Program Overview

Introduction to Acrylics Now

The Acrylics Now course is a short, part-time program designed for individuals new to acrylics and those with some experience. This practical course covers the basic tenets of acrylics, including the materiality of the paint, support, and tools required to create different effects.

Course Details

• Level of Study: Short course
• Course Fee: Ł495 for the Saturday course or Ł435 for the one-week summer course
• Start Date(s): 18 April 2026 and 17 August 2026
• Duration: Saturdays, 10 am to 12:30 pm, for ten weeks, or Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, for one week
• Study Mode(s): Part-time
• Campus: City Campus

What You'll Study

On this course, you will:

• Complete colour mixing exercises
• Apply paint through traditional methods using a range of brushes
• Engage in more inventive mark-making with palette knives and dripping and pouring diluted paint
• Assemble images and identify your own potential subject matter
• Reflect on your approach to acrylics
• Explore the basic handling of materials and processes through a selection of tried and tested exercises
• Look closely and respond to your own environment and cultural experience when realizing a project

Course Structure

The course is divided into sessions that cover:

• Introduction to Acrylics: Support/ground, paints, brushes, palette knives, subject matter/source material, and materiality
• Colour and Texture: Colour application, impasto techniques, and exploration of colour and texture
• Experimental Acrylics: Experimental techniques, mixed media approaches, and working with collage
• Individual Project Work: Concentrating on your individual project brief, developing your ideas, and discussing thoughts and development of work
• Review: Review and critique, presentation, evaluation, and progression

Tutor Profile

The course is taught by Margot Shores, who has taught drawing and painting at the Royal Academy and various universities and colleges. Margot specializes in experiential learning and questioning to enhance students' creativity.

Careers and Employability

On successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.

Campus and Facilities

You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus, with access to bright drawing and painting studio and workshop spaces, as well as the library and IT facilities.

Entry Requirements

• Level: Open to all
• Entry Requirement: Beginners and those with some painting experience are welcome
• Age Requirement: You must be over the age of 18 to attend this course

Fees and Funding

• Course Fee: Ł495 for the Saturday course or Ł435 for the one-week summer course
• What's Included: The course fee covers the cost of studies, including the use of modern library and free use of IT equipment and software on the campus during your course

What to Bring

You will need to bring:

• Acrylics: A basic set of tubes (10 or 12 colours)
• Brushes, palette knife, palette, cotton rags, 2 x water pots, and newspaper
• Drawing tools: Pencils, charcoal, eraser, sharpener, and ruler
• Paper, canvas, or canvas board based on the direction of your project as the course progresses

Accommodation

Accommodation can be booked separately for the week-long summer course, with single rooms available in Nottingham Trent University's city campus accommodation.