Start drawing with confidence.
1:1 online drawing coaching, built around you.
Hi 👋 I'm Tom Cole
Hi, I'm Tom (Clo-ho-sy (an Irish family name I inherited)) Cole, an Illustrator and Artist living and working in Brighton. I have worked across many forms of Illustration and in Animation production over the last 15 years. I work in Photoshop and Procreate mostly. I love painting skies and the natural world—it’s my biggest source of inspiration. I teach drawing in a practical, supportive way — focused on the process of learning, rather than the final result.
15+ years of professional illustration industry experience.
Specialising in Photoshop and Procreate.
A love for composition and light.
Who is this for?
This is for you if:
➡️ You want to draw but don’t know where to start...
➡️ You feel stuck and unsure how to improve...
➡️ You want personal feedback, not tutorials...
➡️ You enjoy learning slowly and with support and accountability...
Foundations:
Building a Serious Drawing Practice
This course is for artists, illustrators, art students, and creatives who want to build strong fundamentals with the intention of developing a professional practice.
Illustration Principles:
Composition, Storytelling & Visual Clarity
For artists and illustrators who can draw, but want their work to feel more intentional, readable, and confident.
Painting Atmospheric Skies & Landscapes:
Mood, Light, and Story in Environment Illustration
For illustrators and artists who want to develop a personal, atmospheric approach to landscape and environment painting.
Why 1:1 works so well...
Over the years, I've done a large number of YouTube tutorials, and though there's loads of value there, I've found that I've learnt best when I've been able to speak to the person teaching me.
I've never forgotten the lessons I've learned in person, because I was able to ask questions and get feedback and have a conversation around the thing I was learning, which I find helps things stick.
Then there's the accountability you get from someone expecting you there.
I find this really helps me commit to learning something, it's way too easy to not show up for another tutorial when no one other than you expects you there.
Working 1:1 also helps build confidence in what you are learning much quicker than when you are learning solo.
The bottom line... You need the right support.
Foundations: Building a Serious Drawing Practice
Who it’s for: Illustrators, art students, and creatives who want to build strong fundamentals with the intention of developing a professional practice. We cover:
Composition & Thumbnails
Drawing Basics: Shape & Form
Tone & Values
Observation Techniques
Drawing Together: Final Piece
A 5-session mentoring block designed to give you clarity, direction, and momentum in your drawing and illustration practice.
Priced at £400
Principles: Composition, Storytelling & Visual Clarity
Who it’s for: For illustrators and artists who can draw, but want their work to feel more intentional, readable, and confident. Where we cover:
Composition & Values for Storytelling
Silhouette, Drama & Directing the Viewer
Colour: Mood, Harmony & Narrative
Framing, Depth & Atmosphere
Critique & Refinement: What’s Working and What’s Not
A 5-session mentoring block designed to give you clarity, direction, and momentum in your drawing and illustration practice.
Priced at £400
Painting Atmospheric Skies & Landscapes:
Mood, Light, and Story in Environment Illustration
Who it’s for: For illustrators and artists who want to develop a personal, atmospheric approach to landscape and environment painting. Where we cover:
Timeless Rules: Composition, Perspective, Values
Painting Skies
Painting Mountains & Natural Forms
Putting It All Together
Choose Your Path: Seascape or City scene
A 5-session mentoring block designed to give you clarity, direction, and momentum in your drawing and illustration practice.
Priced at £400
Illustration Portfolio Review & Creative Direction Call
Who's this for? Artists and Illustrators. Focused, experience-led feedback on your work, direction, and next steps as an illustrator/artist. We can cover:
A particular project or artwork
Review your portfolio
Technical advice for artwork creation
Look at how to bring in more paid work
Create a class tailored to your needs
1x face-to-face call, 1 hour.
Priced at £110
What is included in the sessions?
✔ A structured learning plan across 5 sessions.
✔ Access to a shared Notion document for each lesson.
✔ Professional feedback & guidance throughout.
✔ Tailored assignments for your journey.
The first 5 minutes are mostly introductions or reviewing last week's work/assignments.
10-15 minutes explaining the concept or theory for the session, talking through a PDF, created in Notion and shared with you.
30-40 minutes of practical drawing exercises with space for questions and support.
A final 5-10 mins looking back on what we learnt and discussing next steps.
I use visual aids to help teach core concepts
For each class I provide a pdf to talk through that you can keep and refer back to the lessons forever
Learning the concepts and then having a go at putting them into practice yourself is the best way to cement them into the memory.
