Reptiles course

Thursday 5 / 12 / 19 / 26 March 2026

Four live classes

with Gillian Child and Juliet Eve

ONLY £48 FOR FOUR CLASSES

Kids can’t get enough of lizards, crocodiles and snakes, but let’s be honest: reptiles can be surprisingly tricky to paint quickly and convincingly. Getting scales to look right, placing designs so they work with the face, and keeping things speedy during busy jobs can feel like a challenge.

In this four-part course, you’ll learn practical reptile techniques, including easy ways to create eye-catching scales, understanding reptile anatomy, and how to position designs for maximum impact. We’ll also share simple, effective OTJ designs that look great without slowing you down.

If reptiles are popular at your bookings (and they definitely are!), this course will help you to paint them faster, better and with more confidence.

Across four weekly sessions, you’ll be guided by two expert instructors:

Weeks 1 & 2 with Gillian Child

With a special focus on lizards, geckos and chameleons, Gill will show you how to transform these fascinating creatures into striking, wearable works of art. Expect flowing body shapes, curling tails, tiny toes, expressive eyes and beautifully balanced compositions that sit perfectly on the face.

You won’t just learn “a design” – you’ll learn techniques. Gill will guide you step-by-step through:

Using the brightest colours without losing control
Creating crisp definition and contrast
Building depth with highlights and shadows
Achieving texture that makes scales come alive
Keeping your brushwork delicate, clean and confident

Weeks 3 & 4 with Juliet Eve

In these two classes, you’ll explore multiple ways to create convincing scale textures – from a switch-swiped filbert, to a crisp criss-cross effect with the dagger, and delicate dot-like scales using a rake brush. Each technique is practical, adaptable and designed to work in real event conditions.

You’ll learn how to subtly suggest reptilian features: expressive eyes, textured skin, sharp teeth, flicking tongues and elegant limbs – all without overcomplicating your design. You’ll also learn how to frame your creatures beautifully by hinting at their natural environment, incorporating water, foliage and movement.

For those who love a fantasy twist, Juliet will demonstrate how to use stencils creatively to layer in decorative patterns that will elevate your reptiles from realistic to magical.