Developing Acrylic Techniques

Stephen Joyce

Steve has been practicing his art and teaching art in a variety of further education colleges and other contexts for over 25 years.  He studied Fine Art at Norwich School of Art and attained a BA (Hons), then later MA in Contemporary Art & Professional Practice at Colchester Institute.  He has a wealth of experience from his diverse practice and teaching and great enthusiasm to share his fascination for how pictures can be made differently.

Steve will be the Flatford Artist in Residence for 2026

For further information and examples of previous student work:
Instagram: stevejoyceartist
www.stevejoyce.co/teaching/

Residential accommodation at Flatford Mill is provided within our historic Grade I listed buildings. Rooms are clean, comfortable and functional, but are intentionally simple and should be considered field centre accommodation rather than hotel-standard accommodation. Many guests value the character and heritage of the site, although facilities reflect the age and nature of the buildings.

Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is unsuitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible.

Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.

Check-in is between 1600-1800, if you are arriving after 1800 please advise us, so we can ensure you are advised of access codes, room key location, and room location.

You will meet the tutor at dinner, and you will have your first session after dinner.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  Full Board Accommodation
• 
  Hot and Cold Drinks
• 
  Picnic Lunch

Full board accommodation and picnic lunch is available for resident bookings only.

Refreshments are included for all, but non-resident bookings are advised to bring a packed lunch with you.

What to bring

Essentials:

• Paper or Boards, or canvas boards, or canvases as you prefer to paint on (if paper, then a cartridge of 140gsm weight at least, thicker is better)
• Brushes:  Bristle /Hog Brushes, or synthetic acrylic brushes or sable/sable mix, they will all work but differently – sizes No. 6, 8 or 10, maybe smaller 2 or 3, larger if preferred and any type round, flat etc
• Acrylic paints  (A few basic colours are enough, including white and black)
• Mixing Palette (‘Stay-wet’ or similar palettes are useful to keep the paint from drying)
• Palette Knife- Flat is good for mixing, and a long rod angled with a pointed triangle for impasto

Optional:

• Standard Graphite pencil HB, if you prefer to draw out the image first
• Eraser
• Sharpener or Craft knife
• Your own resource images and/or objects to work from, if you prefer, or use those provided
• Glaze Medium (Matt or other if preferred)  or Marvin Medium can be used as a glaze as well as a glue
• Impasto Medium
• Texture Medium
• Plain flour/corn flour

Provided:

I provide a range of resource images/photographs and objects to work from and some demonstration examples.

• Glaze Medium (Matt or other if preferred)  or Marvin Medium can be used as a glaze as well as a glue
• Impasto Medium
• Texture Medium
• Plain flour/Corn flour