Who you'll become...
👍 An artist who trusts their instincts and makes decisions with confidence
👍 Someone who understands why things work, not just how to copy them
👍 A more focused, intentional drawer or painter — with less second-guessing
👍 An artist who can spot what to work on next, without feeling overwhelmed
👍 Someone who shows up consistently, even when things feel imperfect
👍 An artist with a clearer voice and a stronger sense of direction
Get a taster for the sessions FREE...
Sign up here and get 3 emails giving you a flavour of what's included in the sessions. I've included some of my most valuable and useful tips and tricks for learning to draw. Along with a bunch of free resources.
Testimonials
"Tom is a fantastic teacher! He’s very patient and always takes the time to answer every question. He provides strong foundational skills to build on, and his approach is helpful no matter what stage of drawing you’re at." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- S B
"Tom has been so generous with his time, sharing his knowledge and providing tips and process videos specific to my individual project requirements. I really recommend working with Tom if you want to level up your illustrations." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- J D
Watch me talk about coaching
Questions you may have before signing up
Here are some answers for common questions. Anything need clarifying, reach out to me at [email protected]
I like to use Google Meet, though other platforms can be used. We'll arrange a time to meet for a first session and take things from there. Upon booking, I'll ask you to send me some examples of your work over email and your website if you have one or social profile, and some description of what you want help with. I'll make a PDF we'll work through for each session.
Session times will be arranged via email once booking is complete. We can arrange the first session and then find a time for subsequent sessions. I usually prefer to do sessions in the evening but can accommodate daytime sessions too. I am in the London GMT timezone.
No, you are welcome to do these classes in any medium you are comfortable with. I have experience with digital and traditional media. So Photoshop and Procreate. Pencil, coloured-pencils, pen and ink, gouache, watercolour, acrylic, oils, pastels.
Yes! I strongly believe that with practice and guidance and knowledge of drawing principles, your drawing or your work will improve over these sessions.
You are welcome to use the medium/s that you most like to work with. I mostly work in Photoshop and Procreate, working digitally. But I have done sessions with people who use all sorts of media. I am familiar with drawing with pencil, pen and ink, colour pencil, pastels, paints - gouache, watercolour, acrylic, oil.
It is encouraged to explore and work on your drawing at any level; you can be a complete beginner who has never drawn before or someone with plenty of experience. Drawing is a skill; it can be learned like any other skill, and with practice and support, you'll get better. It does require a good investment of time and energy, so do expect if you have no prior drawing experience, for it to take time.
Yes of course. I will refund any sessions not completed. I need to cover my time so if I spend an hour on a call this can't be refunded, but subsequent calls cancelled will be. The package price will be split across the number of sessions and the refund will reflect the amount of calls not completed.
Learning to draw from scratch or working on improving your drawing is a hugely rewarding experience and a highly valuable skill. I strongly feel that drawing is a deeply personal and human act that comes through YOU and your personality. Learning how to express your creativity is a great joy. I also believe artwork made by humans will continue to be valued and highly sought after as we move into this new chapter. People will always want to look at and surround themselves with, work that comes from humans. It holds a story of the person who made it.
Also, drawing for me has been a wonderful way to spend my time. Slowing down, observing the world and translating it onto canvass/paper/screen is a truly mindful and joyful act. I will continue to do it irrespective of if I am paid to do it, purely for the enjoyment of it. But I am sure it will continue to meet both needs and can do for you too.
Why is this different?
You can learn how to draw, or brush up on the foundations of image-making, online.
There are endless resources, tutorials — you can even ask AI. That’s not what these sessions are about.
When you book a session, you’re not paying for more information. You’re paying for time spent learning with someone. Someone to ask questions, to keep you accountable, to help you work through sticking points and build confidence as you go.
What you’re getting is a coach to guide your learning — not another list of 'how to's'.
Because the best way to learn something deeply, and actually move forward, is with another person alongside you.
Get a taster for the sessions...
Sign up here and get 3 emails giving you a flavour of what's included in the sessions. I've included some of my most valuable and useful tips and tricks for learning to draw. Along with a bunch of free resources.
Don't wait. Build momentum and see real progress with 1:1 support
If making art is part of who you are, it’s not optional — it’s essential.
There will always be distractions and reasons to wait. You don’t need perfect conditions or flawless work. You need momentum. You need to begin, again and again. Start where you are. Keep going, even when it feels messy or slow. That’s how real progress happens. And you don’t have to do it alone — I’ll be right here, helping you move forward.