Allan Ramsay’s formal education as an artist started at the Edinburgh College of Art where he studied Figure Drawing. He went onto study painting at Glasgow School of Art and at the Art Students` League in New York. The winner of the John Player (now BP) Portrait ward at the National Portrait Gallery London He is also the recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Award, Canada (1990) and the China-United Kingdom  Art Prize at  Art Suzhou, China (2016) Allan has frequently exhibited at London’s  Royal Academy and the Royal Society of Portraits Painters. His works are included private collections, in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery and the Edinburgh City Council. A highly experienced Art Tutor he comes to the Essential School of Painting having taught at Glasgow School of Art, Portrait Drawing Masterclasses at the  National Portrait Gallery in London, Wimbledon School of Art and London’s Heatherley School of Fine Art.

Curriculum Vitae

TEACHING , WORKSHOPS , MASTERCLASSES

2016 -1994        Heatherley School of Fine Art  ,London

2005                 Glasgow Museums and Galleries,  Burrell Collection

2003 -2005       Glasgow School of Art

2004                 Glasgow Museums and Galleries,  Burrell Collection

2003                 Glasgow Museums & Galleries, Drawing Glasgow Together–the Big Draw”

2003                 Glasgow School of Art, Architecture Department ,Figure Drawing Classes

2000-2001        Wimbledon School of Art

2000                 “Art in Action”, Oxford

1992                  National Portrait Gallery London, Portrait Drawing Masterclass

1990                  National Portrait Gallery, London .   Portrait Drawing Masterclass  .

1990 – 91           Edinburgh City Art Centre

EXHIBITIONS

2016   Art Suzhou 2016 China Exhibited with  Lan Art Gallery

2016   Royal Society of Portrait Painters London

2015   The Contemporary Portrait, Thompson`s Gallery, London

2014   Royal Society of Portrait Painters London

2012   Royal Society of Portrait Painters London  

2009   Royal Society of Portrait Painters London   

2009    Originals 09, Mall Galleries London

2006   “Icons and Idols”, National Portrait Gallery London

2006    Royal Society of Portrait Painters London   

2005    Scottish Drawing Competition Paisley Art Institute and Museum

2001    Royal Scottish Academy   Edinburgh

2000   Royal Society of Portrait Painters London

1999   Royal Academy Summer Show London

1998   Royal Society of Portrait Painters London

1998   Royal Academy Summer Show London

1997   Royal Academy Summer Show London

1997   Royal Society of Portrait Painters London

1996   The Scottish Print Open, Glasgow Print Studio

1996    Making a Mark : Figure . Mall Galleries London

1995    Morrison Scottish Portrait Award . Royal Scottish Academy Edinburgh

1996   Royal Academy Summer Show, London

1996   Royal Society of Portrait Painters Mall Galleries, London

1991   Ten Years of the Portrait Awards, National Portrait Gallery London

1988   John Player Portrait Award , National Portrait Gallery London

AWARDS

2016                 China  / Uk  Art Prize  Art Suzhou 2016

1990                 Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Award Canada

1988                1st prize John Player (now BP) Portrait Award from the National Portrait Gallery London

PORTRAIT COMMISSIONS 

Sir Alan Ayckbourn National Portrait Gallery, London

Mr. Christopher Johnson, Senior Bursar St John’s College, University of Cambridge   

Sir Raymond Hoffenberg President  Wolfson College, University of Oxford  

Sir Aubrey Trottman – Dickenson, Principal University of Cardiff

Sir Rex Richards, Chancellor University of Exeter

Lord Provost Dr John McKay and City Officer City of Edinburgh District Council

Mr. Charles  Allan for the City of Edinburgh District Council

PUBLIC COLLECTIONS 

National Portrait Gallery London

City of Edinburgh District Council

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5  Week Portrait Drawing Course

 

 Some thoughts on teaching  , Extract  from an interview in HOT COURSES , LONDON  , Magazine   

Q What do you think is the most important skill required to do your job?

The most important thing about teaching  in a studio environment is to enjoy meeting and teaching people. The most important skill is to understand the mechanisms of painting / drawing and to be able to explain these mechanisms to students in a way that is easily understandable.

Q When students come to the first session, what’s the first thing you teach them?

Teaching is not a ‘one size fits all’ situation. The first thing I try to do is to encourage students to relax and enjoy the learning  process. I then wait to see what each  student needs to learn.

Q What do students gain from your lessons?

Facility, understanding and, hopefully, an enjoyment of the process.

Q What’s the hardest thing to teach?

Nothing is hard to teach to a willing student.

 Q How do you encourage amateur artists to develop their own style?

The beauty of teaching is that everyone  has their own style. It is the teacher’s job to provide an understanding of structures, thereby supporting each individual’s own style and aspirations.

 

DRAWING COURSE  ( 5 Weeks )

A five week drawing course will enable students to gain an   enjoyment and  understanding   of the processes required to draw the human head .

It is suitable for students of all levels from beginners to the more experienced