Francine Lawrence trained as a graphic designer at art college, and has worked in publishing all her life – designing and editing several high profile UK magazines including Country Living.  “My idea of relaxation is to sit down in a cafe or a garden and just draw what I see around me. I take a small sketchbook wherever I go and use it like a diary to make visual notes almost every day. I love architecture and food – I will often do a quick sketch of my lunch in a restaurant rather than take a photo!"

Susi has spent half her life sketching and drawing designs for filmset and magazines having worked as a designer and stylist on magazine and advertising shoots in London, and on major feature films in Australia and South East Asia.  Travelling and working in exotic places developed her passion for colour and her style of painting and drawing is very free “I am passionate about colour and enjoy encouraging students to bring light and vibrancy into their artwork."

Together Francine and Susi started Art*Splash  drawing workshops in London because they noticed that the current dependence on technology in the workplace has made people forget how to use a pencil, and how to experience the simple pleasure of drawing.  “We want to reverse this trend and have developed a unique style of teaching that taps into everyone's ability to draw” since setting up the workshops they have helped 1000s of people to begin drawing, painting and take them forward into improving their work.