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Acrylic Painting Techniques – All Abilities
Whether you are a beginner or already have some experience of painting and drawing, you will learn the knowledge and skills needed to develop and expand your range of techniques. According to your level, you will develop drawing, painting and design skills, gaining a deeper understanding of the range of techniques and processes. Enjoy the well-being benefits gained through working in a friendly, creative learning environment
What will we cover?
- Acrylic Painting techniques
- The use of materials and tools
- The element of drawing in painting
- Sketching outlines
- Proportion
- Direct observation
- Colour mixing
- Tonal values
- Composition
- Creating texture using paint
- the use of a sketchbook
- Looking at and understanding other artists’ work
Sessions will be taught through demonstrations, class discussion and one to one support. The aim of the course is to develop your confidence in painting whilst having fun unleashing your creativity!
Where this course consists of more than one session you will find you make the most progress if you attend every taught lesson and complete any self-directed study opportunities provided
Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?
This course is designed for beginners and improvers. Even if you have never painted before or are just nervous about your ability, you do not need to worry as you will be guided through each step. Those who have already attended a painting course can continue to develop their knowledge and skills through a range of diverse exercises.
As our courses are taught in English, please contact us if you have any concerns about your level of English.
What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?
- A set of artist-quality Acrylic Paints including both warm and cool versions of primary colours (packs are often sold this way). OR If buying paints separately then colour recommendations are:
o Ultramarine Blue
o Cerulean Blue
o Cadmium Yellow
o Alizarin Crimson
o Titanium White
o Ivory Black or Mars Black.
o Yellow Ochre (recommended but optional)
o Raw Umber (recommended but optional)
o Burnt Umber (recommended but optional)
o Paynes Gray (recommended but optional)
- Artist-quality, soft bristle short-handled paint brushes for acrylics. Round brush with a pointed tip in either a size 5 or 6.
- If you wish to purchase extra brushes then the recommendation is a size 3 and size 0 which are good to have for finer details. A Filbert brush (flat brush with curved edges) in size ½ inch or ¾ inch. Brushes will be discussed in more detail at the first lesson
- Flat palette or old plate (preferably white).
- Water pot/cup
- Kitchen towel sheets
- Pencil, sharpener, soft eraser and a ruler
- Acrylic Paint Flow Enhancer (translucent or transparent liquid).
- Slow Drying Medium/ Acrylic Retarder Gel (transparent gel). Other materials needed during the course will be discussed in advance of the lesson where those materials will be needed. Customer services on 0300 200 1044 can contact the tutor on your behalf if you have any questions about materials for this first session.
What can I do when I finish the course?
In discussion with your tutor, you may like to progress onto further painting or mixed media courses. This tutor’s Powerful Portraits Painting course offers development of the skills learned on this course.
We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class. Surrey Adult Learning values and supports equality and diversity by promoting fairness and respect at all times.
How to enrol
You can’t currently enrol online for this course, so please call 0300 200 1044 to express your interest or to make an enquiry for further information.
If this isn’t what you’re looking for, then we’ve got plenty more courses to offer!
What is the course about?
Ideal for the beginner but also useful for the intermediate painter who wishes to develop painting skills, which explore the potential of acrylic paint media. During the course we will explore the properties of the medium, not just as a non-toxic equivalent to oil paint, but as a fast-drying paint with its own character, capable of multi-layered techniques, which can be adapted to a variety of supports. From the early experiments by the Mexican Muralists, its subsequent adoption by New York School colour-field painters, to the gallery works of today and its surprising adoption as a medium of choice in a variety of global cultures. We will take inspiration from key approaches, inspired by 4 chosen moments in time and place and use of accompanying glaze and gel media where relevant.
• Methods of application. Brushes and other tools.
• Impasto and glazing.
• Working with varying drying times.
• Use of mediums to modify the flow of paint.
• Controlling and experimenting with brushstroke.
• Increasing the vocabulary of your paint handling.
What will I achieve?By the end of this course you should be able to.
• Recognise greater creative potential in acrylic painting.
• Use a variety of associated mediums to achieve the desired flow of paint.
• Explore and combine a variety of paint handling techniques.
Ideal for the beginner, no previous painting experience is necessary, and the improver.
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.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
• Tutor demonstration
• Practical activity
• One to one guidance
• Group discussion.
Basic materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring any extra or special materials. Students who have their own set of brushes are recommended to bring them.Basic materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring any extra or special materials. Students who have their own set of brushes are recommended to bring them.
Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencil to printing services, at 15% off.
To get 15% LGC discount, students will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment of them being a student at City Lit. You can apply in-store or by simply emailing [email protected] with a scan or photo of relevant confirmation. The student discount does not apply to products that are already discounted or on offer. More information can be found here- https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/student-discounts/.
