Helen Halliday is a professional artist with experience in many different media including watercolours, acrylics, printmaking and ceramics and she has appeared on Channel 4's Watercolour Challenge. She has exhibited work in London and abroad, collaborated with Andy Goldsworthy in a Millennium Project for the Barbican Art Gallery and has work in public and private collections both in the UK and abroad.

Helen studied Art, Music and German to A-Level then went on to read Music at the University of Vienna and at Durham University. Her career began at the BBC as a Studio Manager and as a composer in the Radiophonic Workshop, followed by some time working as a sound engineer for the Swiss Radio Big Band in Zurich. She spent 3 years in the USA where she studied and taught Suzuki piano then returned to the UK to study Fine Art for six years, graduating in 2000. Since then she has continued her professional development with qualifications in teaching, print-making and ceramics. She has taught painting and printmaking for local authorities and led community projects. Since 2004 she has concentrated on residential courses, working for Missenden Abbey and HF Holidays, she runs her own painting holidays in Dorset, and has taken painting groups to India and Paxos. Her enthusiasm for her subject, wide-ranging knowledge and ability to encourage and support each individual has ensured that her painting courses are popular and enjoyable, and her students leave with a new confidence and a desire to develop their painting skills.

Helen has completed several artist residencies, notably Missenden Abbey Summer School, Brisons Veor in Cornwall and Footpaths to Creativity in the Azores and has exhibited her work in the UK and abroad. Having been brought up on the North East coast she has a great love of the sea and travels regularly to the coast with her sketchbook to continue her research and development.

Helen had been teaching watercolours on cruise ships for many years and enjoys the chance to introduce people to a new hobby and to give them the skills to develop it further when they return home - many people arrive in the classes as complete beginners then leave with some beautiful paintings and a desire to join a regular painting class.

www.helenhalliday.com

Classes are a combination of technical instruction, demonstration and individual support including subjects specific to the cruise itinerary, using my own photographs taken in the destinations to be visited on the cruise - for instance, Mediterranean Landscape in Majorca, Tropical Beach in Tortola, Landscapes of the Azores etc. I demonstrate techniques and colour mixing giving explanations which are easily understood and remembered. I always have a selection of photos relevant to the cruise destinations for guests to work from and encourage an individual approach to painting. The emphasis is on enjoyment and fun whilst learning and practicing, and even the most tentative and inexperienced guest can produce some interesting work. More experienced painters are guided in their work and inspired with different ideas. The exhibition is always vibrant and varied, and many of the passengers leave with a desire to pursue their new hobby.

Some sample classes:

1. Go with the flow - a chance to see and practice watercolour wash techniques

2. Into the blue - a simple seascape using the techniques we have learnt

3. Making colour sing - practice in colour mixing to achieve vibrant colours and avoid mud

4. Gorgeous greens - how to mix a wide range of greens using transparent colours

5. Dramatic skies- a chance use different techniques to create an exciting painting

6. Don't be afraid of the darks - mixing luminous darks and shadows, and trying different mixes for greys

7. Lost and found - how to control those edges to achieve a natural effect

8. Rescue Remedies – bring along your problem paintings for a makeover

9. Review and refine - taking a good look at the paintings and putting in the final touches.

Some passenger feedback:

'What a wonderful collection of ‘Sea Days Art’! Many thanks indeed Helen for your patient and entertaining sessions.'

'I’m really inspired to continue.'

'As a complete novice I have enjoyed the classes and have learnt some good techniques and tips. Thank you for your help.'

'Helpful and friendly class – most enjoyable'

'Thoroughly enjoyed the classes and have really learnt a lot in a short time. Many thanks.'

'Been to every lesson!!'

'Helen has introduced me to watercolour and has been such a great teacher'

'Helen is one of the best art teachers I have had on a cruise – very relaxed and helpful. I hope that she is on our next cruise.'

'Thank you for making me look at pictures and the world in general in a different light'

'Terrific teaching – a real opportunity to improve in a friendly warm atmosphere. In eleven cruises the best watercolour teaching'

I have been teaching on cruise ships for over 10 years, including Saga, Fred Olsen, P&O, Cunard, Ambassador, Thomson. I have also led painting holidays in the UK and abroad and currently run my own painting holidays.