Workshop Testimonials

I really enjoyed the botanical printmaking course. It was well structured and provided the time and methods for each stage to be done comfortably. The session leaders were knowledgeable and friendly, and they helped me and others to develop their own different ideas and techniques based on personal style and experience with printmaking. I think the course was a really fun and experimental day for beginners or people with printmaking experience who want to try drypoint or practice more with botanical illustrations as a basis for art. Good value for money.
A Mitchell

I spent a productive and interesting April day at Helen and Ali’s drypoint etching workshop. Using the amazing Oxford Botanical gardens as a starter research point I created inspirational drawings to use as a basis of my etching. Once back in the workshop it was great to experiment with different techniques of applying the ink to create various different effects. Helen and Ali explained, suggested, and discussed the whole process clearly and I produced a range of interesting prints. I had not used this technique before and am now hooked. What a great way to spend a day supported by tea, coffee, and knowledgeable tutors. V Esposito

I had an excellent day with Helen and Ali on the etching workshop. There was such a lovely, supportive atmosphere throughout the day and I really learnt a lot whilst having the freedom to follow my own interests. The opportunity to start the day drawing in the Botanic gardens in Oxford was a real bonus and provided great inspiration. Helen and Ali are both excellent teachers - I am very much looking forward to attending another workshop in the future!
S Coleman

Wonderful Day! Thank you both for a fab day out drawing in Oxford’s beautiful botanic gardens!! I learned a lot about observing, especially when asked to draw with a continuous line and then with my left hand. The etching lesson was challenging but so rewarding once we were able to apply ink and print! I will now be adding some watercolors to my flowers. It was lovely to be able to print 3 of them. So grateful to you both for an inspirational day with gorgeous weather!!
Huge thanks from C. Scriven

I had a very enjoyable and informative day at Helen & Ali’s Drypoint etching workshop. We started the day at the beautiful Botanic Gardens in Oxford, where we were given a variety of drawing exercises, followed by some free drawing which gave us the opportunity to develop our drawing skills and produce some images to use in our etchings. The afternoon session was a delight; both Ali and Helen are excellent teachers and expertly demonstrated how to etch and print our designs.  With support and encouragement, everyone in the group was able to produce some beautiful and individual etchings. We were encouraged to experiment, try different amounts of ink, various colours and use our imagination. Overall an excellent course- I just cannot wait for the next one!   Sarah Blackwell 

Tutors & Colleagues

I have known Helen for many years in a professional capacity. I was her PGCE tutor and her Master's supervisor. I have always been impressed with the depth and range of Helen's subject knowledge, her thoughtful attention to planning, and her ability to deliver art and design lessons with innovation and care. Helen is a brilliant teacher!                    
Dr. Rachel Payne – Oxford Brookes University

Helen's strength lies in fostering a warm and relaxed atmosphere in the classroom that facilitates an environment in which students feel free to express themselves. She encourages students to work outside of their comfort zones and push what they think is possible from their current abilities, as well as explore extra-curricular qualifications that complement and add to their schoolwork. Colleague to colleague she is always there to talk through issues you might be having with your own practice and instills confidence in you through gentle encouragement. Any workplace would be lucky to have Helen with her wide breadth of knowledge in her subject as well as her long-standing practice as a teacher. Daniel McNaboe – Colleague & Artist

Helen has committed her life to art and education. In addition to that, she has a natural warmth and curiosity, which makes her an excellent teacher. Why would you not want to be taught by someone like that? L Taylor – Artist

Adult Tuition

I wanted to improve my painting skills and found Helen online and I’m so glad I did. Through the lessons that we had online, I feel like I have learned a lot, Helen is very helpful and knowledgeable and was happy to answer all of my questions.  I was struggling to understand composition and colour theory but Helen has explained things in a way that makes it easier to understand. Thank you so much for your help over the past 6 weeks. I will definitely be back when I’m ready to dive into oil painting. Selina B - Adult Tuition

"I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon Helen’s profile. She was amazing from the word go - she replied really promptly and arranged to meet me online to discuss my portfolio. Helen reviewed my artwork with me, offered suggestions and ideas on how to pair and group my pieces, helped me identify which ones were stronger than others, and suggested how we order them. She also recommended what I start thinking about if offered an interview for the course I’m applying for and in general as an artist. Helen was friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful and I felt reassured that the selection I made with her help represented my work to the best of my abilities. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Helen to others and I am considering booking lessons with her in the future. Thank you very much, Helen! " Sasha P - Adult Tuition

Parents

Helen Edwards has extensive experience as an art teacher working with children across a range of ages and abilities.  Both of my children have enjoyed art lessons with Helen. She is warm, generous, and offers interesting and varied creative approaches.    I recommend her highly.   R Barbaressi – Parent, Artist & Art Teacher

Helen is a very skilled and knowledgeable tutor. She is very personable and gets the very best from her students who are supported with specific advice to meet their best potential. I would highly recommend Helen as a tutor. J Rousseau - Parent & Teacher

