"I've been drawing for over 60 years but I learnt more about freehand drawing in your first three hour class than I did in the rest of my life put together",
Bill Byrne (six-week workshop student- 2 x workshops)
"Many thanks for your inspiration",
Donna Window (six-week workshop student- 3 x workshops)
"Thanks Brett, you opened a new world for me",
Johanna Arnold-Stevens (six-week workshop student- 2 x workshops)
"What a wonderful experience to learn from someone who thinks outside the square",
Robyn Edwards (six-week workshop student- 2 x workshops)
"Always a pleasure to come along, learn, and draw. You brighten up my Saturdays",
Kelli Williams (six-week workshop student- 4 x workshops)
"Thanks Brett! You've helped me improve my art and opened my eyes to all the little things I never saw as relevant. Thank you!",
Kira Breischke (six-week workshop student- 2 x workshops)
"Thanks Brett. you're a breath of fresh air- you've given me confidence to express myself my way",
Sue Walsh (six-week workshop student)
"Thanks heaps Brett, good to learn from someone who thinks the same way I do. Makes learning so much easier",
Catherine Lavender (six-week workshop student)
"Great course Brett. I came to the course to learn how you draw accurately. I've learnt so much more. Your magic pencil techniques and hatching/crosshatching techniques are superb. I'm looking forward to practising these great techniques to improve my drawing skills Thank you for such an indepth and informative course",
Gavan Berger (six-week workshop student)
"Thank you for your enthusiasm. Your passion for freehand drawing was contagious. You generously shared your techniques and methods and I have learned a lot about improving my skills during your workshop. I left with the knowledgs and information to keep practising and improving into the future",
D'Arne Greenway (six-week workshop student)
"Brett, you have breathtaking talent, and your passion translates into inspired teaching. It's been a privilege to be in your class. I loved every minute!"
Faye Sanderson (six week workshop student)
"In 2012, I had the privilege of doing a six-weeks group course of freehand drawing with Brett A. Jones. In 2018 I follwed up with a one-on-one lesson with Brett, needing help to complete my original project, started 6 years earlier. I found Brett just as accomodating, one-on-one, as he was with the group. Brett's approach is down to earth, always making you feel at ease and comfortable. His teaching skills are up there. They are very effective, easily absorbing his knowledge, and understanding. Brett's approach to his student's artwork, and attempts, was always met with great positivity, which in turn, gives you, the student, the confidence to keep striving to improve and hone your skills. Every question was effectively explained until 'the penny dropped'. I was able to leave feeling confident I had 'good ammo' and sound advice and knowledge, to tackle my next stage of the learning process in the art of graphite freehand drawing. I can only thank Brett for his patience and kind words of encouragement. I will not hesitate to contact Brett again for further lessons in the future. I wish all who take pencil to paper, or any other medium, to enjoy the journey within".
A Journey Within
The ticking of the hallway clock, has quietened now, I hear it not.
I'm now seated, sketch board in front. Graphite pencils, are never blunt.
I sketch, I draw, I hatch, I shade. Journey within, this I have made.
'til the project's complete, signed and done. I, graphite, and page become one.
The journey, the patience, it gives you a lift. Whether sell, frame, or as a gift.
Or if chosen, to keep as your own. Can't wait for another, to get in "that zone".
Jenny Dupont (six week workshop and private student)
"I met Brett at the Gympie Gold Rush Exhibition at the buffet after he just won the first prize in the Portrait section. Back then I could not see any way how my 'great' painting could be improved! After some of his online tutorials and great drawing classes I can see a big difference now! The most important sentence he ever said to me was: "paint what you see! Do not try to clean it up if your goal is to paint lifelike, and hair does not come in single hairs it is always a bundle of hair". I would like to thank him for being my mentor and my friend who has always supported me. I came so much further than I ever thought it would be possible! I just thought I would be a painting housewife but with his trust in me he pushed me a little bit over my borders, I won the title in the Woodland Gallery for best Artist of the month for December and got a 9 page article in a magazine, which would never have been possible without him! I still can’t believe it!"
Susanne Schmidlins (three day workshop, private student, online mentoring)
"I met Brett A. Jones when I started attending art and drawing-tutoring he hosted weekly out of Sea of Pain Fine Art Productions, his home and personal studio. I had been drawing from a young age intensely and was enthusiastic, but my work lacked classical skill and attention. After a few lessons, Brett offered to let me stay at Sea of Pain regularly so I could closely observe his technique, and learn about choosing art as a Life’s Pursuit. Doing so was the one of the most educational and eye-opening experiences of my young life. Since moving to Brisbane to pursue art professionally in 2011, Brett’s lessons and technique have proven infinitely expandable and adaptable, across a wide variety of applications both in Australia and abroad, most recently in becoming a licensed Tattoo Artist. To say that Brett A. Jones is a passionate artist, is something only someone who has never heard him speak about art can honestly be satisfied with. Brett’s lifetime of experience and polymathic, almost obsessive, creative skill, combined with his clarity and fondness for sharing it makes him a brilliant teacher,
Jacob Ditchmen (regular studio classes, Sea of Pain protege, Sea of Pain Drawing School graduate)
The Shed Bed
The tumescent vein that drives your heart, to be weeded at the root.
To create the drive and fuel needed for your next utmost pursuit.
There is no room for delicate things here, only the unbending need to create,
and despite your attempt to control the burn the scar will begin to shape.
To warp and render my psyche useless, to those living without
the knowledge of their own purpose, but you, you have no doubt.
The Gods have had their say, and although it may tear you apart,
take it tone by tone, shape by shape, for this is only the start.
Gemma Hall (private student, online mentoring, Sea of Pain protege)
