Rachel Mercer | Art Tutor London
Learn from a Professional Artist
I'm Rachel, an experienced artist and tutor of drawing and painting based in London. I hold a First Class BA from Cardiff School of Art and Design (2012) and a postgraduate diploma from the Royal Drawing School (2013) where I studied under some leading figures in contemporary figurative painting.
To see more examples of my work and find out more about my artistic practise, including exhibitions and awards visit my artists website.
'Peel' Oil on Board, 46x61cm, 2023
'Charge' Oil on Canvas, 120x100cm 2023
Experienced Tutor and Specialist in Painting and Drawing
Faculty of the Royal Drawing School
Portraiture and Life Drawing
I have been taught on the Young Artists programme at The Royal Drawing School (for ages 10-18 ) since 2013 and on the adult public programme (portraiture and life drawing) since 2018. I have also taught as a tutor and mentor on the Royal Drawing Schools Online Drawing Development Year. For more details about the my role at the Royal Drawing School click here.
School Teaching Experience
Years 5 to A level
From 2018-2024 I taught Art (Key-stage 2,3,4, and 5) at a prestigious private school in London. I was able to deliver an engaging curriculum that developed children's skills with materials and gave them art historical context but also challenged them creatively. Many of my GCSE and A level students have achieved top grades and continued art into further education. With portfolio assistance and interview prep, my students achieved their first choice of university. I have also taught school age children and young people through many other Schools and institutions including: North London Collegiate , Emmanuel School, Bobby Moores School, St Paul's Way School, Haberdashers' Borough Academy, Haberdashers' Knights Academy, Watts Artist Village, Royal Collage of Physicians and Hampstead School of Art.
For more information visit my CV and Testimonials page (coming soon)
Further Education and Adult Education
I have worked with the following institutions to provide life drawing, portriature and still life classes for adults: London Drawing, Hampstead School of Art, Putney School of Art and Design, Westdean Collage, Borough Road Gallery and The Gallery Green and Stone.
My work with The Royal Drawing School Foundation Programme and Elm Education (China) helped university applicants build their portfolios.
For more information visit my CV and Testimonials page (coming soon)
Private Tutoring
I have worked as a private tutor since 2014. In that time I have taught a wide variety of students, from toddlers learning basic pencil control and developing their feel for colour and texture to mentoring mature students and professional artists.
I have worked with GCSE students who are homeschooled delivering the GCSE curriculum one to one. I have helped students achieve art scholarships for their 11+ and 13+ entrance exams. I have helped many collage age students prepare their portfolios and complete their university applications.
As well as teaching observational drawing I am also able to teach technical drawing for prospective architecture, design and engineering students.
For more information about what I offer visit the 'What I Offer' section of this page
Portrait by Rachel Mercer
Oil on Board , 2023
Portrait by Rachel Mercer
Oil on Board , 2023
Life Painting by Rachel Mercer
Oil on Canvas , 2024
Art Tuition for All Ages
and Abilities
My approach is skills-based and involves varied techniques and approaches to observational drawing across a wide variety of media. I specialise in drawing, oil painting, watercolour and gouache but will also use pastels, acyclic and inks in my teaching. As a tutor I am skilled at giving constructive feedback to help students progress whilst also being encouraging and supportive. I encourage students to follow their own interest and passions through their artwork and to combine their observational practice with feeling, imagination and memory. I introduce all my students to range of artists, thereby: developing art historical knowledge, providing inspiration and helping students see their practise within the context of art history. Lessons are tailored to the needs and ability of each student and are therefore fun engaging and varied.
Lessons are generally 2-3 hours. For longer sessions I offer a discount on the hourly rate. Please see my prices page below
In-Person Art Tuition
I offer private tuition either at my studio (Crouch End) or, if you are within London I can travel to you.
The museums, galleries, public spaces (indoor and outdoor) of London also make excellent teaching venues
- Life Drawing and Painting*
- Portraiture*
- Human Anatomy*
- Still life
-Working from masterworks in Museums and Galleries in London.
-Working Plein-Air (street-scenes, gardens and parks, architectural studies)
-Technical drawing (for architecture, design and engineering students)
*happy to arrange models, models fee will be added to invoice.
Online Art Tuition
Wherever you are in the world come and study with me! I offer:
- Life Drawing and Painting*
- Portraiture*
- Human Anatomy*
- Still life
-Working from masterworks from Museums and Galleries online collections.
*happy to arrange models, models fee will be added to invoice.
Image of an online model (Kamil) with colour mixing demonstration
Exam Preparation
Teaching GCSE and A level Art for 6 years in a school means I am very knowledgeable about the marking criteria (AQA and Edexel). Online or In-person I am experienced in helping students reach their full prentiaI cl .
I also can provide assistance with 11+ and 13+ art scholarship entrance exams.
- Providing feedback and help with existing portfolios
-I help students to design their own personal project whilst insuring they meet all the assessment criteria.
-I help students both with idea development, practical experimentation and contextual research.
- I can help students boost their grade from a middling grade to a top mark in a term.
- Tuition in observational drawing for art scholarship applicants, in preparation for drawing exam.
Portfolio Preparation
I have helped many students under my tuition achieve their first choice of university. I also help can help students prepare portfolios for entrance exams and scholarships 11+ and 13+
- I can provided feedback on existing portfolios and help improve flow and presentation
-I can help students write personal statements.
-I can help students put together their digital and physical portfolio submission for their applications.
-I can advise on the best places to study, to find the right course for you.
- I can help students with interview preparation
Professional Mentoring
Thinking of pushing your artistic practise to the next level? Whatever your age or wherever you are in your artistic journey I can help online or in-person:
- provide feedback on existing work and work in progress
- Help you set weekly goals and tasks that speed your progress.
- suggest artists and exhibitions that you might find inspiring
- suggest competitions and artist opportunities to apply for.
Prices
In-Person Hourly rate £60 per hour
Class packs
3 hours - (5 % discount) £171
4 hours (10 % discount) £216
Zoom Tuition Hourly Rate £55 per hour