An abstract intensive for students with some painting experience. Explore two different pathways into abstraction, including ways of working with composition, colour and texture to further your ideas in painting and build confidence working abstractly.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course progresses from an exploration of the basic elements of form - line, tone, shape and colour - to develop ways of working with these forms more creatively and with increased confidence.
Explore two different pathways into abstraction: learn how to research an idea, including ways of working with real-world subject matter, i.e. what is seen, and what is felt or understood. Projects cover composition, simple colour theory, surface and texture, to further your individual explorations using paint media.
What will we cover?
Projects will consider observed sources, for example photos, found imagery or objects, and non-visual stimulus such as music, words or chance.
You will explore two methods of working: direct painting sometimes known as 'edge-to-edge' painting, and indirect painting i.e. a project-piece developed in layers. There will be regular opportunities to share and compare your findings, with supportive and lively tutor-led discussion throughout the weekend.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Explore and develop two different routes into abstraction.
Use composition techniques and/or colour theory to extend your enquiry.
Demonstrate improved skills in combining colours and tones.
Explore and compare textural marks and 3D texture in painting.
Gain confidence reviewing and discussing the development of your work and that of others.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an improvers course - some painting experience is necessary including knowledge of colour-mixing and basic paint application techniques. If you have undertaken 30 hours of general painting study (eg. Painting 1 or Painting 2) this course will be suitable even if you haven't worked abstractly before. If you are new to painting, you may wish to enrol on Starting abstract painting, this will start at the beginning and cover core painting skills within the context of abstract painting.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The main focus is on practical painting activities with some contextual background. You will be encouraged to participate in discussing ideas as a group, and your tutor will advise you of simple resources you can bring in on the second day to individualise your project work.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
An A4 Sketchbook is useful for planning ideas, colour notes, and building reference.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Next steps include Ways into abstract painting 2, Large-scale drawing and mixed-media, Contemporary Collage, Drawing and mindfulness: releasing the judging mind.
Amanda works with loose canvas, painting with line and stain before manipulating the picture into a low-relief form. Imagery is drawn from the natural world, architecture, costume and fairground. The work references visual taxonomies – orders of things: peculiar worlds, made more curious or multi-dimensional when removed from their context. Amanda studied at Falmouth School of Art, Institute of Arts Bournemouth, and Central St Martins (MA). She has a City & Guilds F&AE Teachers’ Certificate (1995) and has been teaching since, including outreach work for the Royal Watercolour Society, National Theatre, and Lewisham Education Action Zone. She has been teaching at City Lit since 2012, with a particular interest in Abstract Painting, Contemporary Painting, and Communication Drawing. She wrote, led and developed the City Lit Advanced Painting course from 2021–25, and presently coordinates the Drawing & Painting short-course programme. Amanda continues to teach Abstract Painting Weekend, Beginners Painting, and short modules in experimental Drawing.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/abstract-painting-weekend262508Abstract painting weekendhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/b/abstract-weekend-img1-vm821_-1080_1_2.jpg249249GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Painting techniques & processes/Courses/Weird and wonderful City Lit/Courses/vm/Summer offers/Courses/vm/Summer Art School Offers/Courses/vm/Courses to do with friends/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Summer courses in art & design2285113219161919174513614137261647135631228511321916165313457Learn how to develop original abstract ideas from simple starting points and build confidence using a variety of painting approaches in acrylics. Explore the power of line, colour and texture in a lively weekend of structured project work.00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/b/abstract-weekend-img2-vm821_-1080_1_2.