Vanessa Rolf
Vanessa Rolf studied at the Royal College of Art. She has taught BA and MA level students, led workshops, given talks and worked with schools and communities.
Object: memory - exploring tactile ways to tell stories with Vanessa Rolf
Ref: S4D40958
Course Description
Making Skills: Foundations for Further Study This intensive four-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.
This course take inspiration from the objects we treasure, even when they may have no material value, and how these help us tell stories about ourselves. We will explore how simple shapes, limited colour palettes, textures and stitch can be used to tell stories about objects and their significance to us.
We will begin by creating simple silhouette shapes of objects you are keen to memorialise using drawing and paper collage. These could be based on photographs of objects, drawn from the object itself (if you wish to bring it) or from memory. The object you wish to explore may be valuable with a rich story or perhaps it is more mundane and practical, it could even be something you only held fleetingly. You do not need to have a specific object in mind before the course and could allow the introductory activities to be an opportunity to explore whatever comes to mind.
Playing with scale and simple methods we will create quick responses, developing composition and giving opportunities for ideas to grow.
Potential textile techniques to explore further will be shared via demonstrations, including simple hand stitch and appliqué using stitch or no stitch iron on methods.
You may create a series of studies or a single more resolved work, using fabric collage to explore how tactile qualities can be used to convey narratives.
There will also be opportunities for feedback on work in progress from the tutor and sharing and discussion with other students will be encouraged.
The course will include a talk from textile artist and tutor Vanessa Rolf about her practice and her inspirations.
The sessions will build confidence and your visual skills, using simple materials and processes to share stories. No hand stitch experience necessary.
Course Materials
Included
On this course the tutor will supply the materials including:
- Needles
- Scissors
- Threads
- Yarns
- Scrap fabrics
- Industrial wool felt
- Transfer paper
- Bondaweb
On this course the College will supply:
- Assorted papers
- Drawing materials
What students need to bring
Most items are provided but students may wish to bring an object or image of an object they wish to use as a reference point during the sessions. It will also be possible to work from memory if you choose to or no longer have the object (or it is not suitable to bring).
- Graphite sticks
- Pencils
- Fine line pens
- Wax crayon - black
- White chalk
- Marker or sharpie
All available to purchase at the craft shop in the Gardens Gatehouse
Available to buy
Available from shop:
- Graphite sticks
- Pencils
- Fine line pens
- Wax crayon - black
- White chalk
- Marker or sharpie
Additional information
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
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
Accommodation
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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.