Ref: SLW40656
This course is run across two spectacular sites: West Dean College and Petworth House which is a superb National Trust site. The course will focus on drawing and oil painting techniques.
On the first full day, you’ll visit Petworth House where you’ll be able to take inspiration from the permanent collection there. You’ll have the opportunity to view Turner’s work in the splendid rooms of Petworth. You’ll then explore the grounds of Petworth where your tutor will guide you through skills and techniques in creating sketches in preparation for painting. You’ll learn how to capture your visual world and understand how to create balance, strong composition and atmosphere in your studies. Your tutor will take you through the fundamentals of composition, help you understand how to balance light and dark in a landscape and build perspective and proportion to make strong foundations for oil paintings. You’ll have the entire day to work on your sketches and understudies in preparation, developing your ideas into paintings the following day.
On the second day, you’ll return to Petworth to develop your ideas. Your tutor will introduce the day with a lesson of oil painting techniques and ideas to help translate your sketches into paintings. You’ll be guided through painting application, colour mixing and how to use mediums to create atmosphere in your landscapes. You can elect to work outside, painting ‘en plein air’ or in the studio at Petworth, working at your own pace with your tutor on hand to give you helpful tips and pointers along the way.
On the final day of this course, you’ll work in the studio at West Dean to solidify your ideas and build up your oil painting into final works for the final day of painting. This day will see your works really come to life. You’ll be guided through second pass painting techniques and skills in layering your works into strong and interesting pieces of art. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss any problems or issues you may face and tips on how to correct or improve problem areas in work. The day will conclude with a quick plenary and question and answer session to summarise everything you have learnt throughout the course.
On this course the College will supply most of the materials including oil paint, 2 x 12” x 16” wooden panels, gesso, Liquin, studio safe solvent, linseed oil, charcoal, putty rubber, rags, tear off disposable palettes and cartridge paper.
Optional extras:
Available from shop: A good variety of art materials including watercolour paint, oil paint, mediums, brushes, palettes, paper, drawing materials and dry media such as charcoal/pastels etc.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
The College will provide transport for the visits to Petworth House.
Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-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 (lunch included)
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 - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)
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.
Laura studied Art & Design at Leeds University. Her practice focuses on contemporary landscape painting, working in oils and watercolour onto clay. She has 10 years of teaching experience and has exhibited throughout the UK and in her own studio and gallery space.
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.
