Acrylic Painting - Stage 3

Course intent

Deepen your understanding of acrylic paint and techniques and take the next step in your acrylic painting journey in order to paint with even greater skill, knowledge and confidence. Acrylic Paints are known for their beautiful range of colours and the immediacy they offer, with no long drying times making this medium ideal for painters who don’t have the space to store slow-drying paintings and who want to explore layering, glazing, texture and colour.

What will I learn?

You will learn:

Design Techniques: Use tone, colour, composition, and perspective to create strong focal points in your painting. Further develop your personal expression and creative voice through practice and experimentation.

Material Knowledge: Deepen your understanding of acrylic paints, including mastering the differences between soft body and heavy body types, selecting the appropriate one for your artwork. Easily interpret acrylic labels, and use mediums, gels, and additives to create glazes, texture with authority. Additionally, have a good understanding of pigment codes for more effective colour mixing. Understand the importance of choosing the right supports and how to properly prepare surfaces for painting.

Craftsmanship: Further develop strong observational drawing and painting techniques. Hone your skills in methods such as scumbling, sfumato, impasto, underpainting, blending, layering, glazing, and working alla prima, using both brushes and palette knives. Master the art of mixing various values for a more dynamic and cohesive result. Develop a coherent body of work that reflects your ideas.

Production Process: Study the techniques and styles of both traditional and contemporary artists. Explore a wide range of approaches and gain insight into composition, context, and the evolution of painting practices. Use subject-specific and technical language when discussing your work or the work of others

Workshop Practice: Learn essential health and safety practices in the studio, including proper cleaning and care of tools and materials, to ensure a safe and professional working environment.

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

Stage 3 - Suitable for learners on completion of level 2 who would like to progress and gain a solid understanding of their subject. The focus will be on mastering more intricate techniques and creating more complex, finished projects and on having work ready for display or submission for opportunities.

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

You need to bring materials you already have, which should include:

• a set of acrylic paints
• Brushes
• A tear off palette
• Watercolour or acrylic paper, canvas or canvas board
• A pad of A3 cartridge paper
• Soft grade of pencils (2B to 6B)
• Soft kneaded or putty rubber

Materials will be discussed at the first session with advice on what to bring for the course.

If you have any queries, please email the tutor at adultlearning@surreycc.gov.uk at least a week before the first session.

What can I do when I finish the course?

You can continue your journey learning about acrylic painting with us by enrolling on Acrylic Painting - Stage 3 for a further 2 terms. You can build your skills during the year by trying Saturday workshops in painting and drawing and try different techniques and styles. In September 2026, you can move to Acrylic Painting - Stage 4.

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.

How to enrol

Our courses are for adult learners aged 19 or over. If you are under 19, please call 0300 200 1044.

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