Weekly Art Classes at October Books, Southampton: Colour and Form

Are you looking for a new hobby or want to make time to explore your creativity? Join me for weekly art classes at October Books, Portswood every Wednesday!

Classes are open to all levels and include basic materials plus a hot drink.

Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned sketcher, you’ll learn and develop in a supported environment where experimentation is greatly encouraged!

This term's theme is: 'Colour and Form'

Week 1: Wednesday 16th September 11am - 1pm

At October Books, Portswood

We'll revisit the colour wheel and refresh your memory about primary, secondary and tertiary colours, with a focus on contrasting colours and how they are combined within artworks. We'll undertake a simple still life exercise where you'll work with only a limited colour palette of contrasting colours.

Week 2: Wednesday 23rd September 11am - 1pm

At October Books, Portswood

Experiment with expressive painting techniques and learn how artists use colour to create mood, atmosphere, and feeling.

Week 3: Wednesday 30th September 11am - 1pm

At October Books, Portswood

Explore how simple shapes become three-dimensional forms through observation, light, shadow, and tonal studies.

Week 4: Wednesday 7th October 11am - 1pm

Trip to Southampton City Art Gallery

This week we will visit the art gallery to visit their current exhibitions ‘British Surrealism and Beyond’ and ‘ART THEN! British Painting, Sculpture and Drawing, 1910–1960’ to explore what we’ve been looking at in class in a wider context.

Optional coffee/lunch afterwards at The Artisan Cafe around the corner in Guildhall Square.

Week 5: Wednesday 14th October 11am - 1pm

At October Books, Portswood

Plan and begin a final piece inspired by the techniques and ideas explored throughout the previous weeks.

Week 6: Wednesday 21st October 11am - 1pm

At October Books, Portswood

Complete your final artwork and take part in a supportive group discussion to celebrate progress and share creative insights.

What to bring

- You will need to bring your own paper. I'd recommend getting a pad of good quality watercolour/mixed media paper (ideally 300gsm). Daler Rowney, Winsor and Newton and Seawhite are all good brands. Something like this is also suitable.

- Basic materials are provided such as paints, palettes, pastels, collage materials etc. If you have your own materials that you'd like to use, feel free to bring those. Often people will try out materials in class and then get their own once they know what they like to work with.

- Bring an apron or wear something you don't mind getting a bit messy.

Travel information

The nearest car park is Westridge Road which is a short walk from October Books. The cost of the car park is £1 for 2 hours and £1.50 for 3 hours (I'd recommend getting 3 hours so you have enough time either side of the class)

There is a bus stop very close to October Books with routes from around Southampton and outside of Southampton.

The nearest train station is St Denys which is a 14 minute walk away.

Cancellations, content and refunds

You are booking for a programme of classes which includes the sessions themselves as well as the planning, research, organising, facilitation and room hire that goes into running the classes. Fees are non-refundable once the programme begins, including if you cannot attend a session for any reason. 

Sessions, including trips, may occasionally be adapted due to circumstances beyond my control. Session content will be shared with attendees prior to the start of each programme of classes, with an indication of theme and activities. These are indicative and subject to change. Attendees will always be advised in advance of any changes to the planned programme.

In the unlikely event that I need to cancel, an alternative date will be offered and the programme will resume following the cancelled date.

If you have booked and can no longer attend the programme of six, you can transfer your ticket to someone else. Please contact me by email luciesmithart@gmail.com to let me know their name and contact details.