Online courses

My approach to teaching

Based on my in-depth knowledge built over decades of creating art and teaching to thousands of students worldwide. Whatever our situation, age or ability, humans are creative beings. We need opportunities to engage with the world, to try new things and test ideas out. My aim is to encourage experimentation, to engage both sides of the brain, and embrace mistakes and spontaneity.

My online courses consist of videos and downloads to enable you to learn new skills and improve old ones. All courses are stored on a specialist teaching platform, you do not have to join a Facebook group. Each course has its own private ‘classroom’ that only people that have registered for the course can access. In addition, with lifetime access you can re-visit the course content as often as you like.

My courses are designed to enable you to progress on a creative journey from skills to concepts; each step enabling you to move forwards and create work that is authentic to you.

I run two types of courses; scheduled and self-paced, you can find out more and see what courses are available below.

Scheduled courses

These courses start on a certain date and run for a number of weeks, during that time I am there daily on the course platform to answer questions and provide feedback. Scheduled courses are perfect for those that want to develop their creative practice, and learn along with other artists. You also have lifetime access to the course content so can return at anytime.

Registration opens a few weeks before the course starts and places a limited so that I can give individual attention, By signing up to an alert via the webpage you will get first pick of places!

CONFIDENT COMPOSITION

Discover and explore a range of approaches to composition and design

APPROACHES TO ABSTRACTION

For artists confident in their chosen media who want to develop a more abstract approach

URBAN EXPLORATIONS

Explore the surfaces, textures, signage and shapes of the urban environment

DISCOVER COLLAGRAPHY LIVE

Learn how to create, ink and print three types of Collagraph plates

“Thank you, Sally. So appreciated your clear, measured delivery; your enthusiasm and encouragement; your dedication to those on the course and your vast experience and knowledge. The lessons I will take and mull over for a lot more time yet!” RB, Confident Composition

Self-paced courses

My self-paced courses can be done at a time that suits you, and in your own pace. You also have lifetime access to the course content so can return at anytime. There are no live sessions so you can fit any course around your commitments. Tutor interaction is via the course FORUM where you can post work, chat with fellow students and ask me technical questions.

MONOTYPE: MATERIALS & METHODS

Exploring a range of creative monotype techniques

COVER TO COVER

Explore a range of creative artists’ books, and learn how to fill them with exciting prints from cover to cover

COLLAGE CREATIONS

Explore creative collage techniques and use your prints to create fabulous mixed media collages – available July 2023

COMPLETE CREATIVE COLLAGRAPHY

Discover an experimental approach to intaglio printmaking

PUSHING PAINT

Learn how to paint using oil and cold wax or acrylics in this three part course

TETRA ETCETERA

Learn how to use Tetra Pak®, cardboard boxes and other boxes to create prints

MAKE TOOLS - MAKE MARKS

Learn how to make your own artist tools, and disrupt your creative process

Testimonials

“Thoroughly recommend Sally’s workshops. They are so well thought out and Sally communicates so clearly. I have been painting for years but doing Sally’s courses are such an inspiration and I am learning so much. Come and join the fun”

Meg

Monotype & More

“I love the detail and thoroughness of your explanations and demos. So well thought through and taking nothing for granted. I have no formal art training so found the idea of posting my work with such talented people rather daunting but the positive comments and your encouragement have been most appreciated.”

Alan

Make Plates - Make Prints

“Last year I took two popular online courses. I absolutely loved both courses and learnt a huge amount however my problem was that there was this element in both courses of ‘now go off and paint something’ and I didn’t know what to paint! I then spent some months nearly signing up for courses but feeling that they were not quite what I was looking for – though I didn’t really know what I was looking for. Then along came Approaches to Abstraction. Wow Sally this was it – this was what I needed. I feel I have a toolbox to which I can constantly refer and I am incredibly grateful that you have given lifetime access because I know that every time I get stuck I will revisit the modules”

Bridget

Approaches to Abstraction

“You are without doubt the most generous teacher I have ever had. There seems to be no end to the amount of effort you put into teaching and supporting your students. It certainly makes the whole experience incredibly fulfilling and I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying your courses”

June

Cover to Cover

“Absolutely recommend this course! This is my 4th with Sally and it is as exquisite as the others. Just when you think you have learned all there is to learn….along comes a new Sally Hirst course. Informative, fun and inspirational. By far the best available online and great value for money”

Megan

Monotype & More

“Thank you, Sally. So appreciated your clear, measured delivery; your enthusiasm and encouragement; your dedication to those on the course and your vast experience and knowledge. The lessons I will take and mull over for a lot more time yet!”

RB

Confident Composition

“What can I say!!?? What a brilliant course. Thank you so much for opening myself and my practice up to the wonders of Collagraphy.  You have covered everything through the videos, the booklet, the troubleshooting guide, the supply list and your feedback online. Your attention to detail and delivery is second to none. The Ruzuku platform is excellent, I had never heard of it before, but what a great way to deliver an online course and the fact that we can all share our work and learn from each other ad infinitum is just wonderful.“

Fran

Make Plates - Make Prints

Online courses – FAQs

WHAT IS AN ONLINE COURSE?

