Emilie Fischer: My fine art short course journey in London
- Written byMimi Jones
- Published date 11 December 2025
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Emilie came from Paris to join our Expressive Painting and Abstract Painting short courses, seeking space to grow creatively after taking a break from her communications career. She shared how the courses helped her move toward becoming a professional artist and why she believes fine art offers meaningful benefits for everyone.
My love of art and taking it further
My name is Emilie, I live in Paris. My father was an artist, so I grew up surrounded by art — canvases, oil paints, and brushes. Art has always been part of my life. I have always painted, but I chose a different career path, spending eight years in editorial communications for a well-known luxury brand in Paris.
In recent years, however, I decided to take my art more seriously and pursue it professionally. I stepped away from my job last year and dedicated time to my art and to myself. An artist friend recommended London as one of the most creative destinations in the world, and UAL for its outstanding teaching. That guided my decision to come to London and join short courses.
Choosing fine art courses
There are lots of fine art short courses to choose from, but I eventually decided on two that suited my goals. I decided to take the Expressive Painting Short Course in summer 2024 because I was facing a creative block. I felt creatively constrained and wanted to learn how to translate my emotions more deeply onto the canvas. Thanks to this course and our wonderful teacher, Ewa Gargulinska, I explored a new way of painting and learned to express who I really am.
In this course, I learned to understand my emotions — in both my mind and body — and to express them through painting. I also became more demanding of my personal work and my opinions about art in general. It was a challenging but necessary course.
Then, in summer 2025, I continued with the Abstract Painting Short Course. I wanted to expand my techniques with acrylics and explore new processes for creating abstract art. Our teacher, Enver Gursev, encouraged us to develop our own style. It opened my mind to a wide range of possibilities for transforming an image into abstraction — a true discovery.
Experiencing the art college environment
Studying on campus at Chelsea College of Arts, in such beautiful and historic buildings, was a wonderful experience. There is something unique in the air — a deeply creative atmosphere. Chelsea is a beautiful area of London, and the campus sits directly opposite Tate Britain. It’s a prestigious place, and I know that every student felt this energy. Everyone was happy and proud to study at Chelsea. I also heard positive things about the other UAL colleges where other short courses took place, and that each college has its own personality, which I hope to experience one day.
The diverse classroom and how art can benefit everyone
Taking short courses and being surrounded by such a diverse group of students showed me how art can benefit everyone. It’s not only about technique — it’s a way of opening our minds to visual art and becoming more attentive and curious when looking at images.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect or reconnect with your creativity, with yourself, and with others. In art, you always learn, no matter your background — and that’s beautiful.
Some students had no previous art experience, and their fresh, instinctive gestures produced stunning results. The diversity of ages, professions, and nationalities made the courses at UAL incredibly enriching. Many classmates became real friends and now play a part in my artistic journey. We all inspired each other and are linked by this shared experience.
Reapproaching my art with expert guidance
My first course, Expressive Painting, involved deep inner work. The course guided us toward a specific expressive style — not necessarily our own — yet it still managed to reveal our emotions through minimalist strokes. It taught us how to know what to paint before painting: a title, a word, a feeling. You learn to go straight to the essence through form, colour, and texture.
The second course, Abstract Painting, was about exploring the vast possibilities of abstraction while respecting your personal style. The process — especially through drawing — often led to surprising results. We learned how to work with acrylics and mediums to create textured effects. I loved both courses for very different reasons.
Experiencing London as a short course student
For the past two summers, I have loved coming to London for a week-long course. You can really see your progress day after day. For one week, your entire focus is on the course. Friendships form naturally when you have lunch together, grab a drink in the evening, and meet again the next day. I especially loved the social aspect of the course as an international student.
The city itself is a big inspiration. In London, creativity is everywhere — from museums to the streets. Each time I visit, I feel immersed in a vast, multicultural, free-spirited city with countless sides. London is vibrant and inspiring; I’ve truly fallen in love with it.
This experience has been so meaningful that I want to integrate London into my future work. It has filled me with emotions that will inspire my next collection. My dream is to organise a new exhibition — first in Paris, then in London.
