Create: the art community - online art classes in the UK for adults who want to draw, paint - and actually keep going
If you've started before and stopped — more than once — this isn't another reason to feel behind. It's the place where that finally changes.
Create: the art community is a warm, supportive set of online art classes for adults in the UK who want to learn to draw and paint, but need a community around them to keep going. No pressure, no judgement — just a gentle structure, real people, and someone showing up alongside you every week.
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?
You really want to draw and paint — but you doubt yourself before you've even started.
You give it a go, but it doesn't look the way you hoped, so you put it down again. And yet... something keeps drawing you back.
You'd love some company on this — people who understand exactly how this feels — but you're not ready to commit to an in-person class just yet.
More than anything, you want to go back to basics. Strip it right back to the beginning, and build your confidence slowly, without the overwhelm.
If any of that sounds familiar, you're exactly who Create was built for.
WHAT IF IT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS?
Here's what I've noticed, after years of teaching beginners: it's almost never about ability. It's about doing it alone.
What if you had somewhere to bring all those feelings — a safe space to learn from the very beginning, alongside a community of people just like you? Somewhere you could be yourself, without ever being expected to share until you're ready. Somewhere with all the help you need to build real confidence, at your own pace.
Somewhere you're never the only one in the room who doesn't know what they're doing — because nobody is.
That's Create:
WHO IS DEBBIE?
I'm Debbie — an ex-primary school teacher, a passionate creative, and (more recently) an adult art teacher.
I love guiding and helping people learn to draw and paint, and my number one priority — whether I'm teaching online or in person — is well-being. Nobody can really learn if they don't feel comfortable doing so.
When you're starting (or restarting) a creative practice, it's about enjoyment and playfulness first, not skills. The skills build naturally from there — and that's exactly how I designed Create: the art community to feel.
WELCOME TO CREATE: THE ART COMMUNITY - ONLINE ART CLASSES IN THE UK, MADE FOR ADULT BEGINNERS
Create: the art community is an online space built specifically for you — someone who draws and paints, or wants to.
Almost every week, we get together in real time: practising, exploring, and yes, messing it up — together. Can't make it live? Every session is recorded, so you never miss out.
Alongside the live sessions, you've got a growing library of video tutorials to dip into whenever you like, and a Success Pathway that guides you step by step if you're not sure where to begin.
A few times a year, we run themed four-week courses — things like landscapes or portraits — covering both drawing and painting, so you can build specific skills when you're ready, always starting from the same beginner-friendly foundation.
And there's a discussion space, open 24/7, where you can ask questions, share your work if and when you feel brave enough, and get warm, encouraging feedback — from me or from the community.
WHAT'S INSIDE YOUR ONLINE ART CLASS MEMBERSHIP?
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A weekly live "Create-a-long" session (Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30pm) — I'll walk you through a drawing or painting experience in real time, and you open your sketchbook alongside me and the group. We practise, explore new materials and ideas, and yes, sometimes get it "wrong" together — that's the whole point.
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Can't make it live? Every session is fully recorded, including the discussion and other members' questions — so you get the full experience, not just a demo.
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A 24/7 community space — talk through your next steps, share your progress (if you want to), and connect with people who get it.
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A growing video lesson library — dig in any time to learn new skills and revisit anything you need, at your own pace.
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A clear Success Pathway — so if you ever feel "what do I do next?", you'll always have an answer.
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Quarterly themed courses (Sunday mornings, 10:30am–12:00pm) — four-week deep dives into subjects like landscapes or portraits, covering drawing and painting, included in your membership, always beginner-friendly.
YOUR SUCCESS PATHWAY:
five steps from anxious beginner to
confident creator
Step 1 — Kickstart Your Art: start simple, explore, and play. Build the confidence to put pencil to paper without expecting a "perfect" picture.
Step 2 — Hello Artist: learn the essential observation and drawing skills that help you see — and draw — with more confidence.
Step 3 — Colour Your Life: experiment with different colour media, and discover what they can do — your first steps into painting.
Step 4 — Keep Creating: build consistent habits, develop your skills further, and make creativity a real part of your life.
Step 5 — This Is ME!: explore your own style through challenges and guided projects — and discover what makes your art uniquely yours.
And once you've worked through all five? You don't run out of road. The quarterly themed courses and the weekly Create-a-longs are there for you to keep building — at your own pace, for as long as you're a member.
WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY
I agonised with myself as to whether I should join an on-line art community, but decided to take the plunge and I am so glad I did.
Create has literally ignited my love of drawing and painting and I have enjoyed learning different skills to get the best out of what materials I have. I’ve actually started using an old (hardly used) large box of W.H. Smith oil pastels that my husband gifted me years ago!
