Edinburgh Atelier of Fine Art

I have been on quite a few courses and workshops over the years with various artists, including Summer Schools at Art Colleges, mostly on drawing. Not having done oil painting before, I chose this course to get set on my way. I'm so glad I did - I found it inspirational and I've not downed my brushes since.The method of teaching struck the right balance between instruction and demonstration. Clearly there's much to be learned from watching someone who is an expert in their field with many years practice under their belt.I found the exercises useful - quick sketches in oils, painting in tones and building up to colour, Juliette had a good way of illustrating her answers to our many questions with little anecdotes that stuck in your mind.I'd already been to see the Beyond Caravaggio exhibition, but I learned so much from the visit with Juliette - she was able to point out, while standing in front of masterpieces - how these great artists used composition, where the under-painting was sometimes left exposed to great effect, how they had used the values to create atmosphere and what palettes they were using etc. The experience was such a privilege and I'm putting that information into practice now. During the field trip" we also got set up sketching from these old master paintings - time passed so quickly. I was struck that as the course hours were 10am - 4pm

I have completed “Drawing the Portrait and Painting the Figure “with Mrs Juliette Aristides in July this year. For me, it was one of the most inspiring and wonderful experience in my life. I would give it 7* if it was possible.I have already enrolled onto Classical Academic Drawing course at EAFA in January 2018.I hope Mrs Juliette Aristides will honor with her presence the workshop at EAFA in the future.Juliette Aristides is a professional, very approachable, friendly and supportive tutor. Her instructions, lectures and demos were of the highest standards and left me with a clear “road map “in art to follow. Juliette Aristides is a Real Master, humble and sharing her knowledge and experience, a rarity in this world.I was very surprised to read the negative feedback on this workshop.Normally I do not write feedback but this time I have decided to make a short comment on a few points raised in the negative reviews:- Mrs Juliette Aristides was giving individual instructions in rounds, attending all the students, one after another. Nobody was overlooked;- Mrs Aristides proposition, not a decision, to visit the SNG exhibition “Beyond Caravaggio”, was enthusiastically accepted by almost all the group and gave an exceptional opportunity to study composition. It was a wonderful and magical experience for me;- I found “quick studies” very useful for understanding the dynamics of the figure;- I found it very helpful to be able to watch Mrs Aristides demos, and the fact that she was painting the figure along with us was absolutely invaluable as this gave me the opportunity to see how the Master is creating the masterpiece;Mrs Aristides and EAFA instructors all worked very hard through the course to satisfy all our needs and everybody that I talked to was delighted with this workshop.To build the beauty and perfection requires lots of skills, time and effort...Mrs Juliette Aristides and EAFA tutors are the ambassadors of beauty and harmony in this world and I hope they will continue to inspire and create the new masters of today undisturbed.For those of you out there that may be having second thoughts about the atelier, the teachers, or the experience itself, after reading the previous negative review, DON'T!I came away from this workshop having one of the most inspiring, fun, learning experiences in my life - well worth the money and my time - don't miss it, I know I will be attending future courses.

I had the most amazing 2 weeks at Edinburgh Atelier of Fine Art. The staff and students were so welcoming and I learnt so much in such a short space of time. I very highly recommend this school to anyone who wants to learn traditional draftsmanship in art, the standard to which they work is unbelievable. I cant wait to go back

Absolutely first class tutelage. The skills that have been imparted upon me in the one year I have now been practising here as a part-time student are beyond expectation. No course I have attended in the past has even come close to this, it really is next level. Ewan, Lea and Nick are all phenomenal teachers, each bringing their own unique perspectives and experience to the table. The format is incredibly refined, building up skills incrementally to ensure each new stage of learning is bolstered by that taught previously. It is consuming work and thoroughly enjoyable, and the results speak for themselves. Furthermore, it’s an incredibly friendly and supportive environment from both fellow students and teachers. I have just started painting after spending a year working with graphite, carbon pencil then charcoal, and cannot wait to start exploring my long-held artistic dreams using these newfound skills. I could not recommend with more fervour to anyone who truly wants to learn how to draw and paint in the classical fashion.

I am a profesional Visual Development artist in the animated movie and video game industry , who was looking to improve her traditional art skill and learn oil painting. After a thorough search the Edinburgh Atelier of Fine art kept calling" me. It is almost impossible for me to put into words how amazing the experience was. The tutelage was first rate

I think this school maybe an quietly understated gem in the world of traditional representational art education. Their pedagogy is a practical mix of Angel Academy GCA and other practical influence. The instructors are knowledgeable enthusiastic and accomplished artists themselves Lea Vaughn and Ewan McNaughtonIts only my second week maybe ask me again in a month or 2.Certainly an asset to Edinburgh and its Arth or 2

Wow! I've just finished a week course at Edinburgh Atelier of Fine Art and I just can't do it justice in an online review. Lea is an incredible teacher and a beautiful person. I almost finished only my third ever painting in a week of deeply engaging learning surrounded by incredibly talented students - but far from feeling a fraud among such skilled company, everyone was encouraging and supportive. Having never studied art or been on a course before, I wasn't sure what to expect... but whatever my expectations they were surely exceeded. I have come away feeling empowered and capable of producing better art than I ever felt was within me. Thank you to everyone - you're amazing. I will return!

I have just completed the 7 day Old Masters Workshop. The method of teaching is tailored to your personal knowledge and experience. Time is spent explaining the use of materials and process of painting. You are guided throughout the process, the tutors always sharing their knowledge and answering the numerous questions I had. The atmosphere in the atelier is friendly and welcoming amongst all the students and tutors. I have finished the course with a great deal of knowledge, methods to try when I experience issues with my painting and a higher level of confidence. I will most definitely be returning to do another course. Thanks Lea, Ewan and Nick for all your help and support.

Have just finished a weeks course here ' Old Masters'. This has been a truly wonderful experience. I felt well looked after from the get go, Lea emailed me beforehand with lots of information and she and Ewan carefully discussed what I wanted to learn at the start of the week. All the tutors were a delight, helpful informative and accurate in their assessments and critiques. I felt well supported throughout. I have attended various classes and watched loads of 'art tutorials, as well as devouring art books by the dozen, so I was truely surprised and grateful when techniques were explained and tutored that I had not come across before. The atmosphere within the atelier was friendly, supportive and inspiring. The dedication of both the students and their tutors was clear. Many students had traveled very long distances in order to study here and were balancing their study time with breaks to raise finance. I truly admire their dedication and wish them all well with their studies. I shall certainly return, I am sure the atelier has loads more to offer me. I would recommend either the short courses or the long courses on the basis of observation and my expience here. If you want an education in how to draw and paint using traditional tried and tested methods I don't think you could find a better place. I will be back!

I completed the same course as those leaving negative reviews, and I have to say I completely disagree with their assessment. The price was very fair for the duration, well within industry norms and even a bit cheaper than alternatives elsewhere.Juliette is a fantastic teacher, as are Ewan and Lea who run the place. Both were readily available to offer advice and give feedback and discuss anything art related even though they were not technically part of the course.Make no mistake a course like this one is hard, and when people bring with them any preconceptions of how to paint, because they've been doing it their way for years" they can find it a struggle to actually follow the advice given