Drawing interiors can be a rich and rewarding subject, full of history and human presence, as well as of architectural interest. Rather than relying on perspective, this course encourages a multi-viewpoint approach, making small studies in situ, from which will come large expressive drawings in the studio.

You will be drawing with all your senses (eyes shut, drawing sound, etc) in the Oak Hall and surrounding interior spaces of West Dean College in pencil and paper (as charcoal is not allowed in the house). You will be encouraged to make expressive and experimental studies on a small scale as you directly experience being in the space. Your tutor uses meditation exercises to help you tune into your senses and get into the right headspace for making drawings without expectation or judgement. Your drawings may be filled with movement, sound, light through the windows, footsteps on floorboards, pattern of carpets, details of objects. You will spend most of the first day in the house, with guided exercises, one-to-one tuition and group discussions.

On days 2 and 3, in the studio, you will experiment with working intuitively, from the remembered and felt experience, with charcoal onto larger paper, letting the drawing grow and expand. Guided meditations and memory exercises will help reconnect you with the original experience, as well as your studies.

You can expect to make at least one large scale drawing and a series of small studies. At the end of the course, you will have developed your drawing skills and gained confidence in expressing your own personal experience of an interior space. You will have experimented with making bold compositions with new ways of working and exciting mark-making.

Included

On this course, the College will supply some of the materials, including:

• Cartridge paper
• Tissue paper
• Coloured paper
• Tracing paper
• Carbon paper
• Water soluble graphite pencil
• Water brush pen
• Masking tape
• Compressed charcoal
• Pritt Stick
• Plus large rolls of cartridge paper to share amongt the group.

What students need to bring

• coloured pencils and/or Graphite pencils, Graphite Sticks, rubber and Rags
• Any water-soluble pens/pencils you may have
• for Drawing in the house, some basic materials will be provided.
• for studio drawings, Large paper and charcoal will be provided
• you could also bring as An optional extra some coloured chalk pastels.

Available to buy

Available from shop: A good variety of general drawing materials are available to buy, including:

• Coloured pencils
• Graphite pencils
• Graphite sticks
• Rubbers
• Pritt Stick
• Water soluble pencils and pens
• Chalk pastels
• Masking tape
• Bulldog clips

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes). You will be using charcoal and working large scale, so clothes are liable to get dirty in the process.

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

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