So, you think you can’t draw. Maybe you’ve always been interested. Maybe you have secretly wished you were an undiscovered prodigy. Maybe you’re too afraid to even try. Maybe you think joining an art class means competing against more capable artists…

In the beginner’s class you will be among peers of the same ability. Some may have more natural talent than others, but that’s just lucky for them. It does not mean that the skill can not be learned. Art is like anything else…discover the tools, learn the basics, practice the techniques and you will improve.

Don’t kid yourself that one class will turn you into Da Vinci, however. No teacher, no matter how amazing, can do that for you. Nothing was ever achieved without a little hard work. You may have to sweat, maybe even jump up and down screaming every once and a while. The pay off is all the more fulfilling.

Let me hand you over to Richard “Dicky” Weaver (our beginners instructor) to tell you a little about what the beginner’s class is all about:

Drawing for the Uninitiated:

Drawing is one of the oldest and most direct forms of communication. It can transcend all cultures and each part of society, yet many of us are in fear of expressing ourselves through this medium.

Like other forms of communication, drawing is a language; it is a way to communicate anything, from a child’s view of the world, to a designer’s detailed specifications for a new product. No drawing is a failure as long as the intentions behind it are not greater than the artist’s ability.

The aim of this course is to furnish students with basic techniques and new objectives which will free them from their (imagined) limitation. Students will be expected to unlearn many of their preconceptions about this art form, and learn to embrace each step forward that they make, no matter how small.

Lesson 1- Materials workshop.
Lesson 2- Basic observation (cheats) techniques.
Lesson 3 – Tone workshop
Lesson 4 – Distortion and expressive drawing
Lesson 5- Change of perception – left hand draw/ contour/ negative shapes, etc. (brief intro)
Lesson 6 – Free draw – Students get to use the techniques that students are most comfortable with (old or new).

Each lesson will feature brief instruction and discussion about new approaches; this will be followed by still life studies where students may implement my suggestions or ignore me completely.

Each session will end with a short class led – positive – critique of that day’s work.

The beginners classes will begin on 20th September, and be held every Tuesday evening: 7:00-9:30pm

The first class will be FREE of charge!

Please contact Attic for more info or to book your place: Email: info@attic-studios / Tel: 083-301-1314

SO….

If you DO fancy popping into paint on either Sunday (11 – 4pm) OR/AND also Monday (10 – 5pm) the studio will be open & ready for YOU… so to anyone who has the URGE to paint but normally has to drag themselves off to the bloomin’ office on a normal dreaded Monday morning….THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!

All levels welcome.

At the higher end of the scale we are blessed to have the company of Mr. Chao, a fantastically cool gentleman who is also turning out to be a very capable & diligent painter…

To his grand daughter Narisa, another up and coming star…

As seen here, working together at their morning art lessons…

To one of our youngest (& certainly one of our cutest students in situ at the moment)…. little Tia, aged just 5 (bless her!)

Especially as she never ceases to amaze us with her cheery & delightful daily comments…. such as ‘wow, that’s beautiful Mr. Ben’ &  ‘Mr. Ben, I love painting, it makes me very happy!’.

Each student is super special here but when you mix them all together… well, it feels a bit like we’re somehow making champagne!

Want to leave the crowds, pollution and traffic of Bangkok for a day? Want to get in touch with your inner artist in a jungle retreat? Want to sit in an idyllic oasis and paint?

In the secret gardens of a famous Thai artist?

Starting from the second week of  September (Monday 12th) Elsie will be holding weekly one day outings to Baan Suan Si lapa in Nonthaburi, home and studio of the well-known Thai artist, Wichien Wonsupalak.

Here he has created an inspirational artist’s setting with a garden full of walkways and hidden nooks and crannies; full of orchids and wild plant-life which has inspired his 30 year career.

Whether you are an established artist, a budding painter or simply relish the idea of getting out of Bangkok for a creative day out in beautiful surroundings, the One Day Artist Workshops offer a unique, interactive experience.

“It is a fantastic space. There’s so much to paint. It’s authentic rustic Thai style and the day is relaxed but well organised. Just to come out and see this place is enough. I’ve taken so many photos. It’s just great to get out of Bangkok, have a chilled out day and still be back to see the kids out of school.” – Lloyd Thomas, workshop participant from Elsie’s first trip

“I haven’t painted since school. I haven’t even picked up a paintbrush for 30 years I don’t think! It is a lovely, relaxing and really peaceful place and it’s great to meet different people  in a different environment too.” – Libby Pringle , workshop participant from Elsie’s first trip

After a relaxed, friendly, shared lunch on a long wooden table in the artist’s light and airy studio, chatting with the artists,  participants continue with their creative painting. As they sit dotted around the garden the atmosphere is almost meditative and they each receive individual comments and ideas about the art.

