Ref: SLW37933
An introduction for all painters to the building blocks that underpin the expressive possibilities of abstract painting, including form, colour, painted paper collage, line, composition, space and narrative.
Understand the building blocks that make up the expressive possibilities that abstract painting can take on this stimulating and thought provoking hands-on course.
Through a series of demonstrations and directed exercises, based on contextual and historical examples from artists, including Piet Mondrian, Henri Matisse, Richard Diebenkorn, Robert Motherwell, Elsworth Kelly, Sandra Blow and Chris Martin, you will learn how choice determines outcome in abstract painting.
You will explore form, colour, painted paper collage, line, composition, space and narrative. There will be an opportunity for individual tutorials, which can help you to reflect on how this understanding can develop your painting practice further.
By the end of the course, you will have gained an insight into understanding how all painting is ultimately made up from abstract elements. You will have completed various expressive possibilities using acrylic paint and charcoal/graphite pencil on paper to achieve different outcomes. You will also have gained confidence in your ability to make choices in your painting process.
Available from shop: A good variety of art materials, such as:
Available from tutor:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.
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
Robert studied painting at Chelsea School of Art and has been a recipient of a bursary from the Pollock Krasner Foundation, New York. He has taught artists throughout the film and broadcast media industries and is a mentor to local professional artists.
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.
