How to Paint Classes - Beginners

ByCity Academy

Painting

Beginner

Beginner painting classes covering colour theory, acrylic painting, still-life work and palette preparation through tutor guidance and feedback.

About this course

Participants explore basic colour theory and colour mixing before developing a painting from an initial drawing through to completion. The course focuses mainly on water-soluble acrylic paints and still-life subjects, with opportunities to use brushes and palette knives. Teaching also covers how to arrange a palette and prepare brushes, palette knives and mediums for use. Learners receive constructive guidance and feedback while producing their own painted artworks.

What you'll learn

  • Apply basic colour theory and mix colours
  • Prepare a palette, brushes, palette knives and mediums for painting
  • Use water-soluble acrylic paints
  • Develop a painting from an initial drawing to completion
  • Paint from still-life objects and set-ups

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for complete beginners who are unsure where to start with painting. The beginner label indicates an introductory level, and the course may also suit learners who have completed the provider’s How to Draw Beginners course. Participants work with still-life subjects and receive tutor guidance and feedback.

  • Suitable for learners starting without painting experience
  • A possible next step after the provider’s How to Draw Beginners course

Before you go

  • A protective apron or washable clothing is recommended because paint can be messy; some aprons are available.
  • Paints, brushes and paper are provided.

Class teachers

  • Carl Randall

    Class teacher

  • Dominic Kennedy

    Class teacher

  • Jodi Holmes

    Class teacher

  • Lawrence Francis Crane

    Class teacher

  • Stephen Nicholas

    Class teacher

  • Tommy Ramsay

    Class teacher

Where this course runs

City Academy

London's leading performing arts academy

8 painting courses on Learn.London

Upcoming classes

20 classes

Selected date

Wed 18 Nov 2026

18:30 – 21:00 • 5 weeks

£225

City Academy, Farringdon

Tommy RamsayClass teacher
Book this class →

Other available dates

  • Sun 29 Nov 2026

    10:30 – 16:30 • 1 day

    City Academy, Farringdon

    Carl Randall

    £110

  • Tue 8 Dec 2026

    18:30 – 21:00 • 5 weeks

    City Academy, Farringdon

    Jodi Holmes

    £225

  • Fri 11 Dec 2026

    10:30 – 16:30 • 1 day

    City Academy, Farringdon

    Dominic Kennedy

    £110

  • Sat 19 Dec 2026

    10:30 – 16:30 • 1 day

    City Academy, Farringdon

    Stephen Nicholas

    £110

  • Wed 6 Jan 2027

    18:45 – 21:15 • 5 weeks

    City Academy, Farringdon

    Lawrence Francis Crane

    £225

  • Sun 10 Jan 2027

    10:30 – 16:30 • 1 day

    City Academy, Farringdon

    Stephen Nicholas

    £110

StartsScheduleLengthTeacherVenuePrice
29 Nov 2026
Sunday
10:30 - 16:30
One-day class1 day
CarlRandall
City AcademyFarringdon
£110.00
8 Dec 2026
Tuesdays
18:30 - 21:00
Short course5 weeks
JodiHolmes
City AcademyFarringdon
£225.00
11 Dec 2026
Friday
10:30 - 16:30
One-day class1 day
DominicKennedy
City AcademyFarringdon
£110.00
19 Dec 2026
Saturday
10:30 - 16:30
One-day class1 day
StephenNicholas
City AcademyFarringdon
£110.00
6 Jan 2027
Wednesdays
18:45 - 21:15
Short course5 weeks
LawrenceFrancisCrane
City AcademyFarringdon
£225.00
10 Jan 2027
Sunday
10:30 - 16:30
One-day class1 day
StephenNicholas
City AcademyFarringdon
£110.00
12 Jan 2027
Tuesdays
18:30 - 21:00
Short course5 weeks
StephenNicholas
City AcademyFarringdon
£225.00
29 Jan 2027
Fridays
18:45 - 21:15
Short course5 weeks
LawrenceFrancisCrane
City AcademyFarringdon
£225.00
30 Jan 2027
Saturday
10:30 - 16:30
One-day class1 day
StephenNicholas
City AcademyFarringdon
£110.00
  • Wed 18 Nov, 18:30 - 21:00

    Book now
    5 weeks
    City Academy
    5 weeksWed 18:30£225
    TommyRamsayCity Academy
    TommyRamsay
    £225
  • Sun 29 Nov, 10:30 - 16:30

    1 day
    City Academy
    1 daySun 10:30£110
    CarlRandallCity Academy
    CarlRandall
    £110
  • Tue 8 Dec, 18:30 - 21:00

    5 weeks
    City Academy
    5 weeksTue 18:30£225
    JodiHolmesCity Academy
    JodiHolmes
    £225
  • Fri 11 Dec, 10:30 - 16:30

    1 day
    City Academy
    1 dayFri 10:30£110
    DominicKennedyCity Academy
    DominicKennedy
    £110
  • Sat 19 Dec, 10:30 - 16:30

    1 day
    City Academy
    1 daySat 10:30£110
    StephenNicholasCity Academy
    StephenNicholas
    £110
  • Wed 6 Jan, 18:45 - 21:15

    5 weeks
    City Academy
    5 weeksWed 18:45£225
    LawrenceFrancisCraneCity Academy
    LawrenceFrancis
    £225
  • Sun 10 Jan, 10:30 - 16:30

    1 day
    City Academy
    1 daySun 10:30£110
    StephenNicholasCity Academy
    StephenNicholas
    £110
  • Tue 12 Jan, 18:30 - 21:00

    5 weeks
    City Academy
    5 weeksTue 18:30£225
    StephenNicholasCity Academy
    StephenNicholas
    £225
  • Fri 29 Jan, 18:45 - 21:15

    5 weeks
    City Academy
    5 weeksFri 18:45£225
    LawrenceFrancisCraneCity Academy
    LawrenceFrancis
    £225
  • Sat 30 Jan, 10:30 - 16:30

    1 day
    City Academy
    1 daySat 10:30£110
    StephenNicholasCity Academy
    StephenNicholas
    £110

Showing 1 to 10 of 20 classes

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