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...
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This course is an introduction to painting. Discover the potential of different brushes and painting tools and learn to set up an effective personal workspace. You will progressively acquire painting skills, starting with mixing and matching colour, before beginning to paint a simple composition from observation in a studio environment. This course will give you essential painting skills, enabling you to progress to further painting challenges.
What will we cover?
Setting up a workspace, selecting and using a variety of tools.
Introductions to colour mixing
Discovering paint media and their characteristics - 'paint handling'.
Producing a simple painting from observation.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Set up a simple workspace for easel painting and handle the related tools and equipment
Gain an insight into colour mixing
Recognise and experiment with a variety of methods for applying acrylic paint
Start to paint from observation
Discuss your experience with others and make an informed decision when choosing a future painting course
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an essential painting course, ideal for those with no experience, or for students in a different visual art field wanting to improve their painting. This course is also suitable for those who would like to refresh existing painting skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Demonstration - Practical exercises - Hand-outs - Group and individual advice and feedback - Short group discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All basic materials and equipment are provided for this course including paint, brushes and paper.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
From this course you could consider progressing to 'Painting 1', 'Painting: Acrylic Techniques and Mediums', 'Ways into Abstract Painting' or 'Painting: Colour Mixing for Artists'.
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'.
Mario Lautier Vella is a cross-disciplinary, award-winning artist who began his art career at City Lit. After completing a number of short courses in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and textiles, Mario went on to do the two-year City Lit Fine Art course before going back to university to gain his Masters degree. Mario regularly exhibits in the UK and abroad and his work can be found in private collections around the world. Mario has enjoyed teaching at City Lit since 2011. For more info go to mariolautiervella.com
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/painting-for-beginners277443Painting for beginnershttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/a/painting-beginners-vm654-1080.jpg159159GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Courses/Art & design/Painting/Painting techniques & processes/Courses/vm/Beginners courses in art & design22851132191619191360812285113219161653<p>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. </p>252539828Painting for beginners179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/a/painting-beginners-vm654-1080_4.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-06-04T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJun 2026Art & designVM858179179Painting for beginners143116179Amanda Brackenpainting-for-beginners/vm858-2526<p>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. </p>0000-Available|2026-06-04 00:00:00<p>This course is an introduction to painting. Discover the potential of different brushes and painting tools and learn to set up an effective personal workspace. You will progressively acquire painting skills, starting with mixing and matching colour, before beginning to paint a simple composition from observation in a studio environment. This course will give you essential painting skills, enabling you to progress to further painting challenges.</p><p>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. </p><ul><li>Setting up a workspace, selecting and using a variety of tools.</li><li>Introductions to colour mixing </li><li>Discovering paint media and their characteristics - 'paint handling'.</li><li>Producing a simple painting from observation.</li></ul><ul><li>Set up a simple workspace for easel painting and handle the related tools and equipment</li><li>Gain an insight into colour mixing</li><li>Recognise and experiment with a variety of methods for applying acrylic paint</li><li>Start to paint from observation</li><li>Discuss your experience with others and make an informed decision when choosing a future painting course</li></ul><p>This is an essential painting course, ideal for those with no experience, or for students in a different visual art field wanting to improve their painting. This course is also suitable for those who would like to refresh existing painting skills.</p>- Demonstration<br/>- Practical exercises <br/>- Hand-outs <br/>- Group and individual advice and feedback<br/>- Short group discussion.All basic materials and equipment are provided for this course including paint, brushes and paper.<p>From this course you could consider progressing to 'Painting 1', 'Painting: Acrylic Techniques and Mediums', 'Ways into Abstract Painting' or 'Painting: Colour Mixing for Artists'.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesvirtual2539834Painting for beginners159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/a/painting-beginners-vm654-1080_3.jpgInStockEveningFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-03-13T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersMar 2026Art & designVM927159159Painting for beginners127103159Begona Morea Roypainting-for-beginners/vm927-2526<p>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. </p>0000-Available|2026-03-13 00:00:00<p>This course is an introduction to painting. Discover the potential of different brushes and painting tools and learn to set up an effective personal workspace. You will progressively acquire painting skills, starting with mixing and matching colour, before beginning to paint a simple composition from observation in a studio environment. This course will give you essential painting skills, enabling you to progress to further painting challenges.</p><p>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. </p><ul><li>Setting up a workspace, selecting and using a variety of tools.</li><li>Introductions to colour mixing </li><li>Discovering paint media and their characteristics - 'paint handling'.</li><li>Producing a simple painting from observation.</li></ul><ul><li>Set up a simple workspace for easel painting and handle the related tools and equipment</li><li>Gain an insight into colour mixing</li><li>Recognise and experiment with a variety of methods for applying acrylic paint</li><li>Start to paint from observation</li><li>Discuss your experience with others and make an informed decision when choosing a future painting course</li></ul><p>This is an essential painting course, ideal for those with no experience, or for students in a different visual art field wanting to improve their painting. This course is also suitable for those who would like to refresh existing painting skills.</p>- Demonstration<br/>- Practical exercises <br/>- Hand-outs <br/>- Group and individual advice and feedback<br/>- Short group discussion.All basic materials and equipment are provided for this course including paint, brushes and paper.