I’ve enjoyed learning how to get the most out of sketching, shadowing, painting, mixing colours and a whole host of different techniques. It’s been a total boost for my confidence. With Debbie’s talent, vast knowledge, infectious enthusiasm and calm manner, each session is conveyed in a totally relaxed way with no pressure to have the right tools or get it right. Just enjoy yourself! Vanessa
I joined because I want to be more creative and part of that is learning to draw. I have bought books that are supposed to teach you but I always find them a little too ambitious. I have just completed the second lesson. The first two lessons [of the success pathway] were really informative but also less pressurised & ambitious than the books I have. So thank you. Karen
ARE THESE THE RIGHT ONLINE
ART CLASSES FOR ME?
Create is a great fit if:
You're an adult beginner who wants to draw or paint, but keeps stopping and starting.
You've tried tutorials or apps before, but struggled to stick with them on your own.
You sometimes feel lonely in your creative journey.
You want a gentle, encouraging space - never intimidating, never judgemental.
You want art to become a real, lasting part of your life - not just an occasional hobby.
This might not be the right fit if:
You're looking for advanced or technical instruction beyond beginner level.
You'd rather watch videos passively than join in.
You're hoping for fast results without any regular practice.
If you read the first list and felt a little seen - welcome! You're in the right place.
MEMBERSHIP AND PRICING
£35 per month for full access to your online art classes.
Start with a free 7-day trial - explore, join a session, and see if Create feels right for you. No cancellation fees, ever.
Your membership includes:
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40+ live "Create-a-long" sessions every year
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A growing video library, plus full replays of every session
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24/7 access to the community discussion space
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Resources and materials for every session, so you're never left without
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Quarterly themed 4-week courses to build specific skills
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Your Success Pathway, guiding you through the key skills, step by step
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
"What exactly IS Create? What do I actually get?"
Create is a monthly membership — not a course you work through alone, and not a passive video library. It's a live, ongoing community with a clear structure.
Each month you get: weekly live drawing and painting sessions with me (Wednesdays, 7–8:30pm), full recordings of every session including the discussion, a 24/7 community space to share work and ask questions, access to a growing video library, a Success Pathway that tells you exactly where to start and what to do next, and quarterly themed four-week courses included in your membership.
The difference between Create and a course is that in Create, someone notices if you don't show up. That changes things.
"£35 a month feels like quite a commitment. Is it worth it?"
That's a fair question and I'd rather answer it honestly than talk you into something.
Here's what £35 gets you: live sessions every month, recordings of everything so you never miss out, a community of people at exactly your level, and me — actually present and responding to what you're making, not a course algorithm or a library of pre-recorded videos.
The comparison I'd make isn't to an online course. It's to a class you'd travel to, pay for parking, and fit around a hundred other things. Create is designed to fit around your life, not the other way round.
That said — if the timing isn't right, I'd rather you joined when it is. There's a free 7-day trial, no cancellation fees, and no pressure.
"What if I sign up and then don't actually use it?"
This is the most honest question anyone can ask before joining, and I appreciate it.
The reason most people stop using online courses isn't laziness — it's that there's no one waiting for them. Nobody notices if they close the tab. Create is built specifically to fix that. It's a community, not a content library. People notice. I notice. That makes more difference than you'd think.
If you're someone who does better when there's a rhythm to show up to and people expecting you — Create is designed for you.
"I'm not good enough yet."
I want to stop you there — because "good enough" is exactly the wrong measure.
Create is not for people who have already figured it out. It's for people who haven't yet, and want to. You'll be making things alongside others who are also figuring it out, which is what makes it safe — and what makes it actually useful.
If you're waiting until you feel ready, you'll wait a long time. Come as you are. That's the whole point.
"I've tried things like this before and given up."
I know. And I don't think it's your fault.
The reason people stop isn't usually lack of willpower — it's that they're doing it alone, with no one to answer to and no particular reason to keep going. A course can't notice you've gone quiet. Create can.
It's a live, weekly community. There's a rhythm, there are real people, and there's somewhere to be. That's a different experience from watching tutorials by yourself and hoping motivation turns up.
"Do I have to share my work or be on camera?"
Never. Join in as much or as little as feels right. Plenty of members watch quietly for weeks before they're ready to share — and that's completely fine.
"What if I miss a live session?"
Every session is fully recorded, including the discussion and other members' questions — not just the demo. Our members tell us the replays are genuinely just as useful as being there live.
"Do I need any special materials to start?"
Just a pencil and paper is enough to begin. You can add more materials later, only if and when you want to.
"What happens after my free trial?"
After your 7 days, your membership continues automatically at £35/month. You can cancel any time, with no cancellation fees.
"Do you cover painting as well as drawing?"
Yes — drawing and painting are woven through the Success Pathway, the weekly sessions, and the quarterly courses, always starting from beginner-friendly basics.
READY TO CREATE?
You've waited long enough — and you don't need confidence to start. You build confidence by starting.
If you're ready to explore your creativity gently, without pressure, alongside people who understand exactly how it feels to start and stop and want to try again — come and create with us.
However you see yourself learning, it has to be the right thing for you.
Of course, I'd love for you to join Create, but go with your gut - it usually knows a thing or two about decisions!
I hope this online community will grow into the kind of space I work so hard towards offline - only the people that join can make that difference 🤍
Maybe that will be you...
Debbie x