“As an artist I think these workshops are a perfect way to learn . They can see a tree, a flower and a plant with no pollution, in beautiful surroundings and fresh air. As they look closely and paint they are letting nature come inside them. This is like art therapy and whatever painting they produce the experience of being in nature helps them in some way.” – Wichien Wonsupalek, Artist

Leaving Attic/Bangkok 8.30am & back in the studio by 4.30pm every Monday; with all art materials, transport & a simple Thai lunch provided.

Booking is essential so please call Elsie or email: info@attic-studios.com

So just put in that call … & you too can be here!

Be COOL … and see you in the Attic Creative Art Zone soon

THURSDAY 7th July, from 6.00 – 9.00pm

SKULLS!!!!

And with Mr. Hamburger’s fine example of a classic STILL LIFE all set up & ready to go… & with him taking the lead, this morning’s students were ON IT!

Here’s Ben giving some helpful advise: ‘This is super cool but could you try to make them less dead looking OK!? to new member Mic….

To Sidhika: who’s just shown me her sketch book for the first time this morning and wow, she’s going to be a really great artist….

H/with detail…

SO very GOOD JOB  skull people as we’re totally DIGGING your SKULL work!

And for the rest of the studio members  who were here this morning … GREAT creatively also.

Ranging from new little person student Sonia (aged 6) – who did an AMAZING drawing of the skulls straight up (& darn it, missed snapping that one before proud mum legged it) but we also loved her choice of  flowers as well, just ‘lovely’….

To Jorge: an extremely talented & greatly individual teenager (and well cool, as well!) on the blue colour variations….

To Natalie: who’s here each morning at the crack of dawn & working really hard; also doing marvellously….

To one of our newest studio members, Shivani: (who just started yesterday) getting right down to business with an excellent first attempt of POTS…(but not urns, btw!)

So very NICE WORK EVERYONE and see you all again tomorrow, with an additional crowd of little summer workshop peoples PLUS Mr. G & the sculpture crew (nice) AND we’re looking forward to squishing them all in together, here at the studiofor another day of fun. YEAH!

WOW, the 3rd Thursday of the month is coming up again! THIS Thursday 2nd June, life drawing  6-9pm. HOPE to see you there!

Please email to: info@attic-studios.com  if you intend to come

Debarking at 8.30am, with a morning of cooking instruction hosted by Mrs Balbir and her wonderful staff on this 100 year old Barge, followed by a stop off @ Phathum Thani Market, an exploration of the island of Ko Kret and then with time to ‘relax’ and enjoy the river, you’ll arrive back on dry land by 4.30pm… this is going to make for a beautiful day!

We are therefore delighted to highlight Mrs. Balbir’s famous Floating Classroom Cooking Course as Mrs. Balbir, like us, believe that ‘word of mouth’ is a virtue.

And this Sunday Mrs. Balbir invites us to join her as there are just 10 places left (limited to 25) …so invite a friend & DIVE IN!

Mrs. Balbir’s Indian cooking is another one of Bangkok’s secrets that we’d like to share with you…AND we can faithfully put our ‘hands on our hearts’ and say that NOTHING in Bangkok compares with Mrs. Balbir’s Indian food; it’s simply the best …. and we know, as we regularly order take-aways here @ the studio, which are always divine.

Mrs. Balbir’s Indian Restaurant began in 1975 & her ever growing company now own three outlets around Bangkok city; the primary restaurant in Sukhumvit 11, the food court outlet in Robinson Sukhumvit 19 and the newest addition, a fusion corner in Central World serving traditional Punjabi cuisine with an Italian and Thai twist.

Also starting from May 25th, and every Wednesday throughout May, September and December Mrs. Balbir has come up with another great creative idea for your maid… so if you fancy a chance of her gaining new cooking skills AND a day out, try this also…

For more information on Floating Classroom & Maid’s Cooking Classes, see Mrs. B’s yummy website: http://mrsbalbirs.com/ or contact 02 651 0019 or email to: info@mrsbalbirs.com directly.

p.s Indian Food is soul food for Artists, it’s a well known Attic FACT… as is Gin & Tonic. Happy Sunday and have a sun-downer for me!

*MEANING…Next Thursday, aka the 19th May = 3rd Thursday of the month = LIFE DRAWING, scheduled!!!

These ‘uninstructed’ sessions are just 500 baht per student, with nude model, paper & charcoal included. If you’d like instruction, a teacher will be on stand-by  to assist  you (cost 1,200 baht).

ALL levels are welcome to attend…. ALL we need is a little prior warning so just drop an email to: info@attic-studios-studios.com to let us know you’ll be coming … and we’ll make sure everything is set up and READY for you.

Deadline for confirming your place:  Wednesday noon PLS!

So…..BRING it ON for a great evening of drawing and lots of fun.

p.s  ‘Bring your own wine, beer and pizza’ are allowed