Class Content
Class 1
Sketchbook foundations: laying foundations for creative self-expression
Class 2
Sketchbook structures: developing visual stories by taking creative control over sketchbook structures.
Begin work on Creative brief #1: ‘Singularity’ – natural forms
Class 3
Sketchbook investigations: creative techniques to delve, explore, and experiment while developing the visual look, materials and techniques of our chosen subject matter for Creative brief #1
Class 4
Sketchbook spheres of influence: embracing influences and creating a wider context to develop ideas around our chosen theme for Creative brief #1
Class 5
Creative brief #1: realising personal self-expressive outcomes for Creative brief #1
Class 6 + 7
Creative brief #2: Still life, vessels, and art object
Personal creative still-life based project with guidance and support from the tutor creating a 3D art object using mixed media, drawing, painting, and craft.
Class 8 + 9
Creative brief #3: Variations on a Theme – emotional connections
Personal creative still-life based project with guidance and support from the tutor creating artwork that explores the connection between the Art Elements and personal self expression.
Class 10
Creative brief #4: ‘A bigger picture’ – navigating a creative collaboration
Group collaborative collage based project working on a large-scale drawing using mixed media collage.
Note: session plans may change to respond to the needs of the group
By the end of the Self-expression term…
Students will have developed skills to enable them to drive forward their own creative ideas and self-led projects. They will have the creative self-confidence to navigate a personal creative journey towards uncovering their own artistic voice and individual style.
Art + Creativity Course
£360.00
Monday morning 10-session terms
Art and Creativity course
Enjoy up to 30 weeks of dedicated focus on art and creativity. Grow self-confidence and flourish as an independent creative artist. This tutor-led Art and Creativity course offers extended and progressive learning for beginners to intermediate students. The course focuses on fundamental drawing skills, materials and creative techniques, and individual self-expression.
The 30-week course is structured as a trilogy of independent 10-week courses. Flexible booking enables students to complete the course within either;
Students are encouraged to develop a contemporary personal approach to making art using a wide range of materials. Grow your skills, creative conviction, and artistic confidence.
Suitable for: Adult, beginners, improvers, returners, intermediate
Course Structure
Drawing skills
Spring Term 1
Banish your creative worries and learn to draw with enjoyment and confidence.
Learn technical skills and creative use of materials
Learn techniques to get proportions correct, perspective in easy steps, how to shade and use tone, and create exciting compositions. Take your first steps to learning a range of materials including graphite, charcoal, pastels, and acrylic paint.
Supportive teaching
An encouraging, patient and inclusive approach to teaching with lots of one-to-one support will benefit everyone, even those students who fear the worst!
Term dates
Select the ‘Term options’ at the top of the page to see specific term dates
Class Content
Class 1
Sketchbook mark-making mini-project
Class 2
Adopting the right approach to drawing to guarantee improved results
Class 3
Measuring techniques for greater drawing accuracy
Class 4
Drawing with tone and shading to add depth and dimensionality
Class 5
Creating 3D form and depth
Class 6
Rendering space and linear perspective
Class 7
Working with colour
Class 8
Creative approach to composition
Class 9
Grabbing attention by creating a dynamic focal point
Class 10
Self-directed still life drawing project
Note: session plans may change to respond to the needs of the group
By the end of the Drawing Skills term…
Students will feel confident they have developed greater skill in looking, seeing and rendering objects accurately while establishing their creative foundations in using the Art Elements of colour, tone, line and mark-making. Students will have the skills and techniques to enable them to continue developing and growing as artists.
Students are encouraged to spend an additional 2-3 hours per week further developing the creative projects started during the studio sessions. However, it will not detract from the course learning if students do not have the extra time.
Becoming a member of the AVA art group that meet in the studio on a Wednesday is a great way to ‘protect’ additional creative time. Attending each week to work on the creative projects will give students the space, time and support from fellow group members that is needed to help develop skills and creative confidence.
CLICK HERE>
Days: Monday x 10 per term
Times: 10-12.30pm
Academic year: 30 weeks (3 terms x 10-classes)
Materials: Includes most materials, other than the materials students are asked to bring
Suitable for: Adults
Teaching Level: Beginners, Improvers, Intermediate, Returners
Group Size: Min 6 – Max 10
Your tutor: Brian Raymond biography >
Refreshments:
Course includes tea, coffee & biscuits. Please provide your own lunch on full day courses, workshops and classes.
