Choose from a variety of creative art courses

Explore your creativity through painting and drawing and choose from a variety of creative art classes. With a huge range of subjects to learn from, you can choose from online or in-person options.

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Our creative arts courses will get you working with pastels and pencils, exploring fine art and even get you out and about discovering new galleries in your spare time. 

Paints to pastels

Delivered by experienced art tutors, why not try getting creative with clay, or getting hands-on painting your very own masterpiece. 

If you’re interested in drawing, you won’t be disappointed either. Collage making, oil painting, pastel painting and printing are just some of the subjects that have proved popular in recent years.  

Many of our arts courses are delivered for different levels of experience too, so whether you’re a beginner or a little more advanced, you’ll be able to choose the art course that’s right for you. 

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Art Practical: Botanical Illustration

Discover the beauty of botanical illustration with our Art Practical: Botanical Illustration course. Learn techniques for drawing and painting plants and flowers with precision and detail. Ideal for artists and nature enthusiasts.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Keyham Green Places (Plymouth)
163 Renown Street
Plymouth
PL2 2DT
Tutor:
Mary Boreham
Course code:
Q00016818
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Craft: Introduction to Art journalling

This course is designed to ignite your imagination and help you express your creativity through mixed media art journaling. Whether you're a beginner, who would like to try a new hobby, or a more experienced crafter on this course we will look at a variety of techniques and different mediums to create unique, expressive journal pages. No prior art experience is necessary- just an open mind and a desire to explore your creativity. During this course we will: • Look at the fundamentals of art journaling and it’s benefit for personal expression. • Experiment with variety of techniques such as drawing, doodling, painting and collage. • Develop your own style showcasing your creativity • Learn how to use prompts to inspire your journal pages. • Build your confidence in using art as a form of self expression.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 10/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Tracey Broomfield
Course code:
Q00016666
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Art Practical: Intermediate Art Practical

Enhance your artistic skills with our Art Practical: Intermediate Art Practical course. Learn advanced techniques for drawing, painting, and mixed media. Ideal for artists looking to refine their abilities and explore new creative approaches.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
The Parish Centre (Chesterfield)
91 Sheffield Road
Chesterfield
S41 7JH
Tutor:
Lizzy Alageswaran
Course code:
Q00016031
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Craft: Crafts For Wellbeing

Many people find it difficult to have some “me time” out of a busy life to spend time on a creative activity. This course will give you the opportunity to understand the benefits of indulging in a creative activity and how this can have a positive effect on your mental health and wellbeing. You will have the opportunity to learn the basic skills of a range of different crafts and share skills and knowledge with other crafters. Each session will allow you to try a different craft which may lead you to discover a craft which could become a new hobby for you to enjoy.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
St Ives Library (St. Ives)
Gabriel Street
St. Ives
TR26 2LX
Tutor:
Jo McIntosh
Course code:
Q00016762
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Craft: Macrame for Improvers

Macramé is a creative knotting technique that can be used to make a variety of items, plant hangers, wall hangings, friendship bracelets, belts, and bags. including jewellery and other decorative items. It’s a great way to relax and create beautiful art pieces for your home. Learning new skill is to support learners with their health and wellbeing. Learn a new skill which may be a route into employment / self-employment. During this course your tutor will give you demonstration and individual attention for your guidance. In this course you will be working with a macramé cord and each learner will be able to complete a wall hanger . It can be used by you or can be gifted to the loved ones. This is a continuation of the autumn beginners’ course, but newcomers are also welcome

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kauser Nabeel
Course code:
Q00018021
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Craft: Create, Craft and Decorate - Further Papercrafts

Join us for this practical course aimed at improvers to explore creative ideas & learn techniques for making cards & decorative items with the personal touch for birthdays and Easter. Be inspired by the seasonal change to use cheerful colours and motifs. You will extend your papercraft skills to create handmade card, gift boxes and bags, and decorations. We will craft together step by step during the sessions & discuss ways the projects can be adapted, there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share ideas. Learners will explore the choices of different papers, colours, patterns to suit the different projects. Projects will be discussed at the start of the course & different items will be made each week. You will be able to build upon skills learnt to experiment and perhaps inspire independent projects. Spring & Easter themes will be included in the projects. This course will explore possibilities to inspire creativity. This course is ideal for enthusiastic crafters wanting to experiment with different ideas that can be used for different occasions.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rachel Holland-Hargreaves
Course code:
Q00012434
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

Art Practical: Learn to Draw Portraits

For many prospective art students, the thought of learning to draw a portrait is quite daunting, in fact some would say it is their nemesis! However, challenging yourself to confront this can be incredibly rewarding. The first time you achieve something akin to a real, convincing likeness is quite thrilling, and rest assured, it is a taught skill. This course is structured so you will learn skills of proportion, perspective, line, tone, and colour and be able to clearly analyse requirements for the task. This course is for complete beginners and those looking to improve their skills and develop their own style.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 19/02/2025
Times:
9:00am - 10:30am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Abi Kremer
Course code:
Q00013174
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

Art Practical: Introduction to Abstract Art

Learning about Abstract Art is fascinating and rewarding. This course covers its evolution from 19th-century pioneers like JMW Turner to movements such as Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Modernism, and up to the 21st century. It also highlights lesser-known female artists who have been overlooked by the art world. Each lesson starts with an interactive visual presentation featuring these examples. You’ll learn and practice using various drawing and painting materials, including inks, chalk, oil pastels, watercolour, acrylic, collage, and mixed media. This course is suitable for complete beginners and those wanting to improve their skills and develop their own style.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 19/02/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Abi Kremer
Course code:
Q00013199
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

Art Practical: Abstracting Winter Landscapes

Learning about Abstract Landscape Art is a fascinating and rewarding topic; it tracks an evolving story looking at different ages, from 19th Century innovators such as JMW Turner, through to Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism and Modernism in general, right up to the 21st Century. This course will also introduce you to some lesser known female artists who have been formerly neglected by the art establishment. Inspired by these examples, shown at the beginning of each lesson in an interactive visual presentation, we will develop skills in a range of drawing and painting media, including drawing inks, chalk and oil pastels, watercolour, acrylic, collage and mixed media. This course is for complete beginners and those looking to improve their skills and develop their own style.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 19/02/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Abi Kremer
Course code:
Q00013201
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.30

Art Practical: Drawing and Introduction to Painting for the Terrified

Would you like to draw and paint but think you can't? Do you lack confidence in beginning your artistic journey? This course is suitable for anyone who wants to have a go but doesn't know where to start. Working with our experienced and friendly tutor you will explore the fundamentals of drawing and basic painting techniques. This is a beginners course where no prior experience is needed. Each week we will take a step by step approach to exploring the fundamentals of drawing, building up to experimenting with some basic techniques, that will pave a way into painting.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 19/03/2025
Times:
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Abbie Cairns
Course code:
Q00012874
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00