The tutor will take you through a process of surface preparation, research drawings, generation and development of ideas into final compositions. There will be material and technique demonstrations and step-by-step layers of painting and drawing in acrylic ink. You will leave with finished works on paper that have a connection to your own areas of interest, with an enhanced knowledge of both the materials used and thought processes in drawing.

You will learn how to take inspiration from patterns in nature at different scales to create layered drawings and paintings. The tutor will take you through her own process of art making and will encourage you to develop your own subject matter and style.

The skills you can expect to learn are the following: paper stretching and surface preparation; drawing techniques that open up expressive line and mark-making, as well as drawing to show form; surface texture and tone. You will also investigate observational and abstract drawing, gain a deeper understanding of the process of abstraction, particularly in the field of systems art and generative drawing, understand colour separations and how transparent single layers of colour can be used to create other colours and build layers of drawing to produce a complex and engaging work of art.

The course will suit those seeking to explore a new medium and those looking to open new pathways in their existing drawing or making practice. It will be a colour-filled course and will help you to introduce colour into your work or lives, whether you are a designer, painter or complete beginner.

Included

On this course, the College will supply some of the materials, including some cartridge paper, Somerset Velvet 300gsm paper, newsprint paper, a refillable drawing pen (Daler Rowney or Schmincke) and objects to draw from, plus Schmincke Aerocolor acrylic inks in primary blue, primary yellow, magenta, brown, yellow gold, ultramarine and white, plus gummed brown paper tape to share amongst the group.

What students need to bring

• Suitable clothing or an apron
• Objects that relate to your area of interest to draw from (other items will be provided)
• Brushes – a variety of acrylic or watercolour brushes, general brushes, household brushes, wallpaper pasting brushes and smaller brushes, and any other personal brushes you would like to use
• Sponges and dip pens

Additional information

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

Daily Timetable

Course teaching: 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive: 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)  
Morning teaching: 11am-1pm
Lunch break: 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching: 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