Latest News
Click here to view a summary of all courses on offer or click course titles below to go straight to the course page...
Course Dates for 2024
Currently running Learn to Paint with Acrylics until 17th Dec and the Dynamic Pet Painting Course until 19th Dec both in Storrington.
Course Dates for 2025
In January there are two short courses - Draw Quicker on Tuesdays 7th, 14th & 21st January, 1.30-4.30pm, and Paint Looser on Thursdays 9th, 16th & 23rd January, 10am-1pm, both at Storrington Village Hall, 59 West Street, Storrington, RH20 4DZ. Costs £160 for each course.
From mid-February to Easter, portraits and life drawing sessions are being considered, followed by…
More courses will be added when there’s enough interest, so please contact Kate if there’s something you would like to try your hand at. Take a look at all the courses available and email me so I can bear you in mind when planning. If you would like to be informed of any new courses before they appear on this website please sign up for my arty newsletter.
Workshops
All-day workshops at the Weald & Downland Museum are in the pipeline for 2025.
Life Drawing Sessions can be arranged on demand. Please contact Kate if you would be interested as I will need a minimum of six to run these.
For more details see the workshops page...
Drop-in Classes
The Artynoon drop-in sessions are every Thursday*, 2.00 - 5.00pm at Storrington Village Hall, RH20 4DZ @ £30 per session. Includes personal tuition, refreshments, cake and camaraderie! Note: no classes on Boxing Day 2024!
If you would like to be kept up-to-date with course dates on Kate’s arty newsletters, please send an email or sign up via the contact form.
One-to-one Tuition
I also offer private One-to-One sessions in my studio or on Zoom any time, if you’d like to kickstart your creativity with a session designed specifically for your own ideas. For tailor-made art sessions contact Kate to book any time to suit you. Easy to get to from Haslemere, Billingshurst, Horsham, Godalming, Guildford, Cranleigh, Petworth, Chichester and Midhurst. Click here for more...
Available for talks
If you belong to a social group or society and would like Kate to come and talk about her life as an artist or would like some teaching on a specific area of art, please contact Kate...
Zoom Sessions
If lockdown ever happens again after a course has started, then the remaining sessions will be transferred to Zoom and ArtyZooms will go online too.
● Taught by professional artist and qualified art tutor
● Instructive, practical, relaxed and fun for all abilities
● Step-by-step demonstrations and illustrated handouts
● Wide variety of mediums to explore
● Materials can be pre-ordered or a list is provided to bring your own
● Refreshments included
● Get creative, make new friends
● Eat homemade cake - what’s not to like?!!
Taught by Artist Kate Tugwell
Welcome to my website. As a professional artist and trained tutor I love to create paintings and also to teach art to beginners and those with more advanced skills of all ages. I have a studio workspace at my home in Plaistow for my own practice, located in the woods between Haslemere and Billingshurst, not far from Horsham, Godalming, Cranleigh, Guildford, Petworth and Midhurst. I hold workshops, courses and drop-in classes in venues around Sussex and sometimes on Zoom. My aim is to create a relaxed and informal atmosphere in which to learn new skills, tricks and tips, try things out, get creative, play and meet new people. As a practising artist using all mediums I know the delights and pitfalls of creating art in a variety of styles, so I love to pass on my discoveries to others and teach people the skills most relevant to where they’re at. I believe everyone can learn to draw and paint and enjoy the process without feeling intimidated. Home-made vegan cake, cookies and treats are usually always on offer along with a good dollop of friendly camaraderie and laughter!
This website gives details of the different short-courses and art workshops currently available. Art Classes include six or eight-week courses in basic drawing skills, techniques in various mediums and subjects such as portraiture or pets; workshops and one-to-one lessons can be tailor-made to include painting landscapes, still-life, animals, flowers and abstracts in watercolour paints, oils, acrylics, soft pastels or mixed media. People come to my classes from as far afield as Brighton, Worthing, Littlehampton, Arundel, Bognor, Chichester and Portsmouth to the south, Petersfield, Alton, Farnham, Dorking, Crawley, Haywards Heath, London and even Europe and USA. Why not drop in to a Thursday Artynoon session in Storrington and if you like the class, talk to me about how you would like to progress or fill out the form on the CONTACT KATE page stating your area of interest?
