Getting arty with Create Art School

Creativity is in my bones, so when I was invited to join in on an art class at Create Art School based in West Bridgford, I was delighted to accept, so off I went to take a rare mid-week few hours out of work to get creative…

Helen Woodford is the owner of Create and a talented art teacher, who bases herself from her custom-built art studio in her garden – a purpose made cabin just for her art classes, complete with large table and chairs for up to eight people, a sink area, toilet and drinks making facilities and lots and lots of art materials.

I was welcomed with a cup of peppermint tea and an explanation of what to expect of the three hour art class, which centred around flowers this time – one of my favourite things to paint and draw.  

Helen positioned herself in the middle of the table in-between us all, so that her work was visible and we could hear her instruction- which by the way was very clear and concise throughout.  This is not a free style art class, but more of a technical one, in that Helen chooses around four or five different styles of drawing, using various mediums and teaches us step by step how to essentially draw them.  Her use of a fascinating contraption called a Visualiser certainly helped in this scenario, as this captured her drawing in real life terms and showed it on the big screen, as she explained, we listened and copied her instruction.  

Helen had a very calming energy and way of teaching, taking you into an almost relaxed and meditative state, which I think was her intention, given art is therapy and many people take part in her classes as a way of relaxing and ‘switching off’ for a few hours from real life and that I certainly did – it was a lovely way to escape and reconnect with my creativity- something that is very important to me.

We kicked off with a simple hard pencil drawing and I drew a rather impressive (in my humble opinion!) dandelion, moving onto a rose using shading with a 2b pencil (if you know you know).

Next came colour, as we experimented with the wonder that are watercolour pencils- my first time using these and I have to say these were my favourite medium used to bring to life my drawing of some tulips and sweet peas, finally moving onto pastels, creating a burst of purple lilacs on a black paper background, which really popped and ended up being my best work that day.

This art class is a very special place in Nottingham and in many ways a hidden gem that more people need to know about. All ages and levels are welcome with no judgement- in my class were mostly first timers, new to art, new to art classes, who were there purely to try something new.

It certainly won’t be my last visit to Create Art School and in fact I plan to take my younger sister with me next time to enjoy the Summer holiday children’s art classes.

Thank you Helen for a wonderful visit!

For more information go to – https://www.createartschool.co.uk/

The Sleepy Vegetarian aka Fiona Duncan-Steer