Painting Courses
Everything there is to know about our painting courses in Bristol.
Take a look at our work and frequently asked questions.
Our Painting Courses
Whether you’re a seasoned artist looking to refine your techniques or someone embarking on their creative journey, our courses are designed to inspire and nurture your artistic talent. Immerse yourself in a vibrant community of like-minded individuals, led by experienced and passionate instructors who will guide you through the magic of colours, textures, and compositions.
Friendly, supportive and structured course that will help you develop your painting skills.
Suitable for: Complete newbie with absolutely no prior experience. Some prior experience but no foundation knowledge
Painting and Print Summer Schools 2025
Description: Led by an experienced tutor you will have the opportunity to continue to learn, apply and extend your watercolour skills and techniques to create vibrant and colourful paintings. Develop your painting style with a range of interesting projects.
Tutor: Roma Widger Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 22 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Tue 09:30-12:30 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Last few Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)
Find Out MoreDescription: In drypoint etching, a design is scratched on a plate with a needle, inked up by hand and then run through a printing press- creating unique prints.
Tutor: Rebecca Plas Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 23 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Wed 09:30-12:30 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £145 (Concession: £102)
Find Out MoreDescription: Learners can tailor-make their experience by selecting projects which meet their particular interests. The tutor will provide projects covering a wide range of subject matter including portraits, landscapes and still lifes, or learners are welcome to bring along their own projects too.
Tutor: Warren Sealey Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 24 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Thu 10:00-12:30 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £101 (Concession: £61)
Find Out MoreDescription: This course is ideal for the experienced watercolourist looking to further their skills. It provides ample painting time and plenty of technical advice from the tutor, all in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Tutor: Elham Talay Minaei Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 24 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Thu 09:30-12:30 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)
Find Out MoreDescription: This course is designed for intermediate learners looking to improve their watercolour skills and transition into more advanced techniques. Learners will refine their understanding of colour theory, brushwork, and various watercolour methods to create stunning, expressive paintings.
Tutor: Elham Talay Minaei Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 24 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Thu 13:30-16:30 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Last few Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)
Find Out MoreDescription: Led by an experienced tutor, beginners will be guided through traditional methods of using oil paints, while those with some experience will be encouraged to develop existing skills. Learners will work on individual projects and will develop confidence and ability throughout the term.
Tutor: Jenny Ibrahim Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 25 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Fri 12:45-15:45 Duration: 12 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £289 (Concession: £174)
Find Out MoreDescription: Experiment with printmaking. For both aspiring and established printmakers. This course will be delivered at St Paul's Learning Centre. Please note that the September course is now 5 weeks; there is no session on 18/10/24.
Tutor: Barbara Disney Location: St Paul's Learning Centre, BS2 8XJ (BS2 8XJ)
Start Date: 25 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Fri 10:00-12:30 Duration: 5 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £130 (Concession: £83)
Find Out MoreDescription: A friendly and supportive class for post-beginner painters looking to take their acrylics to the next level. You will receive guidance, demonstrations and help with your work. Improve your confidence to create more challenging work, whilst developing your own style of painting.
Tutor: Mary Kelly Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 28 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Mon 09:30-12:30 Duration: 9 week(s)
Availability: Last few Fee: £271 (Concession: £131)
Find Out MoreDescription: You will explore colour mixing, how to apply paint, what equipment, paints, brushes and canvases you need. You will learn how to paint landscapes, seascapes and still life, with tutor-led demonstrations, advice and guidance.
Tutor: Mary Kelly Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 29 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Tue 13:00-16:00 Duration: 4 week(s)
Availability: Last few Fee: £97 (Concession: £59)
Find Out MoreDescription: A friendly and supportive class for intermediate acrylic painters who want to produce paintings on a more challenging level. You will receive guidance, demonstrations and help with your work. Improve your confidence to create more challenging work, whilst developing your own style of painting.
Tutor: Mary Kelly Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 30 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Wed 13:00-16:00 Duration: 10 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £241 (Concession: £145)
Find Out MoreDescription: A friendly and supportive class for experienced acrylic painters who still want to learn new skills and techniques. Improve your confidence to create more challenging work, whilst developing your own individual style of painting. Come and be inspired.
Tutor: Mary Kelly Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 30 Apr 2025 (Summer) Times: Wed 09:30-12:30 Duration: 10 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £241 (Concession: £145)
Find Out MoreDescription: This one-day workshop will give experienced colourists an increased understanding of watercolours and will enable them to paint more confidently. The tutor will set an appropriate pace to ensure everyone in the group can get the most out of the day. Reference pictures are provided.
