Alan McGowan - Art Teaching Reviews 

I recently completed the Expressive Drawing course and recommend it wholeheartedly. Alan’s wide knowledge of Art and picture making are generously shared throughout the course using video demonstrations, presentation of different artists, feedback on ‘homework, discussion. I really valued that it was not prescriptive in approach but nevertheless was both rigorous, and enabling.

What a course! I went in with little expectations and an open mind and came out with a whole arsenal of tips, suggestions, perspectives and encouragement. The course is full of lessons that I am continuing to explore and develop and will continue to do so for some time I hope. With the recorded classes I can jump back in and pick up on things I’ve missed and continue to develop my craft. I’d recommend and I’d also do another as soon as one becomes available. Very grateful for myself for doing this course and to Alan for not only his talent but his sharing in knowledge and skills.

Expressive Drawing, with Scottish artist Alan McGowan, has been a truly fantastic experience. 10 weeks of bringing up interesting subjects that made us (the group of artist students) think, explore, draw (it's very hands on) and ultimately learn, taking our drawings, and paintings, to the a new stage. Tonality, linearity, external and internal rhythms, motion, simplicity, complexity, order, chaos and accuracy, as examples of topics covered. It's via Zoom videos and yet there's a close connection with Alan and the rest of the artists, a small and highly committed group. One can learn a lot. Oh, and it's incredibly fun!

Expressive Drawing Online – Alan McGowan.
This 10-week zoom course is superb. It is jam packed with info and insight in how to be more expressive when drawing. It was stimulating and exciting using a plethora of approaches and drawing techniques. Access to a Life Studio was helpful and encouraged.

Each week was illuminating and motivating. I was kept engrossed and fully engaged while being exposing to an amazing array of different artists, their work and diversity of expressive approaches in drawing. I was encouraged to experiment and explore these nuances of expression, which were often well outside of my comfort zone.

The set homework and their critique were of huge value. They helped consolidate my learning from one week’s focus to the next. Also, a two-way process with the other in the group.

Alan’s online group is deliberately kept small which, for me, is a major strength as it allowed time for honest feedback, spontaneous chat and productive group interaction with laughter.

Recorded replays of each week’s online session allowed me to revisit each focus as often as I chose. For me, this was an added strength of the course as I inevitably absorbed more second time round.

This is not a course where you are told what to do and draw but where you are encouraged to look, think, try, play and explore the drawing focus, as each person’s individuality and personality dictates.

This course increased my expressive mark making awareness. It helped me to see differently when looking for the essence of an expressive drawing. This learning and knowledge will cross pollinate into other areas of my artwork and painting. I had fun and learnt lots! I can't recommend this course enough.

I've just completed the ten week online Expressive Figure Drawing course hosted and successfully run by Alan McGowan.
The course was extremely well structured offering a high level of theory and practical information across the entire ten weeks. The course was both challenging and rewarding, delivered in a very relaxed and supportive manner, something I have become accustomed to having completed other courses run by Alan, both online and in person. Homework was set each week with reference material suggested should it be required and the introduction to a host of artists previously unknown to me. Each tutorial commenced with a full critique of the work completed by all attendees, which proved to be a very useful and informative exercise in itself.
Alan's knowledge coupled with his passion for the subject matter are evident from the very start and I for one came away from this course enthused and would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone looking to expand their figure drawing skills.

Alan's 10 week Expressive Drawing course (online) has enabled me to move my work on significantly.... Submitting homework pieces on various topics, such as mark-making or experimenting with different aspects of drawing/image making, and having them thoughtfully gone through was very useful indeed. It has been a fun and enriching 10 weeks, working with a like-minded group of people online, under Alan's knowledgeable guidance. I now feel both inspired to try more adventurous work and confident enough to have a go!

Each of the 10 weeks considered a different aspect of drawing, through a combination of lecture, discussion, and recorded demo. Plus constructive critiques of the 'homework' submitted (optional, but why would you miss this opportunity for feedback?).

Refreshingly didn't follow the typical line, then tone, sequence of many drawing workshops, but got you focused on other aspects first. You work at whatever level you're at, and Alan was fine with subjects other than figure if you wished.

Highly recommend as a creative boost, for continued learning and development of your drawing.

this 10 week course of anatomy for artists is filled with information. Alan gives this course with a sense of humor, with unending information and grand feedback after each week relevant for each students.
The study of anatomy, the study of old masters work and new presentation given by Alan made this an unforgettable course.

