Artist-tutor: Johanna Melvin
This course runs fortnightly on Sundays
Annual Fee: £1390 | Term Fee: £525 (3 terms per year)
Join our fortnightly painting course which focuses on approaches, or starting points, that lead painters into abstract painting practice.
On alternate Sundays, over three terms of six weeks, participants gather in a supportive group led by a highly skilled and experienced professional artist, Johanna Melvin. Classes take place in the school’s spacious main studio, offering participants in-depth, one-to-one tutorials, as well as group crits and discussions in a safe and constructive environment.
Electra 2023 by Johanna Melvin
This course offers comprehensive guidance in a variety of key painting methods, processes and materials, and provides not only a route in to abstraction, but also useful ways to sustain each ongoing practice, and participants will be able to focus on developing personal areas of inquiry and intuitive responses within their painting practice.
The Approaches to Abstraction Course caters to individuals at different experience levels, supporting newcomers to abstract painting as they begin, while also helping seasoned artists to refine their skills and boost confidence.
While the primary emphasis of the year will be the practical aspects of painting, also included are presentations and discussions to explore the context, history and exciting discussions surrounding contemporary abstract art.
Join us as we delve into the realm of abstraction and deepen our understanding of painting as a means of expression. With spaces limited to twelve participants, this course is in high demand, so we recommend early registration. All necessary art materials are provided at the studio, except for canvas which can be purchased at the school at a discounted rate.
Over a series of days held fortnightly in the spacious main school studio, participants will engage in one-to-one tutorials and group discussions, focusing on developing personal areas of inquiry and intuitive responses within their painting practice.
Course timetable
| TERM | DATES |
|---|---|
| Oct Term | 13 Oct to 22 Dec 2024 |
| January Term | 26 Jan to 6 Apr 2025 |
| April Term | 4 May to 29 June 2025 |
Studio - Approaches to Abstraction 2023-24
Johanna Melvin
Johanna is based in east London where she also has her studio. Fine Art studies at The School of Art, Architecture and Design (1995-98) were followed by post -graduate courses at The Essential School of Painting where she now teaches; and Turps Banana Painting School (2016/17)
Melvin has exhibited widely in the UK including The Royal Academy of Art; Flowers Gallery, London; Zillah Bell Gallery, Yorkshire and The Contemporary Art Society. Her work was included in A Generous Space, curated by Matthew Burrows OBE, at Hastings Contemporary from and A Generous Space 2 at The New Art Gallery Walsall in 2022. Jo exhibited in The Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, London with Gina Cross Art and Design, November 2022.
Johanna’s work is held in many private and public collections, including the archives of the Whitechapel Gallery; Art Gazette and Rise Art online platforms, and collections at The Groucho Club; House of St Barnabas and Soho House.
Testimonials
The Approaches to Abstraction course really helped me develop a stronger visual language and enabled me to develop the confidence to make decisions with course tutorJohanna Melvin’s guidance. The playful element of working intuitively allowed me to get quite expansive, but as the course progressed I was able to be discerning about how to bring a work to completion. It’s been a wonderful stepping stone for my work and the experience of showing with the other ESOP students in a Summer show was fantastic. The Essential School of Painting is a great discovery and I would really recommend getting on a course there!
~ Gina Cross. Curator, artist and mentor.
Over the last several years, whether on concrete or canvas, with spray can or oil paint, I have pursued a desire to create large expressive imagery and have been constantly looking at the ways and reasons to make ‘art’. In signing up to the Approaches to Abstraction course, led by Johanna Melvin at THESOP, I was given the perfect space and support to do this. I was able to learn new technical skills, explore new and interesting mark making techniques, receive in the moment feedback from tutor and fellow students and examine how intention versus chance play their parts in the work I create. I can’t recommend the ESOP highly enough. The space, the tutors, the guidance is a great combination and a great place for any artist to grow their creativity.
~ Stephen Bushe. Creative Director @stephenbushearts
The Approaches to Abstraction course with Johanna Melvin has been nothing short of outstanding for me. I joined the course as I was stuck and didn’t know how to move ahead from where I was in my art journey. Guidance and insights during the course helped me find a new way of thinking and seeing abstraction. I have evolved more in my style, understanding of colour and mark making. What was fascinating for me was how each student on the course produced their own unique work, despite using the same lessons and tools provided. I really enjoyed working with such a lovely group of people and constructive criticism from Jo and my fellow students helped my art to grow. The cherry on the top however were both the group gallery visits and the end of the year showcase. It’s been a pleasure to learn from Johanna at The Essential School of Painting. I would urge anyone who is interested to join the course to explore fresh perspectives towards abstraction.
~ Neha Nandedkar. Lighting design and artist @neha.nandedkar
Copyright of the image/video belong to either the Artis or the Essential School of Painting.
