Ann WITHERIDGE
FOUNDER
Ann studied Art History at Christ’s College, Cambridge before moving to Italy to study art full-time. She has been teaching drawing and painting in the atelier tradition for over 25 years; first at Charles H. Cecil Studios, and now at London Fine Art Studios. Ann frequently holds workshops across the UK and abroad, and writes articles for art periodicals.
SCOTT POHLSCHMIDT
TUTOR & DIRECTOR OF LHC
Scott studied Liberal Arts & Science with a focus on Art and History of Art at DePaul University. Scott has taught and run art studios for over twenty years. He worked with Charles Cecil in Florence for nearly ten years before moving to London to co-found LFAS. He is now focuses on the studios’ art shop, Lavender Hill Colours, and runs the sculpture programme.
Shirley Chi
HEAD OF ADMISSIONS &
TUTOR
Shirley studied Illustration and Museology at UAL and Newcastle University, before working at the Studios where she continues developing her own practice.
Appeared on the Sky Portrait Artist of the Year 2025 and awarded The de Laszlo Foundation Highly Commended award at RBA 2026.
www.shirleychiart.com
Instagram: @shirleychiart
Helena Boase
MARKETING MANAGER & TUTOR
After studying at the University of St Andrews, Helena joined the Studios in 2021, where she now works and teaches alongside her own practice. As part of her role, she coordinates our residency and scholarship programmes, events, and manages the Studios’ social media. She enjoys painting landscapes ‘en plein air’, although only in warmer months!
Instagram: @helenaboaseartist
JILL HOOPER
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST
IN RESIDENCE
Jill has been the recipient of the International Artist in Residence Award in 2019 – 2022. She has apprenticed with artists both in Italy and the US and is currently Professor of drawing at the American College of the Building Arts for 7 years. Jill is also working on a mural for the St. John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem with the Order of St. John.
JONI DUARTE
SENIOR TUTOR
Joni Hirata Duarte, began his studies in art at Lisbon Art University and completed his MA at City & Guilds London Art School in 2012. He is now Senior Tutor at London Fine Art Studios and continues to work as an independent artist, receiving commissions and leading workshops at home and abroad.
NNEKA UZOIGWE
SENIOR TUTOR
Nneka has been training at London Fine Art Studios since 2015 and now works as a full-time artist. She works mainly in oil with a keen interest in still life and narrative portrait. She was awarded the De Laszlo Scholarship over three terms and has exhibited frequently with the Mall Galleries. Her accolades include the RP award, The De Laszlo award at the RP and the Green and Stone award.
CRISTINA VERCESI
TUTOR
Cristina joined the Studios in 2017 where she developed a deeper understanding of the figurative art and awarded the De Laszlo Scholarship. She is inspired by Verism and Scapigliatura which developed in Italy at the end of the 19th century. Amongst her favourite artists are Cremona, Mancini and Favretto. She is also an avid art book collector, always looking to acquire new titles.
Instagram: @cristina_vercesi
JACK FORD
TUTOR
Jack Ford studied at the Arts University Bournemouth before studying under Charles Cecil in Florence, a city he returns to teach regularly. Painting largely in oils or drawing with charcoal, Jack works from life to capture the ever changing variation of nature. He teaches portraiture, figure painting and drawing as well as Cast.
LUKE NOLAN
TUTOR
Having begun his training several years ago with us, Luke then studied in Florence at Charles Cecil, before returning to London to practice as an artist.
Instagram: @lukedraughts
NIKA KLIMOVA
TUTOR
Nika trained for two years in a classical Russian atelier before moving to the UK to continue her studies at London Fine Art Studios in 2024. She was awarded the De Laszlo Scholarship for three terms. Nika focuses on figurative work and has a particular interest in narrative themes within her practice.
Instagram: @nika_klimov
MADDY GYSELYNCK
TUTOR
Maddy joined LFAS in 2020 after leaving her career in financial services. Rooted in her classical training, she works primarily from life and enjoys helping her students to develop their skills, particularly when teaching still life and landscape painting.
Instagram: @maddy.gyselynck.fineart
Former tutors include Mark Chen, Sam Clayden, Domino Roe, Toby Gawler, all of whom have gone on to have wonderful, flourishing careers as artists.
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