Beginners Painting Courses
Let your brush reveal the voice within you. Explore your artistic potential with Painting courses for beginners at the City Lit Art School. Whether you're new to painting or want to build on your skills, our expert-led courses provide a comprehensive introduction to various painting techniques and materials.
Learn the fundamentals of painting, including how to work with different mediums such as watercolours, acrylics, and oils. Our courses will teach you essential techniques like colour mixing, brushwork, texture creation, and composition. You'll also gain insight into the creative process and develop your unique artistic style.
With practical lessons, group discussions, and feedback from experienced tutors, you’ll have the opportunity to experiment with new methods and refine your skills. Whether you're interested in still life, landscapes, or abstract painting, our courses will help you find your artistic voice and build confidence in your work.
Explore our Beginners Painting courses today, available online and in London, and take your first step towards becoming a skilled and confident painter.
25 courses available
Ways into abstract paintingEncounter different approaches to making abstract paintings while developing your skills in using a range of painting materials. With reference to the work of a variety of abstract artists explore the visual language common to both representation and abstraction, eg. colour, composition, tone and paint application.Full fee £409.00 Senior fee £327.00 Concession £266.00- Painting from plants and flowersExplore a variety of creative approaches for painting flowers from observation. Discover the rich history of this genre while taking inspiration from artists who use flowers as their subject matter.Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00
- Artists eye painting projects: people and place
Looking at a diverse range of figurative artists, we’ll examine their subject matter along with technical and imaginative skills, and find inspiration for our own paintings. Eye-opening projects to inspire painters at all levels of experience. This is a live on-line practical course.
Online
Tue 10 Nov 2026Kate HardyFull fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Portrait painting: two session poseDevelop a portrait from life: a structured course to build skills towards making a convincing portrait where the model keeps the same pose over 2 sessions to enable a sustained piece of work.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00
- Painting for beginners
Through simple exercises you will explore basic methods of painting in acrylic from still-life, mixing and matching the colours and textures observed. Learn how to set up your workspace and begin to enjoy painting in a studio environment, using a variety of brushes and tools.
Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Painting 2
Building on techniques and approaches covered in the Painting 1, this course enables you to work with more depth and a stronger emphasis on experimentation. Suitable if you already have some experience in painting.
The RFSA Foundation helps widen access to art and design education by supporting learners facing financial, personal or practical barriers. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply for funding towards this course if you are looking to do it as part of the longer suite of courses eg 1, 2 and/or 3. You will need to do a minimum of two of the staged courses to be eligible for financial support. Read our step-by-step bursary guidance here to find out more and apply.
If you are eligible and have already enrolled, you can apply for the funding support retrospectively.
Full fee £479.00 Senior fee £383.00 Concession £311.00 - Picture framing and mounting for beginners
Learn picture framing and mounting skills for the home or workplace. Using professional framing tools and equipment you'll be taught all the skills you need to work in a busy studio or alternatively how to set up your own small-scale practice from home.
Full fee £379.00 Senior fee £303.00 Concession £246.00 - Watercolour painting: mixed media techniquesWatercolour has a rich tradition - this course will explore the more experimental ways of using this pleasurable medium and will present new possibilities for producing exciting new work with mixed media. Make inventive combinations of media to draw from your own found imagery, photographs and sketches.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
- Painting 1
Painting 1 offers an introduction to the basic principles and skills associated with painting. Focus on differing approaches to observational and imaginative work, whilst learning how to organise a palette, mix colours and create different textures.
The RFSA Foundation helps widen access to art and design education by supporting learners facing financial, personal or practical barriers. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply for funding towards this course if you are looking to do it as part of the longer suite of courses eg 1, 2 and/or 3. You will need to do a minimum of two of the staged courses to be eligible for financial support. Read our step-by-step bursary guidance here to find out more and apply.
If you are eligible and have already enrolled, you can apply for the funding support retrospectively.
Full fee £479.00 Senior fee £383.00 Concession £311.00 - Introduction to watercolour paintingGain a grounding in the rich possibilities available when working with watercolour paint. Through a series of practical studies, you will investigate the potential of this versatile medium.Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £263.00 Concession £214.00
- Painting and drawing dialogues: properties of the mediumGain an understanding of the interdependent nature of drawing and painting. Focus on the qualities of each medium working with and against their inherent properties to enhance your performance with both.
Keeley Street
Tue 12 Jan 2027Tony Hull, Monika KitaFull fee £479.00 Senior fee £383.00 Concession £311.00 - Colour mixing for painters
A concise study of colour usage. Investigate colour perception and how colour interacts. Explore a range of observational and expressive painting projects, relate colour theory to practice and develop confidence using colour in painting.
Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00 - Drawing into watercolour paintingExplore the relationship between the two disciplines of drawing and watercolour painting and the opportunities when their distinct qualities are combined.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00
- Drawing and painting portraits: traditional techniquesThis structured course introduces traditional approaches to drawing then painting portraits from observation of the life model. Suitable for all levels but some previous drawing experience an advantage.
Keeley Street
Thu 14 Jan 2027Amanda Bracken, Kim ScoullerFull fee £349.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £227.00 - Watercolour painting: focus on still lifeA stimulating opportunity to explore the essential elements of still life painting using watercolour. Suitable for beginners as well as a refresher course for those with previous experience of the medium.Full fee £409.00 Senior fee £327.00 Concession £266.00
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