A beginners Insight: Claire O Conner - Dublin Art Classes

A Beginner’s Insight: Dublin Art Classes

I have put this information document together to give a flavour of what to expect when you join Dublin Art Classes. It is truly unlike any other art class, as it is an immersion into a journey of discovery. This journey centres on the pleasure that comes from pursuing such an enriching hobby, while also discovering and developing your own creativity.

Dublin Art Classes is a unique school. Unlike the majority of schools, the students here never want to leave. Many students who join as beginners progress to the experienced artists’ classes and continue working together, producing amazing artwork for many years.

We now have a wonderful artists’ community, made up of absolute beginners through to highly experienced artists who exhibit, sell, and work on commissions.

As a complete novice, I enrolled in an evening class near my home a few years ago, as I had always wanted to try painting as a hobby. While I enjoyed these classes and had a few nice pieces at the end of the course, I didn’t feel that I had actually learned anything other than following instructions and copying the teacher’s steps. I did some research to find a class that would actually teach me how to be an artist rather than simply follow steps, as I really wanted to be confident enough to try my own compositions.

This is how I came to Dublin Art Classes, and it was quite a revelation to me. Catherine Lawlor, our teacher, has a passion for all things art. In the first term, we were introduced to the seven elements of art through drawing exercises, studying the colour wheel, painting techniques, and much more. The second five-week term saw us taking on paintings by Irish artists such as Paul Henry and John Nolan.

We all chose different paintings, so this became a very rich learning experience. We learned so much from the variety of works being undertaken by our classmates.

Having been attending for more than a year, I can now appreciate the value of the time spent during the early classes on the colour wheel, drawing, and simple paintings. These classes provided the foundation and fundamental skills that allow us to work independently and understand the importance of colour theory, mark making, proportion, and scale.

I have gained so much knowledge and feel that I am continually improving. My classmates have made huge strides and are producing some beautiful paintings. The classes are great fun, and there is a wonderful collegial atmosphere.

Beginner classes are structured into five classes, followed by a week off. Students pick up materials as they need them, and for the first class all that’s required are pencils and a sketchpad.

As well as the regular classes, Dublin Art Classes offers art trips abroad, with Greece and Amsterdam being among the most popular destinations, as well as art trips within Ireland to locations such as Achill, Clare, and Killarney. Evening classes are also run in specific areas such as Colour Theory and Drawing.

Palette Knife workshops are offered on selected dates, and there are demonstrations by visiting artists such as Norman Teeling and John Morris, which are not to be missed. Keep an eye on www.dublinartclasses.com for updates.

Claire O’Connor