Watercolours for Beginners

This course introduces you to the fundamentals of watercolour painting through guided practice, experimentation, and creative exploration. Suitable for complete beginners and those returning to painting after a break, the course focuses on helping you develop confidence with materials, understand core techniques, and discover personal expression through colour, mark-making, and composition.

Each session combines demonstration, hands-on practice, and supportive group discussion. You will explore a range of approaches, from loose, expressive painting to more controlled techniques, and will be encouraged to develop your own visual language.

Learners will be taught in a specialist art studio with practical demonstrations, one-to-one support, and group discussion. Access to an internet-connected device is required for access to materials beyond the class contact time.

Please take this into account when booking, as there may be a small additional cost. Learn about course materials here. We aim to keep materials affordable while ensuring you have the appropriate tools. Costs may vary depending on the course, and your course teacher will provide further details during the first class. 

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:

• Demonstrate confident and informed use of watercolour materials and core techniques including colour mixing, wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, dry brush, layering, glazing, lifting and the use of mediums to control tone, texture, edges and surface.
• Apply an understanding of colour, mark-making and composition to create expressive and personal watercolour paintings that communicate mood and visual intent.
• Apply transferable creative skills in visual research, critical reflection, time management, and iterative problem-solving to support independent artistic practice and wider professional contexts.

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

Learners with an enthusiasm for creative exploration and making may find this course particularly rewarding. Curiosity about colour, texture and form, and a willingness to experiment and express ideas visually, are encouraged.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive, inclusive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We ask everyone to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

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.

This course is suitable for participants with no prior experience. We welcome anyone with a vivid imagination and a passion for creative exploration. While no formal background in art or design is required, the course is hands-on, and a willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

Please take this into account when booking, as there may be a small additional cost. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. We aim to keep materials affordable while ensuring you have the appropriate tools. Costs may vary depending on the course, and your course teacher will provide further details during the first class.

There is no recommended reading for this course, only suggested reference materials. Your course teacher will guide you to relevant sources during the sessions and through online resources.

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. 

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course start date, unless the course is full or cancelled.