12-Week Foundation Art Course

12-Week Foundation Art Course with OLENA & Steve

• • DAYS: Wednesdays and Saturdays
  • TIME: 19.00 – 21.00 (Wed) and 12.00 – 14.30 (Sat)
  • DURATION: 12 Weeks
  • COST: €300 for the term

What to Expect

• All Materials Provided: Canvas, paints, brushes—everything you need!
• Expert Guidance: Our talented artists will help you create your own masterpiece each week.
• Great Vibes: A fun, relaxed atmosphere, perfect for socialising; you could even bring a friend.
• Media: Drawing · Ink & Charcoal · Watercolour · Oil Painting
• Level: Beginner to Improver
• Format: Weekly guided classes with demonstrations, practical exercises, and individual feedback

Location

6 Anne Street South, Dublin 2.

Registration

• Price: €300 per person per term
• Limited Seats: There are only 10 places own each course. Book early to guarantee your space!

Course Overview

This 12-week course is designed to build strong artistic foundations while introducing students to a range of traditional media. The programme focuses on observation, technique, confidence, and personal expression, guiding students from drawing fundamentals through to completing a final oil painting.

No prior experience is required. All levels are welcome.

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Module Breakdown

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Weeks 1–3: Drawing (Pencil & Fundamentals)

Week 1 – Seeing & Drawing

•Introduction to materials and tools

•Observational drawing exercises

•Line, shape, proportion, and contour

•Still-life drawing from simple objects

Focus: Learning how to see and translate observation into drawing.

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Week 2 – Tone, Light & Depth

•Shading techniques: hatching, cross-hatching, blending

•Understanding light, shadow, and form

•Introduction to perspective

•Tonal still-life drawing

Focus: Creating depth and three-dimensional form.

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Week 3 – Composition & Figure Basics

•Composition principles: balance, focal point, negative space

•Gesture drawing

•Basic figure or portrait proportions

Focus: Strong compositions and expressive drawing.

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Weeks 4–6: Ink & Charcoal

Week 4 – Ink & Line

•Introduction to ink tools (pens, brush pens)

•Line quality, rhythm, and mark-making

•Hatching and texture

•Observational ink drawing

Focus: Confidence with line and expressive drawing.

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Week 5 – Charcoal & Tone

•Charcoal materials and surfaces

•Blending, erasing, layering

•Creating atmosphere and contrast

•Charcoal still-life study

Focus: Bold tonal work and expressive shading.

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Week 6 – Mixed Media Drawing

•Combining ink and charcoal

•Developing contrast and visual interest

•Guided mixed-media drawing project

Focus: Personal expression using multiple drawing media.

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Weeks 7–9: Watercolour

Week 7 – Watercolour Foundations

•Materials and paper preparation

•Colour theory and mixing

•Flat, graded, and wet-on-wet washes

Focus: Understanding water control and transparency.

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Week 8 – Techniques & Texture

•Brush handling

•Layering and glazing

•Dry brush and lifting techniques

•Landscape or natural subject study

Focus: Control, texture, and expressive watercolour effects.

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Week 9 – Watercolour Composition

•Planning a painting (sketch & value study)

•Developing a finished watercolour piece

•Colour harmony and balance

Focus: Completing a resolved watercolour artwork.

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Weeks 10–12: Oil Painting

Week 10 – Introduction to Oils

•Oil painting materials and safety

•Colour mixing and limited palettes

•Blocking-in shapes and values

Focus: Confidence with oil paint and colour.

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Week 11 – Brushwork & Texture

•Blending, scumbling, and impasto

•Developing form and depth

•Continuing oil painting study

Focus: Expressive brushwork and surface quality.

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Week 12 – Final Oil Painting & Reflection

•Completing a final oil painting

•Group discussion and gentle critique

•Guidance on next steps and continuing practice

Focus: A finished artwork and clear direction forward.

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What Students Will Gain

•Strong foundations in drawing and painting

•Experience across four major media

•Increased confidence and creative fluency

•A small portfolio of finished studies and artworks

•A supportive, encouraging studio environment

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Materials

A basic materials list will be provided before the course begins.

Some shared materials may be available in the studio.

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✨ Art is a practice — this course is about building skills, confidence, and enjoyment in making.