Creating impactful artwork with Maxine Relton

Ref: S3D40324

Places available

About this course

Instil your work with more visual power by learning multiple ways of accentuating and dramatising your subject, whatever your art discipline. Through inspiring projects and clear presentations, you will develop stronger and more original forms of self-expression.

Course Description

Arresting work is what every artist aspires to create. This course will help you develop your vision and critical ability to achieve visual impact in your work, supporting your style, approach or subject matter.

You will learn different ways of inventing dramatic impact in your work, including dynamic movement, emphatic colour, satisfying composition, impressive scale and engaging narrative.

Each approach is explained, and your tutor will help you consider how to apply these themes in your own practice or emerging ideas. You will work with your chosen materials and subjects and be able to experiment and resolve issues through guided projects. You will be supported with demonstrations and inspiration from your tutor, who will encourage peer discussion and shared progress.

Course Materials

Included

The course fee includes the provision of some materials to try out.

The tutor will be supplying all specialist materials for specific projects, as well as some spares of basic items that might be needed.

What students need to bring

  • Painting overall/apron
  • A few colour magazines and a glue stick if wanting to do collage
  • Any preferred drawing/painting medium of your choice
  • Sketchbook or separate sheets of paper suited to your chosen medium
  • Painting medium of your choice and suitable brushes

Available to buy

Available from shop:

  • A good variety of art materials, including sketchbooks, paper, glue sticks, pencils, paints, brushes and drawing media, etc.

Additional information

Your tutor likes to have a chat with students on the telephone prior to the course. This gives her the opportunity to find out about any special interests or focus areas you have, to tell you a bit more about the course and to answer any questions you may have. Your email and phone number will be passed on to her. If you would prefer the tutor not to contact you, please let the Bookings office know.

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio; this includes stout covered footwear (no open toes or sandals).

Timetable

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-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 (lunch included)  
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 - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
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.

General Information

Tutors

Maxine Relton

Teaching at West Dean since 2005, Maxine works across drawing, painting, printmaking, bookmaking and mixed media. Exhibits widely, runs a 3-floor gallery of her work in Gloucestershire, included in public and private collections around the world. Trained in London at Camberwell and the Slade. An elected member of the Royal West of England Academy.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

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Further study options for art craft and design short courses

Further study options

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.