Ref: S3D41026
Making Skills: Foundations for Further Study This intensive three-day programme offers a practical introduction to the core making skills that underpin West Deans Higher Education pathways. Through focused, hands-on sessions, students will build confidence, technical ability, and studio familiarity while gaining a clear insight into the expectations and experience of HE-level study.
Designed for incoming HE students, those considering applying, and learners seeking a skills top-up, each course acts as a foundation and tastersupporting a smooth transition into, or informed decision about, further study at West Dean.
When beginning a new tapestry, there are several aspects weavers need to consider while planning a new project. This course aims to help inform a new project you have in mind as you will work on a small sample to try out how you might translate your ideas for design. The following will be covered:
For this course students can bring examples of artwork that they are interested in translating into woven tapestry. The course will begin with an introduction to the different techniques and stages illustrated with examples of work. There will also be an open discussion on the image that you wish to translate. You will create a 10 cm wide sample piece using a cotton warp with woollen weft to explore the different ways of translating marks relating to your image into tapestry.
Contemporary blending and shading techniques in woven tapestry will be explored; alongside how different colours behave when woven together and how colour can be combined with the use of different materials and/or weaving techniques in order to achieve a particular effect. While the main technique will be flat woven tapestry, related techniques such as wrapping, knotting and tufting can also be demonstrated and tried, if appropriate. Further demonstrations will be given as the course progresses.
As the your sample progresses a variety of other materials such as linen, cotton, wire/metallic threads etc., may be introduced into the weft depending on their suitability for the image you have selected. You will work independently with a group crit at the end of the course.
By the end of the course you will have an understanding of how to develop a personal approach to translating your artwork into tapestry. The samples produced are intended to be used as future reference for when working independently on a finished peice.
On this course the College will supply some warp and weft yarn for shared use duing the course
You may also like to note that a special tapestry wool supplier usually visits the course with an array of hand dyed wools for purchase.
Gardens Gatehouse Craft Shop:
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.
Subject Tutor - Tapestry, Fine Art
Studio Leader - West Dean Tapestry Studio
Philip Sanderson is Leader of the Professional Tapestry Studio and a Subject Tutor on the MFA in Fine Art. He is also the Tutor for the Tapestry Foundation Diploma and a short course tutor. During his time at West Dean Philip has translated the work of a number of artists into large-scale tapestries including Marta Rogoyska, John Hubbard, Tracy Emin, and Eva Rothschild.
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.
