It offers the artist a wonderful variety of textures, colours, richness of surfaces and the ability to be able to fully explore all three dimensions. At Hurtwood House we encourage our students to develop their own ideas in an adventurous, inquiring and experimental manner. However, we realise that they first need to have a good, clear understanding of a broad range of techniques and approaches to the subject. The first term resembles an Art Foundation course. Many people say they find it hard to draw and wish that they were better at it. This sort of comment reveals a preconceived notion about what constitutes a ‘good’ drawing. Are you seeking more accuracy with scale and form or perhaps a truer likeness? Do you want to create more mood and atmosphere? Or are you interested in the exciting possibilities of mark-making? We believe that there is no secret formula or special talent needed to learn the skills and techniques of good drawing. Our students develop their own personal style and technique through an exciting teaching programme that emphasises individual experimentation, risk-taking and the element of learning from our ‘mistakes’. All of the teaching staff are practising artists who enjoy working alongside the students, clearly demonstrating all the processes involved with each new technique. The art department consists of four, specialist, well-equipped studios situated in an idyllic location.