Arts

To take students beyond introductory courses in art and begin to develop their skills. This course is accessible to beginners, but it also provides an ideal stepping stone towards more advanced learning in art.

In this course, we will focus on an extraordinary artist, well-loved from today’s public: Vincent van Gogh. You will learn about his Dutch origins, his interests and friendships while in Paris, the dreams he nurtured in Arles, and, his last months in Auvers-sur-Oise. As we study the main phases in his life, we will study key examples of his paintings and drawings to better understand his artistic identity. What was the purpose of painting for him? Why did he paint with bright colours and thick brushstrokes? We will seek to understand van Gogh’s art not simply in light of his own mindset, but also in light of the wider cultural context he was part of.

Learners will work with the tutor to improve confidence in their ability to develop their artistic skills and creativity within oil painting. You will be developing the skills to create a detailed landscape painting; challenging yourself to try new and different subjects. You will learn using a range of different teaching and learning activities, to include watching and following step by step demonstrations, with one-to-one help and guidance from a friendly and encouraging tutor. You will learn in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment, working together with your fellow learners and the tutor. This course is suitable for a complete beginner but also for those wanting to improve their existing skills in painting. No prior knowledge is needed, just a desire to learn and begin your journey to develop your artistic skills.

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.

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.

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.

Have you learnt the basics of painting in watercolours and are looking for fresh ideas? Do you want to learn how to create expressive and creative textures and effects in watercolours? Are you unsure where to start, what to use and how to use it? Why not join this course to explore your own creativity, find inspiration and receive support and encouragement? This ten-week course aims to provide lots of ideas and techniques for working spontaneously and expressively as well as how to create a variety of different textures and effects. You will also have the opportunity, to share ideas and take part in weekly discussions about your artworks with the tutor and other students on the course. This course is funded by Greater London Combined Authority.

This course explores some of the inspiration, insights and influences that lie behind the work of a range of artists, chosen for their contrasting approaches to landscape painting. We look at the work of Camille Corot, Paul Cezanne, Gustav Klimt and Eric Ravilious, and of French Impressionism, Fauvism and the California Society of Six, to discover how they were inspired to translate their powerful and often passionate response to landscapes onto canvas.

This course is delivered to a group of learners based in a local partner-organisation which offers a range of activities and opportunities for LLDD learners. The sessions are delivered face-to-face in a purpose-designed space in the partner-organisation’s premises. The course is delivered once a week for 2 hours. This reflection of the learners’ cognitive capacity and attention span. There is no charge for venue hire from this partner-organisation. Support workers are provided by the partner-organisation.

This course is for learners with Mental Health Conditions from the South Asian Community. Learners are service users – at day service funded by Adult Social Care in Leicestershire and Loughborough . Learners have low levels of self-confidence, co-occuring morbidities such as depression. Learners tend to get stressed and anxious – this could be due to multiple factors such as side effects from medications taken, as a result of social isolation due to stigma associated with mental health issues and as a result of the condition(s) itself. Family members and team leaders have identified the positive impact of engaging in learning activities focussed on Art. The tutor incorporates breathing exercises to ensure learners are prepared at the start of each session to learn effectively and manage their stress. This course is part of a wider learning programme to develop their confidence for life and support their physical and mental health and wellbeing.