Community Learning: Painting and Drawing with Heidi Ramsay

Course overview

This drawing course will introduce you to the work of celebrated artists and explore their diverse styles and the materials they have used to express themselves.

In each engaging and thought-provoking weekly workshop, inspired by these artists’ exciting work, you’ll explore and experiment with these styles to create your own works of art.

It’s well known that art and creativity have a positive effect on our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing and our Community Learning programme has been designed to include courses that will develop your skills and confidence, as well as promote a sense of wellbeing.

Each workshop will be delivered at a gentle pace with lots of tutor support and is suitable for beginners and more experienced creatives.

Our Community Learning programme offers a series of FREE courses to develop skills, knowledge, confidence and improve mental wellbeing for adults aged 19 or over.
You are eligible for these funded places if you are aged 19 or over (at the start of the course) and also meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • either have a mental health condition or difficulty
  • are employed and earning an annual salary less than £17,004 per annum
  • in receipt of state benefit in your own name and unemployed or working and earning less than £338 per month (or £541 for household claims)
  • are a single parent
  • have a social or emotional difficulty

For further details and terms and conditions please view our Community Learning page.

 

Your tutor will introduce you to the work of a variety of artists, both traditional and contemporary, in order to show you the diverse possibilities that can be achieved within their respective techniques/mediums. Hopefully, these examples will inspire you and give you the confidence to create your own works!

In addition, you will be introduced to the following:

  • how texture, mood, light and emotion can be expressed
  • a variety of painting materials and how to use them
  • experimenting to produce a variety of paint effects, enabling you to develop your creative skills
  • still-life painting, landscape, portraits and abstract
  • expressing yourself through experimentation

The ethos of the class and the tutors is that there is no right and wrong way to paint, only endless possibilities! 

We will also discuss mindfulness and how it can help to manage our daily lives in a positive way.

Teaching methods include:

  • tutor demonstration 
  • individual guidance, support, and feedback
  • hands-on experience and experimentation
  • formal instruction 
  • open and friendly guided discussion of examples 

All basic materials and equipment will be supplied, but you may wish to bring your own:

  • soft Pencils 2B or 4B
  • rubber
  • paints of your choice: watercolour paints, acrylic, or coloured inks
  • brushes (at least three of various sizes)
  • A3 cartridge pad, approx.200gsm
  • other basic materials will also be supplied

Please also bring an apron or wear old clothing (you will get messy working with paints!).

Heidi

Art and Design Tutor

What subjects do you teach?

I teach various art and design subjects including drawing, painting, watercolour painting, quilt making and fashion recycling.

How many years have you been teaching?

I have worked in the fashion and textile industry for 30 years with roles including Textile and Graphic Designer and Product Development Manager and have also painted and taught throughout that time.

What do you enjoy about teaching adults?

I believe that I have gained diverse creative skills in art and design and enjoy sharing those with students to help their own development.

What got you into teaching art and design ?

As a tutor it gives me great satisfaction to share my skills and experience to help inspire students to explore and develop their own creativity and potential. I also always want to promote the positive effect that being creative has on our well-being.

What other passions do you have?

Painting is my passion and something that I have realised is an essential part of my life. I also love rowing as I’m constantly drawn to the water and river as themes in my work. I think it’s important and enjoyable to learn new skills. At the moment for me, its upholstery.

You can see more of Heidi’s work on her website.

Course Has Started Enquire Below
  • Flexible start - 31 July 2023
  • 19:00 - 21:00
  • Monday
  • 13 Weeks
    • 16-18: Free

      Funded places are available on this course. Read the course description for details.

    • Adult: Free

      Funded places are available on this course. Read the course description for details.

Enquire about this course
  • Flexible start - 18 March 2024
  • 19:00 - 21:00
  • Monday
  • 13 Weeks
    • 16-18: Free

      Funded places are available on this course. Read the course description for details.

    • Adult: Free

      Funded places are available on this course. Read the course description for details.

Enquire about this course

Alternatively enrol by phone quoting AC/M/PX332 or ask a question

Meet the tutors

We want our learners to feel welcome, safe and at ease when attending our classes, especially if this is your first time attending an adult education class or if you're coming back to education after a break.
If you're interested in one of courses, meet our tutors first! You'll see they have similar passions and interests and, most importantly, the right qualifications to help you make the most of your time and money.