Testimonials
For the past year I’ve attended Sam’s workshops almost once a month and recently I’ve also started to take tutorial lessons to improve my drawing skills. She is a wonderful artist, and I can’t seem to find the right words for how grateful I am to have found Sam as a teacher and mentor. After the first session I felt that I’ve already learned more in this one hour than I did when I was in school and had twelve hours of drawing every week for four years. The workshops and tutorials are so well organized, a lot of fun and always leave a big smile on my face. They have helped me to improve my linocut and drawing skills quickly. In the last 15 years I’ve repeatedly attended art workshops, but I have never met a teacher who is as encouraging as Sam. Although art has always been a huge part of my life, I always believed that I am not good enough to call myself an artist, but Sam always treats me as one and makes me and my work feel very special.
As someone who dabbled with linocutting back in the 1970s and early 80s I was in dire need of both a refresher and more education on how to undertake linocutting as a form of printmaking. Sam Marshall is an accomplished printmaker and linocut artist and offers a series of courses on the subject. I have taken 3 courses now from Sam, an introductory course on simple one colour printing, a second course on multi-colour reduction printing where parts of the block are sequentially removed for the application of a series of colours, and finally a multi-block course for colour printing using a block for each colour. Sam provided the instruction and guidance I needed to get back into linocutting and to significantly improve my skills. Through Sam’s instruction, in addition to technique, I learned of materials to use and suppliers for these materials that I have subsequently contacted.. Sam ’s cheery disposition and deep knowledge of the subject meant the courses, on line during this pandemic period, were a real pleasure, inspirational and if you are interested in linocut printmaking I highly recommend Sam’s courses.
Sam’s warmth and enthusiasm has made tackling my mental block with drawing a lot more fun than I could have imagined! I’ve learned a wide variety of practical strategies and techniques to help loosen up my drawing style. What I maybe wasn’t expecting is how rounded Sam’s teaching approach is, discussing what lies behind my fear of drawing, sharing lots of practical tips, and gently building up my confidence – all of which have enabled me to become more relaxed and experimental with my drawing.
Sam has proved to be an unbelievable mentor and coach to me for the past year. She listens and works with you on your needs and goals, is supportive, yet not afraid to challenge or question where needed. Despite a global pandemic and being 6000 miles away I achieved all my original goals – a completed body of work, an exhibition and obtaining a place on a specific arts MA course. I’m really thankful and look forward to continuing to work with her.
Not only is Sam an incredible and unique artist, she is also an exceptional teacher. I came away from her classes inspired and renewed with an increase in my skill level.
I can’t recommend Sam Marshall’s workshops more highly! I have taken three workshops from Sam and intend to take more. Sam is so generous with her assistance, advice and shares knowledge from her extensive artistic experience. The workshops are well organized and timed for participants in the UK as well as the USA. Because her later workshop was full, I got up at 6 in the morning (EST US) to participate. It was worth it!
I just wanted to let you know how very much I enjoyed the ‘Introduction to Lino’ and the ‘Three colour block’ lino classes. As a complete beginner, the instructions sent out before the class about method and equipment were invaluable. Having had some rudimentary kit for about a year, it was only having done these classes that I gained the confidence to really have a go at lino printing, and now I’m hooked! There is certainly masses to explore and so much to learn.I was amazed at how well the class worked via zoom!. It was easy to forget about the technology and it felt like being in a small art class with Sam able to see everyone’s work easily and offer very specific advice on how to proceed.Sam was super encouraging, even when I showed her my far too ambitious plans.It was so interesting to be in a class and chat with people from all over the world, Australia, Canada, USA, and UK too.
It was a lovely way to spend a lockdown afternoon, and I’ve spent much time since trying to complete my print satisfactorily.
Many thanks Sam for giving excellent tuition and inspiration.
