Art Courses West-Itchenor

West-Itchenor is an inspiring and diverse centre for the Arts. Many established artists call it home, while it is also the place to come to for emerging and aspiring artists. When considering taking an art course, West-Itchenor is the natural choice. The New School of Art offers courses that are led by highly regarded, well-established and experienced artists and art historians who will guide and support you through your chosen course.


Beginners Art Classes West-Itchenor

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 Beginner art classes are small and intimate (we aim to cap the capacity of the classes at 10 or 12) allowing you to receive all the direction you need from your tutor. Both individual and group work is involved in our Beginner art lessons. You will be given the chance to both to discuss your specific needs one on one with your tutor and to share ideas with other students.

Advanced Art Classes West-Itchenor

Our Advanced art courses in the greater West-Itchenor area are ideal for professional artists who are looking for more experience, depth or focus on the work they already create. Our team of tutors are practising artists and will be available to provide an insight into the current industry and provide technical support to the students. You are sure to find like-minded artists in the Advanced art class who share your goals – to challenge their skills and knowledge and define and develop their practice. 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-Itchenor

If you are interested in a more general overview of Fine Art, the New School of Art offers a Fine Art course in the greater West-Itchenor 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. The programme is taught by professional artists, which allows students to benefit from one to one tutorials as well as be involved in class workshops and discussions. On the course students will gain insight into how their course tutor works and at the same time develop their own skills.

Life Drawing Classes West-Itchenor

The Life Drawing classes we run in the greater West-Itchenor area are a popular choice. The philosophy of our Art school is based on the belief that rigorous study in drawing is essential to all figurative work. In this class, the life model is drawn in a range of different poses. The Life Drawing classes are a chance for artists to practise their draftmanship and indulge their creativity in a supportive, focussed environment. Tutors will be there to give instruction and guidance. This programme will improve your skills, no matter your level of ability. This class not only provides tuition and direction, but it is a good opportunity to focus on drawing in a more social setting.

Landscape Painting Courses West-Itchenor

Our Landscape Painting courses in the greater West-Itchenor area are 2-day workshops led by artist Louise Balaam NEAC, member of the New English Art Club. This course will show you Louise’s work and painting style. The emphasis will be on acquiring the skills of working quickly, freely and dynamically. Weather permitting, students will draw outside, working on simplifying, abstraction and working with pencil and watercolour, before moving onto painting in the studio. Students are free to create several paintings over the two days while Louise is on hand to provide advice and individual attention. Students can look at some of Louise’s sketchbooks while their own sketchbooks will be used as reference and for inspiration. The group will assess everyone’s work on the second day.

Portrait Painting West-Itchenor

We also offer a 2-day Portrait Painting Masterclass in the greater West-Itchenor 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. Tim will start the first day with a demonstration, after which you will go on to make small, quick oil sketches, concentrating not on detail but on form, tone and colour. On the second day students will produce a large painting, again resisting the urge to add detail. A thorough discussion of students’ work and their individual choices throughout this process will lead to an identification of how to create interest and tension in the composition. The course will conclude with a one on one assessment of the student’s work.