Arts & Crafts Evening Courses

This 10-week Knitting & Crochet for Beginners course (Course code: 01) is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to knit or crochet. Over the course of the programme, you will learn all the basic techniques needed to create beautiful and functional items, from simple scarves to more complex projects like hats and blankets. Our experienced instructor will guide you through each step of the process, giving you the confidence and skills you need to tackle any project. With our supportive community and hands-on approach, you’ll soon be hooked on the joys of knitting and crochet!

Materials List:

*a pair of knitting metal needles – size 4.5 (€5-€7);

*a tapestry needle for weaving in ends – plastic or iron (€2-€3);

*a crochet metal hook – size 4.5 (€3-€5);

*worsted weight yarn – 100% acrylic or with 10-49% of wool, in a light color, 230-

300m/100g (2€-10€, the price depending on the brand, weight, and quantity)

All materials can be found at local craft stores, such as “This is knit” or
“The knitting room”, or online at retailers like Amazon.

However, if you’re looking for more affordable options, you can also find
knitting and crochet supplies at stores like Lidl, Aldi, and Dealz.
While these stores don’t always have a consistent supply of crafting materials, they often have special deals on yarns, needles, and other supplies. The selection may be more limited than at dedicated craft stores, so you have to be flexible with your project plans.

Introduction to Acrylic Painting (Course Code: 02) is one of the most rewarding ways to express yourself artistically, and this course will explore the medium of Acrylic paint, a medium which is both flexible and durable.

This class is suited to both beginners and for people with some experience in painting.  During the course students will work on different skills, methods and techniques, such as perspective, colour mixing and paint application.

The course subject matter will include landscape, still life and portraiture, and the work of  famous artists’ will be looked at for inspiration and exciting ideas

Students of this class will benefit and grow from getting individual support and tuition and they will be encouraged to develop their own personal style.

See http://www.jennycleary.com

Materials list for Acrylic Painting

  • Paint
    This is a list of a few colours I recommend. You can get more if you need to, but it is not necessary. I
    would advise you to look out for ready made sets in shops like Easons, Evans and Reads, which are often
    cheaper than buying seperate tubes. Look for makes like Galeria and System3 which are both reasonable
    priced student paints.
    Try not to get tubes any smaller than 60ml and I would always get a bigger white tube, since this will be
    the colour you will use the most of.
    -Cadmium yellow
    -Raw Sienna
    -Ultramarine
    -Cadmium red
    -Burnt umber or Raw umber
    -Crimson Lake (sometimes called Alizarin Crimson)
    -Sap green or Phthalo green
    -Titanium white
    -Mars black
    Optional: Cobalt blue, Yellow ochre, Lemon yellow

 

  • Brushes
    We are trying to keep things simple to start off with so all we need are one large, one medium and one
    small.
    There are round and flat brushes, so try at least one of each to see which one you prefer. Make sure that
    they are suitable for acrylics (ask someone in the art shop if you’re not sure)
    You can get good quality expensive brushes but I would go for something medium priced. Try not to get
    the cheapest brushes as the hairs often fall out of these while painting.

 

  • Ground
    The advantage of acrylic paint is that you can paint on most supports. It can be anything from canvas,
    canvas board, acrylic paper, wood, glass and metal.
    I would suggest you start off with Acrylic paper and then later when we get to your personal projects you
    can use canvas or canvas board.

 

  • Other materials
    Pallette. I would suggest a disposable paper pallette which lets you use a sheet at the time for mixing and
    saves you cleaning up after.
    Kitchen towel or rags to dry your brushes
    Pencils, 2b to 6b for sketching
    An eraser
    Jar for water
    optional:
    -It is a good idea to use an easel because it is easier when you are painting upright.It allows you to stand
    back and see what you’ve done. If you manage to get hold of a small table-top easel please bring it in.
    -Mediums and glazes.There are lots of mediums for acrylic, to give it different qualities. I will talk to you
    more about this in class.
    -palelette knife

Drawing for Beginners (Course Code: 03)

This course involves learning how to realistically draw what you see by accessing the creative part of your brain. Proven drawing techniques and skills will enable you to accurately draw from observation, from photos/artwork and from your own memory and imagination. The tutor will work closely with students, providing continual constructive feedback on each individual’s work. Subjects will include the human face, body, nature, still life, animals, basic perspective and much more. B, 2B and 4B pencils, an A3 sketchpad, a good soft eraser and a pencil sharpener that holds shavings will be the materials required.  See http://www.nicolasedgwick.com/

 

Materials list for Drawing (Beginners) 

2B, 4B and 6B Faber Castell pencils.

Soft pencil eraser.

A3 sketchpad. No expensive cartridge paper needed! Please make sure your paper isn’t shiny

or too textured.

A good sharpener that holds shavings.

Drawing and Painting (Course Code: 04)

This is a popular course! It is accepted that accurate drawings are the basis for good realistic paintings, so along with learning the fundamentals of acrylics and watercolours, proven drawing techniques will also be taught. Over the weeks, students will draw and paint various subjects from observation, as well as from photos/artwork. The tutor will work closely with students, providing continual constructive feedback on each individual’s work. One or two additional media may also be introduced during the course. Time will also be given for students to explore their preferred media and subject matter.

See http://www.nicolasedgwick.com/

Materials List for Painting & Drawing 

 On this course you’ll get a chance to try out three different painting mediums, respectively: acrylics, pastels and watercolours. You’ll also be shown the basics of drawing. If at any stage you want to forgo or stay with a certain painting medium that is perfectly fine.

Note: It is completely up to you, but as we are all on budgets I suggest getting just the acrylic and drawing materials to start with. I will let you know when we will be switching to the next medium.

ACRYLICS

Paints needed

(I suggest Winsor & Newton Galeria acrylic paints, which are a good medium-quality brand, and widely available)

Titanium White

Mars Black

Cadmium Yellow Medium

Cadmium Red

Alizarin Crimson

Ultramarine Blue

Cerulean Blue

Hookers Green

Burnt Umber

Other items needed

A4 or A3 Galeria Acrylic Pad

Tear-off palette pad OR plastic palette

Brushes (which can also be used for watercolours)

Cotman synthetic brushes. They have a turquoise blue handle.

No 8 round brush

No 4 round brush

1” flat brush (OPTIONAL)

PASTELS

24-pack soft chalk pastels. I suggest Faber-Castell. Don’t get Reeves brand – they are not good enough.

Paper: Winsor and Newton pastel paper or Ingres Pastel Paper. They come in various sizes.

WATERCOLOURS

Cotman watercolour tubes. Don’t get the professional paints as they are quite expensive! The particular paints needed are the same names as the acrylic paints.

Cold Pressed watercolour paper. Suggested w/colour pads are Winsor & Newton or Langton.

DRAWING MATERIALS

A3 sketchpad (just make sure the paper is not shiny) • 2B and 4B pencils • Soft eraser • Sharpener • Tissues • old newspapers

ITEMS NEEDED WEEKLY

Tissues • Old newspapers

Classes for all evening courses will be delivered onsite for the September 2023 term.

Course Payment

We are pleased to inform our learners that online enrolment and payment is now possible for our evening classes. This will be available through our college website, www.ballsbridgecollege.com. Postal enrolment and payment by cheque and postal order will continue to be accepted.

There will be no enrolment evenings this term.

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