art4you Scotland - art classes & painting holidays

My husband and I did the ceramic workshop as a Christmas gift experience to each other, and we absolutely loved it. We learned so much on the day — the content was really well thought out, and we were taught three different techniques, which meant we got to make lots of beautiful pieces to take home. The whole experience was relaxed, creative, and really enjoyable from start to finish. Our teacher was lovely — so personable, and incredibly helpful, making everyone feel comfortable regardless of experience level. We had such a great day and came away feeling inspired and proud of what we’d made. We’ve already recommended the workshop to friends and will definitely be booking more workshops in the future. Thank you so much for a fantastic day — we couldn’t recommend it highly enough!

Art4You at Oakwook near Killearn, is a very well organised art school, at which expert teaching is provided in a range of different artistic techniques. I recently enjoyed a weekend workshop on linocut and printing from linocut, run by Jill Dow. I was one of 10 students at the workshop, who successfully designed and printed our own designs onto different colours of card and paper. We also enjoyed a lovely lunch at the nearby Oakwood garden centre, which gave an opportunity to get to know fellow students. I would thoroughly recommend the art courses and workshops at this well organised art school. Lindsay Morrison

5 Day Summer Art holiday July 2025. I really can’t enthuse enough about the summer art break at Art4YouScotland. A totally immersive creative workout over 5 consecutive days with a lovely small group of 10 people who have come from home and abroad to take part. A large spacious, bright, airy, light studio workspace superbly stocked with every tool & art medium you needed for your five days. Excellently expertly, smoothly run & hosted by the owners Ewen & Claudia Duncan who worked tirelessly to make sure we were cared & catered for throughout the five days. Water, Tea, coffee and endless supply of biscuits laid out to help yourself to over the day to keep you hydrated & snacked up. Everything was set up for you starting the morning sessions at 10am and reset up from return from lunch for the afternoon sessions. You did not need lift a finger. All you had to do was bring yourself and a ton of enthusiasm. We were fortunate to have the best week of the year weather-wise although it did get rather toasty at times! Which is something you rarely complain about with the Scottish weather! I am fortunate not to live too far away (around 18 or so miles) from the studio and could enjoy the lovely 50 mins drive from home (it is a slightly bendy A road!) along Campsie Glen via Lennoxtown to get there and back each day. Studio has decent parking facilities adjacent to Oakwood Garden Centre with the nearby Dumgoyne hill as a stunning backdrop behind. Worth a few hours effort, weather permitting, to do the climb up Dumgoyne for amazing views or a visit to the nearby Glengoyne Distillery - both only a couple of miles along the road from the studio if you are staying in or near the area. Dumgoyne was used as a study theme for our “en plein air” drawing & painting day on the Friday (Day 5) where we were all set up on the patio at the back of the adjacent garden centre bistro for the morning. Lunch was included each day & served in the bistro which makes an excellent latte & do moreish cakes. If you like a decent coffee also go in to try Alfie & Co Coffee Roaster & Barista Training shop next to the other side of the studio who sell beans & grounds. The five days covered a variety of subjects and mediums and work on paper, card, canvas and board. It can be tiring over the five days being on your feet a lot, learning new things and concentrating all day but that doesn’t stop your enthusiasm when you start another new day on a new art challenge. The fact the weather was so hot during the week in early July 2025 that I attended, and a totally unpredictable weather event our hosts couldn’t control (and not a complaint!) that did tire me out quicker as the week went on. A talented practiced and professional artist who worked as previous art teacher himself, Ewen, was our patient & enthusiastic tutor for the week. He took us through the processes & was always keen to pass on his expert advice and knowledge all things art & also give you encouragement even if your own confidence in what you were doing flagged at times. So to the week itself - Mon AM started with Colour Theory & making your own colour wheel. An excellent way to learn how to mix and match colours and progressed on to an oil painting session PM and over the week covered still life in pencil, pastel & acrylic, portraiture & life drawing, reduction method in pastel & oil & an outdoor session Friday morn as previously mentioned above & back in the studio to paint PM. You finish up your Friday pulling it all together in your A3 portfolio book (provided to you at the start of your week) and with a whole load of your artistic creations from the week feeling pretty pleased with yourself. Class ends with some alcohol free bubbles provided by Ewen & Claudia and our fond cheerios and a feeling of self achievement and new found love for continuing with your art at home. Thanks for a wonderful experience to all at Art4You Scotland.

What a lovely day (despite the weather). Lovely relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Pottery hand building class and a lovely lunch including in price for the workshop which ran from 10am-4pm. No experience required and great to learn new skills

Fantastic Christmas gift. Claudia was very welcoming with tea/coffee on arrival. Frances was a great teacher and made us feel very relaxed and at ease. We were shown different techniques and how to mix paint. As a complete beginner this was all extremely useful. All equipment, paint, palette, paper, pencils, etc were all waiting for us at our own work benches. Plenty room and great light due to the glass roof. Got so much pleasure from this enjoyable day. Lovely lunch and very positive vibe.