5 Beginner-Friendly Painting Classes to Try This Spring

Looking for a way to fill your longer days? Stimulate your creative side and say hello to summer with our wide range of painting classes across the whole of the UK .

Spring's arrival calls for celebration, and what better way than getting creative with a local painting class? Whether you fancy a peaceful watercolour workshop in London, or a vibrant wine and paint in Edinburgh, there's a class here to help you brush up on your brushstrokes – and make a load of new friends while you do it!

From beginners to budding Pollocks, our inclusive drawing and painting workshops offer a relaxed and friendly environment led by friendly local artists. Whether you want to learn how to paint a portrait from a photo or fancy a masterclass in acrylic painting, they'll guide you through the basics, leaving you free to have fun, experiment and get delightfully messy.

The hardest part? Choosing your first artistic adventure! But don't worry we've got you covered: here are our top five picks to kickstart your creative adventures this spring. Ready, set, paint!

1. Get into the flow with a fluid art class

If you don’t like being confined to fine lines or certain shapes, abstract paint pouring will be your new best friend. This mesmerising art form is a treat for the senses and makes for some seriously cool wall art, chopping boards, plant pots - the world is your oyster!

Think of acrylic fluid art painting as the ultimate creative rollercoaster: it’s all about the thrill of pouring vibrant colours onto a canvas and watching as cool patterns unravel right before your eyes. This satisfying style is the perfect starter hobby for complete art newbies – it’s super accessible, totally addictive, and practically impossible to mess up. Once you’re officially hooked on the flow, you can even start mixing in other mediums to create your very own magical, mixed-media masterpieces!

With an acrylic pouring for beginners class, you can expect to learn several easy yet impressive paint pouring techniques from an expert level pigment professional. Whether you’re in London, Bristol, Manchester, or Edinburgh, we’re sure you’ll find one of our acrylic pour painting classes to get you hooked on the eye-catching world of flow art.  

Why it's perfect for beginners:

• No drawing skills? No problem! Forget worrying about perfect proportions or steady lines – fluid art is all about letting gravity and the paint do the hard work for you.

• The ultimate 'happy accident' zone: There’s no such thing as a mistake here! Every pour creates a completely unique, marbled masterpiece that looks professional from the very first go.

• Instant artistic gratification: You’ll see mesmerising patterns, bubbles, and 'cells' appear right before your eyes in seconds, making it one of the most satisfying ways to get creative.

• A total sensory treat: There is something deeply soothing about the tactile process of mixing and pouring glossy, vibrant paints – it’s like a spa day for your brain!

• Low-pressure, high-reward: Because the results are abstract and spontaneous, you can ditch the inner critic and simply enjoy the colourful, swirling journey.

Find a workshop near you:

London: Sip and pour workshop in Spitalfields

Manchester: Eco plant pot making class in Salford Quays

Edinburgh: Eco resin casting class in central Edinburgh

2. Make vibrant artwork with an acrylic painting class

Looking for a general introduction to painting? Want to recreate colourful masterpieces such as Andy Warhol’s Campbell's Soup Cans? A masterclass in painting acrylics might be the perfect option for you! 

Acrylics are highly pigmented, fast-drying paints that produce gorgeously striking works of art. Although their quick-drying nature can be unforgiving, they’re often used in beginner-friendly painting classes due to the vibrant effects, which is bound to get any beginner addicted for life. Plus, once you’ve learned how to paint with acrylic on canvas, oil and watercolour painting may feel like a doddle, making it a great place to begin your painting journey!

Why it's perfect for beginners:

• Instant wow factor: Thanks to those high-octane pigments, your colours stay bold and bright from the first brushstroke to the last – perfect for channeling your inner Andy Warhol!

• The ultimate quick-dry dream: No more waiting days for layers to dry; acrylics set fast, meaning you can layer, tweak, and finish your masterpiece all in one sitting.

• Easy-peasy clean up: Forget harsh chemicals! These paints are water-based, so a little soap and water is all you need to tidy up your brushes (and your hands).

