing lots of advice and lots of art making insights and you’ll learn how to find interesting starting points for your art making all around you.

If you want to get loose and experimental but are not sure where to start, this class shares ways to start and gives you a powerful step by step process you can develop and make your own. It’s a positive and playful class which shares helpful processes to make your art feel more dynamic and interesting.

The class consists of eleven videos, over 2 hours in total.

English subtitles are included and can be turned on or off.


THE STILL LIFE LAB
£48.00
One time

✓ Techniques you can make your own
✓ Over 2 hours of video and mixed media demonstrations
✓ Packed full of actionable wisdom and advice
✓ Step by step practical instruction

TESTIMONIAL

“This class really broke things open for me in a beautiful way. I worked through all the suggestions once and created several pieces that I love. Now I am going through it again, focusing on different artists, colours, styles etc. It’s becoming a process that is so satisfying. Since doing this class I have watched far less YouTube and done far more creating

Barbara M

14 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

If you’re not satisfied with The Still Life Lab for whatever reason, you're covered by my no-questions-asked 14 day 100% money back guarantee.

TESTIMONIAL

Thank you so much Helen for another truly inspiring course. Your enthusiasm is infectious and you have so many great ideas for creating vibrant artworks. I know that I can watch the videos over and over and keep doing the exercises with different arrangements and materials. Faaaabulous!!!

Jennifer


All the info

  • This class is aimed at folk who have a little art making experience. We will be drawing and painting from things in our home, so this isn’t a class where you can 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.

  • The class costs £40. 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).

  • 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 objects this is not the type of class where you just copy exactly what I’m doing

    • 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 a ‘good’ drawer, we are using drawing to take notes, not create finished drawings

    • If you are not interested in hearing a little art theory or some thoughts on composition

    • 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.

     

  • 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. 

  • 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 sketchbooks and art journals as a creative tool for expression and discovery. My greatest hope is that I can help inspire and encourage others to find their own creative voice by experimenting.

  • 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, making collages, painting acrylic studies and more…. None of the exercises are prescriptive in terms of using the exact materials. I will complete all the demonstrations on 350gsm watercolour paper because I buy it in bulk from here and have it readily available in my studio, you don’t need to have this exact paper. Items that are used in the demonstrations include (you do not need to have everything on this list):

    A sketchbook

    A glue stick and scissors

    Fine liner pen

    A soft B graphite pencil 3B-9B and eraser

    Watercolour paint and brushes

    A wax crayon

    A few coloured pencils

    Black indian ink

    Delicate masking tape

    Paper to draw, paint and collage onto

    Paper to use to create collage papers

    A selection of monochrome, black or white drawing tools 

    White acrylic paint

    A few additional colours of acrylic paint

    Brushes to use with acrylic paint

    A printer is used to print out photographs and images, but this is not necessary at all