The Phoenix Studio reviews

Nic Hayward reviewed: The Drawing Circus comes to Towersey

"The Drawing Circus at Towersey exceeded all expectations. As a newcomer to life drawing, it was a fabulous experience, very relaxed and friendly, with musical magic too. I am glad I stayed for the whole day, as I learned lots and definitely plan to go again next year. Thank you to all concerned."

Claire Nicoll reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"Three day wire and mixed media course. I spent a couple of months trawling the internet to find a good course to do over the summer holiday, and came across the Phoenix Studios. I booked on to this course and almost immediately an email pinged back with homework! As a teacher this made me smile, as being prepared means a better final outcome, and also shows that it was a quality course. From the start I felt that it was important to James, who ran the workshop, that his students would have a productive and worthwhile experience. Two days before the course started James sent out an email reminding us about the homework! Although it was a three day course the effort and time James put in made it feel longer. I arrived at the Phoenix Studios and was enchanted by the setting, really tranquil and a perfect place for creative minds. When settled with a cup of tea James introduced himself, his work and demonstrated some of the basic skills we were going to use. His manner and gentle sense of humour made everyone relax and his passion for his subject was clear. We all had our own space to create our sculptures and James meandered around us all. As a teacher he was excellent in judging when to support and when to step back, I often heard his words of encouragement, nurturing his students to develop more confidence in their ability, as he pushed their skills further. The days were packed with creativity, cake and shared stories as everyone who attended the course was lovely and added to the whole experience. I have been on many creative courses around the country and would not hesitate in recommending this one as I came away with a lovely sculpture and lots of new skills. Claire (The Hare and the Tortoise)"

The Phoenix Studio responded:

"Thanks for the lovely detailed review Claire! I enjoyed teaching you as much as you seemed to enjoy being taught. It was so inspirational seeing your pieces develop and how you put your own unique twist on them!"

IRENE PRATSIDES reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"This is now the third time I have been taught by James on the wire and mixed media course. It has once again been an inspirational experience generating so many creative ideas that I cannot wait to return and also attempt something at home. James has the ability to empower you to believe you can achieve your creative goal. His positive and relaxed teaching approach, together with the calm studio setting including ‘clucking chickens’ makes his courses irresistible."

The Phoenix Studio responded:

"Ahh thanks for the great review Irene! As ever, you were a please to teach! Love the horse you made too x"

Caroline Fleming reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"The three days we have spent at the Phoenix Studios making things from wire with James Ort just couldn't have been better. With his artwork around us and delightful students the weekend was full of inspiration and fun. You can be a complete beginner and still make something to be proud of. James will give everyone the help that they need to make even the biggest struggles pleasurable. I would recommend the course."

The Phoenix Studio responded:

"James Ort - 'Making even the biggest struggles pleasurable!' Thanks for my new tagline Caroline and for being a lovely loyal student! x"

Judith Harper reviewed: Watercolour Landscapes at the Phoenix Studio

"Excellent delivery on the techniques of water colour, especially on the stages of producing a water colour painting, the palette, the bead, equipment required, planning the composition, tonal values and mood. George used a good selection of visual resources to explain the stages and techniques of water colour painting along with demonstration. Well organised, prescriptive and good technical detail. Providing the equipment was useful, especially a set of prescribed colours to use in time available. The course reintroduced me to watercolours, how to use the "bead" and reinforced rules of composition. It was informative, interesting and I learnt a lot. George's knowledge of the medium is amazing, his teaching excellent and is very approachable, encouraging and helpful. My suggestions for improvement are personal to my own needs - as I found the course very carefully controlled and a little too prescriptive but that is probably what George wanted to deliver. I felt we spent more time watching his demonstrations and talk than hands on and I didn't enjoy the subject matter of the second painting as a landscape. ( dare I say a bit old fashioned and twee). But we did learn techniques from it. Personally, I would have liked something a little more contemporary and, from the notes, expected to have time outside to paint or use the photos we'd been asked to bring. To make the most of the 2 days - could lunch be less than an hour and I would have preferred if the artist had joined us for lunchtime as part of the weekend and for discussion. Always love the Phoenix Studios. Thank you ."

