Ref: S5D37928
This course is about breaking down prejudices about colour, both in the timidity of its habitual usage and in discovering subtler unexpected palettes. Colour is such a stimulating and exciting area that it is easy to become either fearful or brash in our approach. You will gain confidence to discover your own chromatic voice within the rules that govern colour practice, enabling you to find your own sensibility. There is no prescribed house style, but a desire to experiment and analyse differing aspects of colour is essential. Using the work of artists who are considered above all to be colourists provides a scaffold to systematically cover a broad range of adventurous chromatic visions.
This is a fast moving course with distinct morning and afternoon sessions, complemented by two video presentations and the tutor's own slideshow of recent work in the evenings. There is also the possibility of an evening drawing project. Nine projects will be completed and a final group tutorial, emphasising where you could take your colour investigation after the course.
We will explore some of the major developments in colour theory by using examples taken from the working methodology of figures such as Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Constable, John Sell Cotman, Pierre Bonnard, Georgia OKeefe, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, Richard Diebenkorn and Howard Hodgkin.
Working in oil, acrylic or gouache paints, you will study a balanced, structured sequence of projects, exploring the potential of colour to become a subject in its own right from local colour directly observed, to the more subjective realms of imaginative associative mood colour, to the formal relationships of abstract colour.
You will be working extensively from the stunning landscape environment of West Dean Gardens, and walking to and from locations around the estate throughout the course, every day, subject to weather conditions. Please bring warm clothes and, if you have mobility issues, we recommend a studio-based course instead.
Available from shop: A good variety of art materials, including:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 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*
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
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
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.
*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options
Mark Cazalet is a contemporary British artist based in London. He has had an eclectic training which has influenced his broad range of media and working processes. He is particularly interested in colour and markmaking which he has explored in glass, textile, printed books, murals and traditional materials.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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