Service Description

We are very excited to launch this brand-new course as part of our 2026 programme. This course is designed for painters who want to explore oil painting through the lens of darkness, atmosphere, and dramatic light. Inspired by the night sky, this course is ideal for artists interested in pushing colour saturation, tonal contrast, and mood in their work. Throughout history, artists have been inspired by seeing less — allowing shadow, silence, and suggestion to do the heavy lifting. This course is suitable for confident beginners through to intermediate painters who want to loosen up, work intuitively, and deepen their understanding of light in dark environments. What You’ll Learn: Over 4 weeks, we’ll work towards a single resolved night-sky-inspired painting that focuses on atmosphere, colour intensity, and luminous light emerging from darkness. You’ll learn: 🌌 Painting the night sky – understanding value control in low-light compositions. 🎨 Colour saturation in darkness – achieving rich, glowing colour without losing depth. 💡 Dramatic light sources – stars, moonlight, artificial light, and reflected glow. 🌑 Seeing less to say more – using restraint to create mystery and emotional impact. By the end of the course, you’ll have a striking oil painting that captures the beauty, stillness, and drama of the night. Techniques We’ll Cover: 🖌️ Tonal underpainting – establishing a strong dark-value foundation. 🎨 Limited night palettes – controlling harmony while maintaining vibrancy. 💡 Edge control – soft vs hard edges to suggest depth and distance. 🌌 Layering & glazing – building luminosity and atmosphere over time. 🖌️ Expressive mark-making – suggesting clouds, stars, and movement with confidence. ✨ Wet-into-wet techniques – creating smooth transitions and glowing light effects. What’s Included: ✔️ 30x40cm Linen Canvas (ideal for glazing and subtle tonal transitions). ✔️ All essential painting materials* *Please bring your own oil brushes and apron. A selection of flats, filberts, and a soft blender brush is recommended for atmospheric skies and delicate light effects. Course Details: 📍 Location: The Five Villages Hall, Station Rd, Backford, Chester, CH1 6NT 📅 When: Wednesday mornings, 10 am – 2 pm ✨ Spaces are limited — early booking is advised Got questions? Contact Dan directly — we’re always happy to help.