Beginners Colour for Painting
Four sessions - Saturdays 10th Jan, 7th Feb, 7th Mar, 18th Apr 2026
Overview
This course will get you mixing from 6 basic colours and using it for dynamic or subtle contrast in your painting compositions.
Drawing skills are not essential.
You will be given specific tasks each Saturday to be completed over the month. Each session, apart from the 1st will start with a group feedback, Q&A
On this four-day course you will focus on three colour principles, hue, saturation, tonal value and the interaction between these. Planned exercises and free studies are designed for you to practice mixing and manipulating colour to achieve the effect you want.
Content
One of the aims for the course is that you will become confident mixers of acrylic or oil paint!
Demonstrations will show you exactly how to go about this.
Exercises are planned to help you practice not just the mixing, but how one colour reacts with another; and so you will also look at placement and proportion.
The monthly brief will suggest free study ideas for ‘studio’ work (or homework), to re-inforce and develop your learning. I can offer some email or Whatsapp help during the month if needed.
Each session will include a slide show of artists’ work which demonstrate aspects you have covered or might like to cover.
Each session will include opportunity for questions, suggestions, discussion and feedback on your work
Practical Information.
How long will the courses be?
The course is spread over 4 monthly Saturdays delivered by Zoom. A session will allow for approximately two hours lone working in the middle. I will be available by phone or text during that time or for a short 1:1 on screen.
Numbers are limited to allow for group interaction and for 1:1 feedback, usually by email.
Who can enrol?
The courses are suitable for anyone who would like some clear practical information and guidance on using colour in painting. Rusty beginners are welcome as well as beginners.
Contact me for a chat if you are considering joining the group, but are unsure.
Before the course
I will publicise a materials list and each month, you will also receive advance guidance on materials needed for next time.
How will the sessions be planned?
Each session will run from 9.30am to 2.00pm GMT. This includes:
Group feedback relating to your previous week’s work (second session onwards).
Demo by me for the session’s activity
Time for you to get started on this, during which time I will be on WhatsApp and email to give support where needed.
Slide show with examples of paintings which demonstrate use of the skills you have learnt.
Brief for the month and Q&As.
Finishing up with a look at the results from the day if time.
The session content will be recorded and available to all who have enrolled along with pdf copies of the slides.
What happens if I miss a session?
The sessions will all be recorded and uploaded to You Tube. If you miss a session, you will be able to follow the live recording of the session, unabridged, including interaction with the group. It is not a pre-recorded lecture. You will also be given the handout and slides for the day which cover the session and the group’s work.
Dates
• Saturday 10th January
• Saturday 7th February
• Saturday 7th March
• April 18th
Fees
You will need to sign up and pay for the 4-day course at least a month in advance of the start date. If you can’t manage to attend a session you will still receive the recording and other notes.
See booking terms
Total payment for the four days = £325
Payment can be made by cheque or bank transfer. Details will be supplied - Use the contact form on my website to get in touch.
Overseas participants have paid with Paypal in the past. This seems the easiest way to do it.
BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Bookings are made on payment of the full amount. 50% of that amount functions as a non-returnable deposit. No refunds are available for cancellations 21 days or later before the course begins.
Places are limited and allocated in the order I receive them. If the course is already full, I will return your payment but keep your name on a waiting list. In the unlikely event that I have to cancel a course, whether due to insufficient bookings or otherwise, I will let you know as soon as possible and refund 100% of the fee paid, with no further liability.
Participants attend these courses entirely at their own risk.
Online courses - numbers are capped for these courses so that there is opportunity for some 1:1 feedback and support. Therefore, the payment conditions remain the same.