Our Absolute Beginners Pick ‘n’ Mix is a series of 6 short courses that run on Fridays throughout the academic year. Students can pick and mix from what’s on offer or choose to do the whole 6. We start off with an introduction to Drawing, then move on to Colour, Watercolour, Acrylics, Oils and Mixed Media.
Each subject lasts for 5 weeks and is designed for those who have never even picked up a pencil before but who would love to draw and paint! All materials are provided so all you need to bring is yourself. See below for further details on each short course.
Introduction to Drawing with Grant Waters

September 23rd, 30th, October 7th, 14th and 21st.

This 5-week course looks at giving you a basic knowledge of drawing materials, what they do, and how to use them. You will learn the difference between a 2B and a 6B pencil, what a graphite stick does and the difference between a conte crayon and willow charcoal. Drawing from observation, you can learn about line tone and form to produce some great first drawings!

Introduction to Colour with Jane Strother

November 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th and December 2nd.

Using colour to get what you need in a drawing or painting requires knowledge and colour theory is essential. Here you will study the basics, the colour wheel, complementary colours, colour mixing and colour application using a variety of media such as pastel, oil pastel and paint.

Introduction to Acrylics with Jane Strother

January 13th, 20th, 27th, February 3rd and 20th.

Acrylics are fast drying paints and one of the most accessible mediums for the beginner. Here you can pull together skills in drawing, painting and colour mixing in an experimental way. It’s about finding out what the paint does and how to get the best from it.

Introduction to Watercolour with Susan Neale

February 24th, March 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th.

Over these 5 weeks you can study fundamental techniques in the watercolour medium. Students follow clear instructions in step-by-step paint-along sessions and all questions regarding materials, equipment and technique are answered. The result is understanding, exploiting, directing and controlling the medium in a sensitive and informed manner.

Introduction to Oils with Ruth Swain

April 21st, 28th, Mary 5th, 12th and 19th

Each of these sessions will have a technical focus to build knowledge about the way that oil paint works, and confidence in using oil paint in an individual way. We will use still life as the subject, allowing for experimentation with colour, tone, composition, and mark making to build a finished painting.

Introduction to Mixed Media

May 26th, June 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th

During this course, anything goes! You will be mixing your media from collage to thread, wool, paints, inks and anything else that can go into composing an image. A great chance to understand how to manage different media together within the same work.

Interested in booking?

Get in touch with our friendly team for more info or to reserve your place?