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Paul Priestley
My Inspiration
Painting inspires me, from the moment an idea is born through the process of development, until the moment I sense the journey has come to an end. I enjoy the feel of the paint. Even the spring of a hog’s hair brush as it spreads its load on canvas, it is a wonderful feeling.
Inspiration can come from the colour of an object – I do love colour . It could come from a turn of a head or the interaction between two people in the wonderful landscape of Somerset. Drawing is an integral part of what I do. I love the boldness of graphite contrasted with the subtlety of watercolour pencils. Most of all I love experimenting.
I’m not an artist who has found a niche and then continues to plough that furrow. Rather, I work with a series of ideas, mediums or methods until I have exhausted them, then I move on. There is so much to explore in this world of ours.
My Experience
I taught art for over 25 years in schools before as Paul Priestley Art Courses taught adults in 5 different centres in the West Midlands and abroad. I’ve also ran art workshops in schools all over the England and Wales. Meeting new people and hopefully inspiring them to paint and draw is wonderful. I am a firm believer in the fact that anyone can draw and paint. No matter what that art teacher said many years ago.
It really is all about confidence and building confidence was of the main aims of my courses. That aim is now incorporated into my YouTube art tutorials.
After a few years demand for my school workshops became too great for me to supply. So I decided to start a YouTube Channel and create ‘How to’ draw and paint videos. Recently, I have also started a Art History YouTube channel aimed at schools and people wanting a less academic approach to art history.
In 2017 my YouTube channel – (How to Draw and Paint) was voted in at number 32 in the top 100 Drawing Channels on Youtube – wow!
Paul Priestley
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Testimonials
Many many thanks for a most instructive and enjoyable weekend of portrait painting. I really, really enjoyed myself and, what’s more, got a favourable response to ‘our’ efforts from my husband Martin!
Mowie Thorne
Despite being aware of a lack of knowledge to build on the course was enjoyable and Paul’s enthusiasm and positive outlook is most encouraging.
Sue Welsh
Extremely good and clear instruction with positive feedback. as a result will be taking life drawing further… probably with you
Simon MacDonald
Thank you so much for the wonderful course last week at Moor Hall. Your teaching style suits me very well – no pressure, just clear explanations and willing responses to questions.
Although I struggled with the tasks, I eventually learnt a lot and am really excited to begin to use these new skills. My husband really likes the ivy leaves coming out of the border and has taken that painting it to put up in his work room! Flattered though I am, I can only improve.
Penny Clayden Swain
“Our tutor Paul Priestley is an excellent and hard-working tutor. His demonstrations are clear and to the point and is criticism is always fair and valid. He makes sure every member of the class is at ease and has his full attention and his students are able to reach a standard of which they did not think themselves capable.”
Betty Eggby
“I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me to get back into drawing. Since going on two of your courses, I have been doing lots of drawing and have just discovered Inktense pencils, which I love. Somehow, you helped me to get over that feeling that I needed to produce ‘a picture’ and I realised that all the doodling I have been doing in spare moments, at meetings and on shopping lists, is, of course, drawing. Many thanks.!”
Gill