Dear Mitch,
The C.D. is a great reminder of the wonderful week at Maison des Arts. Thanks to you and Hanna for all your hard work. It has motivated me with my painting at home.
Best wishes, Virginia.

1. 'The Goal' for both of us was to paint more freely with a looser, less literal interpretation. Jane's goal was to learn how to handle the acrylic paints, their mixing and application- and she fells she really got to grips with that.

2. The structure of the course was very good. There was a good mix of location, studio work, landscape figures, etc. You helped us a great deal with composition, and making the paintings have more impact. Simplifying and leaving out non-essential details, and using devices to draw your eye around the picture - you gave us very sound advice there.

3. The venue is excellent. Relaxed, quiet and charming. Your staff are very welcoming and went to a lot of trouble (as you did yourself) to make us feel at ease. The beds were comfortable and the food wonderful. Olivier's Roquefort walnut galette was to die for.

4. Tutoring. Well, we were the lucky ones, as, with only the four of us we got an enormous amount of attention. We felt all your comments on our work were very thoughtful, valid and constructive. The key being to think before you start - keep that idea fixed in your mind and not get distracted by going into detail too early; and after that, less is more.

5. We had difficulty with the sepia crayon and wash work. Because we have normally done pen with watercolour washes we went into too much detail. But you showed us how this should be done. Fresh and not overworked, the latter being one of our problems.

It was good to be made to paint without drawing as this helped to free us from our tight style.

6. Value for money; We certainly felt we got that, and the course lived up to our expectations. We both felt we gained in knowledge and confidence, and look forward to putting all your advice to full use from now on. Hopefully this will lift our work to a higher level. We shall certainly continue to recommend your courses to our painting friends.

It just remains to say a big thank you to you Mitch, for your friendliness, kindness, humour and patience!

Regards

Jane and Stephen

I thought you would like to know that 2 of my regular tutors have commented that I must have been on a very good course recently as my painting style has improved greatly.

This can only be because of your inspiring tuition for which many many thanks.

Stephen

Mitch is really a magician working magic with colours! Also he is very good in sharing his wide world of knowledge with his students. He makes everyone feel like great artists who make mass production of “glittering masterpieces”.

Full article by Karl

Hi Mitch,

Thanks Mitch. It brought back so many happy memories.

Wendy and I have 'sold' your course to many of our fellow struggling artists and several have said they'll follow it up. We both found it all very useful. Loads of fun, friends and food as well!

Tomorrow 5 of us are painting round here in my back garden. Wendy and I will be expected to cascade our recently acquired 'Mitch gems'. Blocking in different tones will be the starting point! We'll have the CD and DVD to back us up.

Our best wishes to you and all at M des A.

Sheila