An Introduction To Abstraction

📅 Duration: 6 weeks, 11 Nov – 19th Dec 2025
🎨 Format: In-person art workshop with demonstrations and guided painting time

Discover the Freedom of Abstraction

Abstraction invites us to see painting differently, not as a copy of the outside world, but as a way to express ideas, emotions, and energy through line, shape, colour, and movement.

This six-week beginner-friendly abstract painting course in Chester explores two key approaches to abstraction:

Structure – order, geometry, and grids
Gesture – movement, spontaneity, and expressive mark-making

Through playful exercises, short demonstrations, and guided studio time, you’ll gradually build your own personal abstract painting that blends clarity and freedom.

We’ll draw inspiration from great abstract artists such as Piet Mondrian, who reduced painting to pure form and colour, and Jackson Pollock, who transformed movement into art itself.

🖌️ No previous experience required — just curiosity, an open mind, and a willingness to experiment.

Weekly Course Breakdown

Week 1 – Lines & Grids

Explore how verticals, horizontals, and frameworks create visual order and balance. Experiment with line thickness and spacing to establish the foundation of your composition.
Inspiration: Piet Mondrian’s use of grids demonstrates how simplicity can generate visual power.
Focus: Structure as the backbone of abstraction.

Week 2 – Gesture & Movement

Shift from control to freedom. Learn to paint expressively using drips, splatters, sweeps, and energetic brushstrokes that add rhythm and life.
Inspiration: Jackson Pollock’s dynamic drip paintings show how movement itself can be the subject.
Focus: Movement as a source of creative energy.

Week 3 – Shapes & Balance

Discover how geometric forms—rectangles, squares, and irregular shapes—can create harmony within a composition. Experiment with proportion and spacing to find balance.
Inspiration: Mondrian’s minimal compositions reveal the power of simplicity and spatial clarity.
Focus: Using shape to achieve compositional balance.

Week 4 – Rhythm & Layering

Explore how repetition and overlapping gestures can create rhythm and depth. Practice building up layers while maintaining harmony between structure and spontaneity.
Inspiration: Pollock’s rhythmic layering turned paint into visual music.
Focus: Achieving unity through rhythm and flow.

Week 5 – Colour & Contrast

Use colour to express mood and structure. Work with limited palettes, bold contrasts, and harmonies to strengthen your visual message.
Inspiration: Mondrian’s use of primary colours shows how contrast and simplicity can create visual impact.
Focus: Colour as a tool for expression and balance.

Week 6 – Integration & Refinement

Combine everything you’ve explored—line, shape, gesture, rhythm, and colour—into a completed abstract painting.
Reflect on your process, make refinements, and celebrate your unique abstract style.
Inspiration: Both Mondrian and Pollock remind us that abstraction lies between order and freedom.
Focus: Completing a personal abstract artwork that reflects your individual vision.

🧑‍🎨 Suitable for all abilities:

Beginners welcome – no prior experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to learn
Great for intermediate artists looking to take their work to the next level
Ideal for those feeling “stuck” and wanting to refresh their creative practice
A supportive, non-judgemental environment where experimentation is encouraged

Lots of materials are provided including brushes, acrylic paint, a large canvas per student and spares of all recommended equipment.