Daria’s confidence has improved alongside her portrait painting, as she considers entering the National Portrait Gallery competition following her art course…

Name: Daria Shesternina
Course: Two-Year Part-Time Diploma
Institution: Putney School of Art & Design

‘I first joined classes at Putney School of Art in the summer of 2007. I attended short courses in Portrait Painting and Trips to London Galleries that inspired me to apply for the two-year part-time Diploma course.
I’ve been painting all my life, but was feeling shy about my work and never contemplated a career as an artist. My confidence has grown so much that I am working on a self-portrait to enter in the National Portrait Gallery competition and I am considering applying for a degree course when the Diploma ends.

The course is providing me with a great opportunity to discover new aspects of my talent and develop my ability in art. Within the course there are core subjects in visual studies and history of art and design plus a choice of subjects each term that includes ceramics, painting, etching and digital art. I’d never experienced digital art before and it is my new passion.

I’m really grateful for all the support I’ve received from my tutors at Putney School of Art. The school has a friendly and peaceful atmosphere making the learning process enjoyable. Every day at the School I feel I gain priceless knowledge and experience and my friends and family were surprised to find out how much I’ve learned in such a short space of time.’