The course will explore the artist's studio as a place to create new worlds, through a combination of observing still life and drawing from imagination. Using the studio and the set-up that Beth will create from florals, vases, books and fabrics, you will explore painting through floral motifs, texture and still life.

You will take inspiration from artists and how they have painted their studios and interior space, including David Hockney, Hilary Pecis and Andy Dixon, with a particular focus on Henri Matisse. You will analyse the relationship between pattern and colour, examining Matisse's methods to create vibrant and fluid compositions. You will learn fundamental painting techniques, including an introduction to acrylics, colour theory and the study of light and shadow within colour and pattern. There will be a strong focus on detail throughout the course, building up multiple layers to depict a complete narrative.

The morning session will begin by running through a short presentation on artists’ paintings of their studios and interiors, and how inspiration can be drawn from them throughout the day. You will also look at your tutor's work and how she creates the compositions of her interior paintings. This will be followed by painting exercises, beginning with painting in one colour, then testing some of the knowledge you've learnt on colour theory by introducing more colour throughout the morning. These will be short paintings, and you will continue to move and add to the composition to create the most interesting set-up. You will look at how David Hockney and Henri Matisse use colour, echoing Matisse's methods of using unexpected and inauthentic colours on certain objects. You will explore the way the light hits certain fabrics and petals of the still life set-up and use effective ways to convey this in paint.

The afternoon session will build upon the morning's learning to create a complete painting of the studio, using inspiration from reference imagery and the drawings created in the morning. You will experiment and explore what happens when light hits blues, reds, pinks and greens of the still life composition.

By the end of the course, you will have a complete painting of the studio on a canvas to take home. You will have learnt about pattern and colour theory and applied this knowledge practically. 

Included

On this course, some 220gsm cartridge paper, a 40cm x 50cm canvas and an eraser are provided per student, plus a variety of acrylic paints to be shared amongst the group. Flowers are also provided to enhance the still life set-up.

What students need to bring

(Optional) You may bring any books or pieces of artwork that are personal to you that you would like to add to the still life composition that the group will be working from.

Available to buy

A good variety of art and craft materials are available to buy in the Gardens Gatehouse Shop.

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  
 

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