Ref: S4D40877
Making Skills: Foundations for Further Study This intensive four-day programme offers a practical introduction to the core making skills that underpin West Dean’s 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 taster—supporting a smooth transition into, or informed decision about, further study at West Dean.
This course takes inspiration from Edward James’ experimental concrete sculptures at Las Pozas in Mexico and introduces you to creative approaches to concrete casting for contemporary sculptural practice.
You will begin with an illustrated introduction to the historical and artistic context of concrete casting and Edward James’ visionary sculpture garden. Drawing on his PhD research and visits to Las Pozas in 2015 and 2023, the tutor will support you through discussion and practical exercises that explore concrete as a sculptural medium.
You will develop a series of observational and imaginative sketches inspired by the West Dean surroundings. Through group discussion and critique, these drawings will be refined into plan drawings that inform the construction of formwork moulds using timber and other materials. Practical sessions will focus on building moulds, preparing and mixing concrete, and experimenting with casting techniques.
You will explore a range of experimental approaches including the use of colour pigments and aggregates, working with repeated forms, techniques of reinforcement, and the possibilities of fabric mould making. Technical instruction will be balanced with creative exploration, allowing you to respond to your own interests and sculptural ideas.
By the end of the course, you will have gained skills in observational and technical drawing, as well as woodwork and model-making through the development of moulds. You will also become familiar with basic concrete mixing and casting processes, giving you increased confidence to employ these techniques within your own sculptural practice.
Working with concrete can be physically demanding and may not be suitable for those with medical conditions that restrict heavy lifting or the use of power tools. To succeed on this course, you should have basic woodwork skills and some experience using hand tools, including a hand saw, electric jigsaw, cordless drill and hammer. If you are willing to learn and use these tools, you may still be able to join the course — please check with the course programmer.
This course is part of a themed week of short courses selected to offer basic skills and an experience of what to expect from a Foundation course or Higher Education course in a chosen subject area. These courses are taught by selected tutors who teach on or run the full-time courses at West Dean, who can give insight into the full-time programme and offer a snapshot of what to expect if you were to continue this pathway either at West Dean or another institution.
Tutors teaching on this themed week are:
There will be tutor talks on the Tuesday, 8th September evening from 5:15pm in The Old Library as part of the course. Studio visits are encouraged to share work and experiences (out of core teaching hours).
On this course the College will supply most of the materials required for the specific project set by the tutor or shared by the group, including basic timber, concrete, aggregates and pigments.
Available from shop: Additional drawing materials
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio; this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Students should have basic woodwork skills and previous experience using these tools. If unsure, students should check with the course programmer before booking.
Working with concrete can be physically demanding.
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 - Fine Art & BA (Hons) Art & Contemporary Craft
Short course tutor
George Charman is an artist and lecturer based in London who teaches on the GD and MFA programmes at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. Charman's practice-led research focuses on embodied social knowledge, exploring connections between dialogic social experiences and physical sensation in modes of creative production/fabrication.
Subject Leader - Fine Art
Dr David Stent is an artist, writer, curator and performer. His practice has drawn on various media, from drawing and painting to film, video, sonic and sculptural installation. He holds a PhD in Fine Art from the University of Reading, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
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.
