X

Learning for everyone

Absolute-beginners to experienced artists

Lots of 1:1 teaching

Encouragement + support every step of the way

Inspiring art studio

Draw with lots of different materials

Take steps to follow your dreams

Learn key creative skills to become the artist you’ve dreamed of

Learn with like-minded people

Support and friendship

Contemporary teaching style

Art teaching with a focus on your individuality and creativity

Begin your creative journey

The perfect studio to take your first steps

Drawing, painting, mixed-media + creativity

Learn drawing skills, material techniques and self expression

Inspiring creative projects

Explore and fulfil your creative potential

Manchester’s leading independent art school for leisure artists

Quality art teaching for everyone since 2010
We welcome absolute-beginners and those with more experience

Courses, classes and workshops in drawing, painting, mixed-media, life drawing and creativity
 
Experienced, passionate, supportive + personalised teaching
Students-3
Students-18

Hi, I’m Brian Raymond

“As lead tutor at Creative Art Courses I’m passionate about every art course and drawing class I have planned for you.

I look forward to welcoming you to my studio. 

Brian in studio2web
Student quote: Challenging, interesting and literally an ‘eye opener’. Takes you right back to the fundamentals of looking. Ellie N
Student quote: I really enjoyed rediscovering my creativity, didn’t think I had it in me! Lots of ideas and skills to take away with me. Tricia H

Courses + Classes

Find the perfect art course
by course title …  |  by course calendar >

Inspired, supportive, and ambitious teaching for drawing, painting and mixed-media techniques ideal for beginners and those more experienced


Fully taught life drawing courses + classes, and peer-led groups for beginners and more experienced drawers


Everyone who makes art will benefit from art-school crits to help unlock their creative potential, have questions answered and identify next steps


Classes to encourage + guide their inspiration and passion for art, in support of their school art curriculum or for a hobby.


Enjoy small group sizes that ensures everyone, at all levels, receive the personal 1:1 tuition and support they need to learn and grow as artists.

What do students think?

Be inspired by the experiences of other students and get a flavour of what its like to attend an art course with us

Alistair LaneAlistair Lane
09:40 11 Apr 22
I found the Essential Drawing Foundations course quite challenging, especially in the first couple of weeks, but I thoroughly enjoyed the process and the obvious enthusiasm of Brian. It was great to learn to approach drawing in a different way, and I recommend the course to anyone seeking to gain greater understanding of the artistic process and improve their mark making.
Kate MacKate Mac
18:40 23 Feb 22
Brian's excellent introduction to drawing and painting was from the outset thoroughly enjoyable, challenging and inspiring. His friendly, professional approach and his obvious desire for us to enjoy ourselves whilst exploring the creative process was clear throughout. His skill at keeping us engaged the whole weekend was very impressive and I loved the whole experience. I'd highly recommend Brian's courses and will be booking another one for myself in the future.
Suzanne BethellSuzanne Bethell
09:12 12 Jan 19
Fantastic, creative, inspirational courses with a great blend of structured group tuition and sensitive, focussed individual support which means each person is able to develop and deepen their own style. A highly experienced tutor and artist, Brian creates an environment in which beginners and more experienced artists feel comfortable to experiment and learn from each other. Beginning with short warm up and experimental exercises which are fun and gently challenging, you are prepared for a longer session in which you work on a final piece. There is structure and flexibility. I started with a Contemporary Still Life course and went on to complete 2 other weekend courses and Art Elements. Each time I was inspired and found my practice developed in exciting, creative ways.
B IB I
17:46 10 Jan 19
Creative Art Courses are brilliant for anyone who is interested in any type of art, whether a total beginner or more advanced. I particularly enjoyed the weekend Saturday/Sunday courses and learnt a great deal as a total beginner to start with. Brian is very inspiring, knowledgeable and a very relaxed tutor who anyone would feel totally at home with. I'm so pleased I found his courses a few years ago as he certainly set me on the road to having some faith in myself in becoming an artist. Whether you fancy art just as an interest for enjoyment or whether you wish to become a real artist in any way, Creative Art Courses are certainly an excellent starting point and one to stick with for all the different aspects of the subject. I'm sure you will find them worthwhile and enjoyable.
Brian RaymondBrian Raymond
14:02 15 Nov 16
Very friendly, informative teacher. Well equipped studio, nice environment. The course was well structured - moving and building well on each step of learning as you go. Great fun.
js_loader

“Very friendly, informative teacher. Well equipped studio, nice environment. Course was well structured – moving + building well on each step of learning. Great fun.”

 

“Simple and easy to book. All the info you need to know is there. Quick response from Brian confirming place and good communication before course dates.”

“Really enjoyable weekend. Covered so much ground and worked so hard! But never a dull moment and felt so good to be learning so many new skills!.”

Comments from virtually every student we have taught since 2012

Videos to watch

Manchester’s most welcoming studio

Make my studio your creative home.
I guarantee you a warm, friendly Manchester welcome so you can feel instantly at ease and settle down to a fantastic creative experience.

Everyone is made to feel very welcome when they arrive at the Creative Art Courses studio.  Students find it easy to make themselves comfortable and are happy spending time in the studio’s creative atmosphere, able to learn and grow as artists.

Whether you are just beginning or looking to improve further your tutor will make sure you are able to make the best possible progression.  All the expert tutors offer supportive and encouraging teaching, using their skills and expertise to inspire students.

Come along and join us –  the Gallery Studio at Hope Mill is the place to nurture your creative spirit and grow your skills and confidence to become the artist you have always dreamed of.

We teach with ambition so you can create with confidence

Face to face teaching specialists

Join us for a real art-school experience in a fully equipped inspiring art studio

Focused and structured teaching allows students to learn technical and creative skills to develop and grow as creative artists.

Read more about what makes Creative Art Courses unique

What to expect

Structured teaching

Carefully structured teaching that will lead you step by step, giving you confidence and the springboard to artistic independence.

Individual attention

Loads of individual 1:1 encouragement to help you explore, experiment and discover.

Personal learning

A teaching style that focuses on your individual needs and is fully accepting of your individuality.

Creative + Inspired

Be inspired with teaching that ensures you learn technical skills, underlying principles, and creativity.

Student Comments

“Really interesting.  More educational than I thought it was going to be.  Warm, friendly, clean and light.”
Simon C
I wanted an opportunity to … discover how to be creative. I found it a really good experience + gave a good flavour of different materials and techniques and how to use them. Angela B
“I learned real and useful techniques… how to see what was wrong and how to fix it, and techniques I can replicate…” 
Susan W
“Well worthwhile.  Learned a lot.”
Ruth C

ANY QUESTIONS?

Let me help you choose the right course for you

Whether you’re unsure about what course you should book, or have questions about the content of a specific course or workshop…

contact me for a confidential chat

Inspirational Grade 2* textile mill

Getting here

Hope Mill is located just 5 mins walk from the Metrolink, or 20 mins walk from Piccadilly train station + Manchester city centre. The mill has its own private car park for students to use.

Central Location

Easy to travel to from Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan, and within easy access of mainline train stations and motorway networks making us accessible from anywhere in the country. 

Address, Map, Directions and access information. All you need to know for your visit

We teach the Arts

We are a group of tutors who are proud to embrace the independent spirit of a creative Manchester