Essential items to bring
Mixed Media Pad 25 Sheets
250gsm
Mixed Media Pad 30 sheets
250gsm
Optional items to bring
Cloth for cleaning your hands
Rag (old cloth) for smudging charcoal or paint
Wear old clothes or bring an apron
Pen and notebook for taking notes
Protect your creative time, continue working on your projects, and enjoy the supportive and creative space of the studio.
Wednesday: Weekly Art Class >
Benefit from more tutor support and guidance
Tuesday: Ancoats Visual Arts >
Enjoy free time and peer support
Material Techniques
Summer Term 2
Develop a creative, flexible and more self-expressive approach to drawing. Learn to how to use a range of creative materials and develop confidence in manipulating them for greater self-expression.
Learn expressive drawing and creative confidence
Take a break from drawing with accuracy and realism while you allow the personality and qualities of different art materials nurture your imagination. Learn to trust your artistic intuition, and the value of creative play. Gaining confidence in the fundamentals of using different art materials will re-energise your drawing skills beyond your expectations.
Personal creative development
Lots of one-to-one support enables students to explore new directions and styles in their art and start the journey to developing a personal individual style.
Term dates
Select the ‘Term options’ at the top of the page to see specific term dates
Class Content
Class 1
Collage – introduction to painting with paper
Class 2
Drawing with graphite and pencil to explore the potential of monochrome tones and textures
Class 3
Explore the power and freedom of drawing with charcoal
Class 4
Embrace the rich colours and flexibility of painting with soft pastels
Class 5
Rediscover the joy and flexibility of drawing with oil pastels
Class 6
Discover the language and qualities of acrylic paint
Class 7
Learn the classic techniques of using a dip pen and watercolour washes
Class 8
Embrace the freedom of drawing and painting with water soluble materials such as graphite and colour pencils
Class 9
Explore transparent glazes with colourful drawing inks
Class 10
Develop a deeper appreciation of how to plan your own projects – mixed/multiple media project
Note: session plans may change to respond to the needs of the group
By the end of the Materials + Techniques term…
Students will feel creatively enthused and confident in their use of different art materials and will have embraced the use of artists-sketchbooks to help them develop their creative ideas.
Students are encouraged to spend an additional 2-4 hours per week further developing the creative projects started during the studio sessions. However, it will not detract from the course learning if students do not have the extra time.
Becoming a member of the AVA art group that meet in the studio on a Wednesday is a great way to ‘protect’ additional creative time. Attending each week to work on the creative projects will give students the space, time and support from fellow group members that is needed to help develop skills and creative confidence.
CLICK HERE>
Days: Monday x 10 per term
Times: 10-12.30pm
Academic year: 30 weeks (3 terms x 10-classes)
Materials: Includes most materials, other than the materials students are asked to bring
Suitable for: Adults
Teaching Level: Beginners, Improvers, Intermediate, Returners
Group Size: Min 6 – Max 10
Your tutor: Brian Raymond biography >
Refreshments:
Course includes tea, coffee & biscuits. Please provide your own lunch on full day courses, workshops and classes.
Essential items to bring
Mixed Media Pad 25 Sheets
250gsm
Mixed Media Pad 30 sheets
250gsm
thick paper is best
Optional items to bring
Cloth for cleaning your hands
Rag (old cloth) for smudging charcoal or paint
Wear old clothes or bring an apron
Pen and notebook for taking notes
Protect your creative time, continue working on your projects, and enjoy the supportive and creative space of the studio.
Wednesday: Weekly Art Class >
Benefit from more tutor support and guidance
Tuesday: Ancoats Visual Arts >
Enjoy free time and peer support
Self-expression
Autumn Term 3
To book the Self-expression course you must have completed the Drawing Skills and Material Techniques courses.
Immerse yourself in mini creative projects that allow students to explore the themes of still life, landscape and the human form. Teaching and demonstrations will show students how to experiment and develop their own creative projects so they never run out of ideas of what to do next!
The key to an artist’s sketchbook
Students will learn techniques and methods to develop their own unique artist’s sketchbook that will help drive creativity forward. Embrace a new level of creative-confidence in generating new ideas, experimenting with techniques to uncover a uniquely personal artistic style.
