Alison Burchert Portraits in Pastels

Having seen Alison's work advertised many times, I decided to take a look at her web-site and was very impressed. I booked onto the 3 session project course and was welcomed by a very friendly group of people on my first day. Alison started us off slowly explaining how we would fall in and out of love with our paintings as she took us through each stage. The days went very quickly and at the end of each day I couldn't believe how much work I had done and how much information I had taken in. I would encourage anyone of all abilities to take a course with Alison.

Carol Nutt. Witham Essex.

Having attended a previous pastel course of Alison's and gaining a lot from it, I decided to do another and expand my skills and push myself further. I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and feel I have gained more experience and confidence to enable me to do my own project work at home. Alison has truly inspired me to take my art further and to possibly take another course.

Alison had got the capability to bring out the best of my artistic abilities! Having completed my second pastel course I feel I have come out of my comfort zone yet again. I like her way of encouraging you to see differently and take different approaches to drawing and pastels. I feel so much more confident with my drawings and artwork that I want to do even more courses with Alison so that I keep on learning and producing paintings that I am really proud of. Alison is an excellent teacher, very patient and encouraging. I would recommend her to anyone wanting to bring out their creative side. Very enjoyable few weeks...cant wait to start the next one!

Having met Alison at the Art and Design show and seen her amazing work, I knew that it would fulfil a dream of mine if she could impart some of her knowledge to me. I really couldn't wait to start the course and although I had butterflies the size of elephants, Alison soon made me feel that I was capable of achieving something I would be pleased with. I was inspired to do all of the homework set which I really enjoyed as Alison is an inspirational teacher who is patient yet firm, bringing you out of your comfort zone. She also taught me to see incredible colours in life and I cannot wait to take another project course with her.  I am really proud of what I have achieved. Thankyou so much Alison.

For me, I was more interested in colour mixing but little did I know what I was in for! Alison's teaching methods covered everything I was looking for and more! The homework which followed on from what we had learnt in the day's session and also prepared us for the following class was hard. I would not have attempted to do work at home like that, but having done so I have learnt an incredible amount and am no longer nervous of having a go on my own. Alison has shown me so much to improve my art that I really wish to go on and do lots more.

John Mears. Braintree Essex.

I had always intended to do one of Alison's courses and had picked up one of her leaflets 10 years ago! After seeing Alison's work at Cressing Temple Barns and meeting the artist first hand, it was enough to tempt me to a class. I also wanted to be able to critique my existing work to the high standard that Alison exhibits. By doing the homework set each week after class tuition, it gave me the opportunity to put into practice the skills that I had learnt. The optical painting homework was particularly inspiring as it brought my work to life, creating depth and luminosity. Using the guidelines of laying colours together, it has now formed the structure of how I approach my pastel pictures. I will never look at things in quite the same way again! A big Thankyou Alison!

I have enjoyed the course immensely! The instruction I received from Alison was professional and wonderfully inspiring. To be able to aspire to reach the same standard of work as hers has been a personal goal for me and would recommend anyone wanting to take a course in pastels to go to her first before anyone else. The day was broken up into even spaces which gave me an opportunity to ‘walk away' but return with new enthusiasm and ‘fresh eyes'. I am so proud of what I have achieved with the portrait of my Grandaughter. Great stuff and well done Alison!

I have been to Alison's classes before when she was teaching at Messing village hall in 2003 and having booked onto the current courses I have improved my drawing skills and definitely learnt a lot. The sessions from 10am - 5pm were just right with enough breaks and refreshments throughout the day and I would recommend her great teaching methods to all of my friends.

I started this course because I had seen another student's finished project. Her results were so stunning - I never imagined that I could achieve such standards. However, with Alison's patience and expert tuition, my portrait of my granddaughter is beautiful.

I would definitely attend another course; in fact I can't wait to return!

I found studying with Alison Burchert an inspiration! She gave me the confidence to draw with materials that I had never used before. I am hoping to eventually take on portraiture as a profession. Alison was a total star! She made sure we all had sufficient breaks with drinks and cakes and supplied us with a great lunch too. Thanks Alison for your teaching, its really been a great class. Cant wait to do some more!

I had heard through a friend about Alison's artwork and classes and under his recommendation booked a 6 session course to start in February 09. Having now completed the course, I found it was well worth my while and I have learnt so much! I also have a beautiful portrait of my daughter.

Before the course I was never confident at putting colour into any of my drawings....now, there will never be a picture without it! Happy days!