This website also showcases some of my work so that if you would rather not paint yourself, you can commission me to paint something for you! Please look through my galleries of work by following the links on COMMISSION A PORTRAIT. My BLOG pages reveal the progression of my portrait paintings through the various stages and for much older posts please go to: http://portrait-artist-kate.blogspot.com
I have been painting people portraits, family portraits and portraits of pets for a number of years. I take on a variety of painting commissions from family paintings, pet portraits, abstract paintings, favourite scenes and buildings. Some of my work is highly detailed and photo-realistic but I can adapt to any style of painting and love a challenge! I like working in all mediums and at the moment I am enjoying experimenting with alkyd oil paints and pen & wash. I also enjoy working in acrylics, soft pastel, watercolour, graphite, coloured pencils, charcoal, oil pastels, collage and mixed media.
Published artist: Some of my work and methods included in three books which teaches you how to paint animals step-by-step in acrylic, oil and watercolour. Please contact me if you would like to purchase a copy.
YouTube: Subscribe to my YouTube channel for various drawing and painting techniques.
“Thank you for your exceptional guidance and fantastic tuition. I have already learnt so much in such a short period of time. I’d watched countless videos and read numerous books on oil painting, which had left me quite intimidated. Your tuition not only simplified this process for me but helped me understand the medium better and continues to inspire me to experiment further.”
“I have gained such confidence in my own abilities through Kate’s courses. Art class day is ALWAYS my favourite day of the week!”
“For someone who thought themselves unable to draw and paint - I have proved myself wrong. I came to the Acrylics Course with no expectations but have been thrilled with what I have produced. Kate is a wonderful teacher - easy to follow and understand and very supportive. I can honestly say I have enjoyed every second!”
“All of Kate’s classes are great fun and full of valuable tips, demos and information. She always gives of her best and her sunny, gentle nature puts us immediately at ease so she can then encourage us to relax, enjoy and develop our skills.”
“It is always a delight to be in Kate’s classes and sad when they come to an end - I just want them to go on and on. This course was no exception although at times it was challenging and a steep learning curve. Kate is both an extremely talented artist and a brilliant teacher. Her sense of humour, enthusiasm, encouragement, support (not to mention the cakes!) ensure we always have a wonderful time.”
“Kate ensures that everyone in the class is supported and encouraged to develop their particular styles and interests.”
“If you want to improve your artistic skills, these are the courses for you!”
“Kate is a very knowledgeable teacher - there isn’t a painting/drawing technique she can’t teach!”
“Of all the art tutors I have had I think you have helped me improve the most and taken me on the furthest.”
“The modular design and delivery makes it possible for ‘artists’ at any level to become familiar or more expert with the medium - excellent value.”
“I love the portrait! Thank you so much, exactly what I was after. You’re so talented. Just wanted to let you know that Laura and everybody else thought the drawing was amazing!! So thank you. I’ve put it on my Instagram and your name too so if anyone is interested they can check you out. I’ll be in touch in 3 years if not before when it’s my youngest daughters’ 21st birthday!! Thanks again.”
“Best in Sussex!”
“The various techniques were really helpful and the presentations were all relevant and absolutely useful. I really enjoyed all three courses. You will see me again.”
“Very fulfilling and great fun.”
“The portrait arrived safely this afternoon and I have to say it is absolutely fantastic! Really, really impressed such a likeness. As soon as I move to Wales and then have more dogs, cats etc will speak again for more of the same. Many thanks again.”
“If you are terrified of a blank sheet of paper, go to this course! A long-standing belief that I couldn’t draw has been totally squashed.”
For more customer's comments and pictures of artworks, please see courses and commission pages.
For birthdays or Christmas gifts arty vouchers are available for any amount towards any art class, course or commission ... treat a friend or find someone to treat you!!
