Acrylics Now

Level(s) of Study: Short course
Course Fee:
£435
Start Date(s): 13 April 2024, 19 August 2024
Duration: Saturdays 10 am - 12.30 pm, ten weeks or Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
Study Mode(s): Short course
Campus: City Campus
Entry Requirements:
More information

Introduction:

This course is ideal for those people new to acrylics and those with some experience.

It will cover the basic tenets of acrylics; the materiality of the paint, the support (board, canvas, paper or other) and the tools required to create different effects.

Throughout the course there will be a range of practical activities and inspiring projects for you to engage with, supported by demonstrations of specific materials and techniques, and supportive group critiques.

You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas.
With a limited class size of 11 people you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work.
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices.
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.

'The instruction from the tutor was excellent! You can tell that the tutor was very experienced as both a professional artist and tutor. We were a group with very mixed ability, and everyone was supported and developed.' ES

'I particularly enjoyed gaining an understanding of different acrylics techniques and a curiosity to explore acrylics further. I loved learning in a group and seeing other students work.' SA

'I wanted to reinvigorate my passion for art, I've now got a springboard to continue with a project. I've been able to use different materials that I would not normally have had the chance to use.' HO

'Excellent course, so much information learnt and skills that I have developed. Inspirational tutor, magic!' JR

'This course has increased my confidence and I have gained loads of new ideas, especially in regards to colour theory. Very enjoyable class and the tutor was very helpful'

What you’ll study

On this course, you will:

complete colour mixing exercises
apply paint through traditional methods using a range of brushes
move on to more inventive mark-making with palette knives (to create impasto effects), as well as dripping and pouring diluted paint.

You will be encouraged to assemble images and identify your own potential subject matter, and reflect on your approach to acrylics.

You will have the opportunity to engage with the basic handling of materials and processes through a selection of tried and tested exercises, and you will be encouraged to look closely and respond to your own environment and cultural experience when realising a project.

This is a practical course, and the subject is underpinned by theory and art historical references.

The course introduction will include a brief overview of the relatively new tradition of acrylic however, the focus will soon shift to contemporary uses of acrylic and artists using this medium will be explored and researched.

The course is anchored in the stuff of acrylic painting; whilst the focus is on acrylic paint as a specialised medium, there will be opportunities to experiment – e.g. using it as mixed media and/or with collage techniques.

Introduction to Acrylics

Support/ground - canvas, board, paper
Paints, brushes, palette knives
Subject Matter / Source Material
Materiality, subject matter
Introduce individual project

Colour and Texture

Colour, application of colour
Impasto techniques
Colour and Texture explored
Colour and Impasto techniques continued with further exploration

Experimental Acrylics

Experimental techniques
Mixed media approaches
Mixed Media and Collage
Experimental approaches to acrylics
Working with collage

Individual Project Work

Concentrating on your individual project brief
Developing your ideas
Discuss thoughts and development of work
Explore your ideas

Review

Review and Critique
Presentation
Evaluation and Progression

Further information on what you'll study

By the end of the course you will have created a portfolio of new, innovative work. The course could also be a means to progress within fine art into different materials or approaches.

Student Work

A mostly black and white painting of a forest, two people carrying a red umbrella walk in the distance.

A colourful painting of different flowers on a black background.

A student's artwork made of canvasses joined together to made a 3D hexagon. Each canvas has geometric shapes painted onto it in different colours.

A student's abstract white red and gold painting

Tutor Profile:

Margot Shores has taught drawing and painting at the Royal Academy as well as schools and various universities and colleges.

In addition to her BA and MA in Fine Art she has a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education and Training.

Margot’s expertise lies in providing a studio situation in which everyone can achieve their individual goals.

She specialises in experiential learning and questioning to enhance students creativity, offering a platform from which students own art can be launched.

As a practising fine artist, Margot focuses on drawing and painting and undertakes commissions.

Campus and facilities

Where you'll learn: You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.

You'll find bright drawing and painting studio and workshop spaces to develop your ideas and create exciting work.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Take a Virtual Tour

Entry requirements

Level: Open to all

Entry requirement: Beginners as well as those with some painting experience are welcome.

You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

Level: Open to all

Entry requirement: Beginners as well as those with some painting experience are welcome.

You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course.

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £435.

Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.

Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course. You'll also need to bring with you on the first session:

Acrylics - a basic set of tubes (10 or 12 colours)
Brushes, palette knife, palette, cotton rags, 2 x water pots (for mixing paints and washing brushes), newspaper
Drawing tools – pencils, charcoal, eraser, sharpener, ruler
Your tutor has basic brushes in varying sizes and shapes to sample. You will need to provide your own, but don’t worry about the first session.
Your tutor will also provide cartridge and watercolour paper at the start of the course, to get you going.
You will need to provide paper, canvas or canvas board based on the direction of your project as the course progresses.

You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.

Need accommodation for a week long summer course?

We offer single rooms in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.

Bookings are taken on a seven-night basis, from Saturday to Saturday.

The rooms are single occupancy, with a private bathroom.

Find out more at www.ntu.ac.uk/summeraccommodation