nsa

Henry & Mike

Draw, Draw and Draw! – written by Mike Lamble

To all our students

Henry

Mike & Henry

How often have I encouraged you to draw, draw, draw, as much as you can. Ask yourself how much time do you waste sitting in front of the TV watching mindless rubbish that doesn’t feed your heart soul or creativity? then find yourself at art class feeling angry and frustrated because the task you have undertaken, I quote “isn’t working for me”.
I have lost count over the years how many times i’ve heard that one as though its something outside a students control, when in fact it is an internal process of taking responsibility to practice even if its ONLY an hour a week between classes.

Ruth & Mike
In spite of the long Christmas and new years break, doing an awful lot of end of year maintenance, at the art school, attending a wedding of one of my former students in New Zealand (who I adore) I knew I was in desperate need to practice. Whatever I have achieved in the past as a professional artist and illustrator counts for nothing now or in the future, if I don’t practice , I have grown to love it for its own sake NOT A CHORE ! another thing I must do, tick the box.

So here are some examples of of what I have been working on:

A word or two about the painting of Erika , the idea came to me when she came to  class with her hair down which put me in mind of Durer’s self portrait (but obviously she is better looking) I haven’t painted in the style of the ” old masters” for a few years the last time being when my agent asked me to paint the Mona Lisa by Da Vinci for an advertising agency in Sydney, this will take sometime to complete between classes, as it progresses will keep posting pictures on the website.

Durer

Painting a portrait of Erika in the studio.

Progress of portrait painting of Erika

The soul of my art is to have as much pleasure as possible in giving pleasure, art is not just a skill, the hand, head and heart all work in concert,channeling feelings which the artist has experienced, that is why I keep being draw back to painting Lambs Valley every time I go it looks so different.

” THE TRUE ARTIST WILL LET HIS WIFE STARVE, HIS CHILDREN GO BARE FOOT, HIS MOTHER DRUDGE FOR A LIVING AT SEVENTY SOONER THAN WORK AT ANYTHING OTHER THAN HIS ART”   George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish, Socialist, Writer, Dramatist, and Critic.


Go to the Flickr slide site of “Mike Sketching 201301”


Go to the Flickr slide site of “Mike Painting Landscape 201301”

mike lamble henry

News Letter December 2012: Our Annual Exhibition – written by Mike Lamble

 

mike lamble henry

To all our friends,

 

I’m so excited about our up and coming exhibition at the mosman art gallery ,which I hope will turn out to be an annual event.
Great location lovely people ,the art school has contributed thousands of dollars over the years in the form of sponsorship .
I have given quite a few talks and exhibited there since I founded the art school in 1999.
I chose works which I thought represented the extraordinary range of personalities and talent we have in the school, particularly from all you ex-‘rocket scientists’ who can rightfully claim you have become artists in your own right or as I promised at the time to turn you all into ‘loose women’ (that includes the men) 🙂

Mike Nov 2012

 

Please come to our Celebration Night!

  • Date:  Saturday 1st December 2012
  • Time: 6:30pm
  • Venue: Mosman Art Gallery (Corner Art Gallery Way and Myahgah Road Mosman)
  • Simple drinks and snacks will be served.

The Exhibition Details

  • Date: Saturday 1st ~ Friday 7th December
  • Time: 10am ~ 5pm
  • Mosman Art Gallery Address: Corner Art Gallery Way and Myahgah Road Mosman
4 ways to find an art class

We’ve launched our new designed website! – information

4 ways to find an art class

There are 4 ways that you can find an art class according to your needs.
Click the above image to see the larger one.

 

Our focus is for students

We’ve been planning and thinking about the new design of our website for a quite while, lots of ideas came and went in the bin. We won’t bore you by telling all the details.

However, the 3 categories of people we have thought of during this process has been;

  • Current students
  • Former students
  • New visitors to our website (potential new students)

:: For current students ::

  • Showing their artworks to the world on the net: this is something we value, because we are so proud of our students’ hard work and their achievements to show them off to the world! We are still gathering the images of their works, and will upload them soon.
  • Reminding our students of the date of a new term and upcoming workshops: Unfortunately some students miss the first art class or new workshop, so we will remind our students beforehand of when it starts through the newsletter, blog, Facebook or Twitter .
  • Tips and ideas: From many different sources including our students come great ideas we can learn from. We would love to share these with you.

