Art, Design and Crafts

Beginners Acrylic Painting NEW

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Start date: 5th Nov 2026

Time: 09:15 - 11:45

Cost: £118

Day: Thursday

Duration: 6 weeks

Tutor: Richard Squire

Course code: 26AU019

The course is for anyone of any ability wishing to start painting of get back to painting.

By the end of the course you will understand the fundamentals of acrylic painting and complete some finished paintings while gaining confidence in using acrylics.

Amongst the initial areas to be covered are the following:

Understand acrylic paints and materials
Learn colour mixing basics
Practice brush handling and paint application
Types of brushes
Paint consistency (thick, thin, glazing)
Primary, secondary and complementary colours
Colour wheel
Caring for brushes
Mix tints, shades and tones
Practice different brush strokes
Paint simple shapes and objects
Then painting more personal complex images

All materials are supplied.

However you may wish to bring some of your own.

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Richard Squire

Richard Squire

A wartime baby born in Halifax, I failed my 11-plus but passed every subsequent exam. I had to prove my abilities, and I’m still trying to.

I’m a retired art college graduate and an ex–high school art teacher who has lived in Harrogate for many years.

My training covered many areas, from academic, classical-style drawing and painting across a range of media, to casting, pottery and printmaking, including lino, etching and lithography, plus many other things, over eight brilliant years.

I’ve taught art to people of all ages and levels of experience for 56 years. I love working with anyone who wishes to develop their artistic self, whatever their age, experience or ability. We’ve all got artistic potential. Art is in me and makes my life complete.

In a mid-life career change, I trained to teach the deaf — another visual world. For many years I worked alongside deaf and hearing people to fight for the rights of deaf children to access their education through sign language and interpreters, a fight that is still going on.

In retirement I was a volunteer at Henshaws Arts and Crafts in Knaresborough for 15 years, until I had to care for my handicapped wife. I’ve also run local art clubs and groups for around 20 years.

That’s about it so far, I think.

I’d love to see you and help move your artistic self forward.

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