Creswell is an inspiring teacher and his watercolour courses are enormously popular.  

When teaching Creswell combines his fluency in watercolour and skills as a draughtsman with his vast knowledge of History of Art and Architecture.  He is a natural teacher who inspires his students whilst building their skills and confidence in the most difficult of medium. Students vary from professional architects and painters to amateurs and beginners.

Creswell has led courses in the UK, Venice, Rome, Sicily and in the United States. Depending on the time and place - food, wine and music play their part too! Courses vary from one day to 7 days with a full itinerary, list of materials, and travel arrangements and accommodation where necessary.

From time to time Creswell teaches alongside organisations; The Prince's Foundation, The Institute of Classical Architecture, the World Monument Fund and various Arts Groups.

"Alex is that rarest of educators-the 'teacher/virtuoso'. Many of the greatest artists can teach only by demonstration. Alex-a grandmaster of watercolour painting-teaches by example and by the spirit of inquiry he instills in his students. As I studied with Alex in Sicily, I felt each brushstroke as a thrilling adventure into the unknown. Alex is the teacher's teacher-the master who is the perennially inspiring student. Each day I watched Alex learn something new in front of us, and so inspired us to take those risks ourselves. His example is with me every time I take up the brush to paint, or begin to teach myself..."

Richard W. Cameron, Director, The Beaux-Arts Atelier
The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, New York

"My experience of being on tour with Mr. Creswell was to be in the presence of a sculptor who could render on a two-dimensional surface of paper, the three dimensional quality of light and shadow.  The speed and apparent ease with which he crafted the space of the subject, its mass, and feeling with brush, water, and pigment was fantastical. Within the space of time that it takes the Sicilian sun to alter the warm yellow ochres of its light and back light to the coolness of cobalt blue shadows, Alex transformed the white of watercolour paper to the living facade of a baroque church, the spray of a fountain in a piazza, or the another sun setting across the entablature of an ancient temple in ruin."

Andy Taylor, The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, New York

"Alex's use of light is fantastic and I think that one of the main features of his work is that he brings the paintings to life with his stunning use of colour and translucency. He taught us with patience and humour in the most fascinating surroundings as we struggled to emulate his standard. We were all hugely inspired by his teaching and that is the most important thing of all."

Susie de Boinville, portrait artist

Please contact us if you would like to enquire about a watercolour course.