The main reason people hesitate in taking up art, is the mistaken belief that they cannot do it!
That they need to be born with a natural talent. Untrue! You learn by being shown, starting with the very basics. The biggest decision you will have to make is joining a class. If uncertain, then you are welcome to come to any of the classes and see what members are doing. Talk to them. Remember, they once had the same fear as yourself.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
The majority of people who join have no, or little, experience at doing art. That’s fine. All you need to have is a desire to want to take up art, you can learn much of it.
You will start with the very basics: how to draw accurately and in proportion. Most people cannot draw in proportion because they’ve never been taught the measuring system, relying instead on their eye and hoping for the best! This leads to frustration. You can learn how to measure in the first 7 weeks. During this time you will be taught how to use tone (shading) using charcoal.
Then you will be introduced to the painting process, using acrylics (You can learn watercolour, eventually, as it’s a difficult medium for absolute beginners). In the first few weeks you will be working just black and white so you can learn how artists use paint – unlike how you use it when decorating at home!
On week 12 you will be introduced how to mix colours, colour theory. Once learned, then you can put virtually all the basics into practice, completing your first colour painting. But you don’t stop learning!
You will be introduced to many ways of using paint: palette knives, working bigger scale, bigger brushes, working more loosely. Also watercolours, pen & ink. Collage work, and so on.
To become a competent artist, I find that most people need a good year of coming to the classes. Most members stay with the classes, with a number coming for 9 years!
You will be encouraged to exhibit your work. We run several exhibitions a year, to give you the opportunity to exhibit your paintings, and hopefully get a sale!
The cost of the weekly classes, is £80 for 10 consecutive weeks. Then you can enrol for further blocks of 10 weeks and we go through the year with the whole of August off. If unsure about joining, or not sure what you will be learning, you are very welcome to come along to any class and talk to members and see what they are doing.
(please note, once you join and decide afterwards you want to leave, I cannot refund your fee. If you cannot make a particular week, it’s not possible to tack it on to the end of the 10 weeks, but you can make up any lost classes at another class, at your convenience).
The venues are at
- Wednesday morning at Hightown cricket club L38 3RQ. 10am to 12.00.
- Thursdays. Two classes, morning and afternoon. 10.30am till 12.30 and 1.30pm till 3pm. The Atkinson art centre, Southport.
- Thursday evening. 7.30 to 9.30 Lydiate L31 4HL,
- Friday. Lydiate Parish Hall L31 4EQ, Two classes 10am till 12 and 1.pm to 3.pm
All day Saturday general art class (once a month, second Saturday of each month)
- Lydiate L31 4HL. This is the general art class and follows the same course structure as the weekly class. Fee: £25 per Saturday.
This class is designed for members who cannot commit to either the week day or Thursday evening class. It covers exactly the same course structure and the times are 10am till 3.3opm. The fee includes refreshments, though you need a packed lunch, also your own materials, but I will advise you on what you need. And remember, you will start off gently, with the drawing practice, which takes about three full Saturdays. Then you move onto the painting process, colour theory, pen & ink and much more.
In the summer months in the morning , weather permitting, we go to a local spot, The Hayloft, where we can sketch and draw the ducks, peacocks and the buildings, including part of a ruined hall before returning to the class-room where in the afternoon you can turn the sketches into a finished painting.
for more detailed information on art classes, visit art classes Merseyside
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interested in life drawing?
If you want to learn to draw really well and accurately, then life drawing is for you. I teach you how to measure the human form. It takes around 25 hours of instruction to get a really good grasp of measuring, but it stays with you for the rest of your art practice – and yes, everyone can be taught how to measure!
Classes are held on a Tuesday evening in 10 week blocks at the Bluecoat art centre, Liverpool L1 3BX. Structured to teach beginners and those who feel they need to draw more accurately.
Also, the first Saturday of each month at Lydiate L31 4HL. The fee is £28 and includes refreshments. Times are 10am start, finish 3.30pm. Ideal for both beginners and those more advanced who want to develop their drawing or painting.