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. 

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  • Start Date: 17 Nov 2026
    End Date: 24 Nov 2026
    Tue (Daytime): 10:00 - 17:00
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 2 sessions (over 2 weeks)
    Course Code: VH063
    Tutors:  Amanda Bracken
    Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
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In stock
SKU
246881
Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00

What is the course about?

An emphasis on colour mixing for painters. Through practical exercises and experimentation, develop your sensitivity towards colour for more confident usage in general practice. Investigate the foundations of colour theory to mix and apply the colours you want. Taught using acrylic paint, coloured papers and painted swatches; theory and principles extend to oil painting.

What will we cover?

  • Develop skills and confidence in identifying, mixing and matching observed colour: namely hue, saturation and value (tone).
  • Understanding the colour wheel: mixing, adjusting and applying secondary and tertiary colours to build a comprehensive colour wheel for your further use.
  • Colour theory and the science of seeing: learn methods of colour control: how to subtly or radically change the way colours behave in combination.
  • Colour palettes: using coloured papers and painted swatches, explore colour interactions including temperature, analogous colours and complementary colours.
  • Relating theory to practice for painters: a range of observational and expressive painting projects, designed to consolidate learning.

 

 

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

  • Analyse and describe any colour in terms of hue, saturation and value.
  • Identify basic colour interactions in a range of contexts: colour studies, artists' work, your own paintings.
  • Relate colour theories to practice and improve painting.
  • Take away a painted colour wheel and colour studies for future reference.
  • Present a small painting based on observed colour mixing.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Suitable for beginners and intermediates with some painting experience. 

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

  • Colour mixing and colour combining exercises
  • Group discussions - theories and practice
  • Individual tuition and feedback
  • Slide-selection of current and traditional examples by painters and colour theorists.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Basic materials and resources are provided as part of this course, including paint, brushes and paper.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You may wish to continue working with colour in a broader context on Painting 1 or Painting 2 (depending on your previous experience). Alternatively, select a course with a colour-emphasis, e.g. Painting from plants and flowers. 

Amanda Bracken Tutor Website

Amanda Bracken started her teaching career at the Serpentine Gallery, researching, developing and delivering projects to a range of audiences, which illuminated the art work on show in the exhibition programme, including a teachers’ pack for the Bridget Riley exhibition. She also gained substantial experience developing projects and workshops within the education departments of The Drawing Room, the Estorick collection, The National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria Miro Gallery in particular Alice Neel: Portraits. Bracken holds an MA in Fine Art gained at Central Saint Martins. She also holds a BA in joint Art/Dance and a PGCE gained at Goldsmiths College London. Brackens paintings, drawings and installations have been selected for exhibitions in London and nationally including the Drawing Room, ASC Gallery, C and C Gallery and Atkinson Gallery Millfield. ‘I am interested in colour and form in all its permutations and the qualities of the substance of painting and drawing-the figurative, the abstract and the in-between. Citylit has a diverse Art department where I can use my experience to stimulate students to develop their own work'.

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.