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/b/abstract-weekend-img5-vm821_-1080_1_2.jpg3067972Abstract painting weekend249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/b/abstract-weekend-img1-vm821_-1080_1_2_11.jpgInStockDaytimeSat-SunKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2027-02-06T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersFeb 2027Art & designVM804249249Abstract painting weekend199162249Amanda Knightabstract-painting-weekend/vm804-2627<p>An abstract intensive for students with some painting experience. Explore two different pathways into abstraction, including ways of working with composition, colour and texture to further your ideas in painting and build confidence working abstractly.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-06 00:00:00<p>This course progresses from an exploration of the basic elements of form - <em>line, tone, shape and colour</em> - to develop ways of working with these forms more creatively and with increased confidence. </p><p>Explore two different pathways into abstraction: learn how to research an idea, including ways of working with real-world subject matter, i.e. what is seen, and what is felt or understood. Projects cover composition, simple colour theory, surface and texture, to further your individual explorations using paint media.</p><p>An abstract intensive for students with some painting experience. Explore two different pathways into abstraction, including ways of working with composition, colour and texture to further your ideas in painting and build confidence working abstractly.</p><p>Projects will consider observed sources, for example photos, found imagery or objects, and non-visual stimulus such as music, words or chance. </p><p>You will explore two methods of working: <em>direct painting</em> sometimes known as 'edge-to-edge' painting, and <em>indirect painting</em> i.e. a project-piece developed in layers. There will be regular opportunities to share and compare your findings, with supportive and lively tutor-led discussion throughout the weekend.</p><ul><li>Explore and develop two different routes into abstraction.</li><li>Use composition techniques and/or colour theory to extend your enquiry.</li><li>Demonstrate improved skills in combining colours and tones.</li><li>Explore and compare textural marks and 3D texture in painting.</li><li>Gain confidence reviewing and discussing the development of your work and that of others.</li></ul><p>This is an improvers course - some painting experience is necessary including knowledge of colour-mixing and basic paint application techniques. If you have undertaken 30 hours of general painting study (eg. Painting 1 or Painting 2) this course will be suitable even if you haven't worked abstractly before. If you are new to painting, you may wish to enrol on <em>Starting abstract painting</em>, this will start at the beginning and cover core painting skills within the context of abstract painting.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The main focus is on practical painting activities with some contextual background. You will be encouraged to participate in discussing ideas as a group, and your tutor will advise you of simple resources you can bring in on the second day to individualise your project work.</p>An A4 Sketchbook is useful for planning ideas, colour notes, and building reference.<br><br><p>Next steps include <em>Ways into abstract painting 2</em>, <em>Large-scale drawing and mixed-media</em>, <em>Contemporary Collage, Drawing and mindfulness: releasing the judging mind</em>.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesvirtual3067975Abstract painting weekend249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/b/abstract-weekend-img1-vm821_-1080_1_2_10.jpgInStockDaytimeSat-SunKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2027-07-24T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJul 2027Art & designVM821249249Abstract painting weekend199162249Amanda Knightabstract-painting-weekend/vm821-2627<p>An abstract intensive for students with some painting experience. Explore two different pathways into abstraction, including ways of working with composition, colour and texture to further your ideas in painting and build confidence working abstractly.</p>0000-Available|2027-07-24 00:00:00<p>This course progresses from an exploration of the basic elements of form - <em>line, tone, shape and colour</em> - to develop ways of working with these forms more creatively and with increased confidence. </p><p>Explore two different pathways into abstraction: learn how to research an idea, including ways of working with real-world subject matter, i.e. what is seen, and what is felt or understood. Projects cover composition, simple colour theory, surface and texture, to further your individual explorations using paint media.</p><p>An abstract intensive for students with some painting experience. Explore two different pathways into abstraction, including ways of working with composition, colour and texture to further your ideas in painting and build confidence working abstractly.</p><p>Projects will consider observed sources, for example photos, found imagery or objects, and non-visual stimulus such as music, words or chance. </p><p>You will explore two methods of working: <em>direct painting</em> sometimes known as 'edge-to-edge' painting, and <em>indirect painting</em> i.e. a project-piece developed in layers. There will be regular opportunities to share and compare your findings, with supportive and lively tutor-led discussion throughout the weekend.