“I believe that everyone has the ability to draw well, but most of us don’t get a chance to learn how”.
CREATIVE KIDS DRAWING Classes
Susy holds regular term classes for creative students to practise their art in a supportive and inspiring learning environment.
“On a regular basis I step away from my own art practice and have the privilege of teaching drawing to some very talented, enthusiastic young students. The focus and dedication shown by these kids is wonderful to witness, and I thoroughly enjoy the creative energy and fabulous ideas they bounce in with each week!
I offer a high quality of art education for children and mentoring for teens. Along with the benefits of increased focus, camaraderie with other creative kids, and confidence/self-esteem building. I contribute my experience and reference materials gathered during 30 years working as an illustrator, including 10 years of teaching drawing skills to children and teens.”
I design the lessons to be fun and confidence-building, qualities that I see as extremely important in developing young minds, and encouraging kids to keep practicing their skills.
Students of any ability level are welcome, and the only pre-requisite is that they have a genuine interest in drawing, are well-behaved, and can retain their focus for the full lesson.
Ages: I teach classes for beginners to budding artists between 6 &18yrs. The number of classes I run varies depending on my availability.
‘Come & Try’ – first lesson free. I offer a free trial lesson for students before they sign up for a term, to see if the class suits their needs and for me to see if they’re a good fit for the group.
Content: Covering a variety of subjects using the three main types of drawing – Observation, Memory and Imagination. Lessons in Realistic, Still-Life, Animated Characters, Fantasy and Basic Perspective Drawing.
Media: Students learn techniques in a variety of media including graphite and coloured pencils, watercolour, and soft pastels.
2024 CLASSES AVAILABLE:
Brunswick Heads NSW & Miami gold coast.
This year I’m teaching a Junior Drawing, and a Senior Drawing weekly class for students in Brunswick Heads NSW, and continuing to mentor the Elite Teens Drawing students in Miami, Gold Coast. See below for details…
1.CREATIVE KIDS DRAWING: BRUNSWICK HEADS.
VENUE: “Wheel of Life Studio” 21 Fingal St. (Behind St Thomas’s Church)
JUNIOR DRAWING (6-10yrs): Thursday mornings 8:30am-10am. $300 per 10 week term.
This is a 90min structured class for young creators, where I present art instruction in an engaging and fun way. I teach the elements of drawing in a simplified manner. As I demonstrate, students are guided step-by-step to complete a different artwork each week, covering a variety of subject matter and materials, eg: Graphite & Coloured pencils, Soft pastels, Watercolour and Black line pens. Lessons start with popular warm-up drawing games such as speed drawing and blind drawing. The focus is on fun, and building confidence.
SENIOR DRAWING (10-14yrs): Thursday mornings: 10:30am-12pm. $300 per 10 week term.
This is a 90min structured class for tween & early teen creators who are ready to learn more advanced skills and techniques. As I demonstrate, students are guided step-by-step to complete a different artwork each week, covering a variety of subject matter and materials, eg: Graphite & Coloured pencils, Soft pastels, Watercolour and Black line pens. Focus is on building self-confidence and enjoyment of the creative process with a group of like-minded peers.
MATERIALS: All art materials are supplied. Plus a complimentary A5 Sketch Diary and A3 Art Folio (replaced when filled up).
Class Raffle: Each term, one lucky student wins a wonderful prize pack of art materials to help their practice.
COST: Junior Drawing-$300 per 10wk term. Senior Drawing-$300 per 10wk term. Paid up-front. (*Sibling discount available)
Term cost is adjusted if enrolling mid-term. Full term payment is due first week of term. By EFT online, or cash at first lesson. *(If you prefer to spread the cost I also accept 2 x half payments per term)
Missed lessons: Due to running costs of the classes, missed lessons are not refundable.
BOOKING ENQUIRIES: Contact me for more information or to book in your child.
2.ELITE TEEN DRAWING: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS-Gold Coast
Friday afternoons: 3:30pm-5:30pm.
Miami GOLD COAST:
Note: This teen class continues in my old studio space at Miami Business Centre (8 Kedron Ave Miami), which now operates as The Chroma Club under new owner Kim Raath.
I aim to make this a relaxed class in which teenage students choose their own projects. I provide each student with individual mentoring and assistance with inspiration, technique, materials, and encouragement of their unique approach to art. Plenty of conversation, laughter, and camaraderie with like-minded creatives, contributing to some quality off-screen de-stressing time, and some subtle art-therapy sprinkled in. Refreshments provided.
MATERIALS: All materials are supplied, including Graphite, Coloured, and Watercolour Pencils; Black-line and Coloured Markers; Soft pastels, Oil Pastels; Watercolour, Gouache, and Acrylic paints.
COST: $297 per 9 week term. Paid up-front. Term cost is adjusted if enrolling mid-term.
Full term payment is due first week of term. By EFT online, or cash at first lesson.
*(If you prefer to do half payments, we can make an arrangement for 2 x payments of $150 instead)
BOOKING ENQUIRIES: Contact me for more information or to book in your teen.
