Art Courses West-Firle

West-Firle is most certainly an inspiring and diverse centre for the Arts. It is home to lots of established artists, but many up-and-coming creatives also find their way here. When considering taking an art course, West-Firle should be the destination of choice. The New School of Art offers a range of art courses, all led by established, highly regarded artists and art historians who are on hand to help you through your course.


Beginners Art Classes West-Firle

Our art courses are designed for a wide range of abilities from beginner to professional artists. If you are new to painting, starting a new hobby or looking to develop an existing painting practice, our tutors will work with you at your current level. Our small, intimate Beginner art classes are capped at a maximum of 10 or 12 students so as to allow the students to benefit from all the direction they need from the tutors. Our Beginner art lessons incorporate individual and group work. You will be able to share ideas with other students and focus on your individual needs with one to one time with your tutor.

Advanced Art Classes West-Firle

Our Advanced art courses in the greater West-Firle area are perfect for those professional artists who are looking to gain more depth or experience or focus on the work they already create. All of our tutors are practising artists and so will be able to give technical support to our students as well as provide an insight into the current status of the industry. In the Advanced art class you will be surrounded by like-minded artists who wish to define and develop their own practice and challenge their skills and knowledge. Taking an art course shouldn’t be at the expense of your working life and other responsibilities, so our timetables have been designed especially to fit into your busy schedule.

Fine Art Courses West-Firle

For a broader overview of fine art, the New School of Art offers a Fine Art course in the greater West-Firle area. By presenting an introduction to fine art practice – including painting and drawing – our team of tutors will assist students in focusing on and developing a critical awareness of their work. This programme is led by working artists, so students can benefit from one to one discussions with professionals, as well as discussions and workshops with their peers. Over the course, students will understand how their course tutor works and so develop their own skills.

Life Drawing Classes West-Firle

A popular choice are the Life Drawing classes we run in the greater West-Firle area. We believe rigorous study in drawing is essential to all figurative work, and underpins our philosophy as an Art school. The class entails drawing the life model in a range of different poses. The Life Drawing classes proivde an opportunity for artists to discover their creative side and practise their draftmanship in a focused, supportive environment. Tutors will be there to give instruction and guidance. Regardless of your level of ability, this programme will help develop your skills. Although there is tuition and direction for all students, this class provides a chance to work on your drawing in a more social environment.

Landscape Painting Courses West-Firle

The New School of Art also offers a 2-day Landscape Painting course in the greater West-Firle area, presented by artist Louise Balaam NEAC, member of the New English Art Club. On this course you will find out more about Louise’s work and her painting style. There will be a focus on learning to work freely, quickly and dynamically. Weather permitting, students can choose to work outside, working with pencil and watercolour and working on simplification and abstraction before painting in the studio. Students will be encouraged to make several paintings over both days and Louise will be on hand to provide advice and individual tuition. A number of her sketchbooks will be there for your perusal while your own sketchbooks will be utilized as reference and ideas for your painting. On the second day there will be a group critique of everyone’s work.

Portrait Painting West-Firle

We also offer a 2-day Portrait Painting Masterclass in the greater West-Firle area, led by Vice President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, artist Tim Benson VPROI. On this course, students will get to know the artist and his work, as well as the philosophy behind his work. The first day will be begun with a demonstration by Tim, and then you will create your own small, quick oil sketches which focus on tone, colour and form more than detail. Students will produce a large painting on the second day, with the added difficulty of not adding detail. Students’ work will be discussed throughout this process and their individual choices will be examined, so as to identify how to create tension and interest in the composition. The course will conclude with a one on one assessment of the student’s work.