CREATIVITY
EXPERTISE
Private Lessons
& Mentorship
Discover your artistic voice in watercolour with personal guidance and support.
Whether you're just beginning or building toward something more, my private watercolour lessons offer a personalized, soul-nourishing space to develop your technical skills, explore creative expression, and grow in confidence as an artist.
As an award-winning watercolour portrait artist, international instructor, and mentor, I work with students across a range of experience levels—from curious beginners to emerging professionals looking to refine their voice and artistic identity. Lessons are crafted around you—your goals, your story, and your pace
Discover Your Voice
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Hone Your Skill
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Reach Your Goals
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Discover Your Voice · Hone Your Skill · Reach Your Goals ·
Your Trifecta of Success
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Artistic Voice
Be your own best mentor - I'll help you uncover and establish your own distinct artist voice while building systems with you to have clear intention throughout your work.
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Technical Skill
Not only can I show you technical and formal skills to help you express your voice better, but help bolster your foundations and rediscover creativity through play and risk.
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Professional Presence
Lending to my extensive career that led me to be a Director of Brand & Marketing for a global hotel chain, in addition to my experience as juror in international competitions and active exhibiting artist, I can help provide you with guidance on how to progress in an artistic career,
How I can help you
1. Artistic Voice
Art is more than skill—it’s expression, identity, and story.
Every artist has something to say—whether or not they’ve found the words or the brushwork for it yet. Your artistic voice isn’t just about style; it’s the feeling behind your work, the through-line that connects your choices, your subject matter, and your intuition.
In mentorship, we spend time paying attention to what’s already showing up in your work—what excites you, what keeps resurfacing, and what’s quietly asking to be explored. As your clarity grows, so does the emotional weight and resonance of your paintings. It’s not about becoming like anyone else. It’s about becoming more deeply yourself.
We'll ask meaningful questions:
What does your work reveal about how you see the world?
What drives your subject choices and style?
What do you want others to feel when they experience your paintings?
This is where your art becomes yours—not just technically proficient, but powerfully resonant.
2. Technical Skill
Good technique sets your ideas free.
As an award-winning watercolour portrait artist, I specialize in emotive, atmospheric portraits - but I also teach foundational principles that apply across subjects and styles. Depending on your level, we’ll explore brush control, water-to-pigment ratios, layering, value structure, composition, edges, colour theory, and more.
Whether you're trying to loosen up, improve realism, or simply gain more confidence with your materials, I meet you where you're at and help you move forward with purpose.
You’ll receive:
Tailored demos
Constructive, actionable feedback
Practical assignments (if you like structure!)
Thoughtful critiques designed to support - not overwhelm
3. Branding, Marketing & Professional Development
For artists who want to go further.
There often comes a point when painting isn’t just personal - it becomes visible. Whether you’re thinking about selling your work, applying to exhibitions, building an online presence, or shaping a brand that feels authentic to you, your artistic identity begins to stretch beyond the page.
I’ve spent years working at the intersection of creativity and communication - as a professional artist and as a former Director of Branding and Marketing for a global hotel chain. For those who are ready, I offer mentorship on building something that lasts: not just a body of work, but a cohesive presence rooted in clarity, purpose, and care.
You don’t need to be “ready” yet to begin this process. You just need to be curious about what’s next.
I offer guidance on:
Finding and refining your personal brand
Building a cohesive body of work
Artist statements, bios, and portfolio prep
Website and social media presence
Navigating competitions, exhibitions, and awards
Pricing, print sales, and commission strategy
You don’t need to know all the answers - we’ll figure it out together. Whether you want to make your first sale, apply to a juried show, or transition to full-time art, I’m here to support you with both industry insight and real encouragement.
“My experience with Lorraine as an art mentor was truly exceptional. She is both discerning and perceptive, with a rare ability to understand not just the artist, but the person behind the work. From the beginning, she shaped our time together around a few simple yet profound questions—like what I hoped to gain and where I felt stuck. From these foundations, she led our sessions with intuitive insight and care.
What stood out most was Lorraine’s approachability. She never positioned herself as the expert towering over a novice; instead, she came alongside me as a fellow traveler on the artistic journey. Her humility and openness created a safe space where I felt free to explore and trust in my own creative potential.
Lorraine adapted effortlessly to the specific challenges I faced, offering both practical guidance and deep encouragement. Watching her paint portraits was a masterclass in itself, and her gentle but insightful feedback helped me quiet my inner critic and begin to truly see the value in my own work.
Perhaps most meaningful was her vulnerability. She openly shared her own artistic journey—including what others might call mistakes—and reframed them as necessary parts of the creative process. That honesty gave me the freedom to embrace imperfection and let the natural artist within me emerge.
Lorraine is, in my opinion, a true genius with a brush. I’m incredibly grateful I joined her mentorship program and look forward to taking more classes with her in the future—even if only to stay inspired and encouraged along the way.”
— Anne I.
Lesson Format & Options
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Lesson Bundles
Packages available at a discounted rate.
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In-Person Private or Group Lessons
(Squamish, BC) – Studio-based or at your home (LIMITED SLOTS)
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Long-Term Mentorship
For artists ready to refine their voice and work toward professional goals
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Online Lessons
(via Google Meet) – 30, 60, or 90-minute sessions
Private Online Oportunities
This mentoring package is for artists who want thoughtful, structured guidance – not a demo to copy, and not a quick “fix my painting” session. It’s a series of focused conversations designed to help you move forward with clarity: in your work, your voice, and your direction as an artist.
