Adult course

Acrylic Painting Foundations – Level 1

A bold, vibrant start to your painting journey – a structured 6-week beginner course in acrylics.

For: Absolute beginners, or anyone who has dabbled with painting but wants proper guidance, structure and encouragement.

£155 for 6 weeks
An acrylic painting made in a beginners’ class

About this course

Step into the bold, colourful world of acrylic painting and discover just how exciting this medium can be. Acrylics are vibrant, versatile and wonderfully forgiving, making them the perfect starting point for anyone who has always wanted to paint but doesn’t know where to begin.

Over six weeks you’ll be guided step-by-step through the essential skills needed to paint with confidence: how to handle acrylic paint, mix beautiful colours, create texture, build depth, and turn simple references into finished artwork you can feel proud of.

Across the course

  1. Acrylic Basics

    Get to know your materials, brushes, paints and surfaces, and learn how to set up your workspace like an artist.

  2. Colour Mixing & Confidence

    Mix colours successfully, understand tints, tones and complementary colours, and avoid muddy results.

  3. Brushwork & Texture

    Experiment with different brushes, palette knives and mark-making techniques to bring energy and interest into your paintings.

  4. Painting from Life

    Learn how to observe shape, proportion and composition through a guided still life painting.

  5. Light, Shadow & Depth

    Understand how artists create dimension, atmosphere and realism using tonal values and contrast.

  6. Final Painting Project

    Bring everything together in a finished still life or simple landscape painting.

Who is it for?

  • Adults who want to start painting properly
  • Absolute beginners
  • Anyone who has dabbled but wants structure and encouragement
  • Anyone after a calm, creative weekly class

By the end of the 6 weeks you’ll have a strong foundation in acrylic painting, a completed final artwork to celebrate your progress, and an Acrylic Painting Foundations Certificate.

From our classes

Paintings made by students in our acrylic classes.

FAQs

Do I need any experience?

No – it’s designed for complete beginners.

What comes next?

Carry on with Acrylic Painting Level 2: Light, Colour & Atmosphere.

What if I need to cancel?

Your deposit is non-refundable if you cancel. We're not able to offer free transfers to a different date or course.

Book your place

£155 for 6 weeks

Thu 7 Jan – 11 Feb 2027 · 6:30pm

Secure online booking with Bookeo – opens in a new tab. You’ll pick your place and pay there.

Course full? Join the waiting list

If the run you want is fully booked, send us your details and we’ll let you know as soon as a place comes up or a new date is added.

Join the waiting list

This opens an email to contact@theartschoolchester.co.uk.

Questions before you book? Call 01244 328 976 or email contact@theartschoolchester.co.uk.

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