Our courses are for beginners and others are for those who have had some art making experience. Please read through our course descriptions to consider which you’d like best.
All our courses are original and continually upgraded. We never stop developing new course material because art evolves all the time.
Since 1998, we have created over 10 000 works of art and have accrued more than 40 000 hours of teaching.

COURSES:

FOUNDATION DRAWING COURSE

ADVANCED DRAWING COURSE

THE FASTEST DRAWING COURSE EVER

OIL PAINT TECHNIQUES

ACRYLIC PAINT TECHNIQUES

WATERCOLOUR TECHNIQUES

LOOSENING-UP COURSE

MIXED MEDIA TECHNIQUES

ALL IN ONE COURSE

STUDENT’S OWN

DEVELOPING YOUR OWN STYLE COURSE

CONTEMPORARY ART COURSE

ART APPRECIATION AND ART HISTORY

COMIC AND MANGA AND FANTASY ART

INTRODUCTION TO SCULPTURE

PAINTING HOLIDAYS

GROUP ART OR TEAM BUILDING

COURSE OUTLINES:

FOUNDATION DRAWING COURSE (beginner to advanced) ©: *NEW*
This course is our pride and joy and was developed over many years and has now been upgraded and revised. It covers all the bases. It is better to be technically knowledgeable before you paint; to be able to play with line, understand proportioning and composition (placement) and tonal (dark and light) interactions. This course will enhance your insight into art itself through exciting projects and adequate practice.
You will learn to control your line work and pressure as well as your hand-eye control, proportion, tone and shading, learn to draw from pictures and from life, understand blending and you will be made aware of pitfalls. Design elements like perspective and composition will all be dealt with on a practical level. You will complete projects in pencil, charcoal, pastel and contē, Fabriano paper and Ingres water colour paper. No homework expected. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

ADVANCED DRAWING COURSE (advanced) ©: *NEW*
This course is a comprehensive drawing learning program and is designed for the serious drawer. The course investigates greater variety into technique and media. You will be expected to work with mixed drawing media and different supports (paper, board and canvas), and to learn to draw both gestural as well as working in fine detail. Media includes ink, collage, pen and chalk, bleach, wax, graphite, s'graffito, blanching, waxing, charcoal, contē, pencil and so on. Once you have completed this course, you will be able to draw anything anywhere in whichever fashion you prefer. You will also be able to visualize from your imagination, invent concepts and draw and create great works of art. No homework expected. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

THE FASTEST DRAWING COURSE ON EARTH ©:
A very short 10 hour (depending on your pace and progress) course deals with only elementary basics such as proportion, tonal interpretation and hand control. This course merely introduces you to all the basics of drawing, and does not offer thorough considerations or instructions in drawing. It has been created for people who wish to start painting as soon as possible. Please note that this course is automatically regarded as a predecessor of another. No homework expected. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

LOOSENING-UP COURSE (advanced): *NEW*
Some elements of this course are sometimes introduced into other courses when the student is hampered by fear of drawing and painting. These exercises are designed to liberate hands as well as thoughts and minds and help the participant to build confidence and a better structural approach towards creativity. Focus and boldness is required to break through fear, and this is what this course will do for you, through eccentric but effective approaches. No homework expected. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

OIL TECHNIQUES COURSE (beginner to advanced): *NEW*
You need to be able to draw to take this course. Please set an appointment for a drawing assessment with us if you already have drawing experience. Learn different surface preparation, blending, under painting, alla-prima, impasto, mixed media, wet-on-wet, medium based painting, glazing, texture, bleeding techniques, enameling, encaustic (wax) and all techniques known to mankind. Some prep work may be necessary at home. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

ACRYLIC TECHNIQUES (beginner to advanced): *NEW*
You need to be able to draw to take this course. Please set an appointment for a drawing assessment with us if you already have drawing experience.
As with the oil technique course, we train you in all areas of acrylics, its techniques and its relevant materials. Mixed media and modern trends will also be included. Acrylics are harder to blend than oils and can be used as a base coat for oils or as a medium on its own. It works well with mixed media like charcoal and contē and because of its synthetic ingredients comes in more vivid and pure colours which can be exploited. Some prep work may be necessary at home. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

