Hi, I’m Mayad

I’m an artist, architectural designer and slightly obsessive sketcher these days, although you might be surprised to know that I didn’t actually start drawing until I was in my 50s.

For many years I designed houses for a living, and I wanted to be able to sketch my ideas for clients rather than relying entirely on computer drawings.

There was just one small problem. I couldn’t really draw.

I went looking for someone to teach me, but struggled to find the simple, step-by-step teaching I wanted. So eventually I thought, right then, I’ll teach myself.

And I got completely hooked.

Why I teach the way I do

I made plenty of wobbly lines, questionable watercolours and things that looked nothing like they were supposed to along the way. But gradually I worked things out and developed my own way of sketching.

When people started asking me how I drew and painted my sketches, I realised I wanted to teach in the way I wish someone had taught me.

So that's what I try to do, break things down into manageable steps, explain what I'm doing and why, and give you time to follow along. There's no expectation that everything has to be perfect. Mine certainly wasn't when I started.

And it really is never too late to learn. I have students starting in their 60s, 70s and 80s and some superstars happily sketching away in their 90s.

These days...

I divide my time between London and Barcelona, which gives me a fairly endless supply of buildings, balconies, cafés, old doors and slightly wonky streets to sketch.

I'm also grandad to three girls, so the occasional castle, animal or imaginary creature finds its way into my sketchbook too.

And then, of course, there's the Sketch Club, where I get to share everything I've learned with people all over the world.

So whether you've been drawing for years or you've just bought your first sketchbook and haven't quite dared make a mark in it yet, you're very welcome to dive in.

Put the kettle on, pick up a pen and come and sketch with me.