The Painting Club: The Fluid Canvas (Morning Class)
This term, we explore how historical art and everyday references can be fluidly deconstructed and dissolved on canvas. We will dive into the working processes of three contemporary abstract painters: Flora Yukhnovich, Megan Baker, and Julia Jo
Our theme is Remaking History Through Abstraction. We will explore the tension where traditional reference imagery- from Rococo masterpieces and romantic Victorian landscapes to cinematic social snapshots mixes with raw abstraction. Over 12 weeks, you will gain confidence in loose, atmospheric brushwork, impasto textures, and mark marking.
A New Approach to Feedback: The Silent Crit
To support your growth as an independent painter, weeks 4, 8, and 12 feature structured peer feedback sessions utilising the professional "silent critique" model. The group views the artwork and shares thoughts/ideas/perception before the artist themselves get an opportunity to talk. This process has been noted by many artists as a very helpful tool in seeing if your intentions align with others perception. The artist is encouraged to take notes to support them in developing work or labelling it as finished and then can ask questions/comment afterwards. An activity that sounds daunting, but I assure you is very positive and encouraging!
Course Structure & Weekly Breakdown
Weeks 1-3: Flora Yukhnovich
Week 1 (10th Sept) - Drawing & Breaking Shapes: Looking at Yukhnovich's take on 18th-century French painting. Practice: Working from classical references using charcoal and soft pastels on paper to strip away details and break the image into broken down, fluid shapes.
Week 2 (17th Sept) - Starting to build oil painting: Technical demo on colour mixing and theory. Starting to build an image in oils with either warm or cool tones.
Week 3 (24th Sept) - Building Depth with oil paints: Building depth of colour through adding the opposite of 'warm or cold' from last week. Starting to disguise some forms and add contract
Week 4 (29th Sept): Peer Feedback Session 1 - The Silent Critique. Looking back at our first block of work.
Weeks 5–7: Megan Baker - Landscapes & Shifting Flora
Week 5 (8th Oct) - Mapping out with drawing
Drawing from historical and/or floral imagery. Practice: Using charcoal or pastel to draw from imagery and figure out composition
Week 6 (15th Oct) - Impasto & The Broken Image: Technical demo on using oils, paint brush marks and colour theory. 1:1 feedback throughout as always.
Week 7 (22th Oct) - Atmospheric Finishes: Balancing hidden details with sweeping brushmarks that feel like natural mist. Goal: A completed, textured painting where a botanical scene sits at the edge.
29th October - Autumn Half-term break (No class)
Week 8 (5th Nov): Peer Feedback Session 2 – The Silent Critique. Mid-term review.
Weeks 9-11: Julia Jo
Week 9 (12th Nov) - Finding Action Lines: Looking at Jo's deconstruction of photographic references and human interaction. Practice: Taking a crowded photo or historical scene and using bold pastels to trace only the curving, energetic lines of movement.
Week 10 (19th Nov) – Swirling Surfaces: Technical demo on scaling up your pastel marks into massive, sweeping oil or acrylic loops using fast brushwork. Practice: Merging your source shapes into an exciting composition in paint.
Week 11 (26th Nov) -Details: Introducing tiny bits of reality-like a sharp contour or visual contrast. Goal: A finished painting where the reference image has completely dissolved into gesture.
Week 12 (1st Dec): Final Exhibition & Peer Feedback - The Grand Silent Critique. A full review of your completed term portfolio.
Shared Class Details & Logistics
Concessions & Community
Up to 25% concession rates are available for people experiencing financial hardship, including low- or no-income households and students who are genuinely in need. If this applies to you, please email us. We operate entirely on trust.
With only 12 places available, the group stays intimate and interactive, ensuring personal guidance and support. You are welcome to attend the class together at someone’s house, but both participants must be enrolled to ensure the 12-place limit is respected and everyone receives feedback time. Ensure you set up a dedicated space beforehand where you can paint freely and get a bit messy if needed.
Term Dates Summary
17th September, 24th September, 1st October, 8th October, 15th October, 22nd October
29th October – Autumn Half-term break (No class)
5th November, 12th November, 19th November, 26th November, 3rd December and 10th December
Cancellation Policy
Our classes are limited to 12 participants to keep them personal and engaging. If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible:
Full refund if cancelled 21 days or more before the course starts.
50% refund if cancelled 14–20 days before.
No refunds for cancellations less than 7 days before or after the course has begun.
You are welcome to transfer your place to a friend if you cannot attend. If we ever need to cancel, you will receive a full refund or the option to transfer to another course.