Acrylic Painting course for adults. The Art of Tone: Light, shadow, drama and depth in acrylic painting

Description

Light, shadow, drama, depth—tone is the secret ingredient that makes your paintings pop off the canvas. Whether you are painting in colour or black and white, understanding tonal values is the key to creating realistic forms, emotional impact, and powerful compositions. In this hands-on, inspiring 6-session workshop, you’ll learn how to see like an artist, simplify complex scenes, and use tone as your greatest expressive tool. From bold Notan studies to vibrant full-colour paintings with tonal precision, this course takes you step-by-step through mastering one of the most overlooked (but absolutely essential!) aspects of painting. Suitable for all ability levels – no experience required! Session 1: Understanding Tonal Values. Learn to simplify what you see into just three values—dark, medium, and light—and discover how “squinting” can change your art forever. Session 2: Notan and Tonal Composition. Tap into the Japanese concept of Notan to build dynamic, eye-catching compositions with just two or three tones. Session 3: Applying Tone to Colour Painting. Bring your tonal knowledge into full-colour work, with grayscale underpaintings, glazes, and limited palettes that make your colours sing with contrast. Session 4: Using Tone for Depth & Mood. Use tonal contrast to create distance, atmosphere, and mood—whether you’re after soft misty mountains or bold dramatic portraits. Session 5: Advanced Tonal Techniques with Non-Local Colour. Break the rules! Paint with unexpected colours while staying true to tonal structure, and explore powerful limited palettes like Zorn. Session 6: Bringing It All Together – led by Dr Helen Jones. Put your tonal skills to the test in a final painting that combines everything you’ve learned—tone, colour, depth, and feeling. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: - Instantly simplify complex images into clear tonal compositions. - Confidently create depth, form, and emotion using tone. - Use value as a foundation for both monochrome and full-colour work. - Elevate your art with richer contrast and visual impact. © Andrew Kinmont 2025 About the artist: Andrew developed a deep appreciation of nature during a childhood spent walking and enjoying the wildness of the African landscape. Completing his schooling with awards in art, he studied Fine Art at the University of Wales, graduating with a first class Honours degree in 2007. Whilst studying, Andrew curated exhibitions and showed his work at local galleries and abroad. He obtained further training from St Martins College London and West Dean College, Chichester. Since then, Andrew’s work has met with critical acclaim and is collected both locally and abroad. Andrew is an elected member of the prestigious Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, as well as the Manchester Academy of Fine Art. Andrew’s work has appeared on the cover of various magazines and catalogues and is regularly selected for the Royal Institute of Oil Painters annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London. In 2022, Andrew’s work was selected for the new London Raffles hotel collection. And this year, his work won first prize at the Royal Birmingham Society’s Summer Exhibition. The spectacular and often wild landscapes of Cheshire and North Wales are a vital influence for his work, and so he established his home and studio near Chester.

What's included in the price?

- Tuition from a professional artist. - Lots of materials are provided including brushes, acrylic paint, a large canvas per student, and spares of all recommended equipment. - Unlimited hot drinks and sweet treats. - Free parking is usually available on site. Course notes and WhatsApp group

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

The Art Doctor UK 2022

with Craft Courses since 2022

Message the tutor

Dr Helen Jones has 14 years art teaching experience. Helen achieved a 1st Class honours in Fine Art and continues to be a practicing Artist from her home studio in Chester. She completed an MA in Art Education and then completed a Doctorate in the subject. She has delivered adult art workshops nationally and offers regular art classes and workshops in Chester through her small business The Art Doctor UK founded in 2021. Helen has also taught art in Tuscany, the Congo, Rome and Finland. She has a warm and encouraging nature.