PRIVATE PAINTING lessons

Private painting lessons

Develop your skills with one to one painting lessons guided by Alan Reed, an experienced watercolour artist known for capturing the landscapes of the North East.

Whether you are starting out or looking to refine your technique, each session is tailored to your level, pace and artistic goals.

Personalised instruction Each session is shaped around your individual goals, helping you build confidence while improving technique.
Watercolour expertise Learn how to handle colour, movement and composition through practical guidance and proven techniques.
Individual attention Benefit from focused feedback and support throughout your session to help you progress more quickly.
Flexible scheduling Lessons can be arranged to suit your availability, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
Inspiring setting Sessions take place in a relaxed studio environment in the North East, providing the ideal space to focus and create.

Whether you want to improve brushwork, explore new techniques or simply enjoy painting, these lessons offer a focused and rewarding experience.

Why Choose a Private Painting Lesson with Alan Reed

Alan Reed has over 40 years of experience in teaching Art and Design, and has specialised in watercolour for just as long. Born in Northumberland, he fell in love with watercolours at the age of 15, trained in art and design at Newcastle College, and has gone on to win The Artist's Prize in the Royal Watercolour Society Competition. His approach to painting is described in Theodora Philcox's book Landscapes in Watercolour, which features 23 leading watercolourists from around the world.

A private painting lesson means you have that experience entirely to yourself. Rather than following a fixed syllabus, each session is built around what you want to achieve, whether that is painting your first landscape, loosening up your brushwork or tackling a subject you have always found difficult.

What you can learn in a private painting lesson

  • Mixing colours and handling watercolour washes with confidence
  • Brush strokes and techniques for creating light, atmosphere and movement
  • Drawing from observation, a discipline Alan has practised for many years through regular life drawing
  • Composition, and how to simplify a busy scene into a strong painting
  • Painting landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes and architecture
  • Working in other media, as Alan also paints in oils, charcoal, pencil, gold leaf and acrylic
Bamburgh Sunrise watercolour by Alan Reed, who teaches private painting lessons
Bamburgh Sunrise
Holy Island Low Tide watercolour by Alan Reed
Holy Island, Low Tide
Venetian Rain watercolour by Alan Reed
Venetian Rain

Private painting lessons for children and adults

Lessons are available for children and adults of all ages and stages. Younger students are encouraged to experiment and enjoy themselves, and adults are welcome to accompany children during their lesson if preferred. Adult students range from complete beginners picking up a brush for the first time to experienced painters looking to refine their technique.

Where private painting lessons take place

Lessons are held in Alan's studio and gallery in Ponteland, just outside Newcastle upon Tyne, a calm space set against beautiful countryside views. While you are there, you can see Alan's original paintings and limited edition prints on display, which is a great way to study how finished paintings are built up. Find out more about the studio and gallery.

If you would like to take your painting further afield, Alan also leads painting holidays in Italy, painting on location among the hilltop towns of Umbria and the streets of Tuscany.

Lessons from £50 per hour

Adults are welcome to accompany children during their lesson if preferred.

Call 01661 820626 to arrange your session.