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Lifelong Learning

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Art, Design and Crafts

Beginners Watercolour Painting NEW

Richard Squire

Start date: 17th Sep 2026

Time: 09:15 - 11:45

Cost: £118

Day: Thursday

Duration: 6 weeks

Tutor: Richard Squire

Course code: 26AU018

Richard Squire - group

A course for those starting out and those coming back to painting.

You will need little or no previous experience in painting. 

You will develop practical skills, creativity, and confidence in a supportive relaxed learning environment.

Course Aim

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course you should be able to:

  1. Know about essential watercolour techniques such as washes, blending, lifting, and layering.
  2. Identify and use basic watercolour materials and equipment.
  3. Understand basic colour theory and colour mixing.
  4. Apply simple drawing and composition principles to support painting.
  5. Create watercolour studies from observation, photographs, or reference materials.
  6. Produce a completed watercolour painting that demonstrate the skills learned.
  7. Reflect on your work and provide constructive positive feedback to others.

All materials will be supplied but you are welcome to bring your own if you wish.

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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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