Classical Drawing: The Serious Art Student's Guide to Drawing Mastery

From 52 £ /h

Learn rigorous technique first, and THEN break the rules.

As a classically trained artist in drawing and painting, I offer private tutoring that emphasizes mastering the fundamentals to develop accomplished, technically skilled artists who can confidently express their creativity. My approach is structured, rigorous, and designed to push students to achieve their best. While some may find my method strict, I believe in teaching the rules thoroughly so that you can confidently break them later.

What I Offer:
Foundational Skills: Strengthen your abilities in line work, value, proportion, perspective, and texture to build a robust technical base.
Composition & Framing: Understand how to structure engaging artwork through thoughtful layout, balance, and spatial design.
Rigorous Critique: Receive honest, constructive feedback to identify areas for growth and refine your individual hand.
Unique Assignments with Clear Goals: Each project is tailored to address specific skills or concepts: contrast, scale, accuracy, perspective, and still life vs narrative-driven styles are just a few examples.

Diverse Areas of Focus: Explore various disciplines, including:
2D design
Still-life
Architectural drawing
Human anatomy and figure drawing
Portrait drawing
Illustration
Media and Techniques:
I guide students in mastering traditional drawing media, including graphite, charcoal, conte, pen and ink, and technical pens. Additionally, if the student progresses, I will offer opportunities to explore printmaking techniques such as silverpoint, etching, and linocut to expand their artistic repertoire.

My Approach and Expectations:
I teach with the belief that discipline and dedication are essential for artistic growth. My sessions combine hands-on demonstrations, guided practice, and critical discussions to ensure students gain a comprehensive understanding of both technical and conceptual aspects of drawing. While I set high expectations, I also offer the support and tools needed for students to rise to the challenge.
After most sessions, I assign homework to be completed by the next class. I certainly expect my younger students especially to complete these assignments. While my lessons are technical and follow strict parameters, there is plenty of opportunity for students to choose their own subjects and designs.
I also highly recommend my student take excellent notes during my demonstrations and instruction time. I will always share my own notes and sketch journals so the student has a goal in mind. After a section of tuition has been completed (equal to a half term) I examine the notes and give feedback.

Who Can Benefit:
Beginners aiming to establish strong technical foundations
Intermediate students refining their composition and conceptual skills
Advanced artists seeking rigorous critique and structured challenges
Portfolio builders preparing for art schools or professional opportunities
With a focus on both mastery and creativity, I help students develop the skills and confidence to create meaningful, rule-breaking artwork.

Extra information

For the first few classes, I provide the materials free of charge. Part of my introductory lessons familiarize the student with tools, media, and materials. I teach what brands are preferable, where to buy (both online and in-store), how to gauge the quality of graphite and paper, how to care for tools, how to store and preserve drawings, and tricks of the trade. There are many instances where art supply shops will sell expensive gimmicks that are easily made at home.
After I share these tips, the student purchases their own supplies with confidence, knowing their materials are reliable, long-lasting, and will deliver the best results in terms of mark-making.

Location

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At student's location :

Around Islington, United Kingdom

At teacher's location :

Corbyn Street, London N4 3BX, UK

About Me

My name is Lacey. I am American but have married and settled in North London. My fine art education began in New York and was completed in Oxford and London. I am a classically trained artist in drawing and painting, and I bring a disciplined, structured approach to my private tutoring. My goal is to help students master the fundamentals of drawing, equipping them with the technical skills and creative confidence to become accomplished artists. Through tailored lessons in areas such as still-life, architectural drawing, human anatomy, figure drawing, portraiture, geometry, and illustration, I provide a comprehensive education that balances traditional techniques with opportunities for creative exploration.

I expect students to come to each lesson with focus and a willingness to engage with the material at a deep level. My approach can be rigorous, as I believe in mastering the rules first and applying them with precision. While I offer constructive feedback and critical analysis, I also encourage students to push boundaries once they’ve built a strong foundation.

What I look for in students is dedication, patience, and a genuine desire to improve. I value open communication and a collaborative attitude, where students are not only learning the technical aspects of drawing but also developing their own artistic voice. Teaching for me is about creating an environment where students can be challenged, thrive, build confidence, and ultimately express their creativity with skill, clarity, and grace.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Houghton University, Upstate New York

MA in Architectural Regeneration, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford

MA in Traditional Arts, the King's Foundation School of Traditional Arts, London
(accredited by the University of Wales Trinity St. David

Experience / Qualifications

Classically trained in drawing and painting in the traditional methods, including graphite, charcoal, conte, chalk, etching, pen and ink, watercolours, oils, egg tempera, and making pigments by hand.

Rigorous and scientifically-based training in drawing human anatomy. I spent two years studying drawing the human body, starting from the skeletal structure to the musculature (the flayed man), through to the full figure, and then (finally) I was allowed to draw a portrait!

Accomplished at architectural drawings, having sold prints of my drawings at the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford and taken many commissions from Oxford colleges and private clients.

Extensive training in drawing using a compass and ruler to create complex geometry, the underpinning of all patterns. Accomplished in pattern design in multiple styles, including the geometry behind Gothic architectural patterns, Islamic tile patterns, and Romanesque and Cosmatesque patterns.

Produce charming and characterful illustration-style drawings. Can provide introductory tutoring for those interested in book illustration.

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

90 minutes

120 minutes