:: For former students ::

The demands of life often force them to give up on their art classes. WE WANT YOU BACK! to continue growing the seeds of your creativity you planted in the past.

  • Keep in touch through Facebook and Twitter.
  • Notice of upcoming workshops: Who knows one day you might have an odd free day that allows you to join one of our workshops.
  • News -what’s happening in the Art school and the Art world in general: though you are not ready to commit yourself to art activities yet, it might refresh you to just think about your Art. We can help you to nourish your desire until the right time.

:: For new visitors to our website (potential new students) ::

We get enquiries from overseas as well as our local area, some would buy our art class as a gift for one of their relatives or friends in Sydney.

Thanks to the internet and social networking, the world is getting smaller than ever so we are aware of needs from arty people who live outside Sydney. We would love to hear from you wherever you are!

Of course we do appreciate all enquiries from our neighbourhood as well, we believe that our renewed website would help you to find an art class easily which suites you the best. Please feel free to talk to us over the phone [+61 (0)2 9968 1233] if you need to have a-human-to-human-conversation!

  • Getting to know you and keep in touch through Facebook and Twitter.
  • Notice of the new term and upcoming workshops: You might be one of those who, on and off, have browsed art classes on the net with the idea to brush up your skills and become motivated, good for you! Let us help you when the timing and your situation becomes right.
  • Gift certificate: we are working on setting it up on our website, meanwhile you can email us (info[at]art-art.com.au) to ask for a gift certificate from us or for your convenience you can purchase the selective classes through our affiliate retail Redballoon straight away ;

Being flexible according to our students’ needs

The good thing about a website is you can change the contents easily and as often as you like which you cannot achieve with the printed media. The website as a promotional media works very well for us, because the size of our art school allows us to be flexible in helping students towards achieving their goals.

We’ve always paid attention to our students’ needs at the time and arranged extra new workshops whilst the curriculum (weekly classes) remains set as the dates posted. Let us hear what you would like to achieve in your Art that will give us a chance to create new workshops.

The bottom line is …

You will get all the information we mentioned above if you connect with us through our newsletters, blog, Facebook or Twitter. It’s so nice to create an art community and support each other. When you become one of the best artists in the world, you will still need fellow artists around you to keep you motivated. That’s what an Art community is all about.

Beginners Draw & Paint

For absolute beginners

For all those who doubt that they have a single creative bone in their body! Let us prove you wrong! Everybody has the ability to draw and paint. All you need is the enthusiasm to do so. We uncover the tricks of the trade through simple exercises that will teach you to see like an artist. Get your lines right, get your tone right, understand how perspective and scale works. Learn how to use colour pencil and be introduced to oil painting. Discover skills you never thought you had in our fun and relaxed environment!

 

Day and Time

  • Monday Afternoon: 12pm noon – 3pm
  • Wednesday Evening: 7 – 9pm
 

School Term Dates

Please see the School Calendar: Click Here

 

Fee

2 hours class

  • $480 per term (10 weeks)
  • $65 per casual class

3 hours class

  • $580 per term (10 weeks)
  • $75 per casual class
 

Teacher

Mike Lamble

 

Class Limit

12 people

Drawing & Painting (weekly / casual)

All skill levels

Always wanted to improve your artistic skills but never really knew what to do next? This is the class for you. From the avid beginner to the practicing artist. Learn how to improve your painting and drawing skills by exploring techniques used by the masters. Discover how to paint and draw what you really see. Develop your skills through form, perspective, tone and colour exercises. Learn how to work with different mediums and styles. Some classes will incorporate short studies reviewing masterpieces in Western Art.

 

Day and Time

  • Wednesday Morning: 10am – 1pm (3hours )
  • Friday Morning: 10am – 1pm (3hours)

 

School Term Dates

Please see the School Calendar: Click Here

 

Fee

2hours class

  • $480 per term (10 weeks)
  • $65 per casual class

 

3hours class

  • $580 per term (10 weeks)
  • $75 per casual class
 

Teacher

Mike Lamble

 

Class Limit

14 people

 

Kids Club: After School Classes (weekly / casual)

 

Fun and Skill Up!

