The Seasons Art Class Paignton

A gorgeous whole class project this week Seasons Art Class Paignton - patio pots! The skill of building colour and layering the paint is key to this project, plus the laying down of shadows and the use of masking fluid to reserve areas. A lovely summer walk through the garden - a fitting end to our watercolour painting weeks! Good work everyone :)
Roll on acrylic painting - old clothes only!

Classes full of holiday inspired pieces this week at with a street scene and tram plus some delicious Amalfi lemons - gorgeous! The urban sketching saw watercolour paints worked with fine liner pen, which brought definition to an illustrative piece. The painterly technique of working layers of colour was demonstrated with the lemons. Great work everyone!

And, in the blink of an eye, we're already at week 6 and starting watercolour painting! A relaxed visit to sweeping vineyards for our improvers with a watercolour pencil study that created some fabulously plump grapes and gorgeous vistas. An introduction to watercolours for our new students and our monochrome Misty Mountains piece. Great work everyone!

A timely project, given the current hot weather, at this week as we worked on portraits of the 'ship of the desert' - camels! A whole range of camels were drawn into being - colourful, fun, regal - great work everyone! Hopefully, no one got the hump ... (sorry!)

Two gorgeous projects at this week as we start work with oil pastels. A striking vignette of sand dunes for our improvers and an apple Snow White would be hungry for for our beginners. Fab work everyone!

Wait for it ... camels next week!

Week 3 at delighted us with a voyage into the world of synchronised swimming. We went with the flow and gorgeous pieces depicting the swimmers moves were created. A challenging piece and one everyone rose to meet!
Our new students worked on the proportions of the human face and body, lots to learn and some fab portraits :)

The wheels on the bus go round and round .... all day long! A fantastic project for our improvers this week at Seasons Paignton - an old London bus, toot toot!
For our new students, an adventure into the world of perspective plus a gridding project - we look forward to seeing your horses galloping back to class this week :)
Great work everyone, loving the classes x

A great big hello and welcome to all our Summer Seasons students, new and returning. It was lovely to see everyone in class this week, ready for a new curriculum and new challenges. We look forward to many sunshine filled weeks of art and friendship.

As ever, our improver students started the course working with pencils - with a twist! - watercolour pencils. A study of four different water pieces, with vibrant colours and paint effects. Stunning! Our new students began their journey working on samplers, chickens and ellipses - we kept them busy! More fun drawing with rulers next week.

Loneliness is something that is being talked about more and more, and not just in later life. Many adults experience it at different stages, whether that is after a change in circumstances, working from home more often, moving to a new area, or simply finding that social circles have become smaller over time.

It is not always about being alone. Often, it is about a lack of meaningful connection. That feeling of not having somewhere to go regularly, not having people to share experiences with, or not quite feeling part of something.

There has been increasing recognition across the UK that shared activities can play an important role in addressing this. Research from organisations such as Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance highlights how taking part in creative activities can help reduce feelings of isolation by bringing people together in a relaxed and supportive environment.

What makes art classes particularly powerful is that they provide a natural way for people to connect, without any pressure. You are not expected to make conversation or put yourself out there in the way you might in other social settings. Instead, you are sitting alongside others, focusing on something enjoyable, and conversations tend to happen naturally over time.

That shared experience is key. Everyone is working on the same project, facing the same challenges, and often having a laugh along the way. It creates a sense of togetherness without forcing it.

Creative activity also has wider benefits for wellbeing. Studies referenced by University of the Arts London show that engaging in art can help reduce stress, improve mood and support overall mental wellbeing. Having something to focus on, particularly something hands on, allows people to switch off from day to day pressures and be present in the moment.

Over time, something quite special begins to happen. Familiar faces become friendly faces. Conversations become easier. People begin to look forward not just to the activity itself, but to seeing the group each week.

For many, it becomes more than just a class. It becomes a routine, a place to go, and a group to belong to.

In a world where so much interaction now happens online, having something real, in person and shared with others has never been more important.

Art classes are not just about learning how to draw or paint. They are about connection, routine, and feeling part of something again.

We enjoyed a fantastic celebration of the work of our Spring Seasons course students last Saturday at our Exhibition. Just a small selection of photos shown here and what a wonderful display of gorgeous work it is. Lots of pieces here that deserve a permanent place on someone's wall!

Thank you to everyone who came and shared with us. To our Spring students, to those of you who are carrying on with us - we will see you soon, and to those of you who aren't, we miss you already, keep in touch and hopefully see you in the future 🎉❤️👏

Want to get involved? Call Nicola on 01803 262682