Tutor: Elham Talay Minaei Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 17 May 2025 (Summer) Times: Sat 10:00-16:00 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £50 (Concession: £37)
Find Out MoreDescription: This introductory course covers all aspects of watercolour painting and will guide you through various techniques. You will develop the skills, experience, and confidence needed to approach different watercolour subjects.
Tutor: Mary Kelly Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 02 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Mon 13:00-15:30 Duration: 6 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £121 (Concession: £73)
Find Out MoreDescription: You will explore colour mixing, how to apply paint, what equipment, paints, brushes and canvases you need. You will learn how to paint landscapes, seascapes and still life, with tutor-led demonstrations, advice and guidance.
Tutor: Mary Kelly Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 03 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Tue 13:00-16:00 Duration: 6 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £145 (Concession: £88)
Find Out MoreDescription: Led by an experienced tutor you will have the opportunity to continue to learn, apply and extend your watercolour skills and techniques to create vibrant and colourful paintings. Develop your painting style with a range of interesting projects.
Tutor: Roma Widger Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 03 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Tue 09:30-12:30 Duration: 6 week(s)
Availability: Last few Fee: £145 (Concession: £88)
Find Out MoreDescription: A course for beginners wishing to explore the world of watercolours and experienced painters wanting to improve their techniques.
Tutor: Elham Talay Minaei Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 03 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Tue 18:00-20:30 Duration: 7 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £150 (Concession: £95)
Find Out MoreDescription: In drypoint etching, a design is scratched on a plate with a needle, inked up by hand and then run through a printing press- creating unique prints.
Tutor: Rebecca Plas Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 03 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Tue 13:00-16:00 Duration: 6 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £175 (Concession: £135)
Find Out MoreDescription: Lino printing is a fascinating printmaking technique. It involves carving a design into a sheet of linoleum, which is then inked and pressed onto paper or fabric to create a print.
Tutor: Rebecca Plas Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 04 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Wed 09:30-12:30 Duration: 6 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £180 (Concession: £140)
Find Out MoreDescription: Learners can tailor-make their experience by selecting projects which meet their particular interests. The tutor will provide projects covering a wide range of subject matter including portraits, landscapes and still lifes, or learners are welcome to bring along their own projects too.
Tutor: Warren Sealey Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 05 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Thu 10:00-12:30 Duration: 7 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £141 (Concession: £85)
Find Out MoreDescription: This course is ideal for the experienced watercolourist looking to further their skills. It provides ample painting time and plenty of technical advice from the tutor, all in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Tutor: Elham Talay Minaei Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 05 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Thu 09:30-12:30 Duration: 7 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £169 (Concession: £102)
Find Out MoreDescription: This course is designed for intermediate learners looking to improve their watercolour skills and transition into more advanced techniques. Learners will refine their understanding of colour theory, brushwork, and various watercolour methods to create stunning, expressive paintings.
Tutor: Elham Talay Minaei Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 05 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Thu 13:30-16:30 Duration: 7 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £169 (Concession: £102)
Find Out MoreDescription: Experiment with printmaking. For both aspiring and established printmakers. This course will be delivered at St Paul's Learning Centre. Please note that the September course is now 5 weeks; there is no session on 18/10/24.
Tutor: Barbara Disney Location: St Paul's Learning Centre, BS2 8XJ (BS2 8XJ)
Start Date: 06 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Fri 10:00-12:30 Duration: 6 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £150 (Concession: £95)
Find Out MoreDescription: In this one-day workshop, you will develop your landscape painting skills using the picturesque grounds of Stoke Lodge as inspiration. The tutor will provide guidance throughout the day to help you capture the scenery.
Tutor: Warren Sealey Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 14 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Sat 10:00-16:00 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Last few Fee: £50 (Concession: £38)
Find Out MoreDescription: Unleash your creativity by transforming coffee into art in this unique one-day workshop. Learners will explore the versatile medium of coffee as paint, experimenting with various techniques and styles to create stunning, coffee-inspired artwork.
Tutor: Elham Talay Minaei Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 14 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Sat 10:00-16:00 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £50 (Concession: £37)
Find Out MoreDescription: A unique, practical course which offers physical and creative space to develop your painting. The course will be delivered at Stoke Lodge.
