WEA courses

This course will present an overview of painting and drawing in connection with inspiring examples in art history. It will help you learn classical techniques, and contemporary artists (such as David Hockney, Gerhard Richter or Anselm Kiefer). If you would like to have a fresh view of painting and drawing and learn how to achieve expressivity by carefully combining techniques, this course will offer you an overview and will inspire personal artworks of great subtlety and sensitivity. A variety of media will be explored, from acrylics to watercolour or pastels and more. You will need to bring your own art materials.

Develop painting techniques inspired by historical and contemporary abstract artists.

What do you know about John Singer Sargent? He was a high society portrait painter? He painted Madame X, and Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose. In this session, you will learn about the life and career of this extraordinary painter, in greater details. American, he lived in Italy, in France and mainly in England, where he became a sought-after portrait painter. But there is much more to Sargent than his portraits of wealthy patrons. We will also discover some of his impressionist paintings and his watercolours. Sargent’s art is paradoxical: modern by some features, and classical based on some others. But always, in portraits as in landscapes, he comes across as a brilliant painter.

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.

This course will help you develop further watercolour techniques interrelated with drawing skills, and in connection with inspiring examples in art history. It will help you learn classical techniques in a subtle way, by relating them to examples by various masters of drawing and watercolour (such as Dürer, Turner or Cezanne) and contemporary artists (such as David Hockney or Anselm Kiefer). If you would like to have a fresh view of watercolour painting and drawing, and learn how to achieve expressivity by carefully combining techniques such as glazing, graded wash or cross-hatching, this course will offer you an overview and will inspire personal artworks of great subtlety and sensitivity It will also encourage you to create your own original artworks based on the techniques learned and it will bring a fresh perspective on known techniques and styles, if you have already practised them in your own paintings. You will need to bring your own materials, paints and paper along for this course. The tutor will let you know what to bring

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.

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.

Do you want to learn the basics of watercolours? Have you tried before and given up in frustration? Why not join this course for support and encouragement? Watercolour, simply put, is water mixed with pigment which is then applied to paper. But painting with watercolours is something entirely different. It can be complex, confusing, and fun at the same time. While not a medium to be controlled or manipulated, part of the very beauty of working with watercolours is learning to let go! Come and join us to find out more.

An introduction to practical drawing and watercolour covering landscape and natural forms, changing through the seasons. Working with a variety of drawing materials and watercolours, we will look at artists who work with a range of techniques and create art inspired by or in the style of an artist or a particular art movement. This course is taught online. You will need to get your own art materials for this course and participate in the sessions by creating practical artwork, upload your artwork and discuss with other learners. A list of art materials needed will be on your Canvas course. This is a 10 Session course.

Welcome to our comprehensive course on Drawing and Painting Portraits at Springbourne Library, where creativity meets skill development in a nurturing environment. This course is tailored for adults with some art skills and aims to unlock the artist within and provide a rewarding and enjoyable experience for all participants. This engaging course delves into the captivating world of portraiture. We will explore the fundamentals of drawing and painting portraits, offering a step-by-step journey from the initial sketch to the final brushstroke. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, our program is designed to cater to all levels of experience.