Testimonials

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Koala Courses is run by experienced teaching artist, Gimara, known as 'Gim' to students and friends.

What students say:

If you're considering signing up for one of our art courses, then read the thoughts of Gim's current and past students:

"Gimara is a fantastic teacher. She is passionate about art and makes the courses extremely interesting and varied. I’ve learnt so much and it’s opened my mind to the art world. Gimara is fantastic at explaining techniques and it’s been such fun putting it into practice. I’ve totally enjoyed her courses." - Jane Bethell-Lombari, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, UK

"I must admit I didn't think I would be able to achieve as much as I did in a relatively short time.  I was apprehensive about drawing and painting but with patience and humour Gim taught techniques across different media helping me feel proud of my achievements." - Dawn Dew, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, UK

"I was nervous to return to art after a 30 year break- could I still do it? Would I make a fool of myself? I needn’t have worried Gim gave me the knowledge, tools and confidence I needed to fall in love with art all over again. Thank you Gim. I’m forever grateful. Its rare to find a teacher that is not only good at art but good at teaching the technique in a way that is easy to follow and fun! You won’t just be sitting in a quiet classroom for hours with Gim not knowing what you’re doing- she’ll guide you all the way to your own masterpiece!" - Mrs J Green, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, UK

"...Gimara gave me the confidence (an absolute beginner) to learn such a wealth of techniques and tools to produce an end piece I was proud of.  Importantly for me there was no right or wrong way to achieve an outcome and playing outside of the rules was greatly encouraged.  I look forward to more courses in the future." - Julie, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, UK

"[It was] my first experience of an art/drawing workshop. Gimara was very patient & coped well with the varying levels of ability. The content [was] both interesting and informative. Gimara [was] well prepared with all the materials available. The workshop atmosphere created by Gimara was fun, friendly and relaxed" Helen, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK

"Many thanks for the course, really enjoyed myself. I finished the second slipper the following day and have attached a photo of my Grandson['s] dress for the local school Christmas fair" - Susie Lucas, Hertfordshire, UK (photo not shown).

About the art tutor:

 


Gimara_Carving_Printmaking
© 2021
 

Gimara landed her first job as an arts educator with Derbyshire County Council's Adult Community Education programme, teaching 'Drawing and Painting Techniques', in Ashbourne. To date, she has held over 70 art workshops for many different types of clients - from her local community college to musuems, councils etc. Since January 2019, she works as a lecturer of drawing and painting at the Hitchin Campus, North Hertfordshire College (NHC via Hart's Protocol). There she teaches two series of workshops: 'Drawing and Painting for Beginners' and 'Drawing and Painting for Improvers'. These leisure workshops form part of NHC's Adult Education Course programme. Gimara introduces beginners to art techniques related to line, shape, form, negative space, chiaroscuro, mark making, colour theory and perspective. For details on the beginners workshops, please visit: https://www.nhc.ac.uk/course/drawing-painting-for-beginners-sept/ for the intermediate workshops, please visit: https://www.nhc.ac.uk/course/drawing-painting-for-improvers/. Aside from 'drawing and painting' workshops, she has designed other bespoke workshops, e.g., drawing and painting with watercolour pencils and printmaking for the Lowewood Museum, Broxbourne.

To keep up to date with our news you can follow us on social media here:

Twitter: @koalacourses
Instagram: @koalacourses

If you are interested in taking an art workshop with Koala Courses, please fill in the attached survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/73CLHZP. By providing information about the type of art programme you are seeking, helps me tailor a response for you more quickly. 

Demonstrations and Workshops

Gimara designed and led 'drawing and painting' workshop programmes for:

If you are interested in taking an art workshop with Koala Courses, please fill in the attached survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/73CLHZP. By providing information about the type of art programme you are seeking, helps me tailor a response for you more quickly. 


About Koala Courses

What - Koala Courses runs painting, drawing and printing workshops for young and mature adults. A list of upcoming workshops can be viewed here. Alternatively, one-to-one private tuition is available in a public space. If no workshops are running, why not register your interest by subscribing to our mailing list here and you will be contacted with our next available programmes. Flexible arrangements are available, so contact Koala Courses today.

Where - Koala Courses provides services across Hertfordshire, inc. St Albans, Harpenden, Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage, Letchworth, Knebworth, Hertford and Hitchin.

About - Most workshops are generally small (8 or less). Private one-to-one tuition rates are £41.82 per hour* excluding the hire of a public venue (*rates valid until July 2023; venue hire rates typically range from £5 to £25 per hr). For example, hourly rates inclusive of venue hire start from £45.00 in Hitchin and Letchworth, dependent on availability. Please contact Koala Courses for more information on group rates.

Age range - 18 years onward, as long as you are willing and enthusiastic.

Payment - via PayPal.

Terms and Conditions - This can be found here.

 


Contact Koala Courses

Hear about the latest workshops and other news

Email: Koala@KoalaCourses.co.uk

Hertfordshire, UK


 

FOOTER

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© Koala Courses 2023 or under an exclusive licence.

There is no need to travel as far as Cambridge or London. Koala Courses can hold drawing classes or printing workshops in St Albans, Harpenden, Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage, Letchworth, Knebworth, Hertford and Hitchin.