WATER COLOUR TECHNIQUES (beginner to advanced): *NEW*
Our water colour course differs from most in the sense that we don’t only teach orthodox methods but also mixed media and liberal application. Washes, wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry, texture and medium based additions are included. Fine and detailed applications are also encouraged.
You need to be able to draw to take this course. Please set an appointment for a drawing assessment with us if you already have drawing experience. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

MIXED MEDIA TECHNIQUES (beginner to advanced): *NEW*
As with the course descriptions above, different media can be used in combination for art work. It makes the process of art more interesting and varied. Anything can be used to make art, although this course concentrates more on canvas based work. The range of materials is extensive, using many textured and dimensional media, as well as all conventional media.
You need to be able to draw to take this course. Please set an appointment for a drawing assessment with us if you already have drawing experience. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

ALL IN ONE COURSE ©:
This course is intended for those of you who are impatient and prefer to hop from one project and media to another without spending too much time on one project; it includes basics in pencil, charcoal, pastels, inks, water colour, acrylics, oils, sculpture, mixed media, elemental considerations of media and format, and choices of tasks as a means to introduce you to as many techniques and alternatives as possible. All classes will be subject driven and rotate around all the different media of art making. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

STUDENTS OWN CHOISE OF MEDIA & TECHNIQUE:
When you have completed one of the drawing courses, or your drawing assessment have been approved, you are free to choose your next media and style that you would like to master. You may choose any media and form of art that you personally favour. These include drawing, painting, pastel, collage, montage, texture (impasto) painting, palette knife painting, direct (alla prima) painting, freehand drawing and related techniques, sculpture, realism, impressionism, fauvism, expressionism, pre-raphaelite, classical, cubism, abstract, pop, modern, Italian, French, Dutch, oils, acrylics, gouache, water colours, mixed media, charcoal, contē, portraiture, nudes, stills, landscapes, florals, architectural, and so on.
You can set your own pace and you are not subject bound. Your own choice of style and technique is more important than us telling you what to do because you need to love what you do! This way, you remain interested and enthusiastic about your artwork, whilst gaining skills and direction, your teacher will move with you. Homework is not necessary.
Please note that the above course is different from the introductory courses. With OWN, you will start with your choice of media and picture or idea without any knowledge or exercise. We will teach you how to approach the painting step by step and you will learn all that you need to know about your painting in terms of technique as you go along.

COMIC, MANGA (JAPANESE COMIC) AND FANTASY ART ©:
For all you comic fans! This course focuses on three main areas: understanding, drawing and good story telling of comics and fantasy illustrations. Software training is not included as we concentrate on the artistic elements of it, like photo referencing (re-enacting through models), anatomical training, elementals such as styles and moods, scripting, composition and perspective, colour and inking, character development and so on. Thereafter the student can choose from various projects he or she can complete before choosing the next assignment. This course requires models, loosening-up is imperative and good drawing ability is fundamental. Your teacher will review your characters and stories and suggest better angles, paning, composition, frames and fluency, help you with proportioning and tone so that you will be able to complete a very attractive and substantial comic or animated illustration. This course is for beginners and experienced comic artists and manga-ka alike. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

INTRODUCTION TO SCULPTURE (anyone):
The course outline includes many materials so as to incorporate as many techniques as possible and to expose you to all its diverse characteristics. Both carving and modeling are included, also armature construction, composition and all relevant expressions and essentials of sculpture. Other techniques include casting and assemblage. Materials include concrete, wax, plaster, clay, mixed media i.e. wire, paper, polystyrene, wood and stone. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION is REQUIRED.

