You will learn techniques that incorporate found text, images and textiles to communicate ideas through layering and mixed media. Using everyday materials like old books, magazines and packaging, you will explore their embedded histories and cultural references, creating narratives through worn, textured surfaces.

To begin, you will collect materials that relate to your chosen subject matter—texts, images, fabrics and objects that resonate with your personal themes. These will serve as the foundation for your work. Techniques like tearing and cutting allow for the revelation of underlying layers, hinting at hidden stories or fragmented memories. Layering is central to this process, inspired by methods from Japanese screen making and paper crafts, which emphasise texture and multi-dimensionality. Stitching, both by hand and machine, becomes a means of joining these layers, while also adding texture and guiding the viewer’s eye across the work.

The use of text, including asemic writing, which suggests meaning without being tied to literal language, is a key element in this exploration. Text and writing can be integrated subtly, becoming part of the visual fabric of the piece, or used explicitly to communicate more direct messages. The combination of text, image and textile creates a complex, layered narrative.

Throughout this process, you will draw inspiration from the environment around you, such as the textures and atmosphere of West Dean, while also incorporating personal imagery and materials.

The outcome will be a series of mixed media pieces—collages, book forms or sculptural works—that explore how found materials can be transformed into powerful expressions of narrative and meaning.

Included

A sheet of A1 cartridge paper and some newsprint will be provided per student, plus acrylic paint, muslin, wallpaper paste and conservation paper to share amongst the group.

What students need to bring

*These items may be purchased in the College Shop.

Equipment:

• 1–2 inch brush, 2/3 finer brushes, sponge
• 3–4 plastic lidded containers (margarine tubs or similar)
• 2–3 items of additional writing media of your choice
• Plastic ruler
• Small sponge*
• Any letter stencils/print blocks you may have
• At least one waterproof soft-tipped pen*
• Cheap wax crayons for writing text and making rubbings
• Scalpel*

Basic sewing equipment:

• Scissors*
• Assorted threads of your choice and one or two machine threads (focus will be on hand stitching for those who wish to stitch, but there will be four sewing machines available for a brief demonstration and practice for those who wish to use them)

Papers and fabric:

• Assorted weights of papers, magazines, patterned paper, textured paper (wallpaper), oriental specialist papers, hand-made paper*, etc. (No more than a carrier bag full!); include elements with text
• Piece of cotton/cotton polyester mix, calico* – no more than a metre in width to use as a base
• Gathered ephemera e.g. lace, fabric scraps, old food wrappers, ties, pegs, photographs
• Photocopied images and photocopies of text, old books if you wish, for cutting up
• 3-4 small found objects to print or make a mark Sketchbook/camera (optional)
• Aprons and plastic gloves

Additional information

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

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.

Terms & Conditions