Acrylics for Beginners

Never painted before? Good — that's the entry requirement. A friendly introduction to acrylics, and a finished painting on the day.

What you'll make

A complete acrylic painting, start to finish, in one session. On the way there you'll learn the things that make acrylics such a forgiving place to start: brush handling, layering and glazing, and how to mix colour without ending up with mud. Acrylics dry fast and paint over cleanly, which means every mistake is temporary — ideal first paint. You leave with a finished piece and the basics to keep going at home.

Everything's supplied

All materials and tools are provided — paints, brushes, surfaces — and refreshments are included. You need no kit and no experience; this workshop is built for absolute beginners, and the group is kept small so nobody gets left behind. Just turn up. I'll bring everything else, including the biscuits.

Your tutor

I'm Damian Sémonin — working artist and educator. I've taught over a thousand students at the Cornish Craft Barn, and a good number of them walked in saying "I can't paint." They walked out with a painting. Your turn.