COURSE CODE: EC2502031
COURSE DATES: Tuesdays, 20th January – 24th March 2026
TUTOR: Gail Seres-Woolfson
DAYS: 10
TIMES: 6:30pm – 9:00pm
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, Beginner
FEE: £345
LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL
This dynamic beginners course is perfect for those wanting to ignite creativity and build a foundation knowledge of both drawing and painting. Accessible and well-structured, this course offers the opportunity to explore a variety of mediums and techniques, such as tone, shape, colour, and composition.
Sessions will cover:
– Form and spatial relationships in observational drawing
– Mark making and tone using pencil
– Comparative measurement for accurate composition
– Capturing the human form in life drawing, identifying the weight and rhythm of various poses
– Scale, tone, and line in portraiture
– Colour theory and colour mixing in an introduction to acrylic painting
– Different applications of paint and the use of acrylic mediums to change consistency
There will be a life model in select sessions and you are encouraged to express yourself freely with guidance from the tutor. This course aims to enhance visual awareness, increase self-confidence, and provide a stimulating and relaxed environment for drawing and painting. You will develop your ability to capture detail and accuracy in observational drawing, gain proficiency in using different drawing materials and techniques, and complete an acrylic painting working from a life model.
After completing this course, we recommend joining one of our Drawing or Painting for Beginners Plus courses to take your skills to the next level.
Please note: The course overview provides a general overview of of course content and may be subject to minor changes at the tutors discretion.
Recommend booking by: January 6, 2026
All attendees must be aged 18 and over.
Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Students spend time learning the very basics of the taught medium, for example, how to mix colours, use different tools, set up an easel. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience, they tend to follow a more structured path than our other courses, ensuring each student receives the guidance they need from the tutor.Beginner
You will need to bring your own painting and drawing 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 our 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.
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. The Acrylic Pack contains:
The Drawing Pack contains:
Gail’s paintings reflect her fascination with the urban landscape, figures and stories around her, and an interplay between structure and spontaneity, observation and re-imagining. She has exhibited across the capital and her work has been shortlisted for the inaugural Evening Standard Contemporary Painting Prize and the prestigious Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize and is held in private collections in the UK and internationally. Gail enjoys teaching in a variety of settings, encouraging and supporting students to develop their skills and style with a range of approaches and artistic references.
185 Park Street,London SE1 9BL tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969
This is our new purpose built accessible campus. Find more information here
Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Southwark (both a 10-15 minute walk). Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough Market”.
Bankside Campus
Students are welcome to use The Hub during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food. You must bring your own keep-cup, water bottle or food container to the Academy as mugs, glasses, and containers will not be available in our Bankside campus.
Tea and coffee will be provided by the Academy and is available from the island unit at the end of The Hub.
We offer a number of concessions and discounts, please find more information on what we offer here.
If you would like to purchase a gift voucher to be used on our courses then you can purchase these here. Terms and Conditions
Materials & Equipment
Concessions and Discounts
Gift Vouchers
£345.00
Please apply coupon code aa-earlybird-10% at checkout.