Drawing & Painting Foundations
A structured, progressive introduction to drawing and painting, building your confidence through practical studies in observation, light, tone and colour.
Three ten-week terms · Small groups · Ideal for beginners
Term I
Ways of Seeing & Drawing
Graphite
Learn to observe and draw more accurately, judging proportion, angles and relationships through practical graphite studies. Explore how light and shadow describe form, building confidence in drawing from observation.
£360
10 weekly sessions · 2.5 hours per session
Term II
Colour & Light
Charcoal and soft pastel
Develop your understanding of light, tone and colour through charcoal and soft pastel. Progress from tonal studies to working in colour, learning to judge value, temperature and colour relationships to create convincing form.
£380
10 weekly sessions · 2.5 hours per session
Term III
Oil Painting for Beginners
Oil paint
Discover how to work confidently with oil paint, from handling materials to mixing colour and building a painting. Practical exercises and sustained studies help you bring together observation, tone and colour in a clear painting process.
£400
10 weekly sessions · 2.5 hours per session
Materials are included throughout the programme. For Term III, students bring their own brushes and painting surfaces.
Learning through observation and practice
My classes combine practical demonstrations, individual guidance, and sustained work from life. Rather than following rigid formulas, students learn to observe more accurately, understand what they're seeing, and develop the skills to translate those observations into convincing drawings and paintings.
No previous experience is required, and with a maximum of ten students, there's plenty of opportunity for individual attention, discussion, and feedback throughout each session.
Joining the Programme
Flexible enrolment
Each term can be booked independently, allowing you to join at whichever stage suits your interests and experience.
The programme builds from observational drawing through rendering light, shadow and colour in charcoal and soft pastel, to oil painting with a limited palette. No previous experience is required, and each term introduces the materials and techniques you’ll use. If you’re unsure where to begin, I’m happy to advise.
Returning student discounts
Students continuing into the following term receive 10% off their course fees, increasing to 20% from their third consecutive term onwards.
Discounts apply across both Foundations and Portrait courses. Returning students receive priority booking and a personal discount code by email when enrolment opens for the following term.
What my students say:
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“I gained a lot from this course and now have improved confidence and skills for approaching still life drawing.”
— Foundations I student, 2026
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“Lewis’ approach provides a relaxed, friendly, supportive and positive environment for the development of drawing skills with no expectation of any previous experience.”
— Foundations I student, 2026
Interested in joining us?
Use the links below to learn more about individual courses, or to book your place.
Term I — Ways of Seeing & Drawing
8 Jan–19 Mar 2027
Break–12 Feb
Enrolment opens November 2026
View details
Term II — Colour & Light
23 Apr–25 Jun 2027
No half-term break
Enrolment opens February 2027
View details
Term III — Oil Painting for Beginners
3 Sep–19 Nov 2027
Breaks–24 Sep & 15 Oct
Enrolment opens July 2027
View details
Practical Information
Classes take place at:
The School, House of Toad
23 Park Circus, Glasgow G3 6AP
Fridays, 10am–12:30pm
Ten weekly sessions per term
Maximum ten students
Working from still life objects and plaster casts.
Materials included; students bring brushes and painting surfaces for Term III.
Be the first to hear about classes, demos and workshops
Fill out the form below and I’ll keep you up to date about future classes, workshops and live demonstrations.