Meet our tutors - Amber Halshall

For Amber Halshall, our Arts tutor, creating things has always been a part of her life. From studying art at 18 right through to her working life, she kept her love of painting and making books veen when she only had small slices of free time. In 1995, Amber finally took the plunge and gave up full time work to fully focus on her love for art.

She initially became interested in botanical art on a trip to Kew gardens. Her love of the countryside and an eye for the quirky side of plants inspired her to paint subjects from nature. After submitting her first pictures to the Society of Botanical Artists in 2004 she was delighted to be awarded full membership in 2009 and now shows her work each year at their Exhibition in London. Amber has also exhibited in many other locations and has sold work both at home and abroad including, among others, the USA, Europe and China.

Amber gives her learners a structured approach so that they can build on their techniques and get to grips with how to use the media in the initial stages. Students are encouraged to learn at their own pace and to choose subjects they have a passion for. Amber loves to share the beauty of the Botanical world by teaching others the techniques and skills needed for precise drawing and painting so that they can then develop their own style. She says: "Watching students progress and gain confidence in their painting and drawing and fulfil their potential is one of the most rewarding parts of being a tutor".