The Phoenix Studio responded:

"Thanks for the detailed feedback Judith and the constructive criticism. It's much appreciated and will be used in the future. Best wishes, James x"

Julie Wetenhall reviewed: The Drawing Circus comes to Towersey

"This was an exciting and fabulous morning of drawing and in my case painting, wish I could have stayed for the day! The poses, costumes, ambience, setting were perfect, Magical! Would definitely do this again."

Al Dutton reviewed: Watercolour Landscapes at the Phoenix Studio

"Wow, did I learn a lot about watercolour painting. I’ve long wanted to do watercolour painting but my initial attempts were feeble and I soon gave up. This course gives you a simple 4 stage approach which really works! I now have the confidence to progress, sure I’ll make mistakes along the way but hey that is how you learn. I thoroughly recommend George and Phoenix Studios to anyone who wants the knowledge and space to get to grips with watercolours."

Vicki reviewed: The Drawing Circus comes to Towersey

"What a treat this was, an incredible day. Everything I hoped for and more. Full on but relaxed. They were all beautiful models to draw in fabulous costumes, amazing at holding the poses and making them interesting. The music made it magical. I would love a recording if you have one. I was glad to go on the second day with cooler weather. Although I bet it was fun in the sun too. Delicious cakes. I can't wait to come again next year. Thank-you"

Steve Woodbridge reviewed: The Drawing Circus comes to Towersey

"What a fantastic day. Interesting settings both outdoor and indoors. Great poses and a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere created by Phoenix Studio and the Drawing Circus. Together with lovely music. What more could one want. Thank You"

Debra Beebee reviewed: The Drawing Circus comes to Towersey

"We had a lovely morning. The right amount of guidance and then lots of short opportunities to go and draw. We had never drawn before and the morning was fun and gave us confidence to keep drawing. It is a lovely environment and James and his family at the Phoenix Studio really make you feel comfortable and welcome."

Alison Soskice reviewed: The Drawing Circus comes to Towersey

"It was a wonderful afternoon. The models and the tableaux were exciting to draw and the music added to the magical atmosphere and helped to sustain concentration."

Caroline Pigden reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"I attended with my 15 year old daughter who wished that she could spend more days there. The Phoenix Studio is a beautiful, relaxed and friendly setting for a superb course. Highly recommended for the talented and patient tutors and for escape therapy!"

Lucy Cross reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"This was my third trip to the Phoenix Studios, having done a couple of the animal clay courses. I was quite apprehensive about my ability to create a life model but Karin remained calm and positive throughout, guiding us all to produce some amazing pieces. The atmosphere was most supportive , with Karin looking after both students and model with care and consideration. I would highly recommend the weekend to anyone , you will be delighted by what you achieve!"

Colin Morse reviewed: Clay portrait weekends with Karin Ort

"A Christmas Present voucher for Clay Portrait Weekend with Karin Ort from son with a sense of humour....scary! But absolutely no worries. Karin is a superb teacher, the result, a clay sculpture to be proud of, for everyone on the course, including beginners like me. And that's not all, it was a wonderful relaxed weekend, great fun, great company, great organisation. And thanks to "Emma", who sat patiently whilst we all tried, and succeeded, to capture her features in our own particular way. But then of course, Karin was there gently showing us the tricks of the trade, and the way forward. Brilliant, try it!"

Emma Wheeler reviewed: Etching with Liam Biswell

"Had a brilliant time on the course, Liam is a great teacher and explained everything really well. We all had a go at drypoint and photopolymer etching. The Phoenix studio is well equipped and a really lovely relaxed environment. It was great fun and I came away with 20 or so decent prints which I really enjoyed producing. Shame it was only 2 days really as I didn't want to go home....I think everyone else really enjoyed it too. Can't wait to come back again!"

RACHAEL TAYLOR reviewed: Etching with Liam Biswell

"Great course....the 2 days allowed enough time with Liam to master (!?) the different processes, one to one help when needed but left plenty of studio time to experiment and produce a folder of work that I was proud to take home (mostly!!) Would highly recommend, Liam's passion and knowledge about the subject is infectious and to be able to sit and soak up the ambience of the Phoenix Studios' idyllic surroundings is the cherry on top! x"

