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Explore and Develop Abstract Painting and Drawing
Abstract art is about the pure experience of making, exploring and discovering. This course is not a traditional art class but rather it offers fresh perspectives on the processes, techniques and ideas that go into making art. The course is led by experienced tutor and practicing multidisciplinary artist, Kimbal Bumstead, who will help guide each learner on their journey to develop and refine their own visual language and creative processes, whilst gaining confidence in self-expression.

During the course, we work across a range of both wet and dry media ranging from pastels and pencils through to acrylic paint, mixed media and collage to explore how we can transform what we see and feel using shapes, colour and gestural marks. The course covers practical techniques, colour theory and the use of different tools and mediums as well as looking more deeply into how we can transform feelings and experiences into artworks that tell stories about ourselves, places and memories. Each session is thematic and involves looking at the work of both modern and contemporary abstract artists to explore key themes and different approaches and processes. Learners are encouraged to develop their own projects throughout the course using a range of different media supported by group discussions as well as individual feedback. By the end of the course, learners will have developed a deeper understanding of how to use colour, gesture, scale, form and mark-making to develop their creative projects in their own style.

Essentially, this course is about being playful, trying out new ideas that can be fed into your journey of artistic development and most importantly it’s about enjoying the process of making!
Prosp User 3
Prior experience of painting and drawing (in any style) will be an advantage in order to build on techniques, but it is equally suitable for those with a curious mind who just want to try out something new! Abstraction is to some extent at the root of all painting, and therefore the techniques, methods and ideas that we explore in the course are can help you to approach more figurative styles of art from new perspectives.

The course is taught online via Zoom and there is a virtual community space on Padlet for sharing images, ideas, reflections and recourses.

The tutor’s website can be found here: www.kimbalbumstead.com
Prosp User 4
Materials you will need:

Acrylic paints:
- Red (Bright, Crimson or Cadmium)
- Blue (Pthalo, Ultramarine or Cobalt)
- Yellow (Lemon or Cadmium)
- White (Zinc or Titanium)
- Black (Lamp black or Ivory)

Additional colours you like the look of or would like to try using, for example:
- Quinacridone Magenta
- Other Phthalo shades
- Orange (Bright)
- Green (Emerald or Sap)
- Indigo
- Neon colours

Drawing materials:
- Oil pastels, Coloured pencils, graphite stick, pencil, chalk pastels.
- Please note, these are optional and you can choose which ones you would like to work with.

You will also need:
- A pad of heavy duty drawing paper A3 size (at least 200 gsm)
- Water pot/glass, mixing tray (Dinner plate/ big plastic lid e.g., chocolate box), A range of brushes in different sizes (ideally also a wide one if possible, e.g., a wall painting brush), Sponge, Squeegee (a piece of flexible-but-rigid plastic - can be an old bank card or similar)

If you are claiming a Means Tested Benefit fee reduction or enrolling via social prescription, there is financial help available to help pay for the cost of your materials: click here for more information.
Prosp User 5
No class on 18 February 2026 (half-term holidays).

This is an online course that will be delivered via Zoom, so please ensure that you can access this on the device you are using.

You will receive your Zoom login details 24 hours before the course is due to start. If you enrol late, you will receive the Zoom code on the day that your course starts. (If you haven't received your Zoom code by the day of your course, please check your junk email inbox.) The Zoom login code will remain the same throughout the course.

You will need to join Zoom five minutes before your session is due to start and remain in the “waiting room”. Your tutor will then admit you to the class once your session is ready to begin.

If you require help to download or use Zoom, please email ictskills@york.gov.uk at least a week before your course starts and we will endeavour to provide assistance.
Prosp User 6

In order to support keeping York moving, consider travelling to your course by bus or bike. Click here to check out the bus routes closest to the venue for this course using the iTravel website, or discover York's cycle routes by clicking here.
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Alongside gaining course-specific skills, you will develop and showcase transferable skills that boost your confidence, employability, and ability to engage in further learning or volunteering.
Alongside gaining course-specific skills, you will develop and showcase transferable skills that boost your confidence, employability, and ability to engage in further learning or volunteering.
Employers highly value these transferable skills because they equip employees to excel beyond their basic job roles.
Employers highly value these transferable skills because they equip employees to excel beyond their basic job roles.
Prosp User 8

Learners who live in devolved authorities

Learners who live in devolved authorities
York Learning receives government funding which allows us to offer courses at a lower cost. The guidelines relating to devolution means that we cannot apply this funding to learners who live in devolved areas such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
York Learning receives government funding which allows us to offer courses at a lower cost. The guidelines relating to devolution means that we cannot apply this funding to learners who live in devolved areas such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
If you live outside of this area, we recommend that, before committing to a course with York Learning, you explore options to study the course in your local area.
If you live outside of this area, we recommend that, before committing to a course with York Learning, you explore options to study the course in your local area.
If you would prefer to continue your learning with York Learning please note that the price of the course could be double the advertised cost.
If you would prefer to continue your learning with York Learning please note that the price of the course could be double the advertised cost.
In this case, please contact us on 01904 554277 to complete your enrolment.
In this case, please contact us on 01904 554277 to complete your enrolment.

Learners under the age of 19

Learners under the age of 19
Please note that Adult Education funding is for individuals who are over the age of 19 on the 31st of August prior to the start date of their course.
Please note that Adult Education funding is for individuals who are over the age of 19 on the 31st of August prior to the start date of their course.
This means that there will be an additional cost for learners who are under 19 who wish to access funded courses.
This means that there will be an additional cost for learners who are under 19 who wish to access funded courses.
For safeguarding reasons, we cannot accept learners who are under 18 on courses except by prior arrangement. This does not apply to programmes which are designed for 16-18s.
For safeguarding reasons, we cannot accept learners who are under 18 on courses except by prior arrangement. This does not apply to programmes which are designed for 16-18s.
If you are under the age of 19, please contact us on 01904 554277 before booking.
If you are under the age of 19, please contact us on 01904 554277 before booking.
AT2/SB8
21/01/2026
18/03/2026
19:00 - 21:00
Wednesday
2.00 hrs per wk
8 weeks
Kimbal Bumstead
96.00
£96.00 if in receipt of the State Pension; a 65% discount of the full fee is available for people in receipt of certain means-tested benefits