Stunning Sunset (Full Guidebook)
To support you to lead a life filled with creativity, personal fulfilment and brilliance.
I do this by guiding you step by step to paint beautiful interpretations of modern masterpieces by the likes of Van Gogh, O'Keeffe and Kandinsky.
As all my live events are postponed indefinitely and many of us are spending a lot more time at home, I am offering FREE Live Sketching Sessions via zoom every Thursday 18:50 to 20:00 BST
BEFORE
SECRET ART PARTIES
You couldn't paint with the creativity, passion and purpose of Vincent Van Gogh!
...or could you?
Well, at a Secret Art Party you could!
Masters level painting tuition accessible to all levels delivered in a fun and relaxing setting.
Create your own stunning recreation of a modern masterpiece with a delicious drink in one hand and an artist's brush in the other.
Guests of all abilities are clearly and gently guided step by step to recreate a modern masterpiece by the likes of Van Gogh and Monet and other stellar 20th century modern painting masters by a kind, patient and good humoured expert painting instructor.
Learn stunning painting techniques in a refreshingly clear, simple and uplifting way. When you see what amazing painting you can do, what else might be possible?
The parties are held in beautiful hospitality venues in and around Tunbridge Wells.
' We had such fun! The atmosphere was excellent, the food was yummy and Lewis was patient and encouraging. Art was nothing like this at school! I can barely wield a crayon normally, yet I came away with a painting which is wall-worthy. I am amazed to say - we will definitely do this again! '
-Michelle, Secret Art Party guest
AFTER
The Diary 2020
Click on the links to learn more and to book tickets
A Secret Art Party video
I'd love to welcome you to one of my parties in 2020!
The offer:
Enjoy Masters level painting tuition accessible to all levels of ability and create your own stunning recreation of a modern masterpiece with a delicious drink in one hand and an artist's brush in the other.
- The opportunity to recreate a masterpiece by a famous artist
- Be guided step by step by an MA qualified painting specialist.
- Learn painting techniques in a fun and relaxed way.
- Enjoy painting with all artist quality materials provided.
- Be hosted by our beautiful partnership venues and enjoy a delicious drink and tasty food included with your ticket.
- Discover the lives of the artists behind the masterpieces.
- Meet new people and socialise in an informal setting.
- Feel both relaxed and welcome - we will be with you every brushstroke of the way!
Photos on instagram
A look behind the scenes
Why should I buy a ticket?
Please buy a ticket if you are excited by:
This rare opportunity to create a beautiful finished painting that you can be truly proud of.
Learning stunning painting techniques that you can easily use to create your own future artworks.
Sharing your creative experience with other like minded people in a fun and supportive party atmosphere.
Please buy a ticket if you are:
Ready to supercharge your painting skills.
Willing to challenge yourself to achieve more than you thought you were ever capable of.
Prepared to see the implications that such a feat will have for other projects in your life; if you can paint a masterpiece in one evening, what else might be possible?
Please buy a ticket if you are worried about:
Being left behind. This won't ever happen as Lewis, the artist guide pitches his teaching to all levels of ability and he has 12 years experience of doing this.
Not being good enough. It is true that all the paintings will look rubbish to begin with, but this is normal; Lewis is there to help you on your painting journey and to show you how to work towards making a painting you can be proud of. Only supportive and fun people are encouraged to attend.
The Story so far
An invitation to join the party
Hello! Thanks for stopping by to find out about Secret Art Parties. If you're more of a watcher than a reader, there is a video at the top of the page that will give you more of an idea of what to expect. If you want to read about how Secret Art Parties came about, right from the very beginning, read on!
My name is Lewis Chapman. You can spot me in the picture at the top of the page - I'm the beardy one on the right guiding one of my lovely guests to create her stunning masterpiece. The picture just above are two of my earliest Secret Art Party guests who I actually hosted in my back garden!
I have an early memory of being cast as an artist in primary school; in 1991 my teacher held up and waved about my drawing of a snail as an example of good work. Since then I have never doubted that I was meant to be a painter.
It wasn’t to be as easy as I thought - in 1999 I had to go to the school art studio at break times to study A-Level art in my free time as it was double timetabled with maths and chemistry. Determined to be a painter, I eventually went to Goldsmiths College and instead of a path to better painting, I found conceptual art and sharks in tanks. Unperturbed, I went to the Florentine Ateliers; the world centre of classical painting, and found uninspiring representations of biblical allegories and pristine yet lifeless still lives. Dissatisfied by what the art institutions had to offer, I continued to paint alone until I chose to train to teach art at the University of Cambridge in 2007.
Sharing my passion for painting has given me great pleasure over the 10 years I have spent teaching art to people of all ages and backgrounds. Teaching has taught me that confidence and access to skills are key to creative fulfilment. Still, as an art teacher I realised that I wasn’t enjoying teaching painting as much as I could. This is when, in 2017, I thought of Secret Art Parties.
I asked, why not exchange the classroom for a beautiful private function room? Why not switch timetable constraints for having more than enough time? Why not swap average quality materials for artist quality materials that are a joy to use? Why not substitute a lesson for a celebration where learning happens? Why not replace a cursory glance at other artists' work for a meaningful and fruitful investigation into the techniques of artists who have devoted their lives to painting? Why not trade expectations to express one's-self with limited support for substantial offerings of beautifully effective painting techniques? Why not exchange the exclusive ideas of talent and genius for the inclusive ideas of joy of painting and painting as a deeply human activity that is open to all...
...and why not have some delicious food and a refreshing drink on the go too?
33 Secret Art Parties later and so far so good! I am so grateful to all who have come and painted masterpieces with me so far - and I can’t wait to paint with you, dear reader, at one of my Secret Art Parties in 2020!
Happy Painting!
If you get the chance to do this ....don't hesitate a second! It was so great and we enjoyed it immensely. A great communicator, Lewis guided us to create something amazing with thoughtful guidance throughout and showing us there are no mistakes so go for it. The food, chat and drinks throughout made it a highlight of a great trip. Lewis tailored the event to us and I learned so much and had a fun time too. Even if I never painted again I wouldn't regret it as it added a layer of understanding to how great painting is done.
-Ros, Secret Art Party guest
Secret Art Parties transforms your life
(The ladies below hadn't painted since school!)
The evening was a fabulous mix of spending time with friends and letting our creativity flow in a fun and safe setting. We all went home feeling really chuffed but it was only in the morning when I looked at my painting that I really appreciated how well it turned out!
- Janet
Thank you for a great evening. It was so much fun that I did not notice the time going by. It brought me back to a child-like state where creativity, mindfulness and get-togetherness made the evening a joyful experience.
- Nathalie
I had an amazing time. Lewis is so patient it's such a lovely relaxing evening I recommend it to anyone. I hadn't painted since I was at school but have a brilliant painting that I'm so proud of. Thank you Lewis I will most definitely be back.
- Lorraine
Have a fun, relaxing and creative evening with expert tuition to create your own stunning recreation of a modern masterpiece with a delicious drink in one hand and an artist's brush in the other.
Hosted by Elite Pubs, early booking advised.
Book your place by calling 01732 920430 or email the hosting venue eventstribe@elitepubs.com
Click on the image above for more details.
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