Rebecca reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"Absolutely loved it! I had really minimal sculpting experience from messing around with fimo and sculpey, and no experience working with "proper" clay and I couldn't quite believe that I had actually managed to make something that looked like an ACTUAL animal. The teaching by both James and Allison is incredibly thorough without being boring, as it is split into three different areas (armature, body, head) so there isn't too much information to take in all at once. It was fascinating seeing how easy it was to pick up the techniques, by the second day I had improved considerably from Saturday morning. James and Allison provide as much or as little help as you want - if you're skilled they'll let you do your own thing, but if you need help like I did they will show you enough to complete what you're trying to achieve without completely altering or over-riding your sculpture. The studio is fantastic, there's every kind of tool that you could possibly need to create your work, and James' friendly chickens wander around outside. He also made brownies with eggs laid by them which were lovely! I had a really great time learning new techniques, meeting new people and as a bonus now have sculptures of two of my beloved pets! The teaching has encouraged me to take more courses here in things that I am even less confident in such as wire modelling and drawing/painting. I learned so much in two days with clay that maybe I could learn that much in two days with another skill too!"

Nikki Windridge reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"A great creative weekend. The studio is beautiful, well equipped and in a wonderful location. The resident chickens roam around the large wild lawns and we were even lucky enough to have lunch outside in early April! The tuition was brilliant. James and Alison were very thorough and made you feel very comfortable and confident. It was amazing what we were able to create in a matter of hours. James and Alison were always on hand to give instruction, suggestion and encouragement, and always in a relaxed, informal and very friendly way. The weekend was very social with a really supportive atmosphere. I will DEFINITELY be going back."

Shirley Hoyne reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"I would also give this course the highest recommendation! James is a young, talented artist in all the media he teaches in (plus more I'm sure!), but he is that rare find - an empathetic, balanced and clever tutor. He kept an eye on all of us, encouraging us all to put our best creative 'hats' on, giving advice and an opinion if you asked for it. This is especially vital when you're new to a creative media, as we all wanted our work to look the best it could - and it did!! I was amazed at what I was able to create, but also with all the other great varied pieces of work everyone else created. His encouragement of the group to share ideas/praise/encouragement with each other really works. His pre-course advice was super helpful, all admin re: the course spot on, and he even makes a great lemon drizzle cake!! I can't wait to go back and try other things, soon as possible. This guy is a lovely person and his teaching/studio are REALLY good - just GO :-)"

Jamilah Meghji reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"What a wonderful couple of days we've had at Pheonix studios! Just finished the 2-day weekend wire sculpture course. James is great - relaxed, encouraging, really keen to understand what you're trying to build and then guide you through it. The studio is lovely - bright, spacious, with all the kit you might need. And the atmosphere was great - friendly & fun. Would thoroughly recommend!"

Jude Glide reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"I absolutely loved this course. Having never worked with wire before I was over-the-moon with the sculpture I created. I did A level art in 1978, before James was even born!! & since then have been too busy working as a Nurse to be an artist. This course has certainly given me food for thought & I will definitely book on another course. James is a fabulous tutor with a warm personality. The studio is the perfect environment, peaceful, light & comfortable. Thank you."

Jackie Forbes reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"I am just home from the most wonderful two day wire sculpting course with James. It was excellent. I loved the relaxed level of organisation which looked relaxed but was actually bang on. We were set up so fast and empowered and encouraged throughout the two days. James has a lovely coaching style of teaching and ensured we all got one to one time so we could leave feeling we really had achieved something special. I would have no hesitation in recommending this course and actually the studio as a whole - it's a fabulous venue"

David Hordern reviewed: Clay portrait weekends with Karin Ort

"Hey took the 2 day weekend sculpture course. Never sculptured a head in my life!! Live model - 2 days later had a real head which could recognise. Great facilities/studio, materials, equipment and in depth instructions. Will be going again very soon"

Gordon reviewed: Clay portrait weekends with Karin Ort

"I have just completed the portrait sculpture course with Karin Ort at Phoenix Studio and what a fantastic time! I would heartily recommend this to anyone remotely interested in Art, It has been on my bucket list for years, (I have to thank my partner Jacqueline for booking it) Why have I waited so long! now to book the next course!"

Lesley Smith reviewed: Clay portrait weekends with Karin Ort

"I am a beginner and thoroughly enjoyed this course. I learned a lot and was well supported throughout the 2 days. Karin is lovely and the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming. James' cake was excellent too! I would definitely do the course again. Thank you."