In August I spent a week in London, taking a course in Portraiture at Heatherley's School of Fine Art in Chelsea (
http://www.heatherleys.org.uk/ ). I was nervous at first- thought I might be revealed as a total fraud (I know, how irrational is that; but then I have never claimed to be rational).
Upon reflection, I think I was worried that I just wouldn't 'get it'. There is so much about modern art that I don't understand. For example, I really don't grasp why Tracey Emin is considered great; or Damien Hirst for that matter.
On the other hand, I really enjoy looking at the work of Kandinsky and Edward Hopper because in some mysterious way, they move me.
Anyway- it was a brilliant week. The tutor, Allan Ramsay, was really good- not at all 'arty-farty'- just a down to earth kind of guy who loves to paint. And he's very good at it, too; in fact he won the Portrait of the Year competition in 1989 (I think that's the right year).
He's also an excellent teacher.
OK, I know, I sound like an advertisement for Heatherley's!
Here's one of the 3 portraits I completed.
This house (below) is in the UK. If the surroundings are not particularily attractive I sometimes take a few liberties- in this case, there's an ugly old fence next door, so I dismissed it and planted an elegant tree instead; much better!