Courses
Cardiff Open Art School opens its doors again in Summer 2025 with a whole range of fantastic learning opportunities available. From pottery to painting, drawing to design thinking, photography, printmaking and craft courses, there is something for everyone.
It doesn't matter if you're an experienced artist or designer, are preparing a portfolio to apply for a degree or Foundation programme, or if you've never picked up a pencil before, the courses and workshops are a great way of both trying out new skills or further developing your practice.
Please note that, unless otherwise stated within the course description, our courses are open to those aged 18 and over.
All courses are available to book now.
Please note: Each course must reach a minimum number of bookings to run (8 usually). The University will ask you whether you’re interested in taking part in a course through the medium of Welsh as part of this process.
You can book directly onto any course you like via the Cardiff Met online store, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and places are on a first come, first served basis. We will still be able to help process bookings over the phone on weekdays, during office hours, if required.
Please note that bookings for all courses will close exactly one week prior to the start of the course.
Courses run throughout the year at our Llandaff campus, typically starting each Autumn, Spring and Summer Term. The most up to date information about what we are running and when will always be found on the courses section of the COAS website.
To sign up for our mailing list and receive updates on our programme of courses, email your contact details to coas@cardiffmet.ac.uk.
Drawing
- Date: Saturday 5 April 2025, 10am – 4pm
- Course Length: 1 session
- Price: £90
- Tutor: Nikolett Kovacs
- Level: All welcome
This unique course invites individuals of all artistic levels to explore the intersection of creativity and the mind-body connection. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a beginner seeking new adventures, or you are interested in integrating art into your day-to-day life, this course is designed for you!
The course does not require any kind of previous drawing or artistic skill – it’s all about the process: basically, if you can draw lines, you can make Neurographic Art. You will be drawn into the meditative process of art, making the course ideal for both art enthusiasts and anyone interested in mindfulness and wellbeing.
Neurographic Art combines psychology and art and aims to help to reduce stress, transform subconscious beliefs and create an overall sense of wellbeing. Discover the therapeutic benefits as you create vibrant artworks, promoting relaxation and stress reduction.
The only prerequisite for joining the course is curiosity.
What do students need to bring with them?
- A4/A3 sketchbook (at least 210gsm paper)
- Colouring materials: a selection of markers and pens, depending on personal preference. Advice will be provided during the first session.
- Coloured pencils
- Permanent marker (blue or black)
- Sharpener
- Eraser
- A desire to learn
Optional: Watercolour pencils, watercolour, crayons, gel pens.
Date: Wednesdays, starts 30 April 2025, 7.00-9.00pm
Course length: 10 sessions *
Price: £225
Tutor: Christopher Holloway
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Develop your drawing skills within a studio setting by exploring a range of different methods and approaches to drawing, in a creative and supportive environment.
Working from observation, the course will cover a study of line, tone, shape, texture, scale and composition. Subject matter will include still life, the figure, interior space and a range of observational drawing scenarios. This course will focus on the principles of drawing and developing our skills in observation and ways of seeing. This is a taught class within a studio environment, whereby experimentation is encouraged and where you can learn through drawing itself. One to one tuition and feedback will be provided throughout.
Students should bring with them: One box of willow charcoal, some drawing pencils and an eraser for the first session, A1 white cartridge paper will be available at the class. Tuition will be provided with regard to materials, so it is advisable not to purchase unnecessarily before the course commences.
*Please note that there will be a break week on Wednesday 28 May (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Wednesday 9 July
Date: Tuesdays, starts 29 April 2025, 7:00-9:00pm
Course length: 10 sessions *
Price: £240
Tutor: Christopher Holloway
Level: All Levels
Life drawing offers the opportunity to draw and study the human form over ten focused classes. This is an open to all class, which will appeal to all levels including beginners.
The classes are structured to give a diverse range of poses to draw from, both short and extended. The course will include set exercises which will give you the opportunity to experiment and engage in a range of approaches to drawing. Each session will give you the opportunity to develop and refine your own response to drawing the figure.
This is a taught class within a studio environment, whereby experimentation is encouraged and where you can learn through drawing itself. One to one tuition and feedback will be provided throughout.
Students should bring with them: One box of willow charcoal, some drawing pencils and an eraser for the first session, A1 white cartridge paper will be available at the class. Tuition will be provided with regard to materials, so it is advisable not to purchase unnecessarily before the course commences.
*Please note that there will be a break week on Tuesday 27 May (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Tuesday 8 July
Painting
Date: Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May 2025, 10:30am -3:00pm
Course length: Weekend
Price: £150
Tutor: Christopher Holloway
Level: Intermediate / Advanced
Figurative painting has remained a popular subject matter throughout the history of art and maintains its importance as a subject for painting today.
‘Painting the human figure’ offers the opportunity to study the human form over two days.
This class will explore the technical aspects of painting in oil or acrylic with a study of composition, mixing practice, colour and observation.
Working with a variety of approaches to observation including preliminary sketching, how the placement of the figure is incorporated into the composition and environment, working with colour and tone as a way of controlling light, all of which will lead us to producing a final composition(s).
