The Still Life Lab:
A mixed media, still life class for curious creatives who want to loosen up and find their flow..
Watch this video, A joyful peek inside the class:
This is not your average still life class
Still Life Lab isn’t about copying a perfect setup. It’s about discovering what delights you and turning everyday objects into expressive, mixed media art that feels unmistakably yours.
You’ll learn how to arrange, sketch, paint, collage and curate a still life process that you can revisit again and again.
Because when you find a way of working that feels good, it opens the door to your most honest, joyful work.
This class is for you if:
You want to loosen up and stop overthinking your art
You’d love to work with still life in a more intuitive, experimental way
You’re craving a creative process that feels dynamic, personal and repeatable
Student feedback:
I’ve LOVED this class! I feel inspired and equipped.
Kara F

Ready to fall in love with your process?Come explore. Come play.
The Still Life Lab is:
Joyful and relaxed
Packed with techniques you can make your own
Rooted in discovery, not perfection
Designed to meet you where you are
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:
Student feedback:
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









Student feedback
I have really enjoyed The Still Life Lab class (and a previous one I did). Always inspirational and fun. Fabulous.
Lynne A.
Student feedback
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
Loose, playful and full of possibility
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.
Student feedback
“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.
Student feedback
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
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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.
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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).
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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 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.
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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 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.
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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, 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
Testimonial
I loved this class. I now feel more confident having a process to follow. So excited to create. Thank you so much.
Jo