Advanced Abstraction Year  6 Oct 2024 to 13 July 2025 – 10am to 5pm

Progressing Your Abstract Painting Practice

Artist-tutor: Johanna Melvin

This course runs fortnightly on Sundays

Annual Fee: £1390 | Term Fee: £525 (per term for 3 terms of 6 weeks)

This one-year course is a recommended next step for painters who have either completed ESOP’s Approaches to Abstraction or already have considerable experience with abstract painting. It is also ideal for experienced abstract painters looking to refresh or reboot their painting practice. Applications from painters who have not completed Approaches to Abstraction will be considered subject to the provision of recent artwork images and an artist’s statement.

Course structure

Term 1: The focus of Term 1 will be visual language—a subject addressed in Year 1, but given much greater emphasis in Year 2. Through a series of fortnightly Sunday sessions, there will be continuous one-to-one support for each student’s painting practice, with technical advice on the use of oil, acrylic, and a wide range of materials. There will also be intermittent practical tasks such as abstracting from the figure, still life, or landscape. The aim of these tasks, and others, is to further develop each painter’s visual language and unique ‘voice’ through colour, form, motif, composition, and sensitivity to paint. Through a series of fortnightly Sunday sessions, there will be continuous one-to-one support for each student’s painting practice, with technical advice on the use of oil, acrylic, and a wide range of materials. There will also be intermittent practical tasks such as abstracting from the figure, still life, or landscape. The aim of these tasks, and others, is to further develop each painter’s visual language and unique ‘voice’ through colour, form, motif, composition, and sensitivity to paint.

Lou Mumford 2024

Lorraine Devine 2024

Liz Galbraith 2024

Paula Baldwin 2024

Additionally, there will be extensive practical research and experimentation with painting materials and surfaces, coupled with constructive group discussions to collaboratively identify pitfalls, strengths, problems, and surprises in ongoing student work.

There will also be practical presentations and, where appropriate, gallery visits to contemporary painting exhibitions.

Term 2: Term 2 will provide students with continued and advanced technical painting guidance and one-to-one tutorials, as in Term 1. There will also be group discussions and presentations focusing on professional practice, creating opportunities, and developing resilience within the art world.

Term 3: Throughout the year, students will develop a substantial portfolio of work. By mid-year, leading into this term, students will begin planning and organizing an end-of-year group exhibition. With support from the school, they will undertake tasks such as identifying and securing a suitable exhibition venue, planning presentation and logistics, group curation, and promotion. This comprehensive effort will culminate in the launch of a successful end-of-year contemporary group painting show.

Additional Course Highlights:

Expert Tutorage: Learn from a seasoned artist and educator with extensive experience in abstract painting, providing valuable insights and mentorship.

Collaborative Environment: Engage with a community of like-minded artists, fostering a collaborative and supportive atmosphere that encourages creative exchange and growth.

Comprehensive Skill Development: The course is designed to enhance both technical and conceptual skills, ensuring a well-rounded advancement of your painting practice.

Access to Resources: Benefit from access to art materials and resources, including a spacious studio and a rich library of art references.

Exposure: Gain exposure to the contemporary art scene through gallery visits, guest lectures from renowned artists, and opportunities to network with art professionals.

Advancement: Develop skills in professional art practice, including portfolio development, exhibition planning, and art world resilience.

By joining this course, you will enhance your art practice, culminating in a curated group exhibition that showcases your development and achievements.

Course timetable

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 Gazetteand Rise Art online platforms, and collections at The Groucho Club; House of St Barnabas and Soho House. 

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 Gazetteand Rise Art online platforms, and collections at The Groucho Club; House of St Barnabas and Soho House. 

All images Ⓒ the artist, the Essential School of Painting or Julie Kim Photography. All rights reserved.