Dynamic life drawing and painting with Chris Gilvan-Cartwright

Ref: SLW37878

Book now

Places available

About this course

You are encouraged to explore the dynamics of the imagination, as well as drawing and painting from life, working in both colour and black and white.

Course Description

Challenge and transform your drawing and painting skills and experiences by exploring dynamic and playful approaches. Work from the model using a variety of mediums and techniques that encourage intuitive responses to spontaneous mark-making to free up your drawing and painting. Make expressive work from both observation and imagination, with colour as well as black and white.

You will work through a series of theatrical set themes and poses. Each day will have a new theme with long and short poses.

The course includes the following projects:

  1. Playful sessions include concertina book drawing, three-dimensional collage and full scale ink drawings. Music will also be used to inform your mark-making.

2.Colour, dreams and symbolism. This session is designed for you to explore life drawing and painting of bold abstract colours.

On completing the course, you will have experienced a playful and alternative approach to life drawing and painting, and gained confidence in working intuitively. You will be able to incorporate figure drawing with aspects of your own imagination to make rich and expressive paintings.

Course Materials

Included

  • The model who will sit for the course
  • Some paper, paint and masking tape, shared amongst the group, to get you started - more available to purchase from the shop as required

What students need to bring

  • Charcoal in a range of sizes, a range of pencils, a graphite stick, a putty rubber, black Indian ink, masking tape, Pritt stick glue
  • A1 paper – white cartridge and black
  • Coloured chalk pastels
  • Acrylic paints – a variety of colours
  • A range of brushes
  • Optional: canvases in various sizes, card, boards primed

Available to buy

Available from shop: A good variety of art materials are available to buy, including charcoal in various sizes, a range of pencils, graphite sticks, putty rubbers, black Indian ink, masking tape, Pritt stick glue, A1 paper – white cartridge and black, coloured chalk pastels, acrylic paints, brushes, canvases – ready-made in various sizes, card, boards primed (optional).

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
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

General Information

Tutors

Chris Gilvan-Cartwright

Chris Gilvan-Cartwright, aka The Baron Gilvan, is a painter, performer and animator.
Graduating from Central St Martins he won the Royal Overseas League bursary to paint in India and Nepal. He designed the BBC Proms logos for two seasons, has exhibited extensively and performed at the Jerwood Gallery Hastings. Chris also trained at Kracow Academy of Fine Arts, Poland, and University of Brighton. He has taught over 20 years from Foundation to Degree level. Chris is a member of Central Illustration Agency and has illustrated 20 children's books, including 'Becoming Me', Frances Lincoln Publishing.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

Courses of interest

Painting – expressive mark-making – portraits

26 Sep 2025 | London
Places available
Tutor: Suzanne Caines |
Intermediate
£170

Painting portraits in oils for beginners

29 to 30 Sep 2025 | London
Places available
Tutor: Zara Drummond |
Beginners
£325

Beginners' portrait drawing – accuracy and likeness

26 to 28 Oct 2025 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Andrew Fitchett |
Beginners
£369

Drawing and painting the head

8 to 12 Feb 2026 | West Dean
Places available
Tutor: Emily Ball |
Suitable for all
£665
Further study options for art craft and design short courses

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.