• A versatile artistic toolkit: Because you can use them thick like oils or thin like watercolours, mastering acrylics gives you the secret keys to almost every other painting style.

• Low-stakes layering: Made a little mistake? Just wait a few minutes for it to dry and paint right over it – it’s the most forgiving medium for anyone just starting out!

Find a workshop near you:

London: Acrylic painting class: Roses and Peonies in Wimbledon

Manchester: Landscape painting workshop in watercolours and acrylics in the Northern Quarter

Birmingham: 3D floral painting workshop in Acocks Green

3. Paint whimsical scenes with a watercolour painting workshop

If you like a side of zen with your brushstrokes, learning to use watercolours will definitely your cup of tea! Dipping into these gentle paints opens up a whole new world of peaceful afternoons where you can watch delicate, dreamy pastels blend and bleed together in the most mesmerising way.

Unlike the bold 'what you see is what you get' nature of acrylics, watercolours are wonderfully fluid and soft, making them the ultimate choice for a laid-back and low-pressure creative escape. So, if you’re hunting for a fresh stress-busting hobby in Bristol or a gentle way to learn to paint in London, it’s time to head to one of our beginner friendly painting classes and start your very own art therapy journey!

The best part? You’ll walk away with a soothing hand-painted scene to hang on your wall for an extra dose of relaxation when you get home. Transform a house into a home with painting lessons near me.

Why it's perfect for beginners

• Low-mess, high-stress-relief: All you need is a bit of water and a palette to get started – it’s the cleanest and most portable way to bring some zen into your day.

• The beauty of the 'bleed': You don’t need to be a master of precision! Letting the colours run and mingle creates those soft, ethereal effects that look stunning without even trying.

• Easy to layer and lighten: Made a section too dark? Just add a drop of water to lift the pigment – it’s a wonderfully gentle and forgiving medium for new artists.

• Budget-friendly brilliance: You don’t need a mountain of expensive gear; a simple set of paints and a good brush are all you need to create gallery-worthy botanical or landscape scenes.

• The ultimate mindful hobby: The slow, flowing nature of watercolours naturally encourages you to slow down, breathe, and focus on the present moment

Find a workshop near you:

London: Monthly beginner's watercolour workshop in South East London

Manchester: Painting calm workshop in Manchester city

Glasgow: Loose floral watercolour workshop in Newton Mearns

4. Paint like the greats with oil painting classes for adults

Are you a fan of Van Gogh’s Starry Night or Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus? If that’s a yes, then you’ll love following the footsteps of your favourite painters with an oil painting masterclass!

From London to Edinburgh and everywhere in-between, an oil painting for beginners course is the ultimate playground for unleashing your inner artist! While they might have a prestigious reputation in the art world, oil paints are actually a dream for beginners to dip their toes into. Thanks to their super slow-drying nature, there’s zero rush – you can take all the time you need to contemplate your masterpiece and tweak your brushstrokes until they’re just right.

Why it's perfect for beginners

• The ultimate no-rush medium: Because oil paints stay wet for days, you have all the time in the world to blend, smudge, and perfect your work without the pressure of a ticking clock.

• Rich, buttery textures: There’s nothing quite like the luxurious feel of oil paint on a brush – it’s thick, creamy, and allows you to create amazing 3D effects and impasto textures just like Van Gogh!

• Easy-peasy corrections: Made a mistake? Since the paint doesn't dry instantly, you can literally wipe it off with a cloth or paint right over it to start fresh.

• Master the Old Masters secrets: Learning with oils gives you a direct link to art history, helping you understand how the world’s most famous gallery pieces were actually built layer by layer.

• A supportive studio vibe: Oil painting can feel a bit technical at first, but in a beginner-friendly class, you’ll have an expert right there to show you exactly how to mix your mediums and clean your brushes safely.

