FAQ
Membership to Sophie’s Art School
Well, it’s your call of course. But as a member you get your own art family: In the Members Corner you can ask questions and get in-depth feedback on your work. You can write in your Art Journal while Sophie and your fellow members encourage and support you in your journey. You will have access to all courses and workshops, the resource library (Paint Box) and be part of a great community.
It does not matter whether you want to grow into a professional artist, or are happy to paint as a hobby, or whether you are a professional artist already; whether you are a student, retired, or busy working. Everyone is welcome and we will support you wherever your journey takes you. We all want to improve our art, yet never forget the enjoyment we get from it.
If you are not sure what course to do first, then visit the Where to Start page for some suggestions. You can also browse the courses and workshops available to see what takes your fancy.
For a monthly fee of £25 you will have access to everything inside Sophie’s Art School. There are courses you can take in your own time, and at your own pace. There are monthly group workshops, there are regular articles, tutorials, interviews etc, and there is a private forum for support and feedback. You will join a warm community of fellow artists who are welcoming, supportive and kind. Of course you cancel your subscription at any time.
You can pay via credit card or Paypal.
Exchange rates vary, but you can calculate how much membership will cost in your own currency here. Paypal or your bank will automatically convert the fee into your own currency.
The Art School is the website where all courses are based, workshops are published, registration and account info is held, etc.
The Art Cafe is our community or forum. This is on a separate website. You will need a separate account for this.
Join our Facebook Group or follow me on social media, and you will also be kept up to date. A provisional workshop schedule is posted on the workshops page of the Art School website.
Yes, of course! You can simply join for a month and cancel before the month is up.
The Art Cafe is the online forum, or community, for our members. It is private and only accessible and visible to paying students.
You can easily cancel at any time, it only takes two clicks! Just go to your account, click subscription and then cancel. That’s all.
Courses and Workshops
You can find the current courses available on the course page. Workshops have a wider range of topics, so please have a look there too. I generally offer courses on topics that I paint myself: oils, pastel, portraiture, still life etc. If you would love for me to create a course or workshop on a particular subject, just let me know!
Yes and no. I teach a tried and tested method of painting that is broken down into 5 steps: underpainting, block in, refinement shape and form, detail and finish. This method is often used in classical methods of painting. I do not teach courses on glazing. I welcome anyone who wants to use mediums and solvents, although I don't use them myself.
I do not prescribe a specific set of materials in my courses. I believe that you should use what suits you best. There is no point in literally copying someone else's favourite colours and brushes. Most courses and workshops will have some notes on the materials required though. If you have any questions about the materials needed for a course, or you are just not sure what to get, just let me know and I’ll give you some suggestions.
Join the Facebook Group and you will also be kept up to date on any upcoming courses and workshops. A provisional workshop schedule is posted on the workshop page on the art school website.
A workshop is a course that starts and ends on fixed dates and is semi-live. In a workshop we work together in a group, on a specific theme. For example we might be working on a portrait in oils. Together we go through the steps and stages, sharing out work along the way.
Workshops usually last 5 days.
Every morning I will publish a video lesson after which you can get on with your painting project. Every day everyone posts their progress in the private community studio for feedback and support.
We'll work on various topics, broken down into 5 days, 5 video lessons. The class dynamic is strong in the community where everyone goes through the same stages.
The community will stay open for one week after the workshop ends, after which it will close and be removed. The video lesson remain accessible in the Workshop Archive.
For more info and a list of upcoming workshops, check out the workshop page.
The courses in Sophie’s Art School are all online video courses you can take in your own time, at your own pace and from your own home. The modules and lessons will consist of video and text and most lessons will have a (painting) assignment for you to do. You can post your assignments in the private forum (the private areas in The Art Cafe) where Sophie and your fellow course students will help you with encouragement and feedback.
Video lesson cannot be downloaded. You can watch and re-watch the lessons as often as you like. You can take a course as many times as you need.
As a member of Sophie’s Art School you can choose any course, workshop or tutorial, in any order you like.
Sophie teaches courses and workshops in pastel and oil painting. The focus lies on still life and portraiture but we regularly take virtual outings in our monthly workshops where we have tackled landscape, floral art, pet portraits and so much more. Sophie aims to teach the fundamentals of painting and drawing; techniques that you can use in painting any subject matter. We focus on a 5-step method: underpainting, block-in, form, details and finish, in everything we paint.
Most of the courses are suitable for beginners as well as the more advanced artist. Every painter can take the courses at their own level and Sophie will adjust her feedback to your level. Some courses are aimed at beginners. Workshops are for all levels.
Is your question not answered? Ask Sophie!