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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.

The perfect introductory course for those who are new to painting or new to working with oil paints. Each week the tutor will guide you in exploring a range of different subject matter and techniques. You will gain the confidence to create your own finished paintings with this versatile medium.

Students will be exploring subjects such as:
– Shape and tone
– Volume
– Colour
– Still Life
– Portraits
– Landscapes

You will learn to relate these elements together in compositions. Paint from a life model and in the last three weeks work on a self directed project with the guidance of your tutor. This course offers a structured introduction in a stimulating, fun and relaxing environment. Join our Stage 2 course to continue your practice.

This is an exciting course, which aims to help you discover what it is about painting that really inspires you. It is a great follow-on course from our Painting for Beginners series or Creative Painting for Beginners and will also suit you if you already have some basic experience of painting and want to take your skills to the next level.

The course structure is designed in a progressive sequence from beginning to end, with specific exercises following on from previous sessions. Although we appreciate that you might miss some of the classes due to other commitments, this particular course will be experienced at its very best if all or most lessons are attended.

You will explore the following subjects:
– Tone, using black and white
– Still Life, colour study
– Portraiture, tonal and colour
– Self Portrait
– Painting a still life using a palette knife
– Exploring mark making
– Working from photographs
– Development of a personal project

The course begins by developing your core painting skills, exploring line, tone, colour and mass, whilst continually pushing your creative expression. The tutor will lead you to draw inspiration from many other artist’s work and will guide you step by step through the stages of developing your own painting. You will engage with the subject matters and styles that excite you and the tutor will assist you in bringing them into your own artworks. By looking at a broad variety of techniques, materials and styles, the course aims to broaden your ability to express yourself in paint.

After completing this course, we recommend joining one of our Painting Masterclasses to further develop your style.