Tutor: Laurel Smart Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 21 Jun 2025 (Summer) Times: Weekends Sat Sun 10:00-16:00 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Last few Fee: £98 (Concession: £60)
Find Out MoreDescription: This 4-day summer school provides creative space and individual tutor support. Suitable for those with significant experience.
Tutor: Laurel Smart Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 21 Jul 2025 (Summer) Times: Mon Tue Wed Thu 10:00-16:00 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £193 (Concession: £117)
Find Out MoreDescription: The summer school encourages a multi-disciplinary approach to working on paper and fabric.
Tutor: Barbara Disney Location: St Paul's Learning Centre, BS2 8XJ (BS2 8XJ)
Start Date: 28 Jul 2025 (Summer) Times: Full time - all week 10:00-16:00 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Fully booked Fee: £282 (Concession: £175)
Find Out MoreDescription: Watercolours are a delight to work with. This summer school is designed for beginners and experienced painters alike. You will learn various techniques to enhance your watercolour skills and create stunning artworks.
Tutor: Elham Talay Minaei Location: Stoke Lodge (BS9 1BN)
Start Date: 28 Jul 2025 (Summer) Times: Full time - all week 09:30-13:30 Duration: 1 week(s)
Availability: Places available Fee: £161 (Concession: £97)
Find Out MoreOur Art Tutors
Laurel Smart
Art Tutor
I have taught painting in schools, colleges, universities and, since 1983, in Adult Education. I have a wealth of knowledge about how people learn and how to create a friendly and productive learning environment. My courses are structured, students learn skills that can be applied to individual pieces of work.
Mary Kelly
Art Tutor
Painting in acrylic, watercolour, mixed media, making handmade paper and sculpture. I am a qualified Art teacher / Artist, with a degree in fine art-painting and a teachers’ certificate. I have 23 years teaching experience across the country in galleries, schools and adult education centres.
Roma Widger
Art Tutor
I’m Roma Widger, I’m professional art teacher and I have taught Drawing, Painting in all genres, and printmaking for over 20 years. I want to share my professional art secrets with you by delivering my courses online as an opportunity for all students across the UK.
Warren Sealey
Art Tutor
Warren Sealey is a classically trained artist who works in oil paint, watercolour, pastel and various drawing media. He first trained at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto Canada before moving on to Florence Italy where he remained for four years studying at various schools in the city.
Jenny Ibrahim
Art Tutor
Jenny Ibrahim is an experienced art tutor who has been teaching painting and drawing at Stoke Lodge for many years. Jenny teaches oil painting and drawing classes and her classes give beginners and more advanced learners the opportunity to develop in a supportive environment.
Barbara Disney
Art Tutor
I have many years experience of running courses, workshops and creating public art within a socially engaged practice. As a printmaker I work on a variety surfaces, including textiles, paper, porcelain and enamelling metal. I use whatever technique is appropriate to the project.
Testimonials
“Safe space to experiment, great supportive tutor, lovely space to work in.”
“Relaxed, informative, encouraging, great choice of starter pictures to help with an early sense of success!”
“Relaxing. Meeting new friends. Stretching my mind.”
“Finding confidence to paint in a very supportive atmosphere.”
“It is inspiring and there is a lovely friendly atmosphere.”
“Mary is knowledgeable, and unfailingly enthusiastic and encouraging. A great course & it was fun to learn about different media and techniques.”
Instill Confidence
I have never painted – now I DEFINITELY will! Made me feel more confident with acrylics. New skills, improved a lot. Achieving more than I thought I would – learning so much in 5 weeks!”
Room to Explore
Different medium. Lovely trying different media and not needing to bring own supplies. Tutor was full of enthusiasm and energy. She did demonstrations and gave individual help – a perfect combination.
In-person Classroom
Knowledge of tutor, especially around colour mixing and blending techniques to get 3-D effects and skin tones. His way of teaching really helped me remember the tips. Plus really liked the chance to sit in a real-life classroom, meet the other attendees and share their work, instead of at home in a zoom class, so thank you for opening up for that!
Good Teacher & Supportive Students
It was a clear, step by step instruction suitable for my needs. Chance to do something that I had never done before. Learning with a very good teacher and supportive student group.
Great Atmosphere
Great working atmosphere, quiet time to paint. Using the space and time to explore creativity. Excellent support and friendly group facilitator.
Tutor's Expertise
The interaction between course members and the variety of creative methods being explored. Laurel was very supportive and instructive to everyone. Tutor’s expertise and accessible teaching methods. Freedom to experiment, explore and develop ideas and skills.
