The Fundamentals of Painting: Materials, Methods & Ideas 11 Jan – 28 Jun 2021

Mondays 10am to 5pm

Tutors Guy Allott and Jennifer Campbell

The Fundaments of Painting1 is a practical course which aims to fill in all the gaps you never knew you had in your understanding and practise of painting. We will be immersed in all aspects of painting, learning about and practising  different approaches to materials, methods and ideas. Often learning about painting materials and techniques is relegated to the inferior status of skills or craft; in fact where ideas meet materials unexpected things happen. Until exploration and making takes place within a visual medium, the range and possibilities of materials remain quiet to the thinker as they contemplate their idea(s) within a different stream.

This course is limited to 12 participants. Book now to avoid disappointment.

A glimpse of the Foundation Painting Year with Jennifer Campbell 2019-20
The course in detail
Course Timetable
  • January Term: 11 Jan to 22 Mar 2021 – Half Term 15 February
  • April Term: 19 April to 28 Jun 2021 – Half Term 24 May

During the course we will cover materials of painting beginning with surfaces, from traditional canvas and wood panels to newer materials such as aluminium and linoleum, moving through a range of types of paint including oil, acrylic, watercolour and the mediums  and additives available for each, both traditional and recent developments.

LEVEL: This course is suitable for a range of levels of experience, the common factor being a desire to learn more about and develop your painting.

Guy Allot & The Foundation Painting Year class 2019-20

We will cover a range of painting techniques achievable with these materials and the options within mixed media combinations. Whether you like the smooth dragging and blending of Gerhard Richter, the clean lines of Michael Craig Martin or the gestural drips of Jackson Pollock, the language of marks and effects in paint will be explored and demystified. Broaden your vocabulary in painting and you will become more fluent and versatile as a painter.

Click image title below to see this year’s online exhibition.

1 The Fundaments of Painting course was previous referred to as the Foundation Painting Year

The focus will also move to content  and ideas; the different ways we can develop them in painting. We can start with an idea or allow an idea to emerge from the painting process. Looking at ways to brainstorm through encountering and juxtaposing imagery such as in collage we can find meaning by noting where we become interested. Exploring other means such as the use of technology e.g. iPads and computers, we can learn how to use them like sketchbooks to run through many possibilities quickly.

About The Essential School Of Painting

The Essential School of Painting (ESOP) is an alternative art school based in Wood Green, London, specialising in painting and drawing classes taught by leading contemporary artists. The ESOP offers exciting, intellectually rigorous courses with the intention of advancing painting. Classes are available for all levels of experience.