Beginners Art Course Autumn 2026
Discover Your Artistic Potential
Ready to start your creative journey? This 10-week Beginner’s Art Course is designed for those with less art experience. Learn foundational techniques while exploring a variety of mediums in a supportive, inspiring environment.
Location
The De Vitre Room, The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE
What You’ll Learn:
Drawing & Observation Skills
Build confidence in capturing shapes, proportions, detail, texture and tone.
Colour Theory & Mixing
Understand the basics of colour relationships to bring vibrancy to your artwork. Get to know about blending and colour application.
Painting Techniques
Explore different media including watercolours, acrylics, pastels, and coloured inks and lots more.
Project Schedule
Little Dancer portrait in soft pastels on midtone mixed media paper
9th & 16th September
Students recreate Dagas’ famous Little Dancer bronze sculpture, in charcoal and white chalk pastels from observation. Drawing on Mixed media midtone paper and adding highlighted areas, with a focus on proportion and figure drawing to create a portrait drawing. They add blends of highlights, shades and texture and learn lots of blending and application techniques.
Autumn leaves study in watercolour, gouache and oil pastels
23rd & 30th September
Students look at seasonal autumn leaves for inspiration and reference photographic images to create a painting. They build and create a richly coloured still life study, adding layers and blends of watercolour to create their paintings.
St Paul’s scene in Ink line and wash, taking the pens on a walk. Students look at the work of artist Neil Whitehead
7th & 14th October
Students observe a selection of painting references to create a stylised, line and wash piece in coloured inks and pens. They focus on composition, perspective drawing, detail and texture.
Autumn trees and path study in acrylics and mixed media
28th October & 4th November
Students look at a seasonal landscape for inspiration and reference photographic images to create a painting. They build and create a richly coloured landscape with a one-point perspective, adding layers and blends of acrylic paint to create their paintings. They finish the painting with oil pastel.
Autumn grapevine study from photographic observation, in watercolour, finished with coloured pencils
11th & 18th November
Students create a seasonal section painting, with a focus on drawing photographic references. They use apertures to focus on section painting, adding layers and blends of colour. They look at detail, texture and learn lots of painting techniques to build their piece.
Half-term break (no class) Wednesday 21st October
What’s Included
All high-quality art materials are provided.
Expert instruction from professional artist and tutor, Caroline Crawford.
Coffee, tea and biscuits, plus free on-site parking.
Personal feedback and a friendly, creative community.
Who This Course Is For?
Perfect for complete beginners or those looking to refresh their basic art skills. No prior experience is necessary. If you are unsure if this course is right for you please get in touch and we can discuss your skill level to find the right course for you.
“I started painting and drawing at Caroline's beginner classes a few years ago and now attend the intermediate class. I really enjoy the variety of projects and the different mediums we use. Caroline is a wonderful, patient and encouraging teacher and I have found her classes are a space to relax and enjoy time out from a busy life. I have also made new friends!” - Pam Scott