Mark Mannering Barton - Private Art Lessons & Pet Portraits

Mark Mannering Barton - Private Art Lessons & Pet Portraits Bespoke pet portraits, house illustrations and private art lessons for adults.

I capture personality and expression through detailed commissioned work and offer calm, supportive one-to-one tuition in South West London and online.

When a line drawing feels unfinished, the answer is not always “add more”. A few deliberate choices about line weight, s...
14/08/2026

When a line drawing feels unfinished, the answer is not always “add more”. A few deliberate choices about line weight, shadow and where to place the detail can make a simple study feel clear and confident.

My latest article explains how:
https://www.markmanneringbarton.com/art-lessons-pet-portrait-blog/make-simple-line-drawing-feel-finished

If you would like tailored help developing your drawing, I offer relaxed private art lessons in Teddington, South West London and online. Just message me!

Drawing a house from a photo can feel daunting when every window, brick and shadow demands attention. The answer is not ...
07/08/2026

Drawing a house from a photo can feel daunting when every window, brick and shadow demands attention. The answer is not more detail at the start — it is finding the big shapes first.

My new post shares a calm, beginner-friendly way to build a house sketch from the outline inwards. Read it here:
https://www.markmanneringbarton.com/art-lessons-pet-portrait-blog/sketch-house-from-photo

If you would like help developing your drawing, or are thinking about a house portrait commission, please get in touch.

Realistic fur is not about drawing every single hair. It is about seeing direction, tone and the small changes in textur...
31/07/2026

Realistic fur is not about drawing every single hair. It is about seeing direction, tone and the small changes in texture that make an animal feel like itself. I have shared a simple coloured-pencil approach you can try with a small section of your own pet photo.

https://www.markmanneringbarton.com/art-lessons-pet-portrait-blog/how-to-draw-fur-coloured-pencils

I offer relaxed, supportive art lessons for adults and beginners, including drawing, coloured pencil and watercolour.

Lessons are tailored to your interests and experience, whether you want to build confidence, improve your observational skills or work towards a particular subject or project.

Do you ever finish a drawing and wonder why it does not quite look like the subject?The problem may not be your pencil c...
24/07/2026

Do you ever finish a drawing and wonder why it does not quite look like the subject?

The problem may not be your pencil control.

Often, we draw the simplified idea stored in our mind rather than carefully observing the shapes, angles and proportions in front of us.

An eye becomes a familiar almond shape. A cup becomes perfectly symmetrical. Fur becomes lots of individual lines before the main areas of light and shadow have been established.

In my latest blog, I look at how to draw what you see rather than what you think you see, including:

• Comparing angles and proportions
• Looking at negative space
• Turning a reference upside down
• Squinting to identify the main tones
• Drawing the overall shape before adding detail
• Simple observation exercises to try at home

Read the full blog here:
https://www.markmanneringbarton.com/art-lessons-pet-portrait-blog/how-to-draw-what-you-see

Would you like help improving your observation and drawing skills?

I offer relaxed, one-to-one and paired art lessons for adults and beginners in Teddington and surrounding areas.

Visit https://www.markmanneringbarton.com or send me a message to discuss a lesson.

Why would I draw a skull?It's a question I expect a few people might ask!This pencil sketch was inspired by the beautifu...
18/07/2026

Why would I draw a skull?

It's a question I expect a few people might ask!

This pencil sketch was inspired by the beautiful artwork associated with Mexico's Día de los Mu***os (Day of the Dead). Rather than representing something dark, it's a celebration of life, remembrance and the beauty found in contrast.

For me, though, it was also a fantastic drawing exercise.

Skulls are brilliant for learning proportion, structure, light and shadow, while the flowing vines and flowers challenge you to create movement and softness in the same composition.

One of the biggest barriers for beginner artists is believing a subject is "too difficult". The truth is every complex drawing starts with simple shapes and is built one step at a time.

That's exactly how I teach.

I've written a new blog explaining why stepping outside your comfort zone can make you a better artist.

Read it here:
https://www.markmanneringbarton.com/art-lessons-pet-portrait-blog/why-drawing-a-skull-can-improve-your-art

If you've always wanted to learn to draw—or return to drawing after years away, I'd love to help with relaxed one-to-one lessons for beginners and improvers.

Send me a message or visit the website on link above to find out more.

When was the last time you picked up a pencil just for the enjoyment of drawing?For many of us, the answer is "not since...
09/07/2026

When was the last time you picked up a pencil just for the enjoyment of drawing?

For many of us, the answer is "not since school."

Somewhere along the way, we convince ourselves we're "not artistic", that we don't have enough talent, or that it's simply too late to learn.

I don't believe any of that.

Drawing isn't about creating a masterpiece every time you sit down. It's about slowing down, noticing the world around you and enjoying the process of creating something with your own hands.

I've written a new blog about why adults should never stop drawing and why it's never too late to start again.

Whether you've never really drawn before or it's been years since you last opened a sketchbook, I hope it encourages you to give it another go.

You can read the blog via the link:
https://www.markmanneringbarton.com/art-lessons-pet-portrait-blog/why-adults-should-never-stop-drawing

If you've been thinking about learning to draw or would like some relaxed one-to-one art lessons, send me a message. I'd love to help you get started.

Ever sat down with your sketchbook, full of good intentions, only to realise you have absolutely no idea what to draw?Yo...
03/07/2026

Ever sat down with your sketchbook, full of good intentions, only to realise you have absolutely no idea what to draw?

You're not alone. It happens to every artist, whether you're just starting out or have been drawing for years.

One exercise I often use is surprisingly simple. Pick a letter of the alphabet and turn it into something completely different. Add texture, patterns, nature or anything your imagination suggests and see where it takes you.

This Q started life as nothing more than a single letter. With a bit of time and a humble biro, it gradually became something much more interesting.

Sometimes the hardest part of drawing isn't the drawing itself. It's simply making that first mark on the page.

I've written a new blog explaining how the Alphabet Challenge can help you overcome creative blocks and get your ideas flowing again.

Read the full blog here:
https://www.markmanneringbarton.com/art-lessons-pet-portrait-blog/stuck-for-drawing-ideas-alphabet-challenge

If you've been thinking about learning to draw, returning to an old hobby or simply want a little guidance to build your confidence, feel free to get in touch. I'd love to help you enjoy the creative process.

Do you keep meaning to draw more, but never quite find the time?You are not alone.Many beginners do not struggle because...
26/06/2026

Do you keep meaning to draw more, but never quite find the time?

You are not alone.

Many beginners do not struggle because they lack ability. They struggle because drawing gets pushed behind work, family, chores, screens and the feeling that they need a big block of time to make it worthwhile.

But drawing does not have to start with a full afternoon, a perfect setup or a finished piece of artwork.

It can start with ten minutes, a pencil and something simple in front of you.

In my latest blog, I look at how beginners can find time to draw, why small regular sessions matter, and how lessons can help with confidence, structure and accountability.

Read the blog here:
https://www.markmanneringbarton.com/art-lessons-pet-portrait-blog/how-to-find-time-to-draw-as-a-beginner

Want help building your drawing confidence? I offer relaxed one-to-one art lessons for beginners and improvers.

Message me to chat about lessons.

Address

Walpole Crescent
Teddington
TW11

Telephone

+447356021585

Website

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