</p><ul><li>Explore and develop two different routes into abstraction.</li><li>Use composition techniques and/or colour theory to extend your enquiry.</li><li>Demonstrate improved skills in combining colours and tones.</li><li>Explore and compare textural marks and 3D texture in painting.</li><li>Gain confidence reviewing and discussing the development of your work and that of others.</li></ul><p>This is an improvers course - some painting experience is necessary including knowledge of colour-mixing and basic paint application techniques. If you have undertaken 30 hours of general painting study (eg. Painting 1 or Painting 2) this course will be suitable even if you haven't worked abstractly before. If you are new to painting, you may wish to enrol on <em>Starting abstract painting</em>, this will start at the beginning and cover core painting skills within the context of abstract painting.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The main focus is on practical painting activities with some contextual background. You will be encouraged to participate in discussing ideas as a group, and your tutor will advise you of simple resources you can bring in on the second day to individualise your project work.</p>An A4 Sketchbook is useful for planning ideas, colour notes, and building reference.<br><br><p>Next steps include <em>Ways into abstract painting 2</em>, <em>Large-scale drawing and mixed-media</em>, <em>Contemporary Collage, Drawing and mindfulness: releasing the judging mind</em>.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesvirtual199249162VM804,VM821NONESat-Sun06/02/27 - 07/02/2710:00 - 17:0010:0017:002 sessions21 to 4 weeksWeekendKSKeeley StreetAmanda KnightBeginnersAvailable courses2027-02-06T00:00:00+00:00,2027-07-24T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeFeb 2027,Jul 2027Art & design249249Abstract painting weekendabstract-painting-weekend/vm804-2627,abstract-painting-weekend/vm821-2627<p>An abstract intensive for students with some painting experience. Explore two different pathways into abstraction, including ways of working with composition, colour and texture to further your ideas in painting and build confidence working abstractly.</p>0000-Available|2027-02-06 00:00:00<p>This course progresses from an exploration of the basic elements of form - <em>line, tone, shape and colour</em> - to develop ways of working with these forms more creatively and with increased confidence. </p><p>Explore two different pathways into abstraction: learn how to research an idea, including ways of working with real-world subject matter, i.e. what is seen, and what is felt or understood. Projects cover composition, simple colour theory, surface and texture, to further your individual explorations using paint media.</p><p>An abstract intensive for students with some painting experience. Explore two different pathways into abstraction, including ways of working with composition, colour and texture to further your ideas in painting and build confidence working abstractly.</p><p>Projects will consider observed sources, for example photos, found imagery or objects, and non-visual stimulus such as music, words or chance. </p><p>You will explore two methods of working: <em>direct painting</em> sometimes known as 'edge-to-edge' painting, and <em>indirect painting</em> i.e. a project-piece developed in layers. There will be regular opportunities to share and compare your findings, with supportive and lively tutor-led discussion throughout the weekend.</p><ul><li>Explore and develop two different routes into abstraction.</li><li>Use composition techniques and/or colour theory to extend your enquiry.</li><li>Demonstrate improved skills in combining colours and tones.</li><li>Explore and compare textural marks and 3D texture in painting.</li><li>Gain confidence reviewing and discussing the development of your work and that of others.</li></ul><p>This is an improvers course - some painting experience is necessary including knowledge of colour-mixing and basic paint application techniques. If you have undertaken 30 hours of general painting study (eg. Painting 1 or Painting 2) this course will be suitable even if you haven't worked abstractly before. If you are new to painting, you may wish to enrol on <em>Starting abstract painting</em>, this will start at the beginning and cover core painting skills within the context of abstract painting.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The main focus is on practical painting activities with some contextual background. You will be encouraged to participate in discussing ideas as a group, and your tutor will advise you of simple resources you can bring in on the second day to individualise your project work.</p>An A4 Sketchbook is useful for planning ideas, colour notes, and building reference.<br><br><p>Next steps include <em>Ways into abstract painting 2</em>, <em>Large-scale drawing and mixed-media</em>, <em>Contemporary Collage, Drawing and mindfulness: releasing the judging mind</em>.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesconfigurable
