In 2010 I tutored a Beginner's Art Group for a short period which was set up by the  Members Relations Dept at my then place of work - the Midlands Co-operative Society in Chesterfield. I thoroughly enjoyed it and planned to set up some more Groups in the future.

In August 2011, the pull to become a Full Time Artist was strong enough to encourage my resignation from my job of 10 years and plan to set up more Art Groups in a selection of venues throughout Chesterfield.


I began my new Art Groups in October 2011, named 'Step by Step Art' as this is exactly how I tutor - in front of the group with my Easel allowing everyone to copy me whilst giving advice and tips on how to produce certain effects. This allows those people who are not as confident with their artistic abilities to go as slowly as they wish and ask me questions of which I am always happy to answer. Some people will happily go there own way with the colours and finished details, but I encourage this as i think it important for everyone to use imagination and of course to add a little of their 'personality' into their work too.

A simple study of an October Landscape was attempted in one of the Pastel Art groups and each and every piece came out differently.  The two images to the right have been taken from the exact same photograph, but each gave their piece a completely different style and I was impressed as to how a 'Beginner' of pastels could learn so quickly and impressively, neither of these two Artists had ever used Pastels before!

It is important for every budding Artist to know that there really is no right or wrong way in Art. Although perspectives can be off, this can be improved upon, but people do not need to copy an exact replica of the subject they are studying right down to the colours and the background, it is all about preference and someone's personality which makes every Artist different from another, and that is what makes Art so exciting and expressive!