Begin to draw + paint

Session 1 (Saturday morning)
We will start the day with some free drawing time so you can settle in nice and easily. This will be followed with instruction to ensure you adopt the right approach to drawing along with techniques to help you ‘see’ better – measuring, proportions and how to use guidelines to improve accuracy and observation. We will also go through 2-point perspective so you understand all the underlying principles and how to apply this to your drawings.

Session 2 (Saturday afternoon)
After lunch we will put into practice all we have learnt so far about perspective and measuring techniques with more still life drawing. There will be some teaching showing you how to develop shading and tone with lots of 1:1 support to make sure you understand all the fundamentals of drawing.

Session 3 (Sunday morning)
Today is all about the creative use of materials and we start the day off experimenting with materials such as charcoal, graphite, chalk and oil pastels. We will complete further still life drawings to give you the chance to play with these materials and again practice all the drawing theory we covered in day 1 – giving you lots of opportunity to ask questions and embed this new knowledge.

Session 4 (Sunday afternoon)
After lunch I will take you step by step to show you how to paint in acrylics and water colour paints. This will give you the opportunity to learn fundamental painting skills, brush control, and discover the similarities and differences between the two. There will be loads of tips and tricks to help you understand the materials and the range of equipment you will need and where you can save money by avoiding unnecessary equipment.

I will also simplify the complex world of acrylic mediums and gels, explain what each one is used for, and tell you the crucial ones you really do need to buy – and why you only need 5 out of the dozens available in the art shops.

You’ll leave having completed your very own water colour landscape and more importantly know which are your favourite materials to draw and paint with after you leave the course.

The day will end with an optional fact-finding mission and guided tour to Cass Art (and Fred Aldous), in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. If you’ve ever felt baffled or daunted by the overwhelming display of art materials and don’t know your emulsion from your alkyd, your fan from your rigger – this is your opportunity to banish your confusion.

Metrolink ticket inclusive of course fee
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This course will leave you excited, knowledgeable and feeling more confident in drawing and painting by ensuring all your questions have been answered so you go home ready to continue with your drawing and painting.