You’ll start with a 30-minute initial consultation, followed by five 30-minute online consultations. We’ll meet on Google Meet (or similar), and each session will be tailored to where you’re at and what you’re aiming for.
What the initial consultation is for
The first 30 minutes is about getting properly acquainted with your work and your goals. We’ll look at what you’re currently making, what you’re drawn to, what you feel stuck on (if anything), and what “growth” actually looks like for you right now.
From there, we’ll agree on a simple direction for our time together so the next sessions feel connected and purposeful – not random one-offs.
What we’ll cover in the mentoring sessions
These sessions are conversation-led and personalised. Depending on your needs, we can focus on:
Professional development
Clarifying your goals (and what to say no to)
Building a sustainable creative rhythm
Portfolio direction and cohesion
Next steps for exhibitions, competitions, commissions, or teaching (where relevant)
Pricing and positioning guidance (as appropriate)
Developing your artistic voice
Identifying what’s already distinctive in your work
Strengthening intention and emotional clarity
Making choices that support your message rather than diluting it
Moving from “trying styles” to making work that feels like yours
Pointers for artistic and technical improvement
Practical feedback on common sticking points (values, edges, colour, composition, focal point, drawing)
How to self-critique more effectively between sessions
What to prioritise first so improvement feels achievable
What this package is (and isn’t)
This package is mentorship and consultation. It’s supportive, honest, and geared toward helping you think clearly and grow steadily.
Includes: consultation, critique, direction, and next steps
Does not include: live demonstrations, step-by-step painting tutorials, or “paint-alongs”
If you’re looking for demonstrations, you’ll likely be better served by a workshop or class format. If you want personalised guidance and a plan you can act on, this package is built for that.
How it works
After purchase, you’ll receive a short intake form so I can review your work and understand what you’d like help with. Then we’ll schedule your initial consultation.
You’ll leave each session with clear next steps – the kind you can actually carry into the studio.
Who this is best for
Artists who want direction without overwhelm
Artists who are ready to take their work (and practice) more seriously
Artists who want honest feedback and a clearer sense of what to focus on next
This is a virtual service – nothing will be shipped.
If you’re feeling stuck on a painting, unsure what to fix, or you’d just love a more experienced set of eyes on your work, this is five focused 30-minute online critiques with me over Google Meet.
We’ll look at up to three pieces (or a small set, depending on complexity) per session and talk through what’s working, what’s getting in the way, and what I’d prioritise next – whether that’s values, edges, colour harmony, drawing accuracy, focal point, or simplifying the chaos so the emotion reads clearly. Here I can provide guidance on strategies or exercises to help improve your problem points.
This isn’t about tearing your work down or chasing perfection. It’s about helping you see your own work more clearly, and leaving with a plan you can actually use.
What’s included
5 x 30-minute live critique on Google Meet
Clear, practical next steps tailored to your goals
Supportive, direct feedback (beginner-friendly, but not vague)
At purchase
You’ll complete a short form so I can review your goals and background and send you a booking link to choose a time.
This is a virtual service – nothing will be shipped.
If you’re feeling stuck on a painting, unsure what to fix, or you’d just love a more experienced set of eyes on your work, this is a single focused 30-minute online critiques with me over Google Meet.
We’ll look at up to three pieces (or a small set, depending on complexity) per session and talk through what’s working, what’s getting in the way, and what I’d prioritise next – whether that’s values, edges, colour harmony, drawing accuracy, focal point, or simplifying the chaos so the emotion reads clearly. Here I can provide guidance on strategies or exercises to help improve your problem points.
This isn’t about tearing your work down or chasing perfection. It’s about helping you see your own work more clearly, and leaving with a plan you can actually use.
What’s included
1 x 30-minute live critique on Google Meet
Clear, practical next steps tailored to your goals
Supportive, direct feedback (beginner-friendly, but not vague)
At purchase
You’ll complete a short form so I can review your goals and background and send you a booking link to choose a time.
Student Testimonials
I enjoyed your “Painting Your Loved Ones” course immensely. You’re very generous with your time and knowledge. Thank you for giving your best work and genuinely speaking about how to create portraits that are full of life and color.
You provided a great amount of insight and detail. There is a lot of depth and information to process. [...]. It will take me some time and many rewinds to glean all of the information and techniques you have shared.
I am deeply grateful to have an opportunity to learn with you.
— Liz PThis was the most wonderful learning experience. Portraiture has been a pain point in general for me in my painting, so it was a step way outside my comfort zone. Lorraine truly wants everyone to succeed and takes all questions and gives answers such that they are valuable to the group. Her knowledge and understanding of her craft are evident in all of the preparation she does and shares with attendees. Lorraine really wants to connect with her students, not just for the duration of the class, but to see them grow and evolve in their skills going forward. It was a lot of work for her and a great deal of learning for the students across three days, but so worth it. Excellent experience. Phenomenal instruction and instructor.
— EmSiLorraine Simonds’ Loose Emotive Watercolor Portraits class demystifies how to do a great portrait in watercolor. Lorraine is generous in sharing tips that can shorten the learning curve. Also, working in real time, we get to hear Lorraine problem solve which helps the viewer gain confidence in learning how to deal with the sometimes unanticipated behavior of watercolor. Please invite Lorraine back for more classes.
— Terracotta Student
LET’S GET STARTED