Acrylic Painting - Powerful Portraits - All Abilities

Course intent

Learn the knowledge and skills needed to develop and expand your range of techniques painting portraits. According to your level, you will develop drawing, painting and design skills, gaining a deeper understanding of the range of techniques and processes involved in portraiture. The aim of the course is to develop your confidence in painting portraits whilst having fun unleashing your creativity!

Enjoy the well-being benefits gained through working in a friendly, creative learning environment.

What will we cover?

During the course you will learn:

• the basics of Portrait Painting through a series of explorative exercises
• the formal elements of Art to develop an understanding of the use of line, shape, form, colour texture and tone.
• There will be an element of drawing to help ensure that sketched outlines are accurate in shape and proportion in preparation for painting.
• Accurate Colour mixing
• the importance of the use of tone and texture when painting
• Safeguarding, Prevent and British Values
• The importance of a clean and tidy studio

Learners will be inspired by the contemporary and historical context and will need to keep a sketchbook / notebook to record ideas, processes and progress, and the feedback they receive from the tutor.

There will be demonstrations, instruction, one-to-one tutorial guidance, group discussions and critiques.

To ensure that learners make good progress with their personal learning goals, the tutor will work with the learner to complete the required Individual Learning Plan.

For courses of more than one session, you will find you make the most progress if you attend every taught lesson and complete any self-directed study opportunities provided.

Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

Although this course is designed for all abilities, you would benefit from having some knowledge of painting prior to attending this course, such as having completed Acrylic Painting Workshops, Acrylic, painting for complete beginners or a term of the All abilities Acrylic Painting Techniques course. If you have some experience, you will be taught further techniques and compositional devices.

As our courses are taught in English, please contact us if you have any concerns about your level of English.

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

• A3 size sketch pad 250 gsm or higher suitable for acrylic painting (mixed media pads have a smooth paper surface which may be preferable to a canvas texture paper surface when learning to paint).

• A set of artist-quality Acrylic Paints including both warm and cool versions of primary colours (packs are often sold this way). OR If buying paints separately then colour recommendations are:

o Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cadmium Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Titanium White, Ivory Black or Mars Black.

These examples cover both warm and cool biased primary colours. It is important to buy artist quality paints from one of the reputable art brands to ensure good pigmentation.

• Artist-quality, soft bristle short-handled paint brushes for acrylics. Round brush with a pointed tip in either a size 5 or 6.
• If you wish to purchase extra brushes then the recommendation is a size 3 and size 0 which are good to have for finer details. A Filbert brush (flat brush with curved edges) in size ½ inch or ¾ inch. Brushes will be discussed in more detail at the first lesson
• Flat palette or old plate (preferably white).
• Acrylic Paint Flow Enhancer (translucent or transparent liquid)
• Slow Drying Medium/ Acrylic Retarder Gel (transparent gel)
Other materials needed during the course will be discussed in advance of the lesson where those materials will be needed. Email Customer services on adultlearning@surreycc.gov.uk to contact the tutor on your behalf if you have any questions about materials for this first session.

What can I do when I finish the course?

In discussion with your tutor, you may like to progress onto further painting or mixed media courses. You could also use this course to prepare a portfolio of work to apply for further art courses, such as a foundation course.

Additional information

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol, please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class. Surrey Adult Learning values and supports equality and diversity by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

How to enrol

You can't currently enrol online for this course, so please call 0300 200 1044 to express your interest or to make an enquiry for further information.

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