Mr. McGowan shares his years of experience as a fine artist in the subject of human anatomy; his approach makes this complicated subject easy to understand and meaningful to use when drawing or panting the figure.The program that I participated in was a ten week program that covered the entire body . I recommend the series for anyone who want to be a better artist when drawing or painting the figure.

An incredible class on many levels
Excellent presentation of material
Wonderful exposure to masterpieces
Positive review of student work
And mostly a warm caring and very knowledgeable teacher
Class anatomy for artists on line

Alan provides very thorough explanations of the various parts of the body. If you did not have anatomy at art school and you feel the lack, then this would be a good course for you. It is entirely online so available to anyone with a good internet connection. Alan provides links to recordings of each class so if you miss a class you will not miss out on content.

The 10-week course (2-hours per week), "Anatomy for Artists", was an invaluable input for anyone with an interest in figure drawing. 10 logically constructed lessons covered the main parts of the body, and were each structured to provide constructive feedback from the previous week, demonstrations and videos about relevant body landmarks, and review of selected Master Drawings for further study. Adequate handouts were provided, as was video footage of the live lesson. Nine artists participated via zoom and this was a perfect size of class.
Alan McGowen has a solid reputation as an artist and teacher and is widely solicited. He understood my drawing weaknesses and always offered helpful advice and critique in surmounting the challenges of weekly "homework".
The lessons were always enjoyable. I would welcome the possibility of studying again with Alan. We had spoken about advanced figure drawing classes where we would build on anatomy and focus on technical aspects.
Sincere thanks and congratulations!!

Peter Delahaye

I enrolled in the 10-week online anatomy course. Alan is very knowledgeable and has a clear teaching style.
He provided a variety of input: videotaped demonstrations, presentation of masterworks, and live discussions (Q&A). Half way through the class, I found I was drawing the figure more confidently.

Many thanks, Alan, for such an informative series of classes. It is especially helpful to have the recordings of each class for future reference. A great online learning experience and would highly recommend to anyone who wants to better understand anatomy in relation to drawing and painting.

This is a great course for anyone who wants to improve their figurative painting or drawing practice. Alan is very knowledgeable and has an affable, engaging approach to the subject.

Alan is a fantastic teacher, his classes are comfortable and extremely informative.

If you are serious about your art education he is one of the best to learn from.

I attended a one-week figurative painting class with Alan a few years back in the studio. This year, I joined Alan again for the 10-wk virtual anatomy for artists class, from May to July.

Alan demonstrated his extensive knowledge and deep passion for human bodies, and generously shared his artist view when it comes to drawing and painting techniques. As to teaching, Alan adapts his guidance to each individual’s level - You will always learn something, from both your own and the others' works. Unlike many teachers/artists who may be mostly focusing on the "good" things, Alan has a balanced approach, providing confirmation on the good stuff whilst earnestly pointing out areas for improvement (the latter of which I personally very much appreciate!).

Alan is very organised, providing reminders, updates, post class materials, in a very timely manner. If that’s not enough, his good sense of humour always energised the room (esp when the anatomy brings your brain down).

All summarised in one line, I highly recommend the anatomy class, or in fact, any other classes with Alan.

PS: My partner is also a big fan of Alan's, that's before we met each other. So, I think it says it all.

Alan is so knowledgable about Anatomy , I found that the course sharpened my observational skills as well as techniques that have helped me with my life drawings. I enjoyed learning from others in the group so I was glad we shared our drawings on line. I highly recommend this course!

This class was absolutely fantastic ! Alan is a brilliant teacher, really breaking down human anatomy in an informative and fun way. I’ve been trying to make sense of anatomy from books etc for some time now without much success, however this class really brought it all to life. Having homework each week really improves your knowledge, as well as a good chance to explore different materials, ways of working and study the masters. This class was also very interactive and a joy to look forward to each week! Thank you Alan

I really enjoyed taking Alan's class. He broke the subject of human anatomy into 10 different lessons, so we could spend focussed time on each part of the body. Doing the weekly homework helped to keep muscles masses and all the things that make up drawable parts of the body front of mind. It all culminated in a live drawing session in the last class that proved to me that there has been a real shift in how I see the body now, and how I will approach the task of getting it onto paper or canvass. This class was worth taking.