Our popular after school classes are great for keeping those creative hands and minds busy! Our kid’s Club classes run in the afternoons of Monday, Tuesday and Friday giving you more flexibility to plan your week.

 

Friday Classes 11-17 years – Pre HSC classes

Nurturing students creative potential over the years prior to HSC or IB. We explore painting, drawing, life drawing and perspective. We will discuss meaning, technique and history of the world’s greatest masterpieces.
Teacher: Mike Lamble

 

Monday Class 11-17 years – Pre HSC classes

This class focuses on developing both strong drawing skills and personal creative expression.

Students explore a variety of materials including colour pencils, watercolours and water-mixable oil paints. Alongside learning observation, proportion, perspective and value, they are encouraged to expand their imagination and develop their own artistic voice.

This class is ideal for students preparing for senior art studies who want to grow in both technical skill and creativity.

Teacher: Ako Lamble

 

Tuesday Class 9-11 years

Learning to see things like an artist through drawing from life. Children are educated in pencil drawing, pen drawing, Line & Wash, Value study and Perspective.

Teacher: Ako Lamble

 

School Term Dates

Please see the School Calendar: Click Here

 

Day & Time

Monday, Tuesday and Friday : 4pm-6pm (9 weeks per term)

 

Fee

  1. $480 term (9 weeks)
  2. $70 casual class
 
Portrait Workshops

Portrait Workshops for Beginners

The anatomy of the face.

This course aims to give a concise introduction to the art of portrait drawing.
A detailed exploration of the anatomy of the face, I will reveal the secrets of how to achieve a likeness using techniques of perception space shadows and measurement.
In the afternoon I will give a short illustrated talk on what makes a great portrait.

 

Dates & Time in 2025

Saturdays 10am – 3pm (30 min lunch break)

  • To be announced further dates

* Please note: Dates can be changed according to students’ needs. These are special workshops make ups cannot be transferred to any other class.

 

Fee

$150 per person per class
* Please pay 10 days prior to workshop to reserve your place.

 

Art Materials

    • A2 Sketchbook
    • 2B Pencil
    • Eraser
    • Pencil Sharpener with a barrel around it to capture all the shavings

 

Teacher

Mike Lamble

 

Class Limit

10 people

Portrait Workshops

Portrait Workshops – Live model all day.

For experienced portrait artists.

Live model all day. For those with some experience of portrait drawing and painting.

There will be three poses chosen so every student will have the opportunity to draw or paint a profile, three quarters, full face.
Dramatic lighting of the face will be used to create strong contrasting features and shadows, this aids the student in creating a likeness using the techniques we learned from our beginners workshop.
Soft background music will play throughout the day helping concentration making for a pleasant environment.
With tuition.

 

Dates & Time in 2026

10:00am – 3:00pm (30min lunch break) Saturday

  • To be announced further dates

* Please note: Dates can be changed according to students’ needs. These are special workshops make ups cannot be transferred to any other class.

 

Fee

$200 per person per workshop (includes model fee)
* Please pay 10 days prior to workshop to reserve your place.

 

Art Materials

At the choice of the student.

 

Teacher

Mike Lamble

 

Class Limit

7 people

 
iPad Art Workshop Logo

iPad Art Workshops

“I couldn’t pick up my painting again if there was no iPad because I have limited energy and time to do it.”
– Ako Lamble
 

 

Discover your iPad as a powerful art tool!

We will do;

  • See the possibilities of iPad Art through the iPad artists in the world
    and their works
  • Paint an apple and other simple subjects with Procreate App.
 

Suitable for;

  • Age 17yo and over.
  • those who already know how to draw and paint but have never tried digital art before.
  • those who would like to pick up their drawing and painting again though having limited energy and time to do it.
  • Someone (may be a busy mum) who can’t be bothered to carry all those art materials back and forth to attend the art class.
  • those who has ideas and wants to make their own picture book.
  • those who got an iPad but doesn’t know what to do with it other than checking emails/browsing websites.
  • Artists who like to work with traditional materials, it would be a time saver for you to experiment and develop your painting ideas on your iPad before you transfer it to a canvas.
 

