Small Steps Create Big Shifts

Learning something new can take you somewhere unexpected. In February last year I took Stacey Gledhill’s Learning to Paint in Oils beginners course at an art space in Oxford. It has been lifelong dream to paint in oils but family life and working has taken precedent. When this opportunity came along the tutor and the time was right. I had always been creative as a child and spent time drawing, making papier mache models and sewing. While at university and on and off over the years I have signed up to life drawing classes usually self led rather than taught. I have enjoyed every medium I have dabbled in but oil painting feels right for me. Stacey teaches traditional methods which once in place she then guides with the lightest touch when you become stuck. With one comment, piece of advice or brushstroke she has the ability to move your understanding to the next level. For three hours once a week over at ten week period I learnt the basics. This Autumn I joined the last five weeks of the beginners course again and found her teaching even more enlightening. I continue making progress and love every minute. There are of course plenty of mistakes and paintings that fall by the wayside but they offer valuable learning for the next attempt.

A surprising outcome has been how it feeds into my garden design work. My comprehension of colour theory has been transformed and playing with composition on a canvas has similarly improved. Beyond that there is also an increase confidence from learning something new and a deeper connection with nature in the landscape paintings. Learning to look deeply at a subject for a painting has improved my clarity and focus elsewhere.