The Bloomsbury Group’s painting and art history is a heady mix of art practice, aesthetic theory, and cultural context.

This vibrant one day course in the heart of Bloomsbury Square in London explores the visual art and design of the Bloomsbury Group—a circle of early 20th-century artists, writers, and thinkers and in particular the artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. We will see how these artists revolutionised British modernism by merging post-impressionist colour, personal intimacy, and domestic creativity.

Participants will explore how Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant drew from French Post-Impressionism while creating a distinctly British, intimate, and decorative modernism.

Through guided exercises and discussion, students will produce one finished painting or a small series of decorative works inspired by Bloomsbury colour, form, and domestic creativity.

Included

On this course the College will supply most of the materials including:

• A range of acrylic paints.
• Cartridge paper, grey board and canvas to work on.

What students need to bring

The College asks for students to bring:

• Their own preferred set of small and medium soft paint brushes as well as 2B – 6B graphite sketching pencils. Students may also choose to bring charcoal (optional).
• A roll of masking tape
• An apron (a disposable apron will be provided but you may prefer to bring your own)
• Participants are also encouraged to bring a piece from home to decorate in keeping with the Bloomsbury aesthetic ( wooden stool or box, chair, tray, spoon)

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio

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