A comprehensive deep dive into acrylic painting techniques, designed and taught by Kim O’Neil. Kim has worked as a paint technologist with Winsor & Newton since 2009, bringing rare, insider knowledge of acrylic chemistry, behaviour, and performance directly into the studio. Her teaching specialises in helping artists truly master acrylic paint—something often overlooked in traditional art education.
Who This Course Is For
This course welcomes complete beginners through to experienced painters. The focus is on the technical foundations that transform your confidence and control with acrylics, whether you’re starting from scratch or refining your existing practice.
What You’ll Explore
Across ten weeks, you’ll build a deep, practical understanding of how acrylic paint works and how to use it with intention. Topics include:
• Acrylic mediums — what they do, how they behave, and how to choose the right one
• Application techniques — from smooth, controlled layers to expressive, textured surfaces
• Mark making — a wide range of tools and approaches to expand your visual language
• Composition — structuring a painting with clarity, balance, and impact
• Colour mixing — understanding pigment behaviour, bias, and harmony
• Describing subject matter — multiple strategies for interpreting forms, light, and atmosphere in acrylics
Each session combines demonstration, guided practice, and individual support, helping you build both technical skill and creative confidence.
What You’ll Gain
By the end of the course, you’ll have a strong working knowledge of acrylic materials, a toolkit of versatile techniques, and a clearer sense of how to use acrylic paint to express your own ideas. Whether you’re beginning your painting journey or brushing up on skills, this course gives you the technical grounding to grow.