Watercolour Painting for Beginners

Course Title: Watercolour Painting for Beginners

Type of Course: Adult Education

Credit: Not credit bearing

Weekly Session Titles and Descriptions

The weekly programme will depend on the specific group dynamics, with the tutor moderating the content depending on the development of skills for the individual students as they pursue their art work. This will involve the setting up a series of projects to allow students to practise their painting.

Course Overview

Discover the joy of watercolour painting. Loved by professional and hobby artists for centuries, watercolour paint can be used in a variety of ways, to create gentle washes of colour to evoke an atmosphere or mood, through to bright bold colours to rouse the viewer

On this course we will learn some of the technical and creative skills associated with watercolour painting from natural objects, and discover some of the history behind this kind of painting.

This is a practical art course and so you will be trying your hand at painting in watercolours from objects set up by your tutor, and you will be encouraged to experiment with a range of approaches, from acurate studies through to more individual and expressive forms of art. 

Required Previous Experience (if any)

None required.

Required Reading Material or Special Equipment Needed (if any)

You will need to purchase your own set of watercolour paints, brushes, palette, palette knife and painting surface (such as a watercolour pad).

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course you will be better prepared to:

• understand the technical qualities of watercolour as an art medium.
• use watercolour paint for the production of images in which you explore subject matter of interest to you,  experimenting with both accurate representation and personal expression.
• have the confidence to experiment with watercolour and investigate different compositional elements in creating images.

Teaching and Learning Approach

The teaching and learning approach for this course combines tutor-led instruction, group activities, and independent study supported by individual guidance from the tutor. Classes are conducted face-to-face in a classroom setting and utilise diverse teaching methods, including presentations, multimedia resources, class discussions, and interactive activities to facilitate practical work in art. These methods are selected to engage students, accommodate varied learning styles, and support effective understanding of the subject matter. The approach is also designed to recognise and be responsive to the diverse experiences, backgrounds, identities, and cultural perspectives represented within the student cohort, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

Additional information

This course descriptor may be subject to change during the delivery of the course, depending on the specific direction and nature of the learner cohort, and is intended to be responsive to the group dynamics as they emerge during the delivery of the course.