The Essential School of Painting (ESOP) is an alternative art school based in Wood Green, London, specialising in year long and short courses taught by leading contemporary artists. The ESOP offers practically and intellectually rigorous courses with the intention of advancing painting and fine art practice in the 21st Century. Classes are available for all levels of experience.
Established in 2004, by Alison Harper and Andrew Wamae, ESOP has over eighteen years experience of offering flexible, high quality art education. Our classes range from our Masters level 2 year Advanced Painting course to one year-long advanced and post graduate programmes at BA, Foundation and beginner levels.
We have classes both in studio and online; all our classes are taught by practising professional artists. Classes are all small in size and our studio classes are held in our spacious Woodgreen studios. We deliberately keep our classes limited in number to ensure that each student gets a good level of attention in technical guidance and intellectual support for their practice. Simply put our intention is to provide you with opportunities to develop your skills, foster your creativity and imagination and encourage you to move into new territory in your practice with the guidance of expert tutors and a supportive artistic community.
For the last four years we have held an End of Year Exhibition for the all students on our yearlong courses and with the help of our artist-tutors the standard of work produce has continued to impress culminating with several of our students appearing and winning prestige awards.
Above some of our artists L to R: David Mach RA, Dan Coombs, Guy Allott, Adrian Wiszniewski RSA, Peter Ashton Jones, Liane Lang and Melissa Kime
Testimonials
The Essential School of Painting has an exceptional ethos. I feel very lucky to have found a place that encourages one’s own painting style by teachers who have a huge back drop of knowledge to be inspired by. Do not hesitate! Nice students too, many repeat customers (which I found reassuring going into my 2nd year there). Thank you to the warm and wonderful directors, Alison and Andrew for galvanising us all during lock down. (If you are looking for an online class, they have that nailed too!)
Tanya Goodman Bailey 2021
I have had a very positive experience at the Essential School of Painting, having completed two courses there, and seen my work develop enormously over the last 2 years. The tutors are practising artists and very committed to student learning, classes are small so there is plenty of individual teaching as well as group discussion, and the School has a very welcoming relaxed atmosphere. The teaching has really improved my technical competency in painting methods and materials, as well as a very positive impact on my confidence and creativity. It has been a very good experience as a student to be part of a community of artists on these courses, sharing ideas and experiences. I thoroughly recommend the Essential School of Painting to anyone who is looking for painting courses that are serious about helping students develop their ideas, technical skills and their creativity.
Gwen Ovshinsky 2020
“At the Essential School of Painting I have finally found my home. This is a place for people for whom it really matters to become a better painter. I learn as much from other students as I do from the tutors. The wonder of it is that they incorporate people at all levels and turn them into better artists. The calibre of artists teaching and the ethos here is phenomenal. London’s best kept secret for painters!”
Lila Das Gupta 2019