Creative self-confidence
Encouraging and supportive teaching with plenty of time for creative experimentation with a chance to try out ideas will enable students to become the independent artist they want to be.
Term dates
Select the ‘Term options’ at the top of the page to see specific term dates
Class Content
Class 1
Sketchbook foundations: laying foundations for creative self-expression
Class 2
Sketchbook structures: developing visual stories by taking creative control over sketchbook structures.
Begin work on Creative brief #1: ‘Singularity’ – natural forms
Class 3
Sketchbook investigations: creative techniques to delve, explore, and experiment while developing the visual look, materials and techniques of our chosen subject matter for Creative brief #1
Class 4
Sketchbook spheres of influence: embracing influences and creating a wider context to develop ideas around our chosen theme for Creative brief #1
Class 5
Creative brief #1: realising personal self-expressive outcomes for Creative brief #1
Class 6 + 7
Creative brief #2: Still life, vessels, and art object
Personal creative still-life based project with guidance and support from the tutor creating a 3D art object using mixed media, drawing, painting, and craft.
Class 8 + 9
Creative brief #3: Variations on a Theme – emotional connections
Personal creative still-life based project with guidance and support from the tutor creating artwork that explores the connection between the Art Elements and personal self expression.
Class 10
Creative brief #4: ‘A bigger picture’ – navigating a creative collaboration
Group collaborative collage based project working on a large-scale drawing using mixed media collage.
Note: session plans may change to respond to the needs of the group
By the end of the Self-expression term…
Students will have developed skills to enable them to drive forward their own creative ideas and self-led projects. They will have the creative self-confidence to navigate a personal creative journey towards uncovering their own artistic voice and individual style.
Students are encouraged to spend an additional 3-6 hours per week further developing the creative projects started during the studio sessions. However, it will not detract from the course learning if students do not have the extra time.
Becoming a member of the AVA art group that meet in the studio on a Wednesday is a great way to ‘protect’ additional creative time. Attending each week to work on the creative projects will give students the space, time and support from fellow group members that is needed to help develop skills and creative confidence.
CLICK HERE>
Days: Monday x 10 per term
Times: 10-12.30pm
Academic year: 30 weeks (3 terms x 10-classes)
Materials: Includes most materials, other than the materials students are asked to bring
Suitable for: Adults
Teaching Level: Improvers, Intermediate, Returners
Group Size: Min 6 – Max 10
Your tutor: Brian Raymond biography >
Refreshments:
Course includes tea, coffee & biscuits. Please provide your own lunch on full day courses, workshops and classes.
Essential items to bring
hardback cover, spiral bound if possible
thick cartridge paper
Mixed Media Pad 25 Sheets
250gsm
Mixed Media Pad 30 sheets
250gsm
Optional items to bring
Cloth for cleaning your hands
Rag (old cloth) for smudging charcoal or paint
Wear old clothes or bring an apron
Pen and notebook for taking notes
Protect your creative time, continue working on your projects, and enjoy the supportive and creative space of the studio.
Wednesday: Weekly Art Class >
Benefit from more tutor support and guidance
Tuesday: Ancoats Visual Arts >
Enjoy free time and peer support
Student Quotes
More reviews >
.
.
Course Structure
Drawing skills
Spring Term 1
Banish your creative worries and learn to draw with enjoyment and confidence.
Learn technical skills and creative use of materials
Learn techniques to get proportions correct, perspective in easy steps, how to shade and use tone, and create exciting compositions. Take your first steps to learning a range of materials including graphite, charcoal, pastels, and acrylic paint.
Supportive teaching
An encouraging, patient and inclusive approach to teaching with lots of one-to-one support will benefit everyone, even those students who fear the worst!
Term dates
Select the ‘Term options’ at the top of the page to see specific term dates
Class Content
Class 1
Sketchbook mark-making mini-project
Class 2
Adopting the right approach to drawing to guarantee improved results
Class 3
Measuring techniques for greater drawing accuracy
Class 4
Drawing with tone and shading to add depth and dimensionality
Class 5
Creating 3D form and depth
Class 6
Rendering space and linear perspective
Class 7
Working with colour
Class 8
Creative approach to composition
Class 9
Grabbing attention by creating a dynamic focal point
Class 10
Self-directed still life drawing project
Note: session plans may change to respond to the needs of the group
By the end of the Drawing Skills term…
Students will feel confident they have developed greater skill in looking, seeing and rendering objects accurately while establishing their creative foundations in using the Art Elements of colour, tone, line and mark-making. Students will have the skills and techniques to enable them to continue developing and growing as artists.
