The Art Academy

What a way to end the year! Our Festive Art Fair was such a success! our Members Studio artists displayed their work beautifully and together we raised £506 for Alzheimer’s Research UK, which feels really special.

Watching everyone set up their work and chat with visitors reminded me why I love what we do here. Seeing artists take the step from “I’m just learning” to confidently displaying and selling work is one of my favourite things.

As we head into 2026, I’m looking forward to welcoming a new group of complete beginners on our Thursday evening course in January, continuing our Members Studio sessions (which just keep getting better), and adding lots more online lessons to the collection we’ve already launched.

I hope you’re finding time to paint over the festive period, even if it’s just half an hour with a cup of tea while everyone else is watching telly!

Claire x

🖼️🎄Festive Art Market – Sunday 14th December

We’re really excited for the weekend so we’re giving you a sneak preview of some of the artwork that will be available on the day 👏 swipe to see 👉

There will be something for everyone - landscapes, abstract, contemporary and traditional artwork.

It will be lovely to see you there:
📍 Great Witchingham Village Hall, Lenwade
🕐 11am - 3pm
🎟️ FREE entry & parking
🎁 Original paintings, prints & cards – perfect for gifts or treating yourself!

Plus, all refreshment purchases support Alzheimer’s Research UK 💜

Let us know in the comments if you’ll be popping along 👏

🎨✨ Festive Art Market – Sunday 14th December

Swipe to meet just some of our talented Members Studio artists and see the beautiful work they’ll be selling! From sweeping Norfolk landscapes to vibrant abstracts, there’s something for everyone.

Join us for an afternoon of art, community, and seasonal cheer:
📍 Great Witchingham Village Hall, Lenwade
🕐 11am - 3pm
🎟️ FREE entry & parking
🎁 Original paintings, prints & cards – perfect for gifts or treating yourself!

Plus, all refreshment purchases support Alzheimer’s Research UK 💜

Whether you’re an art lover or looking for unique gifts, come browse, chat with our artists, and take home something truly special.

We hope to see you there! 🎄Let us know in the comments if you’ll be popping along 👏

In my weekly Members Studio workshops, I share painting techniques through live demonstrations, showing you the methods I use in my own work. You also have time to apply these skills to your own paintings. Last week I really enjoyed hosting a completely sold-out session where we painted ‘Misty Autumn Fields’. Here’s what we have lined up for November and December:

13th Nov - City Scene, Acrylic
Capture reflections on wet pavement, create atmospheric perspective with mist and buildings and use dramatic lighting to bring energy to a contemporary cityscape.

20th Nov - Dramatic Peak District Landscape, Oils - can be done in Acrylic
We’ll be painting a powerful winter landscape with dramatic storm clouds rolling over snow-dusted fields. This session will focus on creating mood and atmosphere, capturing the contrast between dark skies and bright snow and working with a limited palette to achieve impact. ONLY 6 SPACES LEFT

27th Nov - Little Robin, Oils - can be done in Acrylic
This session will focus on building up soft layers in oils, capturing fine details like feathers and texture and creating a peaceful, wintry atmosphere that makes this iconic seasonal subject so loveable.

4th Dec - Autumn Trees, Acrylic - can be done in Oils
We’ll be painting a sunlit autumn woodland path with vibrant foliage in rich golds, oranges and greens. We’ll capture dappled light filtering through the trees, create depth, and bring that magical autumn atmosphere to life.

If you like the look of some of the sessions, then you can simply book online as membership is free and currently open. You do not have to commit to a set number of sessions - just choose which you like: https://the-art-academy.co.uk/members-studio-book/p/individualsession

🖼️ The Artist’s Letter ✉️

I’ve spent my summer putting together my new monthly fine art print club and I really hope you like it!

I wanted to find a way to share my paintings with as many people as possible and bring back that feeling of being excited about receiving a letter in the post!

For £7 per month (£10 if you are in the US or Europe) including shipping, I will send you a luxury A5 giclee print of one of my paintings and a personally written and signed letter from me, all packaged up like a little art treat! I also send you a free bonus print in your birthday month because I think birthdays should be special!

To get October’s print ‘Autumn Arriving’ posted to you then just sign up by 15th October https://www.clairefrancessmithfineart.co.uk/printclub

I really hope you’ll become one of my penpals, I wonder how far across the world my prints will go?! Let me know in the comments if you sign up where in the world you are!

🖼️ The Artist’s Letter ✉️ I’ve spent my summer putting together my new monthly fine art print club and I really hope you like it! I wanted to find a way to share my paintings with as many people as possible and bring back that feeling of being excited about receiving a letter in the post! For £7 per month (£10 if you are in the US or Europe) including shipping, I will send you a luxury A5 giclee print of one of my paintings and a personally written and signed letter from me, all packaged up like a little art treat! I also send you a free bonus print in your birthday month because I think birthdays should be special! To get October’s print ‘Autumn Arriving’ posted to you then just sign up by 15th October by the link in my bio (or in the comments for FB). I really hope you’ll become one of my penpals, I wonder how far across the world my prints will go?! Let me know in the comments if you sign up where in the world you are! #printclub #artprints #supportindependentartists #luxuryartwork

Take a look at the process our Members Studio artists went through to paint reflections using oil paints.

Dappled light, areas of shade and clean, soft edges all come together to create a version of what we see when we are drawn to reflections on the water.

We think it’s a particularly satisfying process…especially clip 4!

Swipe to the end see a mini gallery of just some of the results!

Have you tried painting reflections? How did you find it?