PAINTING

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS IN LEEDS

Learn to paint with professional artist tutors

Discover the joy of painting at Northlight Arts Centre with a range of inspiring workshops led by professional artists. Our art centre in Leeds offers painting classes for all levels – from beginners picking up a brush for the first time to experienced artists looking to refine their techniques. Our courses cover a variety of styles and mediums, including acrylic, oil, abstracts and palette knife painting.

Learn expressive acrylic techniques with local artist Heather Burton, whose palette knife workshops explore texture, colour, and bold mark-making. Or explore the world of oil painting with Tessa Houghton, an accomplished painter known for her atmospheric contemporary seascapes and landscapes. Each workshop provides expert tuition in a friendly, supportive environment, helping you to grow your skills and create artworks to be proud of.

Whether you’re interested in oil painting workshops, trying your hand at palette knife painting, or joining our popular watercolour courses, there’s something for all interests. Explore our upcoming painting workshops below:

Palette Knife Painting workshop

EXPRESSIVE LANDSCAPES IN OIL

6-Week Oil Painting Course in Leeds

With artist and tutor: Tessa Houghton

31 January – 7 March 2026 | Saturdays, 10am–12pm
£190 + £2.50 booking fee

Looking for an oil painting course in Leeds that will help you grow your skills with confidence?

Expressive Landscapes in Oil is a hands-on, artist-led course at Northlight Arts Centre designed for anyone who wants to explore expressive mark-making, colour, and atmosphere using traditional oil painting techniques.

Taught by professional artist Tessa Houghton, this six-week course gives both beginners and developing painters a practical, supportive environment to deepen their understanding of oil paint and discover their own creative voice.

Whether you’re completely new to oils or ready to refresh your skills, this course offers a grounded but exploratory approach to creating dynamic, atmospheric landscape paintings.

What You’ll Learn

Over six weeks, you will:

  • Gain confidence using oil painting materials, tools, mediums, and surfaces

  • Explore mark-making, texture, layering, and other expressive techniques

  • Study colour mixing, composition, depth, and light in landscape painting

  • Experiment with abstraction, energy, and mood inspired by contemporary and historical artists

  • Develop a personal landscape project using your own sketches or photographs

  • Receive individual feedback and support throughout the course

  • Finish with a completed oil painting that reflects your own interpretation of the landscape

No previous experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to play, experiment, and explore.

Why Choose This Oil Painting Course?

  • Perfect for beginners and improvers

  • Small group size with personalised guidance

  • All materials, paints, brushes, and canvases included

  • Run by experienced painter Tessa Houghton, known for expressive, atmospheric landscapes

  • Ideal for anyone wanting to begin their journey with oils in a supportive setting

Who is this course is for?

This course is ideal for:

  • Complete beginners wanting a structured introduction to oil painting

  • Improvers looking to develop expressive techniques

  • Artists who want to explore landscape painting with more freedom

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PAINTING WITH KNIVES
Palette Knife Painting

Join local artist Heather Burton for a dynamic workshop in palette knife painting, where you’ll create a bold and expressive acrylic painting from start to finish. Heather will guide you through the process step by step, showing you how to correctly apply and layer colour on canvas to achieve strong composition, tonal value, and striking texture.

This workshop is perfect for both beginners wanting to try something new and experienced painters looking to loosen up their style. By the end of the day, you’ll leave with a magnificent finished painting to take home.

All materials are provided – including paints, canvas, and palette knives – so all you need to bring is yourself and an inspiring subject matter. Work from a favourite photo or a meaningful object to make your artwork personal.

More workshops are on the way! Please check our website again soon.