Foundation Painting

The course unit is divided into five parts, each with a series of projects, research tasks, exercises, and assignments.

Part One: The Possibilities of Paint

In this first part of the course you will be getting to know the qualities of your brushes and the different types of marks they make. You will be working quite quickly, using your choice of oil or acrylic paint. 

Part Two: Thinking In Colour

This part introduces the basic principles of working with colour, with key terminology and a series of exercises that allow you to really explore colour in practical terms – mixing and applying paint and getting to know about different colour relationships.

Part Three: Composition

For this part, you will be finding ways of creating balance and visual interest in your paintings. You will be thinking about compositional elements and what makes a painting dynamic and engaging.

Part Four: Narrative

Narrative – or storytelling in art, is a method of communicating messages and imparting cultural knowledge or values. Much of western art has been narrative, depicting stories from religion and myth and some of the earliest evidence of human art tells a story.

Part Five: A Series of Paintings

This final part of the course is about exploring a subject in more depth. Working through a series of exercises to guide you, you will be interpreting a subject matter in different ways.

The learning outcomes for the course unit are:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the technical skills and materials for painting.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the context for painting and reflect on your own work.
• Present a selected body of work.
• Develop and communicate your ideas as a painter.

• Access a set text of course materials and resources on our virtual learning platform, OCA Learn.
• Enhance your core learning by signing up for additional webinars, workshops, and study groups through the Textiles Department, available on OCA Learn.
• Submit an assignment at the end of each section of the course for review by your tutor, and receive either written or spoken feedback.

• A minimum of 10 study hours per week. 
• Access to a laptop or desktop computer with internet access.
• Good standard of writing, listening, reading and speaking English language skills*.
• Good IT literacy.

*Please note, if your nationality does not feature on the majority of English speaking countries list [linked here] you will need to provide evidence of your English language skills. 

We recommend gathering materials as and when you need them throughout the course, but here is a general list of supplies you may find useful throughout the course. 

• Masking tape
• Small (A5) sketchbooks and large pieces of paper (up to A1) 
• Various paint brushes 
• Palette knife 
• Paint (you can use what you already have, or choose to experiment).

You have 12 months to complete the course from the start of your Induction. 

Understandably, sometimes there are unexpected mitigating circumstances that affect your ability to study. In these instances, students can apply for an extension or deferral. We encourage students to seek support as early as possible in such circumstances.

On completion of the course you should have gained sufficient skills and enough confidence to go on to further study with the Open College of the Arts, as well as have begun to create a portfolio of work, and be able to decide on the nature and direction of your future studies and art practice. 

Review our undergraduate courses here. 

Foundation courses are not accredited, meaning the courses are studied for personal development and they do not carry any UCAS points, however upon receiving your final assignment feedback you can request a certificate of completion.

Please review the Foundation courses fees linked here. 

Eligible students are welcome to apply for a Learner Support Scheme bursary to help with the cost of course fees and resources. Information on eligibility and how to apply is linked here. 

Foundation courses are not eligible for Student Finance.

There are several intakes throughout the year students can join. The intake dates and deadlines are linked here. 

Submit an enrolment form below to select your intake. Once submitted, your enrolment form will still need to be reviewed and confirmed as eligible to progress. Please allow 10 working days for your enrolment to be reviewed once submitted.