ESOP Yearlong Courses 2025-26

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We offer a range of in-studio and online courses as part of our yearlong programmes, each taught by highly experienced, professional practising artists. Most classes run once a week, with the exception of our Abstract classes and the Develop Your Art Practice course, which run fortnightly.

For those seeking a more intensive, full-time experience, we also offer ESOP’s renowned two-year Advanced Painting Course (2025–27). This course provides each student with their own dedicated full-time studio. More information can be found towards the bottom of this page.

To find out more about each course, please click on the relevant links below.

(ONLINE) Advanced Painting Personal Projects with Adrian Wiszniewski RSA and Rosanna Dean: Mondays 29 Sept 2025 to 6 July 2026 (10-5pm)

Studio course: The Painting Year II Tuesdays: 14 Jan to 1st July 2025 (10-5pm)

Studio course: The Painting Year II Wednesdays: 1 Oct 2025 to 1 Jul 2026 (10-5pm)

Painting The Contemporary Figure: Thursdays 2 Oct 2025 to 2 July 2026

(ONLINE) Painting The Contemporary Figure with Tim Patrick: Thursdays 2 Oct 2025 to 2 Jul 2026 (10-5pm)

The Painting Year 1, Materials, Methods and Ideas : Fridays 3 Oct 2025 to 3 Jul 2026 (10-5pm)

(ONLINE) Developing Your Art Practice – alternate Fridays 3 Oct 2025 to 3 July 2026: 10-5pm

Painting Personal Projects with Guy Allott, Joana Galego, and Alison Harper Saturdays, 4 Oct 2025 to 4 July 2026 (10am–5pm)

Advanced Abstraction with Johanna Melvin (Alternate Sundays) 5 October 2025 to 5 July 2026 (10.30 – 4.30pm)

Approaches to Abstraction with Johanna Melvin: (Alternate Sundays) 12 Oct 2025 to 12 July 2026 (10.30-4.30pm)

Click below for our two-year course

The ESOP Advanced Painting Course 2025-27 with full time studio

Who are we…

Image above. A blast from the past…

ESOP: 21 Years of Creativity, Innovation, Community and the absolute delight of being artists

For over two decades, the Essential School of Painting (ESOP) has been a place where artists come together to create, experiment, and grow. Founded on the belief that painting is both a discipline and an adventure, ESOP has nurtured a vibrant community of artists, fostering creativity, innovation, and bold artistic inquiry. As we celebrate 21 years, we continue to champion The Courage to Create—empowering artists to push boundaries, refine their practice, and find joy in the lifelong pursuit of making art.

Photograph ©andrewwamae 2018 Camera Apple iPhone 7 Plus f/1.8 1/33 3.99mm ISO25 (all rights reserved)

About Andrew Wamae

Andrew Wamae is the Director and co-founder of the Essential School of Painting (ESOP). He has a deeply held belief in the power of art to transform lives and society, and a particular interest in exploring new models for art education beyond school; championing the twin ideals of excellence and affordability in a highly pressurised sector when university fees are soaring and student/ tutor contact time is at an all time low. Andrew is particularly keen to ensure that the visual arts continue to be supported and thrive well. A creative, innovative and visionary professional, Andrew, in conjunction with his co-founder Alison Harper, has transformed the Essential School of Painting from humble beginnings to an established institution holding from one-day to year-long courses and workshops for all levels of experience; from beginners to postgraduate and professional artists. He has managed to enlist the support of a long list of celebrated artists from multiple fields in the creative industry to teach or lecture at the school or in their studios.