Review by Michelle Bullard and daughter Hannah:

My daughter has been attending the Forge Cottage Art Club for around six months now.  Hannah is quite reluctant to try new clubs as she feels nervous and self-conscious, but Mark Mason (Art Teacher and Owner of the Club) put her at ease very quickly and she loved the first session so much that we hadn’t even left the studio before she was nagging me to book her in for the following week.

Since then Hannah hasn’t looked back. Under Marks tutelage she has produced some fantastic pieces of art work of increasing merit. It is especially nice for me to see her drawing different subject matter to that she would have chosen herself and finding herself enjoying it!  Mark teaches the children to use different art materials to create a piece for example, pastels, paints and pencils and the ways to use these to create different textures and effects. Mark aims to improve the children’s ability to draw quickly by teaching them different techniques step by step so it is easy for them to follow and then draw the subject themselves.

The groups are small with a very friendly atmosphere so that each child can benefit from individual help within the session and Mark spends time getting to know each child individually.  He is such an enthusiastic teacher that the children can’t help but want to get started.

Michelle Bullard
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I have been going to the art club for a while now and have learnt a range of skills using several different art supplies. Mark is an amazing teacher who, instead of telling us to go and draw something, will show us how to draw it in steps and then help us when we need help. The pictures we do are in different sizes and are of things like landscapes, people, other people’s paintings and also, sometimes we do themed days, for instance, recently, I attended a Bonfire Night themed day at which we drew a picture of the London skyline with fireworks in the background. I have attended several of these days now and have really enjoyed all of them.

Hannah Bullard

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Review by Tara Snedden

Our daughter has been attending Forge Cottage Art Club from the beginning. She is very interested in art and is on the Gifted and Talented register for the subject, although we have never felt that she has been given adequate opportunity to improve her techniques at school. We had been looking around for a suitable class for a child of her age for a year or so, and when we saw the advertisement for Mark's club we were impressed that it seemed to be all about developing the child's ability as an artist. Although it is important that our daughter thoroughly enjoys each session, she is also learning so much about so many different art forms, and as a consequence her confidence has grown immeasurably.

The setting itself is just lovely, with the opportunity to sketch in the garden and surrounds in good weather. The art room is clean, bright and warm. There is plenty of individual attention and support, and Mark and Alison are friendly and professional at all times. Our daughter has made many new friends and postively skips down the path each week. The summer exhibition was wonderful - how amazing to be "an exhibited artist" at age 8!

We would not hesitate to recommend Forge Cottage Art Club to anyone with a child who loves art (and indeed have done so many times!)

Tara Snedden. 

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Review Mrs Wendy Watson

My Daughter Alice (10) has been a member of Forge Cottage Art Studio since it first started. The classes are small and friendly and have a real family feel.  Mark is a fantastic teacher and since joining Alice has grown in both self confidence and artistic talent. 

Thank you for helping Alice to realise her talent.

Best wishes Wendy.