Introduction to Acrylic Painting
A 7-Week Course for Beginners
Have you always wanted to try painting but weren't sure where to begin? Or perhaps you've painted before and would like to build your confidence and develop your skills?
This relaxed and welcoming seven-week course is designed for complete beginners and those looking to revisit the fundamentals of painting. Through a combination of short lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises, and individual guidance, you'll explore the essential techniques of acrylic painting while developing your own creative approach.
Acrylic paint is a wonderful medium to learn with. It's incredibly versatile, allowing you to work with everything from thin, transparent washes to thick, textured brushstrokes. Its relatively quick drying time makes it easy to experiment, build layers, and make changes as you work. Whether you're interested in landscapes, still life, or more abstract painting, acrylics offer plenty of room to explore and discover your own style.
Over the seven weeks, we'll explore the fundamentals of painting, including colour theory, colour mixing, value, composition, perspective, brushwork, and the use of light and shadow. Through a series of guided exercises and painting projects, you'll learn how these elements work together to create a successful painting.
As the course progresses, you'll begin applying what you've learned to develop your own final painting, taking it from the initial idea through to a finished piece.
The course will conclude with a student art exhibition, providing an opportunity to share your work, celebrate your progress, and experience the excitement of seeing your painting displayed alongside those of your fellow students.
My approach to teaching is hands-on and encouraging, with an emphasis on curiosity, experimentation, and understanding that making mistakes is an important part of learning. I believe that learning to paint should be as much about enjoying the process as it is about the finished result.
By the end of the course, you'll have a stronger understanding of the fundamentals of painting, greater confidence working with acrylics, and the knowledge and skills to continue developing your own work.
No previous painting experience is required, just a willingness to learn and have fun.
What you’ll learn
Throughout the seven weeks, we'll explore:
Colour Theory and Mixing: Understanding the colour wheel, colour relationships, and how to mix a wide range of colours from a limited palette.
Value and Contrast: Learning to recognize and control light and dark values to create depth, form, and atmosphere.
Brushwork and Paint Application: Exploring different brushes, techniques, textures, and ways of applying acrylic paint.
Composition and Design: Understanding how to arrange elements within a painting to create balance, movement, and visual interest.
Perspective and Depth: Learning techniques to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface.
Light and Shadow: Exploring how light influences colour, form, and mood.
Developing a Painting: Bringing these principles together, from initial sketches and planning through to a finished painting.
The emphasis throughout the course will be on understanding the principles behind painting rather than simply following instructions to reproduce a particular picture.
Choose your course
Two schedules are available, both offering the same seven-week course. Choose the day that works best for you.
About Your Instructor
Matt Dampier is a Hamilton-based visual artist and art educator whose practice includes painting, sculpture, and mixed media.
Born in the UK and raised in Oman and Cyprus, Matt spent 25 years working as a commercial pilot before pursuing a career in the visual arts. He graduated with Honours from Sheridan College's Advanced Diploma in Visual and Creative Arts program.
An award-winning artist, Matt has exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. His work explores themes of perspective, landscape, movement, and the relationship between the natural and constructed world.
Alongside his studio practice, Matt has extensive teaching experience, leading painting courses and creative workshops for adults of varying abilities. His approach focuses on building a strong understanding of artistic fundamentals while encouraging students to experiment, ask questions, and develop their own creative voice.
Matt believes that everyone can learn to paint, and that a supportive, relaxed environment makes the learning process both more enjoyable and more rewarding.
About the Cotton Factory
Located in a historic industrial building in Hamilton, the Cotton Factory is a vibrant creative community, home to artists, makers, designers, and other creative professionals.
With its unique industrial character, working artist studios, galleries, and creative spaces, the Cotton Factory provides an inspiring environment in which to learn and explore the visual arts.
Matt has a longstanding connection with the Cotton Factory, having completed an artist residency there and exhibited his work within the building.
Holding this course in an active arts community offers students the opportunity to experience painting in an environment where creativity is part of everyday life.
Course Details
Location: The Cotton Factory, Hamilton
Duration: 7 weeks
Class Length: 2.5 hours per session
Course Fee: $300 introductory rate (normal rate $350)
Experience Level: Beginners and those wishing to refresh their painting fundamentals
Materials: Students are required to bring their own painting materials. Please see the list below.
Materials List
Brushes and Equipment
Long-handled paintbrushes: fine, medium, and large (minimum set)
1 medium palette knife
9" × 12" multimedia sketchbook (the heavier the paper, the better for painting)
Palette paper (or a reusable palette surface)
Colour wheel
Heavy Body Acrylic Paints – Minimum Selection
Ultramarine Blue
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Cadmium Red Medium
Burnt Umber
Titanium White
Black (a cheap student-grade brand is fine, as we'll be learning to mix our own black after week three)
A Note on Paints
For this course, we'll be using heavy body acrylic paints. These have a thicker, buttery consistency that holds brushstrokes and texture, making them particularly good for learning brushwork, colour mixing, and different painting techniques.
When starting out, student-grade acrylic paints are a perfectly good choice and will allow you to explore colour, technique, and the fundamentals of painting without a large initial investment. Liquitex Basics, for example, offers an affordable range with a relatively thick consistency suitable for beginners.
As your skills develop, however, you may want to invest in a few professional-grade heavy body paints. These generally contain a higher concentration of quality pigments, offering richer, more vibrant colours and better colour mixing.
You don't need to purchase an expensive collection of paints to get started. A small selection of colours is all we need, and throughout the course, I'll show you how to mix a surprisingly wide range of colours from this limited palette.
My advice is to start with what you can comfortably afford. Understanding how to use your paints is far more important than how much you spend on them.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Registration & Payment
Full payment is required at the time of registration to secure your place in the course.
Student Cancellations & Refunds
We understand that plans can change. Students may cancel their registration and receive a full refund if requested at least 7 days before the course begins.
Cancellations made within 7 days of the course start date are non-refundable, except where required by applicable law.
Refunds or make-up classes cannot be offered for individual sessions missed by students.
Minimum Enrolment
This course requires a minimum number of participants to proceed. If minimum enrolment is not reached, the course may be cancelled or rescheduled. Registered students will be notified at least seven days before the course begins and offered the choice of transferring to another available course date or receiving a full refund.
Instructor Cancellations & Schedule Changes
In the event that an individual class must be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, including inclement weather, every effort will be made to reschedule the session so that students receive the full seven weeks of instruction.
If the course cannot proceed or be completed, students will be offered an appropriate refund for instruction that cannot be provided.
Any changes to the schedule will be communicated to students as soon as possible.