GDS Artschool is a termly series of art workshops run by Gary Dean Spencer. These workshops aim to bridge the gap between leisure painting and more formal instruction, with a regular schedule of varying tasks that encourage you to explore basic skills and ideas, and, over time, make you more equipped to work independently and with more confidence and understanding.

 

They are currently based in various halls local to Maidenhead, Harpenden, Berkhamsted, Tring and Cookham areas during weekdays. There is also a parallel online Zoom version that runs on Monday afternoons.

​

Each session last about 3 hours. This usually includes an introduction to the task, and a demonstration if appropriate, followed by personal work time. Support is provided in terms of one-to-one suggestions and guidance, and additional help can be requested during the session if required. Tutor demonstrations can be followed directly, though independent interpretation of the tasks set is also encouraged, as there is usually a choice of visual references (provided by the tutor or brought in by yourself if preferred) that give you more than one option each time.

​

Basic refreshments are provided in the form of tea, coffee and biscuits.