The class will be suitable for those with some painting experience and wishing to develop their practice in response to the figure, whilst seeking tuition with regards to the technical and formal aspects of painting the figure from life.
This is a taught class within a studio environment, where one to one tuition and feedback will be provided throughout. This course features a life model.
Students should bring with them: Students to bring with them: Student or Artist Quality Oil / Acrylic Colour:
- Warm Red e.g - Cadmium Red
- Cool Red e.g - Alizarin Crimson or Quinacridone Red
- Warm Blue e.g – Cerulean, Manganese or Phthalo Blue
- Cool Blue e.g - Ultramarine Blue
- Warm Yellow e.g - Cadmium Yellow
- Cool Yellow e.g - Lemon Yellow
- Yellow Ochre
- Viridian Green
- Titanium White
- Black
Students may bring additional colours if they wish.
Also: rags, palette, palette knives, masking tape, flat and or round brushes - if possible sizes 2, 4 and 8, low odour artist white spirit or turpentine (for oil painters), brush washing jar, drawing materials (pencil, charcoal, eraser), an apron may be useful.
Various sized surfaces to paint onto such as – Primed canvas, canvas board, primed oil paper / acrylic paper pad, primed boards, whichever you feel comfortable using.
*Please note that there will be a break week on Tuesday 27 May (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Tuesday 8 July
Date: Mondays, starting 1 May 2025, 6:00-8:00pm
Course length: 6 sessions *
Price: £175
Tutor: Nikolett Kovacs
Level: All Welcome
Designed for all skill levels, this course will guide you through the vibrant world of acrylics, offering hands-on techniques, color mixing, and brushwork mastery. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your artistic skills, this course offers a step-by-step approach to mastering acrylic techniques and provides personalized guidance to develop your own unique style. Join a supportive and relaxed environment where you can explore, create, and connect with other aspiring artists.
In the small class size you will get constructive feedback from the tutor and have inspiring conversations with fellow hobby artists.
The final the work you choose to develop is based on your own interests, you can explore what inspires you and find your own unique artistic style.
Week by week breakdown:
1. Getting started - Introduction & Basics
- Overview of materials (brushes, paints, surfaces)
- Basic color mixing & color theory
- Practice: Simple brush techniques & mark-making exercises
2. Composition & Blocking in a Landscape
- Understanding composition
- Creating an underpainting for landscapes
- Practice: Sketching simple landscape layouts
3. Sky, Depth & Perspective in Landscapes
- Creating depth using atmospheric perspective
- Understanding scale and overlapping elements
- Painting different types of skies (sunset, cloudy, clear blue)
- Practice: Sky-focused painting with soft blending techniques
4. Landforms, Water, Reflection & Textures
- Practice: Painting mountains, hills, fields, and water, Creating texture with brush techniques
5. Trees, Grass & Natural Textures
- Techniques for painting trees, bushes, and grass
- Adding depth, layering
6. Final Project & Personal Style
- Bringing all elements together in a full landscape scene
Students should bring with them: I recommend using larger tubes, and good student grade paint to avoid disappointment.
- A3 sketchbook (at least 230gsm paper)
- acrylic brushes
- 2 glass jars for water
- White china plate for your palette, alternatively plastic palette
- Pencil, eraser, sharpener
- Gloves (optional)
- Greaseproof paper to carry wet artwork home
*Please note that there will be break weeks on Thursday 29 May (for Half Term) courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Thursday 12 June
Date: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July 2025, 10:30am -3:00pm
Course length: Weekend
Price: £150
Tutor: Christopher Holloway
Level: All Welcome
Still Life Painting has remained a popular subject matter throughout the history of art and maintains its importance as a subject for painting today.
‘Still Life Painting – Composition and Colour’ is a two-day class which explores the technical aspects of painting in oil or acrylic, with a study of composition, colour mixing practice, and observation.
Working with everyday objects brought into the studio space for their possibilities of colour, shape, shadow and line. We will work with a variety of approaches to observation, including preliminary sketching and how to select and improve upon a composition. Experimenting with initial colour studies will and enhance our understanding of mixing practice, all of which will lead us to producing a final painting composition(s).
The class will be suitable for those who wish to develop their painting experience with oil or acrylic, whilst seeking tuition with regards to the technical and formal aspects of painting objects in space, from life.
This is a taught class within a studio environment, where one to one tuition and feedback will be provided throughout the experience.
Students should bring with them: Students to bring with them: Student or Artist Quality Oil / Acrylic Colour:
- Warm Red e.g - Cadmium Red
- Cool Red e.g - Alizarin Crimson or Quinacridone Red
- Warm Blue e.g – Cerulean, Manganese or Pthalo Blue
- Cool Blue e.g - Ultramarine Blue
- Warm Yellow e.g - Cadmium Yellow
- Cool Yellow e.g - Lemon Yellow
- Yellow Ochre
- Viridian Green
- Titanium White
- Black
Students may bring additional colours if they wish.
Also: rags, palette, palette knives, masking tape, flat and or round brushes - if possible sizes 2, 4 and 8, low odour artist white spirit or turpentine (for oil painters), brush washing jar, drawing materials (pencil, charcoal, eraser), an apron may be useful.
