About The Essential School Of Painting

The Essential School of Painting (ESOP) is an independent art school in London, built on our belief that painting is a living discipline, progressed through sustained practice. We are a place where painters teach painters, carrying a painter from first steps, through year-long courses, to our postgraduate two-year Advanced Painting Course. For over twenty years, painters of the first rank, Academicians and artists of international standing, have taught, exhibited and spoken in our studios. We openly welcome all to join our community. That welcome is encapsulated in our motto, Animus ad Creandum, the courage to create.

Studio course: The Painting Year II Tuesdays: 16 April to 25 Jun 2024 (10-5pm)

The Painting Year II is a practical course for those looking to advance their practice, develop their skills and content whilst being guided by experienced and celebrated painters. Continue Reading →

Approaches to Abstraction with Johanna Melvin: Alternate Sundays 14 April to 23 Jun 2024 (10.30-4.30pm)

Prepare yourself for fully immersive days incorporating experimentation, play, technical guidance and detailed discussion designed to develop your understanding and facility as an abstract painter. Continue Reading →

The Painting Year 1, Materials, Methods and Ideas : Mondays 15 Apr to 1 Jul 2024 (10-5pm)

The Painting Year I is a practical course which aims to fill in all the gaps you never knew you had in your understanding and practice of painting. It is suitable for beginn Continue Reading →

Untutored Life Painting & Drawing Drop in Sessions: Fridays 15 March 2024 (10-5pm)

Enjoy one day poses to paint and draw from the nude model. Use the day to experiment and deepen your study of the figure. Continue Reading →

Painting Personal Projects with artists Guy Allott and Joana Galego: Saturdays 20 April to 29 June 2024 (10-5pm)

ONE PLACE AVAILABLE: Painting Personal Projects is a programme that aims is to give you an opportunity to develop your own work whilst receiving guidance and mentoring in a supportive community of artists. It is intended to increase confidence Continue Reading →