See some examples of what you can do with your iPad

Cick the image to go to its page.

iPad Art "Penguin"
iPad Art "Lady with an Ermine and Henry"
iPad Art "Where on earth Are you, Hunter?"

 

Click here to read REVIEW of the iPad Art Workshop >>

 

App we use in the class

We will let you know if there is any changes.

  • Procreate (AU$19.99-as of January 2026): to draw & paint
 

Day & Time

Sunday, 10am – 1pm (3hrs)

 

Age of Students

17 years old and over.

 

Dates in 2026

  • 22nd March 2026
  • 24th May 2026
  • 28th June 2026
  • 26th July 2026
  • 23rd August 2026
  • 27th September 2026
  • 25th October 2026
  • 22nd November 2026
 

Fee

$90 per workshop at our Studio

 

Teacher

Ako Lamble

 

Class Limit

10 people

Talks at the NSW Art Gallery – Saturday

* ($70 per talk)
* (Sat for 2hours at NSW art gallery)

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

 

Meet at the Gallery of NSW for an informative talk reviewing the Gallery’s permanent collection. Extend your appreciation of art and uncover the secret techniques and events that helped make well known paintings so great. Understand the meanings of many works on exhibit and explore the joy of the gallery!

 

Time & Dates

  • Will be arranged by request.

 

Fee

$70 per person per talk
* Please pay 10 days prior to workshop to reserve your place.

 

Speaker

Mike Lamble

 

Life Drawing Workshop

 

For all skill levels, this class focuses on the human form. Live model. Sketching times from 1 to 60 minute intervals. Enhance your perception skills through a variety of observation exercises. Explore the tonal values of light and shade. Experiment with different mediums. Full tuition throughout the class.

 

Day & Time

Saturday 10am – 12:00pm

 

Dates in 2026

  • 14th March 2026
  • To be announce further dates
 

Fee

$60 per person per class
* Please pay 10 days prior to workshop to reserve your place.

 

Teacher

Mike Lamble

 

Class Limit

12 people

 

Life Drawing for HSC Students – Friday

* ($40 per workshop)
* (Fri 6:30-8pm) * (by invitation)

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

 

by invitation only

Selected class for mature teenagers who currently undertake the after school classes or holiday workshops. Life model. Parental permission required.

 

Day & Time

Friday evening 6:30pm – 8pm

 

Dates

  • You will be informed by Mike in the weekly class.

 

Fee

$40 per person per class
* Please pay 10 days prior to workshop to reserve your place.

 

Teacher

Mike Lamble

 

Class Limit

12 people

 
iPadArt Weekly Classes

iPad Art – for All Levels

 
 
“I couldn’t pick up my painting again if there was no iPad because I have limited energy and time to do it.”
– Ako Lamble
 

A Powerful Art Tool!

Once you decided to start drawing with your iPad, we believe that you might have many questions to be answered and need instructions on a weekly bases, so come to the class with your well-charged-iPad, have fun and make your iPad a powerful art tool which you won’t want to be without!

 

Suitable for;

    • Age 17yo and over.
    • those who already know how to draw and paint but have never tried digital art before.
    • those who would like to pick up their drawing and painting again though having limited energy and time to do it.
    • Someone (may be a busy mum) who can’t be bothered to carry all those art materials back and forth to attend the art class.
    • those who has ideas and wants to make their own picture book.
    • those who got an iPad but doesn’t know what to do with it other than checking emails/browsing websites.
    • Artists who like to work with traditional materials, it would be a time saver for you to experiment and develop your painting ideas on your iPad before you transfer it to a canvas.
 

See some examples of what you can do with your iPad

Cick the image to go to its page.

iPad Art "Penguin"
iPad Art "Lady with an Ermine and Henry"
iPad Art "Where on earth Are you, Hunter?"

 

App we use in the class

We will let you know if there is any changes.

  • Procreate (AU$19.99 – as of January 2026): to draw & paint.
 

