In-person course
in Nottingham Maker & location details

Abstract Painting - Nottingham Trent University

Description

Immerse yourself in the expressive world of abstract painting in this energising course. You’ll explore gesture, mark-making, and emotional colour to develop a personal abstract language. From drawing to music in charcoal to completing a unique oil painting on canvas, this course will inspire you to embrace spontaneity and creativity. Whether you’re new to art or looking to expand your skills, this workshop welcomes all levels of experience. The course culminates in a finished oil painting on canvas—a personal expression of your artistic vision. This course will guide you through a creative journey. You’ll begin by exploring gesture and movement through drawing and translate this into paint as you experiment with black and white compositions, refining your brushwork technique. You’ll then create an emotional colour palette through engaging collage exercises before finishing with a fully realised abstract painting in oil on canvas. During this course you will: • develop your ability to create expressive, gestural marks that convey energy and movement • learn how to use contrast, brushwork, and texture to build dynamic compositions in paint • explore the emotional power of colour and how to construct a palette that reflects mood and intention • gain confidence in translating ideas and gestures into a cohesive, abstract painting • build a deeper understanding of abstraction as a process, from initial mark-making to a finished oil painting on canvas. By the end of the course, you will have produced a series of abstract drawings, a black-and-white abstract painting created with emulsion and gloss paint, and a final completed oil painting on canvas. Each piece will reflect your personal artistic journey through gesture, mark-making, and colour. You’ll leave the knowledge to take your own painting in whichever way you choose. Tutor profile: Sarah Watson is a practicing artist, painter and teacher who exhibits in shows across the UK and is represented by Gallery6 in Newark, Nottinghamshire. She featured on the Sky Arts television show Landscape Artist of the Year in 2016 and was accepted for membership of the exclusive Lincolnshire Artists’ Society in 2019. Sarah has a First Class Honours degree in Combined Arts from De Montfort University where she specialised in abstract painting.

What's included in the price?

This is a practical course and the subject is underpinned by theory and demonstrations. This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University City Campus. 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. Your course fees include everything you need to dive right into painting—premium oil paints, quality canvases, brushes, and more, so you can focus on creating with professional equipment. You may also wish to bring with you: • Any paints, brushes, canvas, and artists’ equipment you already have. • Cotton rags. • Glass jars. • Old credit card / flat plastic object for scraping. • Sharp spikey tool(s) like a small skewer from the kitchen, hair grip, nails, old scissors. On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.

Duration

2 days

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Nottingham Trent University

with Craft Courses since 2015

Message the tutor

Suitable for

Adults
Seniors
Wheelchair users
Hearing impaired
Vision impaired
Limited mobility
Public transport
UK Holiday
Residential
Suitable for beginners
Intermediate level
Accommodation offered

What does this mean?

Message the tutor

FAQs

For our week-long summer school courses, 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.

You will be sent a link to book your accommodation once you have made your course booking through Craft Courses.

We offer accommodation during the summer only. We are unable to offer university accommodation during term time (for evening and weekend courses) but you'll find plenty of places to stay nearby, as we're located in the city centre.

Venue

Nottingham Trent University, City Campus, Nottingham, 50 Shakespeare Street, NG1 4FQ

Reviews

All maker's reviews

20 Aug 22'

Loll B reviewed: Botanical Drawing and Illustration for Beginners - Nottingham Trent University

"An excellent course. I left the course with a much better understanding of the medium and the whole process of botanical drawing and painting. Can't wait for a follow-up course, but for now I have plenty of exercises in drawing and colour mixing to do to put everything Dawn taught me into practice. Dawn was patient, supportive and generous with her knowledge and the group was lovely. Thank you Dawn."

Nottingham Trent University responded:

"Good Morning, Hope you are well? The short course team and myself are absolutely thrilled to hear that you had such a good experience on our Botanical Drawing and Illustration course. Dawn is a fantastic tutor and we can't wait to welcome you back for the follow-up course. It is great to hear that you have learnt skills that you can practice while at home. If you need anything please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help. Best wishes, Harry Clague Short Course Team"

6 Feb 20'

Jacqueline Smith reviewed: Drawing for Beginners - Nottingham Trent University

"I started the drawing course feeling very nervous, as this was my first drawing course in many many years. Chris the tutor was fantastic he was very supportive to everyone. He has a wonderful way of explaining and helping you to see the beauty in your work. I learned a lot about different aspects of drawing and found I began to relax and let my creativity come through. I particularly loved the life drawing and learning about different artists as well as working alongside and collaborating with the other people on the course. I would definitely recommend this course to everyone even if like me you don’t feel you have the ability. It’s well worth it ! Very sad when the course ended. Thanks Chris."

6 Dec 19'

Sarah reviewed: Drawing for Beginners - Nottingham Trent University

"I went into this course slightly nervous having not drawn properly since school …. 34 years ago. I’ve come out of the course with confidence, a love of drawing again and a feeling of it does not matter what you do or how it looks at the end of the day it is fun, relaxing, thought provoking and interesting. Chris immediately put us at ease. He encouraged, made us laugh, the group bonded because of it and at the end of the last session we were all extremely sad to finish and ended up in the pub! I can’t recommend NTU and this short course enough. Chris was a fantastic teacher. What do I do now on a Monday evening??"