Painting classes
Painting classes
Awaken your painting potential in our painting classes. Experience the flexibility of acrylic, the richness of oil, or the fluidity of watercolour. You’ll practice perspective, design theory, and composition as you explore your creativity. We have painting classes for all ages and skill levels.
Benefits of learning to paint
Painting is a great way to relieve stress, stimulate your imagination and improve your hand-eye coordination.
You’ll learn how to work with paint, what brushes to use, how to care for your painting supplies, and using different brush strokes and application techniques.
Once you gain confidence, you'll learn how to breakdown your project into layers, how to create depth and dimension as you work on your finished artwork.
2024 spring & summer registration dates
Registration for spring & summer programs, classes and day camps:
- Summer day camp registration is open
- Program and class registration is open
- Certification registration registration is open
Ensure your Live and Play account is ready on registration day by logging in and verifying your information is up to date. Get ready to register.
Registration will open:
- 6 a.m. — Online (virtual waiting room opens at 5:30 a.m.).
- 8:30 a.m. — By calling the Customer Service Centre at 403-268-3800 (option 1).
- During business hours — At any City-operated Aquatic & Recreation or Arts facility.
Upcoming facility closures
Programs, classes and swimming lessons will not be offered at the following facilities while they undergo repairs:
- Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre: closed this spring and summer.
- Canyon Meadows Aquatic & Fitness Centre: closed this summer.
- Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre: closed this summer.
Types of painting classes
You can register online, in person at our Recreation facilities, or by calling
403-268-3800.
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Explore the fundamentals of two-dimensional art including line quality, proportion, composition, light and shadow, and basic colour theory.
Age: 6 - 12 years
Prerequisite: None
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Express your personal style with support from your artist instructor. Discover exciting materials, including watercolour, acrylic, charcoal, pastel and more! Develop your artistic goals and start creating unique imagery.
Ages: 13 - 17 years
Prerequisite: None
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Thinking of taking art classes, but don't know which medium is for you? Try this introduction to a variety of drawing and painting media. Get grounded in the fundamentals of drawing concepts, then move on to the basics of acrylics and watercolour. All supplies are included.
Ages: 18 - 99 years
Prerequisite: None
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Continue your art practice in a supportive environment. You'll have access to an instructor who is well versed in traditional painting media. Bring your own supplies and have access to our easels and great light. Basics and Beyond Basics in Acrylics, Oils or Watercolour is a prerequisite.
Age: 18+ years
Prerequisite: Basics and Beyond Basics in Acrylics, Oils or Watercolour
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Develop your artistic skills with this exciting and versatile medium. Water-based, fast-drying and practically odourless, acrylic paints can produce a variety of effects. Painting techniques and visual art fundamentals, including composition, design and colour theory, will be shared.
Age: 18 - 99 years
Prerequisite: None
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Discover the unique aspects of this beautiful, transparent and sometimes unpredictable medium. Learn paper stretching, brush handling and watercolour techniques like building up colour and creating gradients.
Age: 18 - 99 years
Prerequisite: None
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Continue your discovery of this endlessly versatile medium. New techniques are introduced and composition skills are encouraged through challenging projects.
Age: 18 - 99 years
Prerequisite: Painting with Watercolour Basics or equivalent
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You'll both explore proportion, shading and perspective through innovative and inspiring projects. Experiment with artist materials including acrylic and tempera paint, pastel, wax-resist, charcoal and more. It's fun for the whole family!
Ages: 6 - 12 years + Adult
Prerequisite: None
About our art instructors
Our instructors are practicing artists that have formal art training and teaching experience. They offer their expertise in a variety of disciplines and enjoy working with people of all ages and abilities.
Our instructors ensure that classes are always fresh and challenging for new and returning participants. They adapt to students' needs and encourage them to try new ideas and methods.
What are classes like?
Students will learn to work with acrylics, oils, or watercolours. Our studio is equipped with easels, tables and chairs so you can work comfortably seated or standing. We have drying shelves to store your painting.
Classes usually begin with a topic discussion and technique demonstrations. Much of the class time will be practicing skills and applying what’s been learned. Class length is determined by age group:
- All adult classes are two and a half-hour long
- School age children are 90 minutes long
- Preschool 60 minutes long
Come prepared
- Pad of paper or sketchbook
- Paint brushes, acrylic, oil or watercolour paint you may already have (adult classes)
- Clothes that you're ok to get paint on
- Water bottle
Unless otherwise stated in a particular adult class, supplies are extra and a shopping list of materials will be discussed during the first class. All tools and supplies for kids classes are included.
More art classes
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Develop your skills in composition, shading, space, and line work.
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Transform clay using your hands, a potter’s wheel, and glazing techniques.
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Express yourself through wide variety of arts like painting, drawing, fibre arts, clay, and more.