A well-structured and systematic course for those who have never painted before, as well as for those who want to reinforce their basic skills in acrylic or to move onto acrylic having previously used watercolours or gouache. Students learn to see colour, shape and tone and relate all these elements together in various compositions. This course aims to foster self-confidence and enjoyment of painting in a stimulating environment.

Learn painting techniques, colour mixing, composition and application. We will work from still life, photographs, a life model and discover how to paint a portrait. Incorporating works from famous artists will improve development and provide inspiration.

This is an ideal course for beginners as there is plenty of guidance from the tutor.

What topics do we cover?

 Lay out a basic palette

 Working with a limited tonal palette

 Handling paint

 Laying down a tonal ground

 Drawing out and under-painting

 Using paint mediums

 Understanding colour and mixing

 Understanding composition

 How to take a painting to completion

By the end of this course you will:

• ​understand how to use acrylic paints
• Be able to undertake a painting alone
• Understand how to mix colours, and have a good understanding of colour theory
• Have an understanding of tone, composition, handling paint, and more
• Have a number of paintings to take home!

Week 1

Tone 

Working with a limited tonal palette, students will practice handling acrylic paint. Using still life, students will learn how to draw out the form and develop a basic tonal underpainting.

Week 2

Colour Mixing

How to mix colours we will start to understand how to handle colour and basic colour theory.

Week 3

Looking at Landscapes

Students will make a copy of a landscape by another artist.

Week 4

Pick a Partner

Students will partner up and produce a portrait painting using each other as models. A selection of brushes and exercises will be practiced to bring an experimental quality to the work.

Week 5

Texture and Abstraction

Texture – Abstraction working from an elaborate textural still life. We will be using view finders to section areas of interest and have timed studies.

• Tue 11 Jan: 10.30am – 1pm
• Tue 18 Jan: 10.30am – 1pm
• NO COURSE ON TUE 25 FEB
• Tue 1 Feb: 10.30am – 1pm
• Tue 8 Feb: 10.30am – 1pm
• Tue 15 Feb: 10.30am – 1pm

COURSE TUTOR: SOPHIE BERGER

Sophie Berger is a practicing fine artist with work in UK and international galleries, she is a regular teacher for the short courses at Plymouth College of Art and Kingbeare Studios. Sophie’s work is greatly affected by colour and atmosphere, both of which change due to weather and seasons, so observation of the environment and surroundings influence her work both directly as well as subconsciously. 

Living in a remote village on Dartmoor, Sophie spends her time on the moors or coastline, sketching in charcoal and coloured ink then using these to influence her paintings back in her studio. 

Places are limited and pre-booking is required. To learn about the Covid-19 safety measures we have put in place please read the following information about your visit to Exeter Phoenix >>

Workshop attendees get 10% off all food and hot drinks at the Café Bar.

VENUE: EXETER PHOENIX

*Subject to a £1.50 ticketing system charge. We don’t charge this to make a profit. Find out more >>