Your Journey Starts Here!
We're really looking forward to getting started with our next Introduction to Art course - we hope you are too! Here is some final information for you, so you know what to expect and what to bring.
We’re so looking forward to seeing you!
We’re so looking forward to seeing you!
The Venue
The classes will take place at St Peter's Church Hall, High Street, Limpsfield RH8 0DG. You can find directions here (please scroll down to find St Peter’s). There is free parking on site and in the surrounding streets. The entrance to the car park is opposite the church, and next to a bus stop and public phone box. The turning is a bit hidden, so hopefully these photos will help. There is disabled parking and ramp access to the hall should you need it. The classes start at 10am and doors will open a few minutes before that so you can get settled in.
Your Tutors
Our Intro to Art tutors are Alison and Emma. We'll be taking it in turns to run the sessions and support you. There will be up to 8 students in the group, and we're sure you'll get to know each other really soon. You can find out a bit more about us here.
Everyone attends the classes for different reasons, but you're all on a journey and the tutors are there to help each person make progress. So please don't hesitate to ask for help, and let us know if you don't understand something - there’s no such thing as a silly question! And please don't feel anxious about your first class - everyone's very friendly and the tutors are there to help you enjoy yourself as well as learn!
The Course
The course material is aimed at total beginners, but everyone will have had a different amount of prior experience. Some may not have done any art since school, while others might have dabbled a bit with one medium but not know much about another. That's fine! No matter how much you already know, we'll start with the basics and fill in any gaps in your knowledge as we go along.
We will cover the basic elements and principles of art, and teach you how to use them in your artwork. Here's a summary of the 5 sessions:
Line, shape & form (using pencils and pens)
Depth, tone & texture (using pencils, charcoals & pastels)
Understanding colour (using watercolour)
Portraiture (using pencils, coloured pencils and pens)
Painting with confidence (using acrylics on a canvas)
Each week we'll guide you through a variety of exercises to teach you some skills, build your confidence and help you discover or re-discover your creative side! Everyone works at a different pace, so please don't worry if you don't finish every exercise. They're still a useful learning tool, and you can always carry on at home if you wish. And if you miss a class don't worry - we'll go through the notes with you when you're back.
Half way through the class we have a short refreshment break, so that you can stretch your legs, rest your eyes and eat some tasty treats!
What to Bring
Everything you need is included in the cost of the course - the art materials, different types of paper for use with each medium, your course notes, the refreshments, and a folder to keep your notes and artwork in. You'll need to bring the folder back each week, but other than that you don't need to bring anything.
As an optional extra, we sell a small range of art materials, paper and canvases at the class should you wish to buy anything to practice with at home. You can also order items from any member of the team, and we'll bring them along the following week.
Please note - we take photos for our website and social media pages to share what we’re doing. Please let us know if you’d rather not be included.
Three Top Tips!
You might be feeling a bit apprehensive about starting this course, but please don't worry. We've run it multiple times so we know you'll soon settle in and relax. Here are 3 top tips for you to get the most out of the course:
Have fun! Don't put yourself under pressure to achieve a particular result, just enjoy the learning curve! Art is a skill that needs to be practised, so don't worry if you don't get the results you hope for at first. Be kind to yourself and relax.
Have an open mind. You might view a certain style of art or a particular medium as the ideal one, but we would encourage you not to have a particular goal in mind. We'd love to broaden your horizons a little to enable you to enjoy a wide range of artistic expressions and mediums.
Don't compare yourself with others. We all do it! But it's important that you follow your own path and learn at your own pace. Try to take inspiration from other artists' work, rather than comparing yours to theirs. Art is about expressing what you see and feel, and we'll teach you the foundational skills to be able to do that. After that it's just about practice, experimentation, and once again... having fun!
We're so looking forward to meeting you all and getting started with this exciting journey!
Additional Activities
In addition to our courses, we run occasional Art Evenings, Workshops and free social events like plein air painting or gallery visits. You can find these here or on our social media pages, and we’ll let you know about them via email too. We have an exciting range of options coming up for you this term, and we'll let you know more about each one over the next few weeks. Do let us know if you have any questions about any of the above, and we look forward to seeing you at the first class!