TEACHING BACKGROUND

I have been involved in teaching art for nearly 30 years and have taught Drawing, Painting and/or Anatomy for Artists at places such as The Royal Academy in London, The National Portrait Gallery London, Edinburgh College of Art, The Royal Hibernian Academy (Dublin), Duncan of Jordanstone School of Art, Leith School of Art, The Bristol School of Drawing, West Dean College (Sussex), The Queens Gallery Holyrood, and other institutions. I have an art degree from Edinburgh College of Art and post-graduate diploma in Educational Development from The University of Northumbria (1993).

I believe that a good understanding of the technical processes and challenges in art can lead to greater confidence, and therefore a greater freedom of individual expression in representational work. Learning, as I see it, is not a restrictive but an enabling thing. In my teaching I often make use of visual reference material, slides and powerpoints, to reflect on how other artists - both historical and contemporary - have dealt with relevant issues in their work.

I believe that art is always full of choices. As an educational ideal I would like to enable artists to develop an informed engagement with the processes of art and pursue their own individual paths, rather than prescribe one "correct" way of doing things.
Student Feedback from previous workshops

"Alan is an excellent teacher and very generous with his knowledge." F.N.

"A fascinating subject (anatomy), very complex, taught by a masterly exponent. Should be obligatory for anyone embarking on figure drawing. " B.S

"Fundamental knowledge delivered in a completely absorbing and engaging way. wish I had done this course 20 years ago." J.E.

"I have been involved in education for over 30 years and I can say without hesitation that Alan's 'Colour and the Figure' is a superbly designed workshop. Alan illustrates each stage of the journey with relevant illustrations drawn from Classical, modern and contemporary art, Alan's explanations were always lucid and beautifully illustrated. I believe that my participation in the course has truly deepened my knowledge of colour as it relates to the figure.
This workshop was a revelation, at least to me, and it was a privilege to have taken part in it." D.M. vvvvv vvvvv vvvv