DEVELOPING YOUR OWN STYLE: *NEW*
Through study and experimentation and practice, your own style arises – no two persons' style is the same! We guide you through the maze of confusion into clarity. This course takes vigilance and patience because there is no quick fix to reach a certain style. It is developed and ONLY developed through practice, experience and study.
You need experience in art making to take this course. Please set an appointment for a drawing assessment with us if you already have drawing experience, and submit other media works as well. A 24 CLASS SUBSCRIPTION IS REQUIRED.

PAINTING HOLIDAYS:
Receive art tuition at beautiful locations throughout South Africa as well as Europe. Each holiday has unique opportunities to learn techniques on sight but also includes studio training and personal assistance. Each holiday is custom designed according to the inherent landscape and its resident artists who are employed to teach you their particular skills. The holidays also include accommodation, trips to restaurants and places of interest. You have a choice of sharing a room or having a private room. Please phone for further information on our next excursion or visit www.bestartholidays.org
NEXT: PATERNOSTER 11-18 March 2012 and CAPE TOWN September 2012

CREATIVE TEAM BUILDING SESSIONS (anyone):
These are usually 3 or 4 hour sessions for groups to come into the studio and have some fun. Each participant receives a canvas or board and paints, playing around with different techniques and media – like texture, collage and mixed paints. These sessions include teachers to guide you. Different options are available to suit every requirement. This can be an activity for either corporate or private parties.

CONCEPTUAL ART DEVELOPMENT ©: *NEW*
This brand new course deals more with considering your understanding of art and combine them with issues such as your responses to ideas, materials, techniques, your environment and your reaction to creative impulses. Symbolic reactions can be investigated through elements of art and media, content and context can be explored in various ways by drawing your attention to internal commentary rather than mechanical copying. With this course, plenty of self-study, material collection and some homework is required. A lot of discussions, demonstrations and experimentation will be held in class. There is less emphasis on your skill at drawing and painting and more on your ideas and the implementation thereof.
Ever heard the dangerous comment “I don’t know anything about art, but I know what I like”. This course will investigate and examine the relationship between the artist, his work, his public, his intent and the viewers’ responsibility in terms of considering an art work instead of judging it. You do not have to be an art guru to understand and appreciate the arts; your mind only needs to be unblocked from preconceived perceptions. Our aim is to educate by means of illustration, considering values and to discuss, an art works’ elements and content. You will realize that art is more powerful than opinion. The history segment will consist of short chronological studies, thereafter you can choose an area of study that interests you most and do a project in. All will form part of finding your ‘voice’ as an artist. Each student will have a different syllabus and is of a conceptual nature, not a popular nature.

ART APPRECIATION AND HISTORY: MAY 2012 *NEW*
Take the grand tour from neo-lithic times and travel through all the art movements and ages up to the present by applying the genre and style to artworks. You will generally work in mixed media such as clay, oils, tempera, water colour and many more to understand the milieu, the main themes and ideas that generated a movement and era of art. Although you will have a lot of fun you will also learn to draw and paint and sculpture properly with this course - another first of its kind.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

If you have never drawn before and you are worried about talent:
Someone has talent when he or she has a natural flair and skill associated with the particular activity. Yet most of the skill can be learnt, and flair can be attained by taking risks and developing a feeling of graceful simplicity. Imagination and flexibility are key to developing talent and is more challenging as they are character driven. A desire to create, the know how to use a structural approach, and being open to change is necessary for you to succeed. You will follow small simple steps with us, and with all the practice you will become competent and self-assured. And your teacher is responsible to be there for you every step of the way.

THE CLASSES:
There are a maximum of eight people per class, sometime nine. Each student is busy with his or her own work and interaction is limited to your personality. We are not a social club however. We concentrate on art. Beginners and advanced pupils are mixed together as it stimulates exposure and ideas. Ages are from 14 – 90. Coffee and tea and music are served.

THE WORKSHOPS:
Workshops are not compulsory and are open to anyone. Classes range in numbers from 8 to 20 and venues are booked accordingly. Please refer to the workshop page to view details of each.