Helen has been an amazing support for my daughter, M who has been attending classes since primary school.  What started out as an afterschool activity has resulted in M taking art as a GCSE and an A level.  Helen provided creative guidance and support in helping M to develop ideas for her exam pieces and ongoing coursework. At a stressful time for my daughter, Helen was patient and helpful and I valued her input as I knew M would take it onboard. This meant I could rely on Helen to encourage M and help her progress. I would absolutely recommend Helen as a tutor!                      M Finlayson - Parent

Helen is an amazing art teacher! She has an inordinate amount of patience and is friendly, calm, and professional in her approach. She has a fantastic ability to engage kids in art and build their self-confidence whilst supporting them on their journey of self-discovery. She thinks outside the box and is full of creative ideas from across the artistic spectrum. I wish I’d had Helen as an art teacher when I was at school. G Lane – Parent

Helen is a wonderful teacher, having taught and inspired our daughter for the last 7 years we can highly recommend Helen as an Art teacher. Under Helen's guidance, Elizabeth has gone on to produce artwork of the highest order and thoroughly enjoys the whole student-teacher friendship that has developed between them. We cannot recommend Helen highly enough.   E, Jing & Nick - Student & Parents

Helen has been tutoring our daughter for five years, and I have known Helen for much longer. Helen is of impeccable trustworthiness. T Pizey – Parent

GCSE & A’Level

Helen is by far the best art teacher I have ever had. She is warm, kind, enthusiastic, and incredibly talented. I did not have any confidence in my drawing skills when I first met her, aged 11. Over the. Years my confidence has grown hugely with Helen’s guidance and skillful teaching.  Despite having learned the basics of drawing and left school, I still go back to see Helen & get fresh and experience advice on my drawing.  Helen is an extremely good teacher, she works incredibly well with people of all ages.  Her steady comforting presence is exactly what I look for when attempting to learn and improve the challenge and often frustrating skills of drawing. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an art tutor.               
TB - Student

Helen is a wonderful teacher who immerses herself with her students. Not only is she a highly skilled artist who oozes creativity and inspiration but she radiates positivity and never fails to make me smile.   KL - GCSE/A’Level Student

Helen has helped me develop my art techniques immensely! With her patience and warm outgoing personality, she has aided me in exploring art from my own unique stance, listening to my struggles, and advising me.  I greatly respect her opinion and feel that she possesses a high depth of knowledge about art in which I value massively. KM – GCSE/A’Level Student

Helen is an excellent tutor with expertise in many different materials and techniques. She can work with any level of ability (both my younger siblings were also taught by Helen). She is always lovely and encouraging, which makes any lesson with her an absolute joy. Studying with Helen for many years really helped kindle my passion for art which is an integral part of my personality to this day and to improve my technical ability. She comes highly recommended!   KC – GCSE/A’Level Student

Helen is a wonderfully inspiring art teacher who I have learned with for over 4 years. Her creativity and imagination have encouraged me to explore new media and techniques. As well as this she is a really friendly, kind person!   TA - GCSE Student

Helen tutored me while I attended Artworks for 3 years during secondary school, helping me develop my own personal style of painting and she equipped me with skills to improve my pieces that I still use today. Helen was also a brilliant help when I did art GCSE, helping me with coursework ideas and the development of final pieces, introducing me to new techniques that I otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn, and also introducing me to new artists in the process for inspiration. Helen really helped me to also build my confidence in my artwork, highly recommended!   TP – GCSE Student

Helen is a really art lovely teacher. She's incredibly supportive and helps each student reach their personal goals without pushing too hard. That being said, if you need guidance on solidifying ideas and projects, she will 100% help! Could not recommend more! C – GCSE Student

Helen is very kind and has helped me through my art for a fair few years along with many other people at the classes. M - GCSE Student

I recommend her, she a wonderful tutor. Really friendly tutor. Y - GCSE Student

Arts Awards

Helen has been teaching my daughter art for several years and I can happily recommend her. My daughter really enjoys her lessons with Helen because she is warm and encouraging. She has a kind, gentle manner that brings out the best in students.  Yet she is rigorous and knows how to inspire them to raise their game.  She gives good clear feedback to pupils and parents.  My daughter completed the Bronze award with Helen at a young age and I was very impressed with her thoroughness and knowledge of what was needed to make the grade. She didn’t just do this for my daughter, she kept everyone on track to excel and was steady as a rock.  She is fair and takes the time to assess where the work is at.  Helen is also an accomplished artist and with a wide knowledge of her field and many skills and techniques that she shares with her students.  She provides inspirational guidance and encouragement based on her own mastery.  In short, Helen is great at both inspiring and motivating students of all ages but also at giving expert teaching that gives them the tools to deliver and excel. PM – Parent

Helen has been teaching my daughter for a couple of years. She has all the qualities one would expect from a great art teacher. She is a talented artist in her own right, and her passion for the subject flows through all her lessons. Helen’s nurturing approach is one that empowers children to follow their own personal interests in order to develop individual creative solutions. The support my daughter has received from Helen has had a really positive impact on her artistic development and should continue to do so. NL Parent