Ref: S3D37831
Working through a range of brush and wash techniques, you will learn the many different ways a simple brush can be used to create vibrant and dynamic studies. Build your confidence with acrylic ink as you progress your skills from demonstrated exercises, to finding how the flow of the ink interacts with the paper surface. Finally, you will create vibrant ink paintings from small studies to larger landscapes as you learn to manipulate this bright, full-on medium.
You will draw and paint from both plant life and landscape, predominantly from images brought by the tutor. The structured programme of this course opens up towards more intuitive and explorative ways with the medium. As your confidence grows, your techniques will become more refined as you are encouraged to investigate the ink's versatile mobility. Lastly, you will be encouraged to explore your colour knowledge and visual vocabulary by choosing some unusual landscape tints.
An opening talk will be followed by some observational drawing work. The tutor will present classical and contemporary Eastern approaches to ink drawing, then she will encourage you to extend this further to develop your own interpretations of your subject. You will be shown how to use the brush to the best advantage and engage with the tactility of the ink. You will also learn how the paper can behave in relation to the flow of the ink. Visual aesthetics, as well as working techniques, will then be brought together as you move towards some final pieces and a more intuitive and creative way of painting.
There will be plenty of one-to-one guidance and demonstrations to help you open up and extend your painting experience within a mutually supportive environment.
By the end of this course, you will have explored a new and exciting medium and gained a solid, practical base on which to develop new work.
Techniques include:
The course fee includes the cost of providing you with a set of inks, a size 20 flat ox hair wash brush and some newsprint.
Please wear old clothes as ink stains. Bring drawing materials to the first session.
Available from shop: A good selection of art materials are available to buy, including:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am. Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options
Christine Forbes is a Sussex artist and graduate of Northbrook College, Worthing. Her background is in design, acting, fashion and catering. She has been teaching for over 20 years (both adults and children) and includes: The National association of Gifted Children and HMP Ford. She continues to work for private, club and corporate clients. Christine exhibits regularly and is a member of the Sussex Watercolour Society. She runs her own gift card business.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study.
Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.