MATERIALS:
Most materials are available from us, or you can buy them from art stores as you wish. We only sell to students. It is best to build up your materials gradually and not invest in supplies you will never use. With the Drawing Foundation Course you are looking at about R300 for all your materials. Paints are more expensive and canvasses can be made to exact sizes.

WHY DO I NEED TO DRAW?
The Drawing Course is not about sketching only. It involves many facets that need to be dealt with and which are part of painting too. These include visual aptitude and pressure control, tonal value interpretation and application, perceptional skills, proportioning (blocking), composition, planning, blending, and problem solving that will arise when drawing or painting. It needs to be instructed so that the class can flow and everyone can receive equal amounts of time from the teacher. And – the drawing courses are thoroughly enjoyable.
Remember that a true artist LIKE all facets of art and will attempt and revel in all mediums of art. Why limit ourselves?

MATRIC PORTFOLIOS:
If you are in matric or in grade 11 and you need to start your portfolio work for admission to Open Window, School of Design or any College or Varsity we can guide you to producing one that is competent or even exemplary. You need to join us early in the year as you need to become competent in drawing before starting your portfolio. All work must be done and completed by the student him/herself.

PERSONAL PROGRAMS:
Students have different needs, especially if they have had experience and exposure to art making. Therefore, we can work out a custom made program for a person after some basic appraisals and considerations. Unfortunately, this procedure cannot be followed for beginners.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
You can only join for a minimum of 24 classes.
Missed classes (by you) cannot be redeemed, exchanged or refunded or made up.
Classes missed by your teacher will be added to your contract or can be made-up as agreed upon by you and your teacher.
No classes will be given on public holidays. However, they are exchangeable.
No person may accompany you to class.
Our syllabus may not be copied for financial gain.

REGISTRATION:
Physical Registration is required. What is required is your registration form, a R100 registration fee (R50 for kids) and your first payment or full payment. Please arrange with our office when you would like to come in and register. No registration will be accepted online.

THE DRAWING ASSESSMENT:
Not for beginners. For advanced or experienced persons (art) I have drawn up a drawing assessment sheet to determine whether a person understands basic concepts such as proportion, scale, tone and light, shading, simple perspective and composition, as well as pressure control, patience and hand-eye control. This information is needed to help you. From the assessment we determine a precise course of action best suited to you. It is not hard and is not designed to test you – we need to be sure you can cope with drawing in a progressive milieu.

A WORK ABOUT ORIGINALITY
We are the creator and originator of:
Solid Cross Hatching
Blocking
Using pastel and pencil together in blending-style on Fabriano Tiziano paper
As you may see there is very little we don’t teach – everything is original in design and execution. Please be wary of imitators.

CLASS FEES (CASH PREFERRED):

FEES ONCE OFF OR OVER 6 MONTHLY PAYMENTS:
2 HOUR CLASSES KEMPTON PARK                          R 3900.00 FOR 24 CLASS CONTRACT OR R 650.00 X 6
3 HOUR CLASSES KEMPTON PARK                           R 5412.00 FOR 24 CLASS CONTRACT OR R 902.00 X 6
2 HOUR CLASSES MORNINGSIDE                              R 4356.00 FOR 24 CLASS CONTRACT OR R 726.00 X 6
2 HOUR CLASSES NORSCOT MANOR                         R 4356.00 FOR 24 CLASS CONTRACT OR R 726.00 X 6
2 HOUR CLASSES SANDTON CITY                             R 4356.00 FOR 24 CLASS CONTRACT OR R 726.00 X 6
1 HOUR KIDS KEMPTON PARK                                   R 2112.00 FOR 24 CLASS CONTRACT OR R 352.00 X 6
1 HOUR KIDS MORNINGSIDE                                     R 2376.00 FOR 24 CLASS CONTRACT OR R 396.00 X 6

VENUES:

KEMPTON PARK                                                                    2 QUININE STREET GLEN MARAIS
MORNINGSIDE EARNEST ULLMANN RECREATION PARK   ALMA STREET   WENDYWOOD (THE ART ROOM)
NORSCOT MANOR                                                                STUDIO 2     16B PENGUIN DRIVE   NORSCOT MANOR   FOURWAYS
SANDTON CITY                                                                      ANNIKAS RESTAURANT SANDTON CITY

HOW TO JOIN:
Discuss your preferred options with us.
Request a Registration form from us.
Carefully read through its contents.
Organize an appointment with us for registration.
Pay your registration fee and first installment.
Pitch up for class.

