Passport to Wellbeing - Places and People, Exploring Watercolour and Mixed Media (Art)

Course intent

Get creative with paint! This course will introduce you to watercolour and mixed media drawing and painting techniques to enable you to create your own unique piece(s) of art. Your tutor will work with you to develop your skills to use painting to express your feelings and ideas, and de-stress.

The intent of this course is for you to learn to create art looking at landscape and figure subjects that inspire you and through this help you improve your sense of wellbeing.

This course is part of our Passport to Wellbeing programme for adults to support them as they rediscover their mental and emotional balance and to help them live healthy, active lives. If depression, anxiety or stress are making your life difficult, come and join one of our free courses. You can connect with others, learn new skills and create something new.

What will I learn?

This course offers guidance to help you create drawings and paintings, in the classroom and at home.

By the end of the course, you will: 1. Use simple colour theory and painting techniques for creating your pictures. 2. Use different sources for inspiration such as contemporary artists, personal experience, online search, and other sources. 3. Be able to select, work safely and work effectively with appropriate materials and equipment. 4. Create your own watercolour and mixed media images to display and use at home. 5. Experiment with approaches to wellbeing that can be integrated into your daily life

As this course takes place over several sessions, you will find you make the most progress if you attend every lesson and complete any home practice that is suggested.

Who is this course for? Is there anything I need to know before joining?

If your mental health is making your life difficult, for example because you are depressed, anxious or stressed, this course might be for you. It is part of our Passport to Wellbeing programme which is for people would like to improve their mental health.

It is suitable anyone who wants to learn watercolour painting at a beginner level and those with a little experience. You do not need to have any previous knowledge in the subject, just an interest and willingness to learn.

What do I need to bring to the first class? Will there be any extra costs?

Please bring a notepad and pen or pencil. You should wear sensible flat shoes and bring an apron or similar to protect your clothes.

All basic costs are included but sometimes a more advanced project may require learners to buy items to complete their work. The tutor will always advise on where to buy any items at the best prices.

What can I do when I finish the course?

As a learner on our Passport to Wellbeing programme, you will be offered a maximum of three free courses on the programme.

After this course, in discussion with your tutor, you may wish to progress on to further courses in the same subject or you can choose to switch to another course in the programme (if there are places available) or take a pause.

After completing your three courses, you may feel ready to learn in a more open environment, so you will also be offered a 50% discount on a course on our main Community Learning programme.

Additional information

If you would like to enrol, we will ask you to attend a pre-course meeting, including a questionnaire about your wellbeing and any additional support needs. This is essential to help us ensure we provide the right support to enable you to have a positive learning experience with us.

All learners should be willing to attend regularly, follow instructions, comply with guidance on health and safety, and work safely with others.

We also encourage you to seek appropriate support from a medical professional or other service to complement your learning.

We welcome learners with additional needs and disabilities. When you enrol, please let us know if you would like to discuss your extra support needs with a member of the Supported Learning Team who will then contact you as soon as possible. If you are enrolling within 10 days of the course start date, we may not be able to contact you before your first class.

We value and support equality, diversity and inclusion by promoting fairness and respect at all times.

How to enrol

You can't currently enrol online for this course, so please call 0300 200 1044 to express your interest or to make an enquiry for further information.

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