Study with Jason

Instruction/tutoring in my Glasgow studio (Merchant City) or online. Discover the benefits of intensive personal guidance while learning new techniques or brushing up on your skills with the subject of your choice in oils, watercolour, or graphite/charcoal.

I love process and clarity. As a person who prefers straightforwardness in my own studies and pursuits, I work to design a learning language that makes sense for my students. I will teach you how to develop an instinct and selective eye for constructing form in stages, starting simply, then building in complexity. This approach will work for many subjects, including the portrait & figure, landscapes, and still life. So there is lots for you to explore and enjoy. As you need, we will discuss theory and materials in great depth, preparing you to embrace the subject and medium of your choice with confidence. All levels of experience are welcome.

£40/hr per individual. Additional student/group rate (2 student maximum) and multi-session bundles available at a discount. Contact for further questions and availability. jasonmbentley@jmbportfolio.com

Testimonials

Rebeca Behar - I’ve known Jason for 5 years. He is a professional artist, and a fantastic teacher. Jason’s artistic sensitivity makes him very intuitive. This allows him to build an immediate rapport with students. He has a special touch to guide the talent of students with easy and precise detailed instruction. He has been my best art tutor.

Courtnay Simeone - Incredible TEACHER and ARTIST! His portrait class was absolutely outstanding! His instructions on color mixing with oils were clear and concise. Gifted, knowledgeable and patient. I’ve purchased several of his beautiful paintings and a pencil sketch that I will treasure always!


Online Workshops

Changing Landscapes
In Watercolor

Online | Zoom - Hosted by Watercolor Art Society Houston

This course is divided into one technical exploration day, and 3 variable project days, where we will talk about moving pigment with a variety of tools such as gestural brush marks, folded paper edges, and even our fingers! With additional focus on the importance of what to paint first and how, as well as proper timing in our layers and strokes that make the biggest impact in transforming the atmosphere of the land. Familiar with J.M.W. Turner? We will draw inspiration from a few of his images as excellent examples of atmospheric study.

Can’t be present on the date? These sessions are recorded and sent to you! This class is available for everyone.

This course is open to: students of all skill/experience levels

Tuesdays, Aug 5, 12, 19, and 26

1:00 - 4:00pm (CDT)

$220 members/$180 non-members

Details & Registration click here

Dynamics of Gouache!

Online | Zoom - Hosted by Watercolor Art Society Houston

Gouache has unique opaque qualities compared to watercolor, although their similarities allow for interchangeable use if you wish. Gouache is a forgiving medium, as what is put down on the surface of paper can be painted over, or worked into again for the desired result. So it’s an easy medium to learn from and have fun with.

Can’t be present on the date? These sessions are recorded and sent to you! This class is available for everyone.

This course is open to: students with no experience, beginners, and Intermediate painters.

Thursdays, August 7, 14, 21, 28

9am - 12pm (CDT)

$220 members/$180 non-members

Details & Registration click here

The Behavior of Color - Palette Mastery

Online | Zoom - Hosted by Watercolor Art Society Houston

Consider this a crash course! You can write books on color theory for artists, and there are plenty… But this class is designed to teach you how to control the dial of color change and intensity. Understanding the color wheel and how each of our pigments are positioned tells a lot about mixing behaviors. Ever get that muddy color you didn’t expect? You’ll get to know how it happened, and how to avoid it.

Can’t be present on the date? These sessions are recorded and sent to you! This class is available for everyone.

This course is open to: students with no experience, beginners, and Intermediate painters.

Saturday August 30

9am - 12pm (CDT)

$50 members/$60 non-members

Details & Registration click here


In-Person Workshops

Florals in Watercolour

Hosted at the Edinburgh Drawing School

Study beautiful flowers from life every week hand picked by EDS! Watercolour is a “moving” medium. Combining its particular nature with the subject of florals offers a big opportunity for expression and experimentation. Driven by some basic colour theory, and a variety of useful brush techniques, we will become better at knowing when and how to control washes. But we don’t always want to! Allowing for little surprises can be fun and inspiring, and encourage development of the work in unexpected and charming ways.

This course is open to: students of all skill/experience levels

Wednesdays 11am - 1pm (GMT)

£320

Details & Registration (click dates below)

September 24 - November 19 2025

January 14 - March 11 2026

April 20 - June 8 2026

The Scottish Landscape
in Watercolour

Hosted at the Edinburgh Drawing School

Landscape paintings can be delicate or bold in execution. Distant rolling hills, soft horizons, or contrasting bright light gives much variety to our approach as painters. Transient weather patterns can excitingly transform the land and sky, particularly in the Scottish Highlands. We will talk about colour character, and moving pigment with techniques that transform the atmosphere of the land. With additional focus on the importance of what to paint first, as well as proper timing in our applications that make the biggest impact.

This course is open to: students of all skill/experience levels

Wednesdays 2 - 4pm (GMT)

£320

Details & Registration (click dates below)

September 24 - November 19 2025

January 14 - March 11 2026

April 22 - June 8 2026

Watercolour Calton Hill
En Pleinair

In this exciting two day watercolour workshop, we will explore a variety of land/cityscapes. Taking viewpoints from the iconic Calton Hill in central Edinburgh, 360 degrees of choice gives great variety of unique watercolour scenes, including the view over the Firth of Forth, Arthurs Seat, and the amazing architecture of the Royal Mile. If studying something closer than the expanse of the environment is preferred, we can look inward to render the wonderful architecture and columns on the hill itself.

This course is open to: students of all skill/experience levels

Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th August

1-4pm (GMT)

£265

Details & Registration click here

Lunch & Demonstration Norton House Hotel & Spa

Enjoy an inspiring new experience at Norton House Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh: an Artist Lunch with renowned classical realist artist Jason Michael Bentley. Indulge in the beauty of live art as Jason performs a live demonstration. Following this captivating display, savour a delicious two-course lunch, crafted to delight your palate.

Includes: Tea, coffee, and pastries on arrival, a live art demonstration, a two-course lunch with a glass of house wine, followed by tea and coffee.

Saturday, 11th October 2025
10am - 3pm (GMT)
£57 per person

For information & to buy tickets click here

Watercolour Painting in Largs & Cumbrae

Join guest instructor and graduate of The Glasgow Academy of Fine Art, Jason Michael Bentley, for this special 5-day course on pleinair watercolour painting in the seaside town of Largs and the nearby Isle of Cumbrae.

This course is open to: students of all skill/experience levels

May 18th—22nd, 2026

10 am - 3 pm (GMT)

£450

Details & Registration click here