Foundation Painting

Through hands-on projects, learn the fundamentals of painting, build confidence with different media, materials, and techniques, and develop your own creative approach.

You’ll explore composition, colour, and form, using both traditional and experimental methods. By the end of the course, you’ll have created a series of resolved paintings that reflect your skills and artistic vision, ready to share or develop further.

You will be taught in specialist art and design studios and supported by the course teacher through practical demonstrations, one-to-one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first, and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a device with an internet connection. 

Learning in this course is hands-on, and your skills will develop through practice, discovery, and engagement with materials and techniques. If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Develop visual ideas through painting, drawing inspiration from historical and contemporary sources to inform your practice;
• Create a series of paintings that demonstrate your understanding of core techniques, including composition, colour, and brushwork, while building personal expression;
• Enhanced visual analysis and creative expression through practical exploration of materials and techniques, fostering problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate ideas visually, valuable across the creative industries. 

This course is for those with little or no experience of painting.

Learners with an enthusiasm for creative exploration, who enjoy making things, or have a natural appreciation for colour, texture and form may find this course particularly rewarding. A willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s accessible and inclusive learning policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support. 

The course is suitable for those with no prior experience. This course welcomes those with a vivid imagination and enthusiasm for creative exploration. While no formal background in art or design is required, learning is hands-on and a willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run.

There is no recommended reading with this course; however, your course teacher will guide you to relevant sources.

Reading, listening and communication skills are essential. You must be comfortable learning in English. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.