
Our vision
Being an artist requires us to find our voice and express our uniqueness and individuality.
We look to the world for information to put into our art,
but not to justify what we put into your art.

Who we are
Creative Art Courses is an independent art studio in central Manchester proud to offer a wide range of courses in drawing, painting, mixed media and creativity.
The studio was established in 2010 by lead tutor Brian Raymond. The studio has grown and flourished since then, supporting a wide range of students of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and interests.
Creative Art Courses is proud to be a part of the Adult Community Education sector supporting continued learning through all our life stages.
Our Youth and Children’s classes nurture children with age-appropriate teaching to suit children’s ongoing motor and cognitive development, while recognising their awesome creative dexterity.
Why choose us?
My vision for Creative Art Courses is of an art studio where everyone (of all abilities and ages) can come and be nurtured while learning and being creative in a safe and supportive studio environment.
We take time to listen to students’ creative ideas and individuality. We encourage, support, guide, inspire, lead and allow creative freedom. We aim to offer an individual creative experience.
Focused and structured teaching allows students to learn the technical skills and creativity they need to develop and grow as creative artists. Equally, students have time to explore and nurture the quiet voice of their creative spirits that will encourage their unique artistic vision to be witnessed.
Love art
Our courses support students to improve their practical skills and understanding of the language of art.
Our courses and classes enable students to grow towards becoming the visual artist they dream of becoming. We passionately support diversity and celebrate individuality – from absolute-beginners starting out in the arts to experienced artists regularly exhibiting their work.
We teach ambitiously and passionately to support students to achieve their dreams.
My teaching is designed to guide you towards reaching your goal
of being a creative confident independent artist.
As artists, we are always keen to develop our technical skills in the craft of drawing and painting – and rightly so.
But how much time do we devote to developing and nurturing our creative skills as artists?
Core drawing skills
To help artists engage with the world, our teaching ethos embraces;
- Teaching core observational skills through ‘drawing from life’ to provide the foundation for critical looking.
- Teaching drawing skills and rendering techniques that support accurate vision
- Teaching the formal elements of art to strengthen students’ visual language
Embracing Self expression
To guide student’s to discovering their unique artistic voice, our teaching is steeped in the Modernist and Expressionist traditions that puts the artist’s voice at the centre of creativity. Expressionism has been embraced by a wide range of Modernist artists throughout the 20th century and contemporary artists today, giving them a wide range of styles and genres within which to express themselves.
With a foundation in core observation and drawing skills, choosing to follow the Expressionist tradition gives artists the opportunity to exploit the qualities of each material they choose to use and discover unique ways to express themselves.
We are not a Realist art school
We don’t follow a Classical Realist tradition in the style of the ‘old academies’ that tend to train artists within a specific style of working, or narrowly follow the Photorealist style that began in the 1960’s.
Courses focus on 3 aspects of being an artist
Core drawing + observational skills
Master the technical challenges of observation
Draw with accuracy and detail
Materials + techniques
Enjoy a wide variety of materials
Develop a rich and vibrant visual language
Creativity + self-expression
Nurture your creativity
Develop your own artistic style
Courses are designed to teach
Creativity and Technical skills together – hand in glove.
Think about it!
Technical skill on its own, is not the pot of gold you hope to find at the end of the rainbow.
Learning how to make satisfying, personal and expressive artwork – probably is.
A bit of the legal stuff
I’ve tried to keep it as straight-forward, clearly explained, and short as possible!
Read the T+C’s
Read our policy documents