What if confidence, not skill, is the key to your painting progress?

Most beginners struggle with acrylics because they’ve never been shown a simple, structured approach with progressive techniques.

My YouTube channel has helped over 300,000 artists get started, with more than 25 million views.

My speciality?

Helping students who believe they “can’t even draw a stick man” finish paintings they’re genuinely proud of.

The Secret: Progress Is a State of Confidence, Not Skill

If progress comes from building confidence rather than technical skill alone, how would that change your approach to learning?

I came across this idea recently when reading “Suddenly Talented’ by Sean D’Souza, and it struck a chord.

“When we talk about talent, we rush madly towards skill.Yet, there is no skill without confidence. Confidence makes the reluctant student realise that they’re not so bad after all.”
Sean D’Souza – Suddenly Talented

I’ve found many beginners try to learn painting or drawing by osmosis, by watching an experienced artist work.

But this approach falls flat.

It’s like watching Roger Federer play tennis and expecting you’d be able to pick up a racquet and match his performance.

It doesn’t work. And even worse, it creates a sense that you’ve got no talent, and art isn’t for you.

1. You compare yourself to an artist with years more experience

2. You label yourself as “bad” or someone who “can’t draw”

3. Your confidence plummets

4. You stop trying

5. Without practice, you make no progress

My Confidence-Building Method

I design my courses to be reassuringly achievable. We start small and build gradually, sometimes with just one object, a single brush or a limited palette.

I walk you through the exact steps to get great results, even if you’ve never painted before.

This approach ensures that at each stage of your painting journey, you remain calm. The moment you start overthinking whether the final piece will be “good enough,” you’ve lost the battle before it’s begun.

But, wait. ‘Copying’ feels like cheating?

I get it.

You don’t just want to copy; you want to find your style.

You might not even want to draw with a pencil; you want to grab a paintbrush, get straight to the canvas, and paint vigorously, capturing your flow and energy.

But this level of freedom comes when you’re more comfortable with the basics.

And this isn’t just for beginners.

Van Gogh copied his art

Taken from Vincent Van Gogh’s letter to his brother Theo, September 1881

Van Gogh forged a unique path when others mocked his work. He prioritised his creativity and expression over financial security, acceptance, and social establishment.

He also copied the work of other artists.

In a letter to his brother Theo from mid-September 1881, Van Gogh mentioned working on Bargue’s “Exercices au fusain” (charcoal exercises).

He used a method taught in many classical Atelier’s called the Barque plates.

They are a systematic approach to developing your observation skills by copying more and more complex drawings.

How do you master the Barque plates?

You copy them.

Ready to Transform Your Painting Journey?

If you’re returning to painting after a break and want to give yourself the best foundation for success, then one of the beginner courses is made for you.

The Modern Still Life Course perfectly demonstrates my confidence-building method in action. In under 2 hours, you’ll create a beautiful modern still life while developing fundamental skills that transfer to all your future paintings.

What You’ll Need:

What are the colours?

Titanium White
Cadmium Yellow Light
Burnt Umber
Ultramarine Blue
Permanent Alizarin Crimson
Green Gold -I use a super tiny amount of this; it isn’t essential

And Brushes?

Small Nylon Synthetic Round
Isabey Isacryl – Size 6 Filbert
Princeton Aspen – Size 4 Round
2-inch Decorators Brush

What Makes This Course Different?

* Step-by-step guidance with no steps skipped

* Focus on building confidence through achievable milestones

* Techniques specifically designed for beginners, not adapted from advanced methods

* A finished painting you’ll be proud to display

Here’s a message I received last week  from Emer, who followed the Terracotta pot still life course (this is a bit more advanced course)

“I returned to painting after 25 years, or rather I wanted to learn how to use acrylics properly. I was so delighted to find your website and have learned so much through your courses. I’m also delighted to end up with paintings that look, well, like proper paintings!

I’ve just finished the Terracotta Pot, and found the grey scale printout so useful to get the values right. I’m very happy with the results

Thanks so much

Emer”

Wow! Emer has done an amazing job.

And here’s the clincher.

Even when you’re using the same colours or the same subject, everyone has their own artistic handwriting.

It’s unique to you, whether you want it or not. Check out the Success Page from the Modern Still Life Course to see all the students’ signature styles!

And that’s what’s so freeing.

You don’t have to think, or act or try to be unique. Just be you.

You can purchase the course from “Shop all Courses”; it’s a one-time fee with lifetime access to the downloads.

Building evidence can help build confidence.

This painting might be your first step.

Modern Acrylic Still Life Course