A0510 - Explore: painting and drawing – build your practice

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Start Date: 26/09/2026      End Date: 28/11/2026        Start Time: 13:00      End Time: 15:00        Hours per Week: 2.00      No of Weeks: 9
Fees:      £144.00 (tuition)     £253.00 (overseas)     £60.00 (concessionary)
Tutor: Mark Batley        No of Places: FULL - click to check
Shadwell Centre

Course Overview

Course Overview
Each week, you’ll work with materials such as pencil, charcoal and paint to explore observation, tone, colour, composition and expressive mark making. You’ll take part in a mix of guided activities and more open, self-directed work, helping you experiment, make choices and develop your own way of working.
You’ll begin a sketchbook and test ideas, take risks and reflect—rather than aiming for perfect results. Alongside practical work, you’ll look at a range of artists to inspire new ways of seeing and thinking.
Across the course, you’ll build strong creative habits and begin to develop a personal approach to painting and drawing. You’ll be encouraged to continue your journey by progressing into a follow-on course in the next term, where you can explore new themes, techniques and projects.
What you might explore over 9 weeks
Across the course, you may explore:
• Core drawing skills: quality of line, mark making, and a range of drawing techniques
• Form and structure: two- and three-dimensional forms, anatomy, and observational studies
• Composition and visual language: rhythm, balance, movement, and composition
• Materials and processes: different materials, painting techniques, grounds, and studio practices including cleaning and care of tools
• Colour and paint: colour mixing, application, and expressive use of paint
• Subjects and themes: still life, plants, buildings, landscape and abstraction
• Space and depth: perspective and ways of constructing space
• Art and context: exploration of art movements and major artists from the past and today to inform your own work

What will you learn and be able to do?

What will you learn and be able to do?
* Use a range of drawing and painting materials with growing confidence, exploring how tools and techniques affect line, tone and surface.
* Develop ideas through observation and experimentation, using drawing and painting as ways to explore and think.
* Make creative choices using line, tone, colour and composition, rather than relying on copying or habit.
* Create and develop work from initial studies into more resolved pieces, revisiting and refining your ideas.
* Reflect on and discuss your work, using simple visual language to describe what you tried and what you learned.
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements except a commitment to attend each week on time and develop skills learnt outside of class time.
Prosp User 8

Equipment required

Equipment required
Notebook or sketchbook.
Protective clothing or older clothing suitable for painting.
Prosp User 9

How will you know you are making progress?

How will you know you are making progress?
You will have an ‘Individual Learning Plan’ where the course learning outcomes are shown and
where you can set individual learning goals and monitor your own progress against these.
You will need to evaluate your own progress and manage your time.
Your tutor will give ongoing feedback and will keep you informed of your progress.
Prosp User 12
At the beginning of the course an initial assessment takes place to identify your level of
experience knowledge or current skills.
The tutor will carry out informal assessments to check your understanding, there is no exam.
You will complete a self-assessment at the beginning, middle and end of the course.
Your tutor will let you know how you are getting on throughout the course to you will help you
work to your full potential.
At the end of the course you will receive written feedback.
Prosp User 11

Progress opportunities - your next steps

Progress opportunities - your next steps
This course is designed to support your ongoing development. You’ll have the opportunity to continue in the next term, building on your skills through new materials, techniques and projects while developing your individual style. Please see our website 'Idea Store - Learning' for further information on a range of Visual Arts courses or speak with your tutor. Your tutor will support you in researching these and other courses outside of Idea Store Learning.
Prosp User 10

Other info

Other info
We have high expectations regarding attendance and punctuality. We expect 100% attendance for all scheduled sessions and that you do so punctually and are ready to start learning at the start of the class.
We acknowledge the rare occasions when that will not be possible, please inform us before the class by emailing ideastoreadmin@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Prosp User 13

Extra Support

Extra Support
If you have declared a learning difficulty, disability or support need whilst enrolling and you require support/assistance in class or to complete your course, please discuss your needs with your tutor at the first lesson.
If you intend to take an examination and feel you have an additional learning need or special requirements, you must declare them to your tutor within the first 2 weeks of your course. If you are studying in an online group, then you can arrange a one-to-one online discussion with your tutor, after the session, or by email. Where we aim to make reasonable adjustments to support our learners, please note we are unable to provide any type of in class or in person support if your course takes place online.
Prosp User 14