Abstract painting for All

COURSE CODE: WC2303041

COURSE DATES: Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th May 2024

TUTOR: Kate Dunn

DAYS: 2

TIMES: 10:00am – 5:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All Levels

FEE: £200

LOCATION: Art Academy London, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HR

This is a fun, relaxed course offering a structured introduction to abstract painting. This course will be focussing on how to represent forms, ideas and images that deviate from traditional representational image making, using acrylic paint.

You’ll be guided through a number of different approaches, including:

  • Exploring light through tone and shape
  • Colour conditioning and how we relate to colour
  • Composition: micro and macro
  • Looking at texture and how it makes us feel
  • Using geometry
  • Exploring process-based painting
  • Experimenting with expressive gestural marks


The tutor will lead you through hands-on demonstrations, group discussions of relevant artists’ work, and there will also be plenty of individual guidance. You’ll build your confidence and gain a practical understanding of the fundamentals of painting, including colour, tone, mark-making and composition. You’ll then have the opportunity to complete a larger abstract painting inspired by an artist of your choice.

This course is suitable for all levels: beginners who have completed an introductory painting course already and are keen to explore painting in an experimental way, or more experienced students who would like to develop their understanding of abstraction.

Recommend booking by: April 27, 2024

All Levels

All attendees must be aged 18 and over.

This course is suitable for all levels. Students can move at their own pace depending on their experience, with as much support from the Tutor as they wish. This means an student from the following experience levels can join this course:

Beginner

Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience.

Beginner +

Choose a Beginner + course if you are looking to hone your skills, focus on a specific subject area and build your confidence. These courses are suitable for those with some basic skills in and knowledge of the taught medium.

Intermediate

Our Intermediate courses are suitable for students who have considerable prior knowledge of the taught medium or have completed a Beginners/Beginners + course with the Art Academy.

Advanced

Choose our Advanced courses if you have considerable knowledge in the taught medium. You are expected to be able to work independently and have critical discussions around your work.

You will need to bring your own painting materials to the class, which you can store at The Art Academy for the duration of the course.

If you do not have your own materials, we recommend you order one of our Painting Packs when booking. You can purchase this at the checkout. Once ordered, packs will be available when you arrive for your first class. There is also a mini shop in the Academy that supplies the basics such as canvas boards, paints, Zest-it etc. (card purchases only)

The Academy is a white spirit and turpentine free environment and only odourless spirits, such as Zest-it or Sansodor, are permitted on the premises. These can also be recycled on site. If you are using oil paints you must bring 1 small jar with a lid to hold your solvent as this should be reused each week. If you want to dispose of your solvent please speak to your tutor as these cannot be poured down the sink and must be disposed of correctly.

Please also bring an apron or old clothing to wear.

    The Acrylic Pack contains:
  • A set of acrylic brushes, both flat and round
  • One tear off palette (9”x12”)
  • One palette knife
  • One 10″x12″ canvas board
  • One 10″x14″ canvas board
  • Two 12″x16″ canvas boards
  • Eight Daler Rowney (system 3) tubes of Black, White, Cadmium Red, Sap Green, Ultramarine Blue, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Yellow

    The Oil Pack contains:
  • A set of bristle brushes, both flat and round
  • One tear off palette (9”x12”)
  • One palette knife
  • One bottle of Zest-it (250ml)
  • One 10″x12″ canvas board
  • One 10″x14″ canvas board
  • Two 12″x16″ canvas boards
  • Eight Daler Rowney 38ml Georgian oil tubes of Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red, Ultramarine Blue, Coeruleum Blue and Burnt Umber

Please note that pack contents are subject to change at the discretion of the Academy at any time.

Please be aware that depending on the course structure, you might need to purchase extra canvas boards, on top of the ones provided in the pack.

KATE DUNN

Having undergone a classical training in Italy, Kate’s practice looks at the integration of historical and contemporary languages of painting. Interested in the internal archive that one accesses when looking at a piece of art, her work uses historical structures, such as the altarpiece panel and combines them with the fluid and gestural qualities of paint. At the core of her work is the intention to create something undefined that comes to fruition both in her imagination and in that of the viewer. Kate has taught at The Florence Academy of Art, where she did her training and now teaches at The Art Academy, while undergoing her MA at City and Guilds of London Art School.

Mermaid Court

165A Borough High Street London SE1 1HR tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969

Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Borough (both a 5 minute walk).

Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough High Street”.

We cannot store your bikes at the Academy, however there is on-street bike parking near our Mermaid Court site.

Students are welcome to use our Common Room during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food.

You are also welcome to make tea or coffee.

Terms and Conditions

  • By booking onto one of our courses you agree to our Short Courses Terms and Conditions.
  • You will need to have paid in full before the first session of your class. Your place is not guaranteed until we have received full payment. Please book early in order to guarantee your place on the course.

Materials & Equipment

  • If you purchased a pack online this will be given to you on the first session of your course upon your arrival. Packs can be booked on our Materials Page or on this page when you book the course
  • Please don’t wear your best clothes as there is always a chance you will get messy. If possible bring an apron or overalls.
  • All artwork at the Academy MUST be taken home at the end of each session where possible, with the exception of oil paintings and sculpture works.
  • We cannot store materials at the Academy, so please take these to and from your sessions.
  • Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silent during the class.
  • Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you a week before the start of your course.

Concessions and Discounts

We offer a number of concessions and discounts, please find more information on what we offer here.

Gift Vouchers

If you would like to purchase a gift voucher to be used on our courses then you can purchase these here.

£200.00

Abstract_painting, short courses