Name: Introduction to Painting
Start: 2025-01-05T10:00:00+00:00
End: 2025-01-05T17:00:00+00:00
Location: Draw Brighton

If you’d like to start painting but don’t know where to start, join us for an Introduction to Painting led by artist and tutor Sara Reeve.
About this Event

If you are interested in getting into painting but would like to try a few different paints before investing in the materials then this intensive one-day introduction is for you. Over the day you’ll be introduced to the three most commonly used types of paint - watercolour, acrylic and oil. You’ll then have the chance to try each type of paint yourself, making small studies under tutor Sara’s expert guidance. Alongside playing with paint we will also look at examples of paintings from art history and contemporary painters to inspire your painting practise!

What to Expect

We will be looking at the creative possibilities of watercolour, acrylic and oil paint, with a guided introduction to each medium followed by the opportunity to explore it yourself in three supported mini-studies. You’ll get a chance to exploring mark making in each of the different paint types, comparing the pros and cons of each type of paint, and discussing when and why you might choose to use them. All materials will be provided and you will be introduced to all of the equipment with demonstrations on how to set up, how to clean up the different materials and how to look after your brushes and painting tools.

Morning: We will start by looking at water-based paints – watercolour and acrylic – looking at the kit that you need, and playing with the paint to explore what it can do.

Afternoon: After lunch we will be looking at oil paint – we will explore best practise of oil painting, and find out how it differs from watercolour and acrylic. Using an Alla Prima approach we will look at how you can create an oil painting in one sitting.

What to Bring
You are encouraged to bring an object you’d like to paint – we will have some options in the studio too. Please note we will be working with mark-making and painting still life objects during the day, and we’ll not be working a model. You may want to bring an apron and you should wear clothes suitable to paint in. All materials are included with this workshop. Easels, chairs, drawing boards and small tables are all provided.

Getting to the studio

Approach New England House from the New England Street side of the building and walk up to the locked blue double doors next to the sign for the ‘Building Manager’s Office’. Wait to be let in or call the number on the door for entry - the studio is on level 5, Unit 1 South, just knock and walk in. There is parking at London Road car park, Elder Place & Trafalgar St car parks; Brighton station is a 5 minute walk from the studio

Discounts

The discounted rate is available for anybody on low income, students or Draw Patreon supporters. Become a Draw Patreon supporter by signing up to the Draw Patreon from just £3.60 per month. You’ll get the in-person concessionary rate, plus Patreons get tiered access to a wealth of resources including our extensive artist’s photo reference library, live online life drawing & portrait drawing classes, online recorded courses and much more. Whether you are a Patreon supporter or not, you can post your drawings on the Draw community Facebook group and tag @draw_brighton and #drawbrighton on Instagram.

Safety & accessibility

If you have any accessibility needs, please do let us know beforehand on [email protected] and we will do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy the classes here. The building has a wheelchair ramp at the North side of the New England Street entrance and lifts up to level 5 with gender-neutral toilets & accessible toilets on floors 4 & 6 accessed by lift.

Oil paints will be used during this session - our air purifier and good ventilation to minimise fumes. We keep the studio a safe environment by providing:

Monitored ventilation (aiming for <900ppm CO2)

Air purification with HEPA filters

Sick pay for our freelance life models

If you have covid, flu or bad cold symptoms we ask you not to attend - you will receive a refund as well as our appreciation!

Cancellations

Bookings are non-refundable. If you are unwell with a contagious illness you may not attend the class - you can request a refund here on Eventbrite and we can issue a full refund, minus Eventbrite's fees. If you are unable to attend, please do get in touch with us on [email protected] to discuss the options for transferring your place to another attendee.