Painting for beginners
Choose a starting date
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.
- Start Date: 08 Sep 2025End Date: 22 Sep 2025Mon (Evening): 18:00 - 21:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 3 sessions (over -3 weeks)Course Code: VM654Tutors: Amanda BrackenFull fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £103.00
- Start Date: 16 Sep 2025End Date: 30 Sep 2025Tue (Evening): 18:00 - 21:00In PersonFull fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £103.00
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.
What is the course about?
A taster in painting using acrylic paint. Experience some approaches to mixing and applying colour and working from observation in a painting studio environment. Discover the potential of different brushes and painting tools and learn to set up an effective personal workspace.
You will receive advice about further painting or drawing course you could join.
What will we cover?
Introductions to colour mixing, paint handling, selecting and using a variety of tools. Discovering paint media and their characteristics. Producing a simple painting from observation.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify the characteristics of acrylic paint media
- 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 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?
A taster course for complete beginners.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
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 approaches', 'Ways into Abstract Painting' or 'Painting:colour mixing'.
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.