No, just an interest in and desire to be involved with a local friendly art group.  Many ALP members joined with little or no experience.  We have mentors, some professionally trained but most not,  who will help and encourage those that want help. 

One of the many things that new artists find is that they don't know what to paint or draw.  That's easy, just look around and the subjects before your eyes are plentiful.  Flowers, the sea, sky, land, objects on your kitchen table. Cezanne did lots of bowls of fruit!

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We also suggest books and magazines provide plenty of inspiring pictures and there is nothing wrong with copying.  Leonardo, Raphael, Van Dyke, all started by copying things. It's how we learn.

Definitely.  In fact we recommend you to do just that.  It is a way of seeing what the possibilities are, to chat to the members and see the variety of works and mediums used.  You will find members are only too keen to talk to you and encourage you to come and join us.  We don't charge for you to come and look and talk.

We meet every week of the year, except Christmas week or if there is an election (the Hall is used as a polling station).  We meet from 1.30pm to 4pm on Thursday afternoons at St John's Community Hall, Rose Lane, Barnstaple, EX32 8PG.  There is level access, wheelchair access, toilet facilities and a kitchen.  Parking is in the Tesco car park, adjacent and is free.

That's fine, most members have a week off every now again, holidays, other commitments and sometimes sadly, sickness.  It's a drop in session, so you only pay when you attend.  £3 per session.

Unfortunately, no. We can offer them at a good price though!