ACADEMIC ART COURSE

Painting and Drawing Classes for Ages 6+

A structured four-year programme for children, teenagers and adults who want to develop strong artistic skills, explore different materials and express their own ideas with confidence.

Students receive individual guidance within a supportive group and progress from gouache and drawing fundamentals to watercolour, plein-air painting and oil techniques.

CLASS TIMES & FEES

Weekday Classes

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

4:00pm–5:30pm
5:40pm–7:10pm

£19 per session

Students attend two sessions per week. Each class includes a five-minute break.

Saturday Studio

9:30am–11:45am

£39 per session
One longer weekly session with a 15-minute break.

The course runs from September to July and follows the school calendar. Classes pause during school holidays. Please notify us in advance if a student is unable to attend.

YOUR FOUR-YEAR ART JOURNEY

Year 1 — Building Strong Foundations

Students begin with gouache while developing essential drawing and painting skills. They learn about line, shape, proportion, composition and colour through subjects including still life, landscapes, portraits and decorative objects.

Year 2 — Discovering Watercolour

Watercolour is introduced alongside continued drawing practice. Students explore washes, colour mixing, texture and light. From Year 2, they also begin plein-air sessions, learning to observe and paint outdoors.

Year 3 — Expanding into Oil Painting

Students continue developing their watercolour skills while being introduced to oil painting. They learn how to work with canvas, brushes, palettes and painting mediums while building confidence with more advanced techniques.

Year 4 — Developing an Individual Style

Oil painting becomes the main focus, with particular attention given to still life, observation, composition, colour and personal expression. Students work towards more independent and accomplished pieces while continuing to use gouache and watercolour when appropriate.

MORE THAN WEEKLY CLASSES

Throughout the programme, students explore:

• Still life, landscapes and portraiture
• Drawing and painting fundamentals
• Gouache, watercolour and oil techniques
• Plein-air drawing and painting from Year 2
• Seasonal decorative projects around Easter and Christmas
• Creative themes and personal projects
• Portfolio development
• Opportunities to participate in art contests and exhibitions
• An end-of-year ArtHouse student exhibition

MATERIALS

Students bring their own art materials. Requirements depend on their programme year, and we provide a detailed materials list together with guidance on choosing suitable supplies.

REGISTRATION FOR 2026–27 IS NOW OPEN

Places are limited. Contact us to discuss the most suitable class and begin your ArtHouse journey.

Painting from Reference

Working from a reference image, the student explores gouache washes, colour, texture and brush control. Through practice and individual guidance, he discovers the techniques that feel most natural and effective for him.

Plein-Air Watercolour

A peaceful plein-air session in the park beside the church. Students practise quick observational sketching before adding watercolour, learning to capture atmosphere, light and the character of their surroundings

Still Life in Gouache

The student presents her finished gouache painting beside the original still-life arrangement. This project develops careful observation, composition, colour mixing and the ability to represent texture and form.

Register Your Interest

Registration for the 2026–27 academic year is now open.

Complete the form below and tell us which class you are interested in. We will contact you to confirm availability, answer your questions and guide you through the next steps.