Courses

Cardiff Open Art School opens its doors again in Autumn 2024 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 or 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

Introduction to Drawing, Wednesdays from 2nd October 2024

Date: Wednesdays, starts 2nd October 2024, 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 30th October (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Wednesday 11th December.


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Life Drawing, Tuesdays from 1st October 2024

Date: Tuesdays, starts 1st October 2024, 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 29th October (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Tuesday 10th December.


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Doodle Ease – Creative Neurographic Mindfulness Course, Wednesdays from 2nd October 2024

Date: Wednesdays, starts 2nd October 2024, 6:00-8:00pm

Course Length: 10 sessions*

Price: £225

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 is meditative process of art making the course is ideal for both art enthusiasts and anyone interested in mindfulness and well-being.

Neurographic Art combines psychology and art and aims to help to reduce stress, transform subconscious beliefs and create an overall sense of well-being. 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.

*Please note that there will be a break week on Wednesday 30th October (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Wednesday 11th December.


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PAINTING

Painting the Human Figure, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October 2024

Date: Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October 2024, 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.

What do students need to 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.


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Introduction to Watercolour, Mondays from 30th September 2024

Date: Mondays, starting 30th September 2024, 6:00-8:00pm

Course Length: 10 sessions*

Price: £225

Tutor: Nikolett Kovacs

Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Introduction to Watercolour is a perfect opportunity for hobby artists to learn foundational techniques and develop their skills. You don’t need to be an experienced painter, this is a place to learn and find joy in the creative process, make new friends who love expressing their creativity just like you do!

The aim of the course is to explore essential techniques and build your confidence and skills through easy-to-follow, step-by-step lessons. From mastering basic brush strokes to understanding colour mixing, our tutor breaks down each concept into manageable chunks. A broad subject range will be covered including still life, landscapes, and pet portraits. The lessons are structured around a central theme.

With small class sizes you will receive constructive feedback from the tutor and have inspiring conversations with fellow hobby artists.

The final work you choose to develop is based on your own interests, allowing you to explore what inspires you and find your own unique artistic style.

What do students need to bring with them?

  • Watercolour paint set (Pans or tubes)
  • The tutor recommends using a good student grade paint to avoid disappointment. Starting with basic colours (you can build it up as you progress with further advice from the tutor after your first session) Recommended brands are: Windsor and Newton, Daniel Smith, Sennelier
  • A4/A3 sketchbook (at least 210gsm paper)
  • Watercolour brushes
  • 2 glass jars for water
  • White china plate for your palette, alternatively plastic palette
  • Pencil, eraser, sharpener

Optional: Variety of material for experimental techniques – spray bottle, toothbrush, salt, plastic wrap, sponges, crayons

*Please note that there will a break week on Monday 28th October (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Monday 9th December.


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Creative Flow – with Acrylics, Mediums and Collage, Thursdays from 3rd October 2024

Date: Thursdays, starting 3rd October 2024, 7:00-9:00pm

Course Length: 10 sessions

Price: £225

Tutor: Penelope Rose Cowley

Level: All welcome

The creative flow course is designed to invoke a sense of freedom, self-direction and awareness when creating an artwork from a non-objective starting point. That ignites your inner nature and natural ability to find, form in chaos, simplicity in complexity, and control through parameters.

The tutor will present short intros and step-by-step demonstrations or examples that explore; experimentation techniques with acrylics, mediums and additives, collage and an in depth foundational study of colour theory.

The first four weeks explore a range of methods with acrylic, mediums and collaging. Attaining tactile knowledge of materials through creative play, technical experimentation and colour theory.

Weeks five and six is a time to incubate, reflect, deconstruct and reform, using what has been learnt in previous weeks in order to understand how to create a set of parameters to go forward with for the final larger artwork/s.

Weeks seven to ten is self-directed practice with guidance to facilitate the progression of a unique artwork that opens up the world of creativity from within one’s self, through chance, play and informed choices.

We encourage you to come along with an open mind to alternative approaches that encourage you to be free whilst utilizing the techniques in new ways for your own personal art journey.

To fill you with confidence and the joy of art making by awakening you own Creative Flow.

What do students need to bring with them?

What to bring to the first week:

A3 Sketch pad 170gsm (or you may use some recycled cartridge paper from tutor’s supply)

Brushes – a selection of Small, Medium and Large, Round & Flat for Acrylics, i.e., Hog bristle brushes.

