By enlisting 'found objects' from your own personal collections or those found at West Dean, we will explore different tools to paint and mark cloth and paper substrates, creating samples inspired by locality and place. You will work with different materials and mediums of your choice. A series of creative exercises will further help to develop personal expression and add meaning to your work and connect a sense of place to your collection and ideas.

The sample pieces resulting from this creative exploration could be used as a starting point for your own mixed media, collage and textile-based work, and you will gain confidence in exploration of mark and stitch as part of the creative process.

Materials and techniques covered:

• Investigation of painting and mark-making techniques on paper and fabric
• Developing ideas from locality and found materials
• Mixed media approaches, combining paper and textile surfaces with stitch
• Start to explore free machine and hand stitch

The teaching method is through a combination of demonstrations and discussion in a workshop-based course, where you will be encouraged to work individually in applying techniques and develop ideas in mixed media. Samples will be available to look at and the course ends with an open discussion of ideas and process in relation to the work produced.

Included

Some of the materials supplied to the group as a whole: paste, paint and other shared resources

What students need to bring

*These items may be purchased in the College Shop. Please note, the course is based on using found materials; this list is intended as a guide and feel free to bring any favoured media.

Tools:

• 1–2 inch brush, 2/3 finer brushes
• 2–3 items of additional drawing/painting media of your choice – at least one black waterproof soft-tipped pen*
• Small sponge*
• Pritt stick/paper glue*
• Scalpel*
• Spare lidded plastic containers

Basic sewing equipment:

• Scissors*
• Assorted threads of your choice - hand and machine threads (you will use hand and/or machine stitch.) - There will be sewing machines available for shared general use, but you may wish to bring your own. Pins and needles

Papers and fabric:

• Small pieces of cotton/calico/linen* – to use as a base for mark-making and stitch – pieces of old sheets, tablecloths are ideal
• Small selection of coloured/dyed waste fabrics, mostly fine naturals can be pre-patterned (dress/ furnishing)
• Look for some which have texture such as lace, seams, etc.
• Assorted weights of papers from brown wrapping paper, glossy magazines, patterned paper, oriental specialist papers, hand-made paper*, etc.

Gathered ephemera:

• 3-4 small found objects to print with, for example: letter blocks/stencils, textured paper (wallpaper). Be selective - scrap fabric, paper and found materials should be no more than a carrier bag full!

• Apron and suitable clothing for workshop

• Sketchbook*

• Camera/tablet/phone for recording work in progress, etc.

Available to buy

Available from shop: Items marked * are also available to buy from the craft shop.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

As you work through the course, you may choose to make reference to the environment of West Dean, and/or work from personal images, ideas and other materials you have collected for inspiration. Please bring images that illustrate your interest. There may be slight alterations to the course timetable as we progress, depending on course development. The tutor will advise.

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

Terms & Conditions