Art Practical: Developing Drawing and Painting Skills

Designed for those who have completed Drawing and Introduction to Painting for the Terrified or have basic drawing and painting experience, this course encourages artistic exploration and skill development in a supportive environment.

The first few weeks reinforce key drawing skills, focusing on refining mark-making, improving accuracy in proportion and perspective, and exploring different drawing media, such as charcoal, ink, and pastels. As the course progresses, you will explore painting techniques in greater depth, experimenting with acrylics and/or watercolours to develop texture, contrast, and expressive brushwork. You will also work on composition, learning how to structure an artwork effectively and incorporate personal themes.

Through guided exercises and independent projects, you will explore different artistic styles and approaches, from realism to abstraction. Colour theory is expanded with an exploration of mood, harmony, and dynamic contrasts. Layering and glazing techniques will help you create depth and luminosity in your paintings, and you will experiment with mixed media to add unique elements to your work.

By the end of the course, you will have developed greater confidence in your artistic abilities, produced a series of artworks that showcase your progression, and gained the skills to continue developing your creativity independently.