An online course consists of videos and downloads to enable you to learn new skills and improve old ones. All my online courses are stored on a specialist teaching platform, you do not have to join a Facebook group, and the courses have lifetime access*

The self-paced courses can be done at any-time that suits you whilst the scheduled courses are set for a specific number of weeks. There are no live sessions so you can fit any course around your commitments.

Each course has its own private ‘classroom’ that only people that have registered for the course can access. All videos are pre-recorded and you can watch them at your convenience, with additional written content in the form of downloadable PDF’s.

IS THERE TUTOR HELP AVAILABLE?

The price of each course reflects the amount of content and the level of tutor interaction. Self-paced courses are designed to be self-contained with all the information you need, but I will be available to answer questions by email. On scheduled courses new course content is available each week of the schedule and I am with you on the course on a daily basis to answer questions and join in discussions. 

WHAT IS A ‘GALLERY FORUM’ ?

I realise not everyone is on Facebook and so I wanted to provide a place for you to feel free to share your work with others in the course. All participants of my self-paced courses are invited to post images in the Gallery Forum but there is no obligation to do so! My scheduled courses have areas with each activity where students can post images and join in discussions.

WHAT IF I GET BEHIND, WIILL I BE ABLE TO CATCH UP?

Yes! All videos are pre-recorded and available to watch, and re-watch at your convenience. For scheduled courses I am only available during the schedule of the course, but you get lifetime access to the course content and all the discussions and posting from other participants.

HOW DO I JOIN A COURSE?

At the very top of each course page there are buttons for you to click to pay for your course. Clicking this will take you to the Ruzuku platform and payment will be taken securely by credit card. The Ruzuku platform is where all the courses are kept, my website is just a ‘sales page’. The payment is set in GDP as I am in the UK but when you pay it will convert to your own currency.

I LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE UK, CAN I STILL JOIN A COURSE?

YES!  I would love to have you. I have people signed up from all over the world. The payment from your currency will convert to GDP.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Once you have paid you will be asked to create a Ruzuku account with a password. Note that this will also happen if your first course to purchase, you do not have to create a new account for each course, they will all be under your personal profile.

WHERE CAN I FIND MY COURSE?

When you enter Ruzuku at the top you will see My Learning Library. If you click on that you will get a list of your courses. Click on the course name to enter that course. If you have any technical problems click on the SUPPORT for Ruzuku support help-desk.

CAN I DOWNLOAD THE VIDEOS?

No, you cannot download the videos but you do have lifetime* access to them

WHAT INTERNET CONNECTION WILL I NEED?

To get the most out of the class you need to have a high speed internet connection and newer computer or mobile device that is equipped to stream video off of the internet.

DO I NEED TO BE AT THE COMPUTER AT A CERTAIN TIME TO SEE A LESSON?

No. None of my videos are live.

AM I ABLE TO WATCH THE VIDEOS FROM MY IPAD/TABLET/MOBILE?

Yes, my videos are compatible with all devices. Please do test out different browsers if you have any issues. Safari is default on an iPad, but Chrome is actually the better browser for a lot of people.

AM I ALLOWED TO SHARE MY LOGIN AND PASSWORD WITH FRIENDS?

No. I have priced my courses very reasonably and I have worked very hard to give you a beautiful and inspiring course full of content. I would love to have your friends join in the proper way by registering.

AM I ALLOWED TO USE YOUR CONTENT FOR MY OWN TEACHING?

No. It is my intellectual property built from over 40 years as an artist and teacher.

CAN I SHARE IMAGES & TECHNIQUES FROM COURSES?

You are more that welcome to share images of YOUR work on social media but please do not share, cope or distribute any of the course content. Also, if you create work that is clearly based on my demonstration pieces do not attempt to sell it as ‘yours’. More details about my intellectual property rights can be found in the Terms and Conditions.

USING STUDENTS WORK FOR PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL;

I do need to promote my courses, and celebrate your success!  Students are asked to give their permission on enrolling. 

DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS?

I do not offer refunds for self-paced courses as the course descriptions give a very full account of the content, but in the unlikely event you have booked a course that is not right for you let me know BEFORE you start accessing the content. With my scheduled courses if you feel they are not right for you I will refund you within a week of your booking/the course starting, (less an admin fee) or a full credit towards another class.

If your class has not started, please email me sally@sallyhirst.co.uk to discuss. You can find my full Terms & Conditions here.

HELP! I CANNOT GET THE VIDEO’S TO PLAY.

If you’re having difficulty watching the videos try these tips:

  1. Close down any open applications and exit out of any extra windows in your browser. These all take up memory on your device and cannot effect the ability to play video smoothly.
  2. Refresh the page.
  3. Restart your device if you have not today.
  4. Make sure your device is updated. (including the operating system and browser)
  5. Try a different browser.  My videos have been verified working with:
  6. Firefox (Windows and Mac)
  7. Internet Explorer (Windows)
  8. Google Chrome (Windows, Mac and Android [4.1.2] tablet)
  9. Safari (Mac, iPad and iPhone)

*I cannot guarantee that our videos will play on your device. There are too many variations in each person’s scenario.

*lifetime means as long as I am able to communicate, or as long as the platform is in existence.