<p>From this course you could consider progressing to 'Painting 1', 'Painting: Acrylic Techniques and Mediums', 'Ways into Abstract Painting' or 'Painting: Colour Mixing for Artists'.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesvirtual2539825Painting for beginners159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/a/painting-beginners-vm654-1080_5.jpgInStockEveningFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-07-10T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJul 2026Art & designVM303159159Painting for beginners127103159Mario Lautier Vellapainting-for-beginners/vm303-2526<p>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. </p>0000-Available|2026-07-10 00:00:00<p>This course is an introduction to painting. Discover the potential of different brushes and painting tools and learn to set up an effective personal workspace. You will progressively acquire painting skills, starting with mixing and matching colour, before beginning to paint a simple composition from observation in a studio environment. This course will give you essential painting skills, enabling you to progress to further painting challenges.</p><p>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. </p><ul><li>Setting up a workspace, selecting and using a variety of tools.</li><li>Introductions to colour mixing </li><li>Discovering paint media and their characteristics - 'paint handling'.</li><li>Producing a simple painting from observation.</li></ul><ul><li>Set up a simple workspace for easel painting and handle the related tools and equipment</li><li>Gain an insight into colour mixing</li><li>Recognise and experiment with a variety of methods for applying acrylic paint</li><li>Start to paint from observation</li><li>Discuss your experience with others and make an informed decision when choosing a future painting course</li></ul><p>This is an essential painting course, ideal for those with no experience, or for students in a different visual art field wanting to improve their painting. This course is also suitable for those who would like to refresh existing painting skills.</p>- Demonstration<br/>- Practical exercises <br/>- Hand-outs <br/>- Group and individual advice and feedback<br/>- Short group discussion.All basic materials and equipment are provided for this course including paint, brushes and paper.<p>From this course you could consider progressing to 'Painting 1', 'Painting: Acrylic Techniques and Mediums', 'Ways into Abstract Painting' or 'Painting: Colour Mixing for Artists'.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesvirtual2539831Painting for beginners159159https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/a/painting-beginners-vm654-1080_2.jpgInStockEveningThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-01-08T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJan 2026Art & designVM898159159Painting for beginners127103159Begona Morea Roypainting-for-beginners/vm898-2526<p>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. </p>0000-Available|2026-01-08 00:00:00<p>This course is an introduction to painting. Discover the potential of different brushes and painting tools and learn to set up an effective personal workspace. You will progressively acquire painting skills, starting with mixing and matching colour, before beginning to paint a simple composition from observation in a studio environment. This course will give you essential painting skills, enabling you to progress to further painting challenges.</p><p>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. </p><ul><li>Setting up a workspace, selecting and using a variety of tools.</li><li>Introductions to colour mixing </li><li>Discovering paint media and their characteristics - 'paint handling'.</li><li>Producing a simple painting from observation.</li></ul><ul><li>Set up a simple workspace for easel painting and handle the related tools and equipment</li><li>Gain an insight into colour mixing</li><li>Recognise and experiment with a variety of methods for applying acrylic paint</li><li>Start to paint from observation</li><li>Discuss your experience with others and make an informed decision when choosing a future painting course</li></ul><p>This is an essential painting course, ideal for those with no experience, or for students in a different visual art field wanting to improve their painting. This course is also suitable for those who would like to refresh existing painting skills.</p>- Demonstration<br/>- Practical exercises <br/>- Hand-outs <br/>- Group and individual advice and feedback<br/>- Short group discussion.All basic materials and equipment are provided for this course including paint, brushes and paper.<p>From this course you could consider progressing to 'Painting 1', 'Painting: Acrylic Techniques and Mediums', 'Ways into Abstract Painting' or 'Painting: Colour Mixing for Artists'.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesvirtual143,127179,159116,103VM858,VM927,VM303,VM898NONEThu,Fri08/01/26 - 22/01/2618:00 - 21:0018:0021:003 sessions (over 3 weeks)31 to 4 weeksDaytime,EveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetAmanda Bracken,Begona Morea Roy,Mario Lautier VellaBeginnersAvailable courses2026-06-04T00:00:00+00:00,2026-03-13T00:00:00+00:00,2026-07-10T00:00:00+00:00,2026-01-08T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026,Mar 2026,Jul 2026,Jan 2026Art & design159179,159Painting for beginnerspainting-for-beginners/vm858-2526,painting-for-beginners/vm927-2526,painting-for-beginners/vm303-2526,painting-for-beginners/vm898-2526<p>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. </p>0000-Available|2026-01-08 00:00:00<p>This course is an introduction to painting. Discover the potential of different brushes and painting tools and learn to set up an effective personal workspace. You will progressively acquire painting skills, starting with mixing and matching colour, before beginning to paint a simple composition from observation in a studio environment. This course will give you essential painting skills, enabling you to progress to further painting challenges.</p><p>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. </p><ul><li>Setting up a workspace, selecting and using a variety of tools.</li><li>Introductions to colour mixing </li><li>Discovering paint media and their characteristics - 'paint handling'.</li><li>Producing a simple painting from observation.</li></ul><ul><li>Set up a simple workspace for easel painting and handle the related tools and equipment</li><li>Gain an insight into colour mixing</li><li>Recognise and experiment with a variety of methods for applying acrylic paint</li><li>Start to paint from observation</li><li>Discuss your experience with others and make an informed decision when choosing a future painting course</li></ul><p>This is an essential painting course, ideal for those with no experience, or for students in a different visual art field wanting to improve their painting. This course is also suitable for those who would like to refresh existing painting skills.</p>- Demonstration<br/>- Practical exercises <br/>- Hand-outs <br/>- Group and individual advice and feedback<br/>- Short group discussion.All basic materials and equipment are provided for this course including paint, brushes and paper.<p>From this course you could consider progressing to 'Painting 1', 'Painting: Acrylic Techniques and Mediums', 'Ways into Abstract Painting' or 'Painting: Colour Mixing for Artists'.</p>PaintingPainting techniques & processesconfigurable
