General FAQs:
What will I need to bring?
Bring what you have and are used to working with, which includes colours, brushes, paper or boards and appropriate accessories. If, however, you are thinking or re-stocking your watercolours, you may like to consider the following suggestions:
Colours – Student colours (the Cotman Range) are acceptable but I would recommend ARTISTS’ quality paints in either pan or tubes. A suggested basic range could include: Raw sienna, Burnt umber, Burnt sienna, Light red, Ultramarine, Cobalt blue, Winsor yellow, Cadmium or Winsor red, and also Brown madder, though this is not essential.
Brushes – the brush is probably the most important part of your equipment. A large brush is essential for good watercolour! I would suggest either a PRO-ARTE No.18 or No.20 Prolene Series 101, plus a No.8 and a No.3 sable.
Other materials – If you wish to use line and wash technique you will need the following: Waterproof Indian Ink (ROTRING) black or sepia, and a steel-nib pen. Excellent drawing implements can also be improvised, e.g. a cocktail stick or toothpick jammed into a pen-holder. A selection of waterproof felt-tipped pens, e.g. EDDING 1800 PROFIPEN size 0.7 or 0.5 are also very useful.
Improve Your Watercolours and Acrylics
with John Tookey
This course is for both the more experienced watercolourist and those with just a little experience who, once past the basics, may have become frustrated with their lack of progress.
Individual tuition and advice will be given as problems arise such as composition, tonal relationships and the laying of washes, etc. Occasionally we may work together as a group on exercises plus a demonstration or two. You will be working from your own sketches, photographs, and old paintings, but reference material will also be available.
The aim of the course is to encourage and improve your watercolour technique in a friendly, relaxing, and enjoyable atmosphere.
About the Tutor:
Intermediate and Advanced levels. John Tookey PS IEA was trained in Graphic Design and Fine Art at the Sir John Cass School of Art, London. John worked for many years as a graphic artist in several London advertising agencies before leaving in the 1980s to take up painting full-time. John is an experienced tutor. He works in several mediums, but mainly in watercolour, oil and pastel and is famous for his dynamic bold watercolours that sparkle with light.
COURSE CODE: 046
SEPTEMBER 2025 - DECEMBER 2025
Term 1: £260
Term 1 starts on Thursday 11 September 2025
11, 18, 25 September
2, 9, 16, 23 October
13, 20, 27 November
4, 11 December