Acrylic painting – an introduction with Brian Smith

Ref: S2D38174

Location: West Dean
£344
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Places available

About this course

Complete a landscape and a street scene as you learn to paint with acrylics. Experiment with the flexibility, vibrant colours, subtle tones and texture of acrylic paints.

Course Description

Learn how to work from dark to light using the pigment with thickness. You can use acrylic paint similar to a watercolour, diluted, but, on this occasion, you will be using a consistency similar to oil paint. Techniques will include colour mixing, brushwork and composition. You will also learn about soft and hard edges, colour and how to simplify the detail to create focus.

The tutor will provide you with painting references as a starting point, and help you create your responses to the subjects. You will be guided through various options as you create two paintings: one landscape and one street scene.

By the end of the course, you will have an increased confidence and knowledge of using acrylic paints, as well as how to tell a story in a painting.

Course Materials

Included

The course fee includes the cost of providing all materials for the course, including acrylic paints, a round brush and a flat brush, watercolour paper and brown framer’s tape.

What students need to bring

  • An apron/art shirt

Available to buy

Available from shop: There are a good range of art materials available, including watercolour paints, papers, watercolour brushes and framer’s tape, should you wish to purchase any.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Timetable

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am. Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options

General Information

Tutors

Brian Smith

People and Architecture are the main focus of Brian's watercolours striving to capture mood, light and atmosphere in daily life. His paintings have been exhibited at The Mall, Bankside and the RWA Bristol gaining awards. He has written articles for International Artist, The Artist and Leisure Painter magazines. He now demonstrates and tutors Watercolour nationally. In 2020 he was elected as a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

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Further study options for art craft and design short courses

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.