Foundation Series:
The Best Place to Start Your Creative Practice
A structured 5-week course in acrylic, oil, or drawing. Small groups, clear progression, and a focus on building the skills to create what you actually want to make.
These structured 5-week courses are designed to help you learn the fundamentals of a medium, whether that’s acrylic, oil, or drawing.
You might be completely new to art. Or you may already paint but want to slow down and strengthen the basics.
Either way, Foundations gives you a clear place to begin.
At st-Art, we believe creativity isn’t a gift. It’s something you build one session at a time.
Over five weeks you’ll:
Learn the core principles of the medium
Work step by step on a single project
Build an artwork from sketch to finished piece
Understand colour, form and composition
Gain the confidence to keep creating on your own
Who is it for:
You might be completely new to art. Or you already create but want to slow down and strengthen the basics. Either way, Foundations gives you a clear place to begin.
At st-Art, we believe creativity isn't a gift. It's something you build ~ one session at a time.
How the courses works
5 weeks
2 hours per session
Small groups (max 10)
Beginner-friendly
Step-by-step guidance
€259
You’ll work with the same small group each week, building your artwork step by step in the course medium.
What you’ll do over 5 weeks:
Week 1: Get started
Get comfortable with acrylic materials, brushes, and colour mixing. Make your first simple studies and lose the fear of starting.
Week 2: Build confidence
Create a series of quick paintings to loosen up, explore composition, and feel more free with the brush.
Week 3: Start your painting
Choose your subject and begin your own piece - mapping out composition and blocking in colour.
Week 4: Add depth
Develop light, shadow, and texture to bring your painting to life and build a stronger sense of form.
Week 5: Finish & refine
Bring your painting to a finished state, with individual guidance and space to make it your own.
By the end, you’ll leave with a finished piece you created yourself.
Choose your course
Acrylic Basics - Next course starts April 9th · €259 · Book Now →
Drawing Basics - Next course starts April 9th · COMING SOON →
Oil Basics - Next course starts April 9th · COMING SOON →
Meet Your Instructors
Carlo Tozzi
Carlo is an Italian based in Amsterdam, with over 20 years of experience in the art world as an artist and curator. He’s exhibited his work in Madrid, London, Amsterdam, and The Hague. After organizing workshops, lectures, and art events, he founded st-Art in January 2019 to further support and mentor emerging contemporary artists.
You can view some of his work in our Gallery or on his Instagram.
Paulina Siniatkina
Paulina Siniatkina is a visual artist, educator, and global health advocate based in Amsterdam. Her work explores collective trauma and social taboos through a blend of personal insight and research. Trained in monumental painting at the Surikov Art Institute (2013), she holds a Master’s in socially engaged art from ArtEZ (2023). With over a decade of teaching experience, Paulina combines academic depth with a socially conscious approach, inspiring students to create with confidence and purpose.
You can view some of her works on her Instagram.
FAQs
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No. Foundations is designed for beginners.
Drawing is always introduced in Week 1 so everyone starts on solid ground. -
That’s exactly why this course exists.
Creativity isn’t something you either have or don’t. It’s something you build through practice. The course is structured so you learn step by step, alongside a small group who are all starting in the same place.
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Because each week builds on the previous one, we recommend attending all sessions. If you need to miss one, the curator will help you catch up.
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By the end of the course you’ll have a finished artwork you created yourself, along with the confidence to continue developing your practice.
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Both. The course is structured and focused, but the atmosphere is supportive and welcoming. No competition, no judgment - just people learning together.