CLASS TIMES:

KEMPTON PARK:

Mondays           6pm - 8pm 2 hours Studio 1   AJAY
Mondays           6pm - 8pm 2 hours Studio 2   NEVA DUNCAN
Tuesdays         9am – 11am 2 hours Studio 2   AJAY
Tuesdays          8am – 11am 3 hours Studio 1   HESTHER DE WAAL
Tuesdays          9am – 11am 2 hours Studio 2   HESTHER DE WAAL
Tuesdays          6pm – 8pm 2 hours Studio 1   LIZ VALENTINE
Tuesdays          6pm – 8pm 2 hours Studio 2   HESTHER DE WAAL
Wednesdays     9am – 11am 2 hours Studio 1   HESTHER DE WAAL
Wednesdays     10am - 12pm 2 hours Studio 1   NEVA DUNCAN
Wednesdays     6pm – 8pm 2 hours Studio 1   AJAY
Wednesdays     6pm – 8pm 2 hours Studio 2   HESTHER DE WAAL
Thursdays        8am – 11am 3 hours Studio 1   HESTHER DE WAAL
Thursdays        9am – 11am 2 hours Studio 1   HESTHER DE WAAL
Thursdays        10am – 12pm 2 hours Studio 1   NEVA DUNCAN
Thursdays        6pm - 8pm 2 hours Studio 2   LIZ VALENTINE
Saturdays        8am – 10am 2 hours Studio 1   AJAY
Saturdays       10am – 12pm 2 hours Studio 1   AJAY
Saturdays       10am – 12pm 2 hours Studio 2   HESTHER DE WAAL
Saturdays      12pm – 2pm 2 hours Studio 1   HESTHER DE WAAL
Saturdays       12pm – 2pm 2 hours Studio 2   NEVA DUNCAN

CLASS TIMES – MORNINGSIDE:

Fridays           9am – 11am 2 hours Art Room   CAREL KRUGER
Fridays           11 am – 1pm 2 hours Art Room   CAREL KRUGER
Saturdays       10pm – 12pm 2 hours Art Room   CAREL KRUGER
Saturdays       12pm – 2pm 2 hours Art Room   CAREL KRUGER
Saturdays       2pm – 4pm 2 hours Art Room   CAREL KRUGER

CLASS TIMES – NORSCOT MANOR:

Tuesdays             6pm – 8pm 2 hours Studio 2   AJAY
Wednesdays        6pm – 8pm 2 hours Studio 2   CAREL KRUGER
Thursdays           6pm – 8pm 2 hours Studio 2   AJAY
Saturday            2pm-4pm 2 hours Studio 2   AJAY

CLASS TIMES - SANDTON CITY:

Fridays 10am -12pm Annikas Restaurant AJAY

WORKSHOPS 2012:

29 JANUARY 2012:                      FOOD AND ART:
26 FEBRUARY 2012:                   UNDERSTANDING COLOUR
25 MARCH 2012:                        LOOSENING-UP
29 APRIL 2012:                         ANATOMY
27 MAY 2012:                           MUSIC AND ART
1 JULY 2012:                            ART HISTORY AND APPRECIATION
29 JULY 2012:                           MODERN AND CURRENT OIL TECHNIQUES
26 AUGUST 2012:                         LIVE PORTRAITURE
30 SEPTEMBER 2012:                  LIVE OUTDOOR DRAWING + PICNIC
28 OCTOBER 2012:                    HOW TO SELL YOUR ART
25 NOVEMBER 2012:                   LAND ART FUN PROJECT
2 DECEMBER 2012:                    SENSORY ART