The Gifts of a Regular Drawing Practice: In this fast-paced, techno, online world of iPhones and iPads children are losing (or never learning) some important skills essential for a balanced, healthy life. During my years of teaching art classes and holding workshops at schools, I've been able to see first-hand some amazing benefits derived from a regular drawing practice. It's something I've known from my own practice, but it was only through working with hundreds of kids, that I stumbled on a realisation that there was a lot more to what I was doing than just teaching drawing.
BOOKING ENQUIRIES: Contact me for more information or to book in your child.
SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
Now and then I like to visit schools and hold workshops. Here I can use my hands-on knowledge and 30 years experience as an illustrator and painter to offer Artist Talks, Lectures, Demonstrations and Art Workshops.
Being comfortable and familiar with the school environment, I’ve held art classes and workshops at over 60 schools throughout QLD and Northern NSW. I’ve taught students of all ages as well as Personal Development classes for teachers, demonstrating different drawing techniques and styles, usually in my favourite media of pastel, pencil and watercolour.
BOOKING ENQUIRIES:
Contact me for more information or to book in a workshop.
TESTIMONIALS
After-school classes:
“Susy is highly motivated, creative and eager to share her fantastic skills with the children in her care. She is very organised, and displays responsible actions at all times. She is honest and reliable. The parents of the children attending Susy’s art classes speak highly of her management and dedication. Her warm personality expresses a calm and caring approach towards all she comes in contact with.”
Lynne Rohanna
Assistant Principal
St Augustine’s Primary School, Gold Coast QLD
“Susy was actively involved in teaching Visual Arts at Robina State School over a 10-year period. Her interactions with our students and staff have been at all times professional and warm, with her friendly, outgoing personality endearing her to the members of the school community. She is at all times punctual, well prepared and responsible, and presents as a thorough professional. I have huge respect for her talents, her integrity and her genuineness.”
Susie Longton
Deputy Principal (Ex)
Robina State School, Gold Coast QLD
“Thank you for being such an inspirational teacher both in art and in the art of life lessons, through the creative way you teach...for each week, each term and each year I have watched you shape the creative spirit of our children. Riley has loved being part of the experience of art you create in the classroom and I have loved watching him thrive under your guidance...as a parent that's all you can possibly ever wish for....so thank you from the bottom of our hearts, for all that you are and all that you do!”
Leanne Armstrong
Gold Coast QLD
“Thank you Susy. You have no idea how important a role you play in my daughter’s life… you have a huge impact on her. Lucia takes your every advice on board and enjoys growing and exploring as an artist. I think it helps her believe in herself and expands her vision on life. It’s a much ‘richer’ life experience that you are offering to Lucia and all your students. We are all lucky to have you.”
Desha Welsh
Gold Coast QLD
“Thank you Susy, it’s wonderful that you provide these kids with a place to go and mix with other like-minded artistic children.”
Sarah Slocombe
Gold Coast QLD
“Thank you Susy for inspiring Evie...she always loves to come and has the best time, every week. I’ve loved watching her confidence grow both in art and in general because of her art.”
Carolyn Edwards
Gold Coast QLD
“Susy, you just bought a tear to my eye. So pleased you see the many beautiful parts of Marley. He is loving his drawing classes and we feel very lucky we somehow stumbled across you on the internet one day.”
Lisa Foster
Gold Coast QLD
“We appreciate all you do Susy, and your passion for art and encouragement flows through to the entire class.”
Julie Kirkman
Gold Coast QLD
“THANK YOU so much.... I love the peaceful girl who comes home to me after art class. Many thanks for the fantastic influence your class has had on Izzy's development as a relaxed, calm little adult. Wednesday night has been precious for years now.”
Helen Cameron
Gold Coast QLD
School Workshops:
Guardian Angels’ School Workshop:
“Hello Susy, A big thank you for your presentation to our classes of years two and three last Tuesday. The students were engaged and seemed to enjoy it all, as well as learning how to illustrate certain things. The teachers were very impressed and that is important to me. Their class time is too precious to have it wasted. Some of them copied your ideas and plan to use them. It was a very successful visit. Thank-you very much and all the best.”
Anne Flanagan
Teacher-Librarian
Guardian Angels’ School
Brisbane QLD
Townsville Schools Tour for Books North Festival:
“Susy was fantastic!! Her talk/workshop was great and the kids really enjoyed it. I even did some drawing. She was really enthusiastic, easy-going, relaxed and fun, and I would certainly recommend her to any school. In fact I'd like to have a "Festival of Favourites" and she'd be on the top of my list to get back again.”
Shan Boller
City Libraries
Townsville, Nth QLD
The Silkwood School Art Workshop:
“Hi Susy, Thank-you for coming to our classes and inspiring us once again. I had all their art laminated and up on the windows when they came in this morning and they were so excited to share it with their families. I personally loved the session and look forward to doing more chalk pastel work and shading with the children”.
Cynthia Gordon
Teacher
The Silkwood School, Gold Coast QLD