Explore the fluid, vibrant world of acrylic inks and their expressive potential with professional artist Ella Carty.

This one-day workshop offers students the chance to discover the unique qualities of acrylic inks without the pressure of creating perfect, finished pieces.

Ella will demonstrate a range of techniques drawn from her own painting practice, encouraging you to experiment with colour, layering, and mark-making. Through guided exercises on paper, and using a still life set up in the studio for inspiration, you’ll experiment with rags and brushes, building confidence in mark-making and learning how to work with this fluid and versatile medium.

Using your exploratory studies as a starting point, you’ll begin to develop two paintings, working on two primed cotton canvas boards. This approach allows you to alternate between pieces as layers dry, encouraging a more considered and responsive way of working.

Throughout the day, Ella will demonstrate key techniques such as dry brush and wet-on-wet, alongside colour mixing, staining and layering. You’ll explore how to build compositions, develop structure, and work from light to dark while maintaining clarity and vibrancy in your paintings.

By the end of the day, you’ll have enjoyed exploring a range of acrylic ink techniques, leaving with fresh ideas and the confidence to develop your work further.

What to Bring

We will provide all the materials you need. If you have chosen a landscape class please wear appropriate footwear as you may spend time on the beach we look out over, a short walk from the studio.

Timings and Breaks

The workshop will run from 10am until 4pm. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the start time so you can check in at reception and get settled in. We will serve tea and coffee at break times during the workshop.