Find a workshop near you:

London: Oil painting masterclass in Bow

Manchester: Beginner's oil painting workshop in the Northern Quarter

5. Get those creative juices going at an art and wine class

Wine and sip painting is more than just a fun and lively paint night party (although it is indeed that!) – it’s also a great place for anxious beginners to take their first foray into the world of art. 

At one of these workshops, the ‘sip’ part offers plentiful dutch courage (although they also offer alcohol-free alternatives!) so that you can focus on letting loose and getting creative with your masterpiece — inhibitions, be gone! You’ll also have a talented local artist guiding the session too, who’ll be on-hand to impart their top tips, tricks, and techniques. So, although wine and canvas evenings are seriously good fun, you’re still guaranteed to learn a thing or two and walk away a better artist than when you came in. 

Whether you enjoy your BYOB painting class with friends, or as a team-building activity or birthday party celebration, you’ll love the laid-back nature of sipping and painting away your evening! Plus, you’ll walk away with some frame-worthy art, despite the alcohol — pretty impressive, right? 

Why it's perfect for beginners

• The ultimate 'liquid courage': A cheeky glass of wine or a refreshing beer is the perfect way to quiet your inner critic and let your creativity flow freely onto the canvas! Don't drink alcohol? No problem – these classes offer mocktails and alcohol free alternatives so nobody is left thirsty!

• A party with a paintbrush: Forget the quiet gallery vibes – this is a high-energy, social bash where the music is up and the pressure is completely off.

• Step-by-step success: You won’t be left staring at a blank canvas; a friendly local artist will guide you through the entire painting so you can keep up while you sip.

• Laughter is the best teacher: Whether you're bonding with your work squad or a group of total strangers, the laid-back atmosphere makes learning new skills feel like a total breeze.

• Proof of your talent: You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve after a couple of drinks – you'll head home with a finished, frame-worthy masterpiece to prove you’ve still got the magic touch!

Find a workshop near you:

London: BYOB paint and sip experience in Finsbury Park

Manchester: Sip and paint class in Deansgate

Edinburgh: Paint and sip class, various locations in Edinburgh

How to choose beginner-friendly painting classes that are right for you

Ready to dive into the world of colour but not sure which splash to make first? We get it – with so many incredible workshops across the country, picking 'the one' can feel impossible! The secret is to match the class to your unique personality and what you want to get out of your creative me-time.

Here’s how to find your perfect artistic match:

• Identify your vibe: Are you after a high-energy social bash with a side of Prosecco? A paint and wine night in London is your go-to. Prefer a quiet, mindful escape? Look for  botanical watercolour workshops in peaceful Bristol artists studios.

• Pick your medium by mood: If you love instant gratification and bold colours, try an acrylic painting for beginners course. If you’re a 'go with the flow' type who loves a bit of beautiful chaos, a paper collage workshop or a fluid art session will be your new best friend.

• Check the 'all-inclusive' status: Most of our beginner-friendly painting classes provide everything from the canvas to the apron, so you can just turn up and create. It’s always worth checking the listing so you know whether to bring your own bottle or just your enthusiasm!

• Scope out the location: Whether you’re looking for painting classes in the city centre to stay local or want to head to a quieter or more quirky location, picking a spot that’s easy to get to makes the whole experience feel like a breeze.

• Look for the step-by-step promise: If you're nervous about a blank canvas, choose a class led by a pro who offers a guided demonstration. It takes the guesswork out of the process and guarantees you’ll head home with something you're proud to hang on the wall!

Time to make your creative mark!

There’s a whole world of colour just waiting for you to dive in, so why let another weekend slip by without picking up a brush? Whether you’re looking to find your zen with some dreamy watercolours, get bold and bright with acrylics, or simply laugh your way through a lively paint and sip session, there is a perfect palette out there with your name on it.

Remember, you don't need to be a pro to have an incredible time. Our classes are all about ditching the perfectionism, meeting some lovely new people, and enjoying that wonderful, messy 'click' when your creativity finally takes the lead. You’ll head home with a unique masterpiece and a serious boost to your mood – what’s not to love?