Various sized surfaces to paint onto such as – Primed canvas, canvas board, primed oil paper / acrylic paper pad, primed boards, whichever you feel comfortable using.
Date: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May 2025, 10:00am -4:00pm
Course length: Weekend
Price: £150
Tutor: Penelope Rose Cowley
Level: All Welcome
Getting into the 'Creative Flow'
Immerse yourself in the process of creating a unique portrait that captures mood, expression, and atmosphere. This two-day workshop blends technical exploration with artistic freedom, allowing you to work from references, memory, and imagination while experimenting with a variety of materials.
Guided by examples of contemporary mixed-media artists like Zabe (French-born, based in Los Angeles) and Ella Buchanan (Worcester, England), you’ll learn to build layers, textures, and com-positions that exude vibrancy and character.
Workshop Highlights:
- Learn to create textured "grounds" for your artwork using collage and acrylic mediums.
- Master techniques such as block-and-blend, wet-in-wet, impasto, and splattering for dynamic effects.
- Explore composition and limited color palettes, focusing on vibrant or moody hues to con-vey emotion.
Workshop Structure
Day 1: Saturday
Morning
- Welcome & Introduction: Overview of the workshop and its objectives.
- Demonstrations: Develop your textured “ground” using collage materials and acrylic mediums to create depth and interest.
- Basics of Portrait Composition: Focus on transitional tone lines and how to structure a portrait.
- Color Mixing & Palette Selection: Learn techniques for creating a cohesive limited color palette that conveys mood and personality.
Afternoon
- Planning Your Composition: Transfer your chosen portrait reference using tracing paper or carbon transfer paper.
- Underpainting & Base Layers: Begin building your painting by sketching and under-painting the portrait on your textured ground.
- Experiment with block-and-blend techniques, transitional tone lines, and the first layers of color.
- Feedback & Guidance: Receive one-on-one support as you work on your initial layers.
Day 2: Sunday
Morning
- Layering Techniques: Dive deeper into glazing, impasto, and collage layering to add com-plexity to your portrait.
- Tools & Techniques: Experiment with palette knives, brushes, and unconventional tools to create dynamic effects.
- Refining Your Portrait: Focus on developing mood and atmosphere by layering colors and textures.
Afternoon
- Finalizing Your Portrait: Build up the last layers of your composition, emphasizing de-tails, expression, and tonal contrasts.
- Polishing & Finishing Touches: Add highlights, refine edges, and complete your unique portrait.
- Group Sharing & Feedback: Share your work with the group, discuss techniques, and celebrate your creative journey.
What do students need to bring with them?
- HB pencil and rubber
- Sketch paper or book (A4 or A3, 130gsm–170gsm)
- Primed medium-sized canvas board or stretched canvas (e.g., 14" x 18" or larger)
- Brushes (small, medium, large; round and flat; bristle and syn-thetic for acrylics)
- Palette knives (optional, some will be available to borrow)
- 2 jars for water
- Wet palette tray (e.g., shallow Tupperware container with kitchen roll and greaseproof paper)
- Acrylic paints (recommended colors include Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Yellow, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine, Ma-genta, Viridian Green, etc.)
- Collage materials such as tissue paper, string, newspaper, scrap paper, and recycled packaging (some will be provided).
Printmaking
Date: Tuesdays, starting 29 April 2025, 7:00-9:00pm
Course length: 10 Sessions
Price: £230
Tutor: Russell John
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Reduction linocut printing was popularised by Picasso and his master printer Hidalgo Arnéra. It is a bold and usually colourful relief print technique.
In this course you will be guided through the development and production of a series of reduction linocut prints.
Using sketches, found imagery and photographs we will create personal compositions which embrace the inherent restrictions of reduction linocut printing and harness its bold and colourful appearance.
Each week we will respond to what we have previously created and build upon successes, allowing us to create an edition of prints which take advantage of this wonderful technique.
What do students need to bring with them?
Found imagery and/or personal imagery, photocopies, cuttings from magazines
Other advice will be given during first session.
Date: Wednesdays, starting 30 April 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
Course length: 5 Sessions
Price: £180
Tutor: Kath Wibmer
Level: All Welcome
Learn how to produce a stencil screen printed length of fabric and use it to make a lampshade of your own design!
In this course you will be taught how to create beautiful, one off stencils screen printed fabrics. We will work together to create color palettes of your choosing, and use them to print shapes and forms of your creation onto cloth. Through experimentation we will decide on a final fabric print design, which you will screen print and then apply to a drum lampshade.
The course will be entirely studio based and practical, and you will be introduced to the wonderful fabric screen printing facilities we have available at Cardiff school of art and design. Your tutor will show you all of the skills required and help you on a 1-1 basis to develop your skills and ideas throughout the sessions.
This course is suitable for anyone- If you have never screen printed before, this is the perfect opportunity to learn! If you have screen printing experience, come along and learn new ways of printing. Create your own lampshade that will light up your home!
What do students need to bring with them?
Clothing that students do not mind getting ink on/stained. An apron if they wish- but not compulsory.
Sensible footwear- no open toed shoes, sandals or heels.