Intuitive Abstract Painting: Exploring Process and Narrative – alternate Sundays 17 Oct 2021 to 03 July 2022

Fortnightly on Sundays 10.30am to 4.30pm six sessions per term, 3 x terms

Artist-tutor: Johanna Melvin

Prepare yourself for full immersive days incorporating experimentation, playfulness, technical guidance and discussion designed to develop you as an abstract painter. The course offers a fortnightly forum in which you will be encouraged to build your practice and understanding of Intuitive Abstract Painting. Tutorials will be focused on developing personal areas of inquiry as well as painting methods, knowledge of processes and materials.  The course is aimed at helping you to build confidence and understanding relating to intuitive abstract painting and the contexts and historical knowledge associated with it. Through a series of days held fortnightly you will have one to one tutorials and group crits that will improve your confidence, practise and understanding relating to intuitive abstract painting. We will help you formulate a practical research area, developing skills and techniques for producing and displaying intuitive abstract painting.

Two term Fee £820  Term Fee £440 Annual Fee £1200
Course timetable dates

The class runs fortnightly on Sunday.

  • Autumn Term: 17 Oct to 12 Dec 2021
  • Spring Term: 16 Jan to 10 Apr 2022
  • Summer Term: 24 April to 03 July 2022
  • Exhibition Week- to participate you need to have a minimum attendance of two terms

About the artist

Johanna Melvin

Johanna Melvin was born in Limehouse, east London and worked for many years as a self-taught illustrator before studying BA Hons (Fine Art) at The School of Art, Architecture & Design, (London Guildhall University at that time).

From 2006 –15 Jo held the post of Editions Manager at the Whitechapel Gallery, working with leading contemporary artists, printers and fabricators on the production of limited editions, commissioned produced and sold in support of the gallery programme. Throughout this time Jo continued to make her own work, exhibiting at The Royal Academy of Art and Flowers Gallery, as well as The Contemporary Art Society and others.

From 2017-2018 Johanna co-tutored with Bob and Roberta Smith, RA OBE on Painting The Bigger Picture, followed by two years co-tutoring with Alex J Pollard on the Intuitive Abstraction Year. 

Jo is a board member of The Essential School of Painting >>> read more >>>

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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.