Experienced Fine Artist Teaching Painting and Drawing at All Levels in London

Find out more about Inês

• When did you start practicing? How did this passion find you?

  I started drawing when I was about 9. I loved comic books at the time and started by copying these drawings. Drawing didn't come very naturally for me, so I had to be quite persistent to overcome some of my challenges - and hence that makes me quite empathic to my students.
  So my passion for art comes from the fact that whilst it is always a moment of joy and pleasure, it also always poses a challenge for me.

• Which artists or works affect you the most?

  I've been really obsessed with Henri Michaux's paintings, but as a rule I try to let myself be influenced by different artists and approaches. I believe it is important to be diverse and have a varied visual culture.

• What are the qualities and skill required to succeed in this area?

  Patience, passion and persistence.
  Art will offer you as much joy as it offers challenges; it's something you conquer and overcome with time and persistence, driven by your passion. There are no formulas in art, and often you just have to give it time.

• What is the most valuable advice you can give to help someone stay focused on creative projects?

  Believe in the unexpected and remind yourself that there isn't a right way to do things in art - it's all a process so you can find your way of working.

• How would you describe your passion; how does it make you feel?

  Art can be a catharsis, a moment to relax or to feel uncomfortable. To me, it's important that I get a bit of all of these feelings as I'm working. It's what makes me come back, what makes me grab another piece of paper and begin anew. The blank page is always a scary moment, but I know that as soon as I start I am overtaken by this feeling of childlike curiousness that guides me through.

• What creative achievements are you particularly proud of?

  I was really happy when my piece "Trials of Life" was selected and won the second place award at the Glyndebourne Tour Art Competition in 2019. It was the first time I received an award and my work was shown abroad. It was a big boost of confidence and love.

• Have you ever been surprised by a student; by their ability or quick progression?

  I find that I'm always surprised by my students. By something they do or say, by the way they approach art and think it through. To me, that's one of the many beautiful things about teaching: it's not a one-way exchange, but a back and forth conversation.

• Being a Superprof is an art! What is your secret?

  Empathy. Perhaps the fact that I wasn't a prodigy myself and had to overcome many, many challenges in art. It makes me quite sensitive to other people and the challenges they're faced with.