Students are encouraged to spend an additional 2-3 hours per week further developing the creative projects started during the studio sessions. However, it will not detract from the course learning if students do not have the extra time.
Becoming a member of the AVA art group that meet in the studio on a Wednesday is a great way to ‘protect’ additional creative time. Attending each week to work on the creative projects will give students the space, time and support from fellow group members that is needed to help develop skills and creative confidence.
CLICK HERE>
Days: Monday x 10 per term
Times: 10-12.30pm
Academic year: 30 weeks (3 terms x 10-classes)
Materials: Includes most materials, other than the materials students are asked to bring
Suitable for: Adults
Teaching Level: Beginners, Improvers, Intermediate, Returners
Group Size: Min 6 – Max 10
Your tutor: Brian Raymond biography >
Refreshments:
Course includes tea, coffee & biscuits. Please provide your own lunch on full day courses, workshops and classes.
Essential items to bring
Mixed Media Pad 25 Sheets
250gsm
Mixed Media Pad 30 sheets
250gsm
Optional items to bring
Cloth for cleaning your hands
Rag (old cloth) for smudging charcoal or paint
Wear old clothes or bring an apron
Pen and notebook for taking notes
Protect your creative time, continue working on your projects, and enjoy the supportive and creative space of the studio.
Wednesday: Weekly Art Class >
Benefit from more tutor support and guidance
Tuesday: Ancoats Visual Arts >
Enjoy free time and peer support
Material Techniques
Summer Term 2
Develop a creative, flexible and more self-expressive approach to drawing. Learn to how to use a range of creative materials and develop confidence in manipulating them for greater self-expression.
Learn expressive drawing and creative confidence
Take a break from drawing with accuracy and realism while you allow the personality and qualities of different art materials nurture your imagination. Learn to trust your artistic intuition, and the value of creative play. Gaining confidence in the fundamentals of using different art materials will re-energise your drawing skills beyond your expectations.
Personal creative development
Lots of one-to-one support enables students to explore new directions and styles in their art and start the journey to developing a personal individual style.
Term dates
Select the ‘Term options’ at the top of the page to see specific term dates
Class Content
Class 1
Collage – introduction to painting with paper
Class 2
Drawing with graphite and pencil to explore the potential of monochrome tones and textures
Class 3
Explore the power and freedom of drawing with charcoal
Class 4
Embrace the rich colours and flexibility of painting with soft pastels
Class 5
Rediscover the joy and flexibility of drawing with oil pastels
Class 6
Discover the language and qualities of acrylic paint
Class 7
Learn the classic techniques of using a dip pen and watercolour washes
Class 8
Embrace the freedom of drawing and painting with water soluble materials such as graphite and colour pencils
Class 9
Explore transparent glazes with colourful drawing inks
Class 10
Develop a deeper appreciation of how to plan your own projects – mixed/multiple media project
Note: session plans may change to respond to the needs of the group
By the end of the Materials + Techniques term…
Students will feel creatively enthused and confident in their use of different art materials and will have embraced the use of artists-sketchbooks to help them develop their creative ideas.
Students are encouraged to spend an additional 2-4 hours per week further developing the creative projects started during the studio sessions. However, it will not detract from the course learning if students do not have the extra time.
Becoming a member of the AVA art group that meet in the studio on a Wednesday is a great way to ‘protect’ additional creative time. Attending each week to work on the creative projects will give students the space, time and support from fellow group members that is needed to help develop skills and creative confidence.
CLICK HERE>
Days: Monday x 10 per term
Times: 10-12.30pm
Academic year: 30 weeks (3 terms x 10-classes)
Materials: Includes most materials, other than the materials students are asked to bring
Suitable for: Adults
Teaching Level: Beginners, Improvers, Intermediate, Returners
Group Size: Min 6 – Max 10
Your tutor: Brian Raymond biography >
Refreshments:
Course includes tea, coffee & biscuits. Please provide your own lunch on full day courses, workshops and classes.
