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Student Testimonials

Paintings by Students

	What Makes a Good Painting Workshop Tutor?

by Adam Cope, artist-tutor, B.A.hons; Further Education & Adults Teachers Cert; Foundation Diploma Art Therapy

A good painting workshop tutor will be a qualified & experienced teacher who is sensitive to your learning needs, where ever you happen to be on your art journey - absolute beginner or with decades of painting experience.

A good painting workshop tutor will really want you to learn & will be sympathetic to some of the ... apprehensions ... that you might possibly have about going on a painting course. Creativity is intimately linked to learning, whatever level you're at.

A good painting workshop tutor will also have lots of enthusiasm, dedication, humour & patience. Above all , the desire that you'll learn & enjoy yourself, as well as having a good, good holiday. Laughter & fun helps.

'The Lesson' John Singer SARGENT, 1911. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Transparent and opaque watercolor over graphite, with wax resist, on paper. 38.1 x 46.4 cm (15 x 18 1/4 in.). The Hayden Collection. Charles Henry Hayden Fund.

"The vanity of teaching often tempteth a man to forget he is a blockhead." - George Saville

A good painting workshop tutor will put your learning needs first & so will resist the urge to pontificate, to show off, to impose & to judge. We are all vulnerable to criticism & so a good painting workshop tutor should never pass judgement on your paintings in a way that will hurt.

A good painting workshop tutor should inspire.... & help you get into the spirit of enjoyment & learning.

"A true teacher does not explain - he invites you to stand beside him and see for yourself." Raymond Inmon

A good painting workshop tutor should also have a whiff of turpentine about him. Painting is first & foremost an activity & not a theory. It will help you if the art teacher is a practicing artist. On a practical level, you're far more likely to have an exciting & educative learning experience from an experienced painter/teacher. The demonstrations will be more natural & the guidance more relevant because he/she has been there too. It takes many years for a teacher to become good at the art of demonstrations.

"A picture is worth a thousand words and watching a picture being painted is worth even more....The best teachers I've had show you rather than tell you how to do something. Talking the talk is far less important than walking the walk." - Charles Sovek

Adam is also a mid-career artist & so has many years of painting experience to draw from. This really helps. He has lived in France for years & knows the Dordogne intimately. To know something about the history of the place you're in is important.

The Painting Course > Is the Course Right for Me? >

Students write :

"Thanks again for your patience, attention, creating a supportive atmosphere and selecting gorgeous places for painting. The south of France is close to heaven" Anne, UK

"Easy to understand tuition that ensured that we made real progress"- Sandy , Swizterland

" I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the week. The people within the workshop, our wonderful teacher, yourself, and the ambient surroundings of the chateau will remain in my memory always. In fact, whenever it is possible for me, I'd like to take the workshop again." Kay, USA

"We cannot stop talking about the 2 weeks with you, it could not have been more fun." - Chris & Joy, UK

"...I had such a great time at the Chateau. An experience that I will never forget, and hope to revisit at some time, but I don't think I will be able to in 2005 as I have put in an application to go to university next year. I included the above paintings in my portfolio. Hope I get in!" Vanessa, Australia

" I came home from France with so many inspiring painting ideas and the paintings started in France that I am eager to finish, " Joan, UK

"I would like to echo what Joan said in her Email. It was a great experience and I will never forget the week we shared together. Painters are interesting people and a pleasure to be with! I hope to see you again some day. " Manfred, Canada

Chateaux Painting Holidays, South West France

About Us

* Your Tutor - Adam Cope

* Paintings by Adam Cope

Le Chateau de Beduer

The Lot Region

Accommodation

Travel Details

The Painting Course

* Is the Painting Course Right for Me?

* What Makes a Good Workshop Tutor?

Dates & Prices