Working with acrylics is one of the most versatile methods of painting and this course should help students of all levels to develop their colour, composition and experimental skills in this exciting medium. Acrylic paint is water based and can be used thinly like watercolour or thickly like oils. Colours can be glazed, one on top of the other, without disturbing the layers beneath. Probably the main advantage over oils is its fast drying time, which enables the painter to make rapid changes and complete a work relatively quickly. This can be especially useful when working outside.

Esther studied and qualified in Art & Design at Plymouth College of Art. She now teaches painting classes locally as well as exhibiting her work in many galleries.

Amy trained at Camden School of Art and Saint Martins, finally graduating at Brighton University in Visual and Performing Arts in 2000. Amy now works as a freelance artist; exhibitions include the ICA and The Princess Gallery. She is currently featured on the Saatchi Gallery website.

Dinah works as an artist educator for several major museums, giving gallery talks on paintings and leading workshops in response to the collections. She teaches in a wide range of media with a strong emphasis on colour theory and acrylic painting.

Maggie is an experienced teacher/mentor and professional artist. Her teaching methods are about tapping into an alternative way of painting using unusual tools and approach. From this new perspective comes a sense of play and exploration of materials and ideas, which allows more freedom to enjoy the process.

Ten Mondays starting 14th April at Evolution
7.00 – 9.00 pm with Dinah

Ten Wednesdays starting 23rd April at Evolution
11.00 am – 1.00 pm with Esther

Eight Saturdays starting 26th April at Evolution
10.45 am – 12.45 pm with Amy

Seven Mondays starting 25th August at Evolution
7.00 – 9.00 pm with Maggie

Eight Wednesdays starting 20th August at Evolution
11 .00 am – 1.00 pm with Maggie

Eight Saturdays starting 26th July at Evolution
10.45 am – 12.45 pm with Amy

Cost: £90 (£80 concessions) for 10-week courses
£72 (£60 concessions) for 8-week courses
£63 (£53 concessions) for 7-week courses

Note: The price does not include materials

Comments on course

'The course was even better than I expected, the teaching was very helpful'

'Encouragement was total!'

'A good variety of techniques - I feel keen to continue'
- Maureen Kirkcaldy

Materials List

Please bring the following equipment to the first week of the course, if possible. A 15% discount at Clarkes Stationers, who sell a good range of artists materials, is available for Evolution customers. Just present them with your booking confirmation, which you will receive at the time of booking. At the first class you will be given a list of any further materials that will be required for the course.

PAINTS

Basic Palette:

Cadmium Red
Blue, Phthalo and/or ultramarine
Cadmium Yellow
Titanium White
Mars Black
Burnt Umber (brown)
Phthalo Green
Cadmium Orange
Dark Purple

Other useful extra colours:

Red oxide (rusty brown)
Yellow Ochre
Paynes Grey
Cerulean Blue (light blue)
Leaf Green

This is a good basic selection of colours. If you are a beginner, I recommend buying these colours in 75ml tubes of Rowney System 3 Acrylic Colours. If you have the above colours made by a different manufacturer, they will be fine.

BRUSHES

One round brush with brush part about 3/4” inch long x 1/4” wide
Filbert Flat 1” long x 5/8” across approx.
Larger Filbert 1 1/4” across.
Synthetic as opposed to natural (ie sable or hog) is cheaper and often just as good.

PAPER

Large sheets/pad of fairly thick (at least 250 gsm white paper. Watercolour paper is fine, in sheets or pad. Other grounds will be looked at later on.

Rag or tissues
Mixing palette, plastic or old plate or pad of palette paper (greaseproof).
Masking tape. 2B pencil, pencil sharpener, putty rubber.
Plastic bag for taking wet palette home.

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