Essential items to bring
Mixed Media Pad 25 Sheets
250gsm
Mixed Media Pad 30 sheets
250gsm
thick paper is best
Optional items to bring
Cloth for cleaning your hands
Rag (old cloth) for smudging charcoal or paint
Wear old clothes or bring an apron
Pen and notebook for taking notes
Protect your creative time, continue working on your projects, and enjoy the supportive and creative space of the studio.
Wednesday: Weekly Art Class >
Benefit from more tutor support and guidance
Tuesday: Ancoats Visual Arts >
Enjoy free time and peer support
Self-expression
Autumn Term 3
To book the Self-expression course you must have completed the Drawing Skills and Material Techniques courses.
Immerse yourself in mini creative projects that allow students to explore the themes of still life, landscape and the human form. Teaching and demonstrations will show students how to experiment and develop their own creative projects so they never run out of ideas of what to do next!
The key to an artist’s sketchbook
Students will learn techniques and methods to develop their own unique artist’s sketchbook that will help drive creativity forward. Embrace a new level of creative-confidence in generating new ideas, experimenting with techniques to uncover a uniquely personal artistic style.
Creative self-confidence
Encouraging and supportive teaching with plenty of time for creative experimentation with a chance to try out ideas will enable students to become the independent artist they want to be.
Term dates
Select the ‘Term options’ at the top of the page to see specific term dates
Class Content
Class 1
Sketchbook foundations: laying foundations for creative self-expression
Class 2
Sketchbook structures: developing visual stories by taking creative control over sketchbook structures.
Begin work on Creative brief #1: ‘Singularity’ – natural forms
Class 3
Sketchbook investigations: creative techniques to delve, explore, and experiment while developing the visual look, materials and techniques of our chosen subject matter for Creative brief #1
Class 4
Sketchbook spheres of influence: embracing influences and creating a wider context to develop ideas around our chosen theme for Creative brief #1
Class 5
Creative brief #1: realising personal self-expressive outcomes for Creative brief #1
Class 6 + 7
Creative brief #2: Still life, vessels, and art object
Personal creative still-life based project with guidance and support from the tutor creating a 3D art object using mixed media, drawing, painting, and craft.
Class 8 + 9
Creative brief #3: Variations on a Theme – emotional connections
Personal creative still-life based project with guidance and support from the tutor creating artwork that explores the connection between the Art Elements and personal self expression.
Class 10
Creative brief #4: ‘A bigger picture’ – navigating a creative collaboration
Group collaborative collage based project working on a large-scale drawing using mixed media collage.
Note: session plans may change to respond to the needs of the group
By the end of the Self-expression term…
Students will have developed skills to enable them to drive forward their own creative ideas and self-led projects. They will have the creative self-confidence to navigate a personal creative journey towards uncovering their own artistic voice and individual style.
Students are encouraged to spend an additional 3-6 hours per week further developing the creative projects started during the studio sessions. However, it will not detract from the course learning if students do not have the extra time.
Becoming a member of the AVA art group that meet in the studio on a Wednesday is a great way to ‘protect’ additional creative time. Attending each week to work on the creative projects will give students the space, time and support from fellow group members that is needed to help develop skills and creative confidence.
CLICK HERE>
Days: Monday x 10 per term
Times: 10-12.30pm
Academic year: 30 weeks (3 terms x 10-classes)
Materials: Includes most materials, other than the materials students are asked to bring
Suitable for: Adults
Teaching Level: Improvers, Intermediate, Returners
Group Size: Min 6 – Max 10
Your tutor: Brian Raymond biography >
Refreshments:
Course includes tea, coffee & biscuits. Please provide your own lunch on full day courses, workshops and classes.
Essential items to bring
hardback cover, spiral bound if possible
thick cartridge paper
Mixed Media Pad 25 Sheets
250gsm
Mixed Media Pad 30 sheets
250gsm
Optional items to bring
Cloth for cleaning your hands
Rag (old cloth) for smudging charcoal or paint
Wear old clothes or bring an apron
Pen and notebook for taking notes
Protect your creative time, continue working on your projects, and enjoy the supportive and creative space of the studio.
Wednesday: Weekly Art Class >
Benefit from more tutor support and guidance
Tuesday: Ancoats Visual Arts >
Enjoy free time and peer support
Student Quotes
More reviews >
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