Metal Palette Knives

Palette Pad for Acrylics (or I often use a white ceramic plate)

2 Jars, Rags and an Apron

Acrylic Flow Enhancer 75ml

Acrylic Paints:

Recommended makes – Pebeo, Liquitex, System 3 or Winsor and Newton

Ideally at least 120ml for each hue and 250ml for the white.

Especially for the first week:

Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Primary Red, Primary Yellow

Following week 1 you are recommended also have:

Primary Magenta, Alizarin Crimson, Lemon Yellow, Phthalocyanine Blue.

Week 2-5

A2 Primed Acrylic Pad and/or 2-3 Medium sized Canvas Boards

HB pencil, Charcoal & Faber Castell Putty Rubber in a case

PVA Glue

Collection of recycled materials for collage that could include; scrap paper, tissue paper, newspaper, cardboard packaging, nature fibre string, lace and fabric

Week 6-10

Larger Canvas or 2/3 Medium Canvases for final project.

Your tutor can advise further on the first week, if needed.


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PHOTOGRAPHY

Improve Your Photography – The Basics, Saturday 5th October 2024

Date: Saturday 5th October 2024, 9.30am-2.00pm

Course Length: 1 session

Price: £90

Tutor: Rory Buckland

Level: All welcome

Unlock your camera’s potential with our concise 4-hour course designed for beginners. Gain a solid foundation in the key aspects of photography: shutter speed, aperture control, and ISO sensitivity.

Course Highlights:

1. Shutter Speed:

  • Learn how exposure duration affects motion and sharpness.
  • Practice fast and slow shutter speeds for creative effects.

2. Aperture Control:

  • Discover how lens opening size influences depth of field and light.
  • Experiment with creating sharp backgrounds and beautiful bokeh.

3. ISO Sensitivity:

  • Understand how ISO settings control light sensitivity.
  • Master low-light photography and balance noise with image quality.

Hands-On Practice:

  • Apply your knowledge in guided photo shoots.
  • Receive personalized feedback to enhance your skills.

Join us for a practical and engaging experience that will empower you to take control of your camera and capture stunning images!

What do students need to bring with them?

  • A camera/camera phone (film or digital – preferably digital) and its instruction manual.
  • Notebook.


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PRINTMAKING

Collograph Printmaking, Mondays from 30th September 2024

Date: Mondays, starting 30th September 2024, 7:00-9:00pm

Course Length: 10 sessions*

Price: £225

Tutor: Russell John

Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Collagraph printmaking is a great way to bring texture, playfulness and improvisation to your images. It allows us to do things that are quite difficult in other printmaking processes, such as ‘jigsawing’ different pieces of image together, using relief and intaglio technique together, and using a whole range of everyday tools to achieve interesting and immediate texture and mark making. During this 10 week course you will be introduced to the fundamentals of printmaking and how these techniques apply to collagraph. Each week you will develop, edit and refine complex images whilst being guided through this interesting process. By the end of the course you will have produced a series of collagraph prints in a variety of colours and compositions.

What do students need to bring with them?

  • Scalpel and/or Stanley knife
  • Drawing pencils
  • Found imagery and/or personal imagery, photocopies, cuttings from magazines
  • Other advice will be given during first session

*Please note that there will a break week on Monday 28th October (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Monday 9th December.


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Reduction Linocut Printing, Tuesdays from 1st October 2024

Date: Tuesdays, starting 1st October 2024, 7:00-9:00pm

Course Length: 10 sessions

Price: £225

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


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TEXTILES

Sewing Your Own Clothes – Garment Making, Mondays from 30th September 2024

Date: Mondays, starting 30th September 2024, 7:00-9:00pm

Course Length: 10 sessions*

Price: £210

Tutor: Karen O’Shea

Level: Beginner/Intermediate

This sewing improvement course will provide an introduction to a range of basic dressmaking techniques that will build confidence and skills to tackle projects and garments. It is aimed at those with some introductory experience of sewing, ideally to have some basic knowledge of using a sewing machine and who wish to improve their skill and confidence in techniques required to sew projects and to get started in making garments. A separate course, for complete beginners (who can’t yet thread a needle) is intended to run in the following term, after which this course would then re-run.

Students should bring with them:

  • Notebook and pen/pencil
  • Small sharp scissors
  • Pins

(In the introductory weeks, students will be guided in selecting and buying fabric and an easy dressmaking pattern – and will need to obtain both to create a garment of their choice)

*Please note that there will a break week on Monday 28th October (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Monday 9th December.


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