School Term Dates

Please see the School Calendar: Click Here

 

Day and Time

  • Tuesday morning: 9.30am – 11.30am (2hours)
 

Fee

  • $480 per term (10 weeks)
  • $65 per casual class
 

Teacher

Ako Lamble

 

Class Limit

12 people

 
 

Private Tuition for HSC Students

Personalised Tuition

Encourage your son or daughter to improve their skills with one to one teaching. Great for building creative confidence, HSC studies or preparing young children for our Kid’s Club.

HSC and students going for scholarships!

 

Fee

In our studio: $100 per hour per student

 

Teacher

Mike Lamble

Private Tuition for Adults

Personalised Tuition

If you prefer private one-on-one tuition without the distraction of a class, this is for you. Accelerated learning. For more information have a chat to Mike by phone on [+61 (0)407 273 814].

 

Fee

In our studio: $100 per hour per person

Teacher

Mike Lamble

 

Private Tuition for iPad Art

A Powerful Art Tool!

Once you decided to start drawing with your iPad, we believe that you might have many questions to be answered and need instructions.
You can get full attention from Ako, she will help you from the point to set up your iPad, download drawing apps and so forth. Let’s make your iPad a powerful art tool which you won’t want to be without!

 

Fee

In our studio: $95 per hour per student
At YOUR home: $100 per hour per sudent

 

Teacher

Ako Lamble

 

Suitable for;

  • those who already know how to draw and paint but have never tried digital art before.
  • those who would like to pick up their drawing and painting again though having limited energy and time to do it.
  • Someone (may be a busy mum) who can’t be bothered to carry all those art materials back and forth to attend the art class.
  • those who has ideas and wants to make their own picture book.
  • those who got an iPad but doesn’t know what to do with it other than checking emails/browsing websites.
  • Artists who like to work with traditional materials, it would be a time saver for you to experiment and develop your painting ideas on your iPad before you transfer it to a canvas.
 

See some examples of what you can do with your iPad

Cick the image to go to its page.

iPad Art "Penguin"
iPad Art "Lady with an Ermine and Henry"
iPad Art "Where on earth Are you, Hunter?"

 

Apps Ako recommends

Ako will let you know if there is any changes.

  • Procreate (AU$14.99-as of January 2021): to draw & paint
  • Snapseed (Free): to adjust colour & tone of your artworks

Mike’s story is on the local newspaper(bordermail.com.au) in Wodonga. April 2012

 

a clip of news paper

 

[The following article is from the newspaper of the photo]

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Artist shows his thanks in paint

By  KATE COUGHLAN

[Picture]

Helen Lindner said the painting Mike Lamble donated to the Wodonga hospital was “absolutely beautiful’ and greatly appreciated by staff.

Picture: TARA ASHWORTH

A SYDNEY artist has repaid Wodonga hospital staff for saving his life by donating an art work.

Mike Lamble, from Mosman, experienced s dull ache in his abdomen during a holiday on the Great Ocean Road and decided to return home.

But he was in such excruciating pain in Wodonga that he couldn’t get out of the car.

His wife rushed him to hospital where he had emergency surgery for severe appendicitis.

“I’m an artist and teacher and the only way I could express my appreciation was to give some­ thing of me to this wonderful hospital and these wonderful people,” Mr Lamble said yesterday.

“It’s for their amazing care, warmth and life­ saving treatment.”

“They were actually caring for me. It was amazing.”

Mr Lamble said he was seen by a doctor five minutes after he arrived at the emergency department on December 27.

“Three hours later,I was in the operating theatre. How good is that?” he said.

Mr Lamble said the seriousness of his condition had only struck him after the operation.

“The surgeon, who’ d come in off Christmas leave, came to see me a day after and he said: ‘when we opened you up you were an awful mess’,” Mr Lamble said.

“One of the nurses told me I wouldn’t have made it home to Sydney.”

Mr Lamble’s oil paint­ing of Lambs Valley, in the Hunter Valley, will hang in either the reception area or ward where he was treated.

“I want people to know how wonderful these doctors and nurses are,” Mr Lamble said.

Associate nurse man­ager of the surgical unit Helen Lindner said the donation was a welcome surprise.

“The painting is absolutely beautiful,” she said.

“It’s a real surprise, and especially nice after a busy Easter period.

“It’s very special to have someone recognise our work. It doesn’t hap­pen very often and that’ s why it’s extra special.”