Art courses and drawing classes for beginners to experienced artists
and those of you yet to try
Creative Art Courses offer you the perfect blend of supportive quality teaching, enthusiastic encouragement, and space to experiment at your own pace. All of us at Creative Art Courses have an Inclusive approach that embraces Diversity and celebrates individual achievement.
Discover inspiration & creativity
A great learning experience
The Gallery Studio offers students a warm welcome where everyone interested in learning and growing as artists can feel comfortable to pursue their passion for drawing, painting and mixed-media: start your journey as a complete-beginner; develop your skills further as a beginner + improver; or re-invigorate your creativity as an intermediate. Even those artists with more experience find my courses stimulating.
Great for beginners & Improvers
Creativity at the heart of historical heritage
Our studio is based in Hope Mill and is part of AWOL Studios, Manchester’s largest creative hub of over 80 creative businesses. You will find The Gallery Studio an inspiring and creative space where you can cherish the rich cultural history of the grade 2 listed mill reaching back into the heart of the Industrial Revolution, while nurturing your own artistic development.
Easy access from the city centre
Manchester is an art destination
Stay a little longer | City Art Break >
VIDEos to watch
What do my students think?
“Really relaxed, well structured, productive. Time flies!”
“It was fun, positive and a great learning experience.”
“Fantastic. Enough variety without feeling like it’s going too fast.”
“Simple and easy to book. All the info you need to know is there. Quick response from Brian confirming place and good communication before course dates.”
“Very friendly, informative teacher. Well equipped studio, nice environment. Course was well structured – moving + building well on each step of learning. Great fun.”
Manchester’s most welcoming studio
Everyone finds they are made very welcome, are comfortable and happy spending time in the studio able to learn and grow as an artist.
Whether you are just beginning or looking to improve further your tutor will make sure you are able to make the best possible progression. All the expert tutors offer supportive and encouraging teaching and a warm and welcoming greeting every time.
Come along and join us – the Gallery Studio at Hope Mill is the place to nurture your creative spirit and grow your skills and confidence to become the artist you have always dreamed of.
Videos to watch
STUDENT QUOTE
“Loved it! you’ve shown me a different way to approach art and my creativity. I feel as if you’ve opened up in me a new way of seeing things.”
Donna B | Drawing Foundations
More Testimonials >
Hi, I’m Brian Raymond
As lead tutor I’m passionate about every art course and drawing class that I have planned for you. Each one is designed to leave you inspired, passionate, and more able to make a success of your drawing and painting.
More about Brian >
STUDENTS WILL EXPERIENCE
Structured learning
Carefully structured teaching that will lead you step by step, giving you the confidence to try new things.
Individual attention
Loads of individual 1:1 encouragement to explore, experiment and discover.
Inclusive + personalised learning
A teaching style that focuses on your individual needs and is fully accepting of your individuality.
Creativity and technical skills
Teaching that allows you to learn new technical skills and develop your creativity, and leave inspired to continue to develop your skills further at home.
Welcoming studio
The Gallery Studio is a warm, creative and friendly space offering a relaxed informal, yet focused, teaching style.
Essential Art skills
Students learn essential foundation skills that provide the springboard to future artistic independence.
Within easy access of Manchester city centre
Easy to travel to from Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan, and within easy access of mainline train stations and motorway networks making us accessible from anywhere in the country.
Beginner – Improver – Intermediate – Experienced.
Everyone is welcome.
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Choosing the right course
Courses are grouped into 4 strands, each with a different focus.
Create your own patchwork of courses depending on your interest and availability.
There is no specific starting point.
Core
Fundamental building blocks applicable to all art styles
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Essential skills for the absolute beginner.
More Info > -
The engine room of creativity. Create sketchbooks that inspire greater creativity.
More Info > -
Expand your mark-making skills to create more expressive drawing + painting.
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Essential introduction to colour mixing, colour relationships + colour as composition.
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Line, tone, colour, shape, etc. Insights into the essential tools for making art.
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Learn foundation drawing techniques to develop a new clarity of artistic vision. Teachings from Heather Spears book The Creative Eye.
More Info > -
Learn from Cezanne, Matisse + Picasso to create your own personal drawings + paintings.
More Info >
Materials
Materials + techniques to fall in love with
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Introductory course for developing drawing and creative skills.
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Introductory course for developing acrylic painting skills.
More Info > -
Discover creative techniques to add tactile textures to mixed media paintings
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Introductory course for developing water colour painting skills.
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Introductory course to learn to draw with pen + wash, soluble graphite, soluble colour pencils and ink.
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Introductory course to learn to draw with willow and compressed charcoal, graphite sticks and pencil.
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Introductory course to learn how to draw with soft chalk pastels and oil pastels.
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Creativity
Stand out – learn to develop a strong artistic voice.
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A new way of looking and expressing yourself – be in control.
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Introduction to the underlying principles of abstraction, along with creative techniques.
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Learn urban sketching fundamentals along with creative techniques to use in the field.
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Delve the figure to unlock its unifying forms, colours, and textures to express universal human emotions.
New course for Summer 2019.
Details to follow -
Re-imagine the landscape as colour, shape, form, texture, and explore your imagination.
New course for 2020 -
Learn about comics, graphic novels and different style of Manga illustration. New course for Autumn 2019.
More Info > -
Intensive 4-day life drawing course for beginners to intermediate. Introducing you to the insights and techniques from Heather Spears’ book The Creative Eye.
More Info >
Independence
Ongoing development away from formal courses
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Community group for all of Greater Manchester’s residents interested in peer-led creative projects and supportive friendship.
More Info > -
Peer-led life drawing group for all abilities. Probably the most friendly Tuesday evening group in Manchester!
More Info >
Student Quotes
“Completely refreshed my style of drawing, and attempting to put myself out of my comfort zone.”
Giovanni I | Life drawing
“Challenging, fun, encouraging, exciting.”
Elaine L | Life drawing
Student Quote
“From week one I knew this was going to be good, and that first class was almost worth the fee alone. I think this course was an incredible experience and I know I’ve learnt a lot over the six weeks.”
Meg K | The Art Elements
The Blog
Read the blog for previous course reviews with updates on all courses and classes along with a mix of arty tips and tricks.
BLACK IS BANNED.
THIS STATEMENT RINGS IN MY EARS FROM MY ART SCHOOL DAYS, AND I KEEP READING IT IN HOW-TO BOOKS. IT CAN’T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
Black acrylic paint is an extremely versatile addition to your colour palette – just use it VERY carefully. Small amounts will have a dramatic effect on the colours you are mixing.
You need to understand what it can do to use it correctly and avoid dirty colours.
READ MORE >
The Best pencils for drawing and sketching
There is a huge range of pencils to choose from which can be confusing. This post will help you cut through the confusion and let you know what the best pencils for drawing and sketching are, and how to use them. You’ll find out why you really only need 4 pencils.
Firstly, I’ll talk about pencils in detail – so you understand exactly what is involved in selecting the best pencils for drawing and sketching, and know how to use them.
READ MORE >
TYPES OF RUBBERS AND ERASERS FOR DRAWING
Using erasers for rubbing out mistakes comes last on my list of top 10 uses for rubbers and erasers! Read further to find out my top 10 tips.
If you’re new to drawing or just enrolled on an art course or drawing class you may be wondering what else you can do with a rubber or eraser other than rub out your mistakes.
READ MORE >
Why bother keeping a sketchbook?
This is a very good question. At the moment I keep 3 different sketchbooks – each for a different reason. Way back at art school I was always told to keep a sketchbook and you will find virtually all art teachers will tell you the same. So there must be a reason – but what is it?
READ MORE >
