The first evening the tutor will share examples of a variety of visual notebooks, a reference library of handmade books recording place, ideas, stitch as well as observational sketchbooks and studio workbooks.

During the course you will work from your gathered resources to explore line, texture, colour, the building components to a visual vocabulary, creating a series of small studies on paper and cloth to develop ideas forming the tactile pages of your visual notebook. On the first morning there will be an opportunity to gather materials from the West Dean Garden.

With guidance you will learn to sequence your ideas and undertake experimental drawing and mark making exercises using a range of techniques and materials including thread and hand stitch; through painting colour studies you will achieve subtle variations in hue, tone, shade developing a personal palette. You will be encouraged to include found objects, earth, grasses, detritus that adds context to your work and there will be a brief introduction to painting with earth pigments. Your tutor will assist with suggestions on how to compile your collection of tactile pages either stitching them together or adding them to a new or existing book.

Aims & Outcome With support and mentoring you will discover the benefits of being curious, playful, and embracing accidental mistakes, of noticing and evaluating your outcomes. Expand your understanding of various processes to identify what interests and resonates with you. The course aims to inspire and encourage the establishment of a rewarding versatile sketchbook practice, a private reflective space to investigate ideas that makes an invaluable studio resource.

This course is suitable for beginners and established artists who want to expand their practice.

Included

On this course the tutor will supply a small selection of papers, cloth, threads, basic mark-making materials and tools. On this course the College will supply equipment to use for the course duration.

What students need to bring

Working on small studies, you will not need large quantities of materials - off cuts are great

• Gathered resources/materials – (optional) you can collect from West Dean Garden
• Small container or tray to set up an ‘inspiration corner’ Cloth: calico, linen, gauzes & scraps – neutral & some in your colour palette
• Papers: neutral, plain, textured various weights: cartridge, watercolour paper, tracing paper, black paper - off cuts are perfect
• Thread: fine sewing, thicker embroidery, esoteric yarns for couching - neutral & your colour palette
• Basic hand sewing kit: various needles, pins, scissors, (tweezers are useful)
• Selection of paint brushes: fine, broad, chopped ones, spatula, foam brushes
• Any favourite mark making tools
• Paints: bring what you’ve got - watercolours, acrylics, gouache, coloured inks
• Pens: fineliners, markers, drawing pens (pigment/waterproof ink is great) – whatever you have
• Pencils (various leads) graphite stick coloured crayons charcoal – whatever you have
• Scalpel or craft knives, an awl (if you have one) (Stanley knife, ruler & cutting mat is provided)
• Notebook/sketchbook for notes and/or work in during the course
• Sketchbook for your compiled studies (optional) suggest medium/heavy weight cartridge paper or watercolour paper - sizes A6 landscape, A5 or square (spiral bound is better) – you may wish to wait and decide how to compile your studies and buy one at the shop Drop cloth: old tea towel or piece of cloth to work on

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• A range of brushes and drawing materials
• A variety of papers
• Some fabrics: calico scrim
• Sewing equipment, threads & needles including ones for thick thread
• Sketchbooks

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes) and bring suitable all weather outdoor clothing for collecting resources in the West Dean Garden.

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Terms & Conditions