This course attempts to foster a broader ecological understanding of plant and human relationships.
Art making can offer similar novel ways for exploring the entangled relationship between plants and humans. It can be useful to focus on singular plants, as an important first step towards decolonizing our relationship with “nature”.

Using formal elements, such as tone, composition and colour effectively, you will make a painting using plants as your inspiration.  You will become aware of the effects of surface quality and texture in an image, learn basic skills in appraising your own work and understanding the medium acrylic paint. You will also learn to demonstrate an understanding of value and the use of tonal range in your paintings and gain an understanding of the differences between washes and thick paint.

You will develop your painting in a series of controlled steps. Learn to select and prepare surfaces and materials, build a composition and make supplementary studies to guide your colour application and evaluate your progress and results.

This is a course, which will take you through the making of an acrylic painting from beginning studies to a final piece, considering the different stages involved where you will develop you handling of the medium and build confidence in image making with paint. You will also follow set painting projects and /or develop your own ideas in painting building upon the momentum in the studio.

‘Ecology (from Greek: οἶκος "house" and -λογία, "study of")[A] is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment.

Included

On this course the College will supply most of the materials, including three A1 sheets of cartridge paper per student, and some gesso, acrylic paint and masking tape to be shared amongst the group. The tutor will provide a plant for each student.

What students need to bring

• Rags
• A variety of brushes
• Empty window cleaner sprayer (for spraying water on artwork)
• A portable music device with headphones and music (optional)
• Bring the materials you like to work with: grounds you like to work on, such as canvas, different paper, boards, etc. (optional)

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Student registration: 10.30am - 11am
Course teaching: 11am – 5.15pm 
Morning session: 11am - 1pm
Lunch break: 1pm - 2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes: 5.15pm  
 

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety

Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions