Explore the fundamentals of chalk pastels through expressive use of colour and experimental mark-making, working primarily from still life. The course will begin with small colour studies to investigate tonal relationships, which will inform the development of larger pastel works. Free from size constraints, you will experiment with expanding your compositions to achieve a greater sense of scale and space.

Throughout the course, there will be a range of topics and themes covered, including how colours register from a distance and how to build up a chalk pastel drawing using fixative. By combining multiple sheets to extend the size of your work, you will explore how—and why—to expand your images beyond conventional boundaries. We will also explore how artists, both past and present, have used this medium in their practice. You will learn to train your eye to identify compelling motifs that feel personal and meaningful to you.

You will further explore and discuss the variations in mark-making that emerge when working from life, memory and imagination. These reflections will support you in creating work that goes beyond topographical representation, aiming instead for expression shaped by your personal experience of the subject.

The overall aim of this course is to strengthen your observational drawing skills and enable you to work on a much larger, more expressive scale, creating artwork that is true to your own experience. By the end of the course, you will feel confident in identifying and developing your own visual motifs as part of your evolving personal practice.

Included

On this course, the College will supply some of the materials, including:

• Paper
• Charcoal
• Some soft pastels to get you started

What students need to bring

• Chalk pastels: a variety of soft and hard chalk pastels
• Charcoal
• Sketchbooks
• Drawing materials
• Rags
• Additional sheets of A1 paper (some are provided but bring your own if you wish)

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