Ref: SLW40837
In this short course, you will learn how to make an illustrated map or series of maps that can fold neatly into a book or inside a book. You will use new drawing, lettering and painting skills to combine image and words that record a real or imaginary place.
Your tutor will guide and teach you through the process of drawing, lettering and recording, with short exercises for everyone, and then individually through to completion of your own design. She will demonstrate ways to sort and plan your design, how to apply colour quickly and different contemporary ways to write, so information becomes an integral part of the design. Your finished map can be a series of quick sketches or more detailed illustrations. Your lettering can be either formal calligraphy or informal brush, pen or pencil writing, or a combination.
You will learn about different ways to fold and cut a single sheet of paper to make a map, how to combine pen and wash in fast and effective ways and how to use lettering that fits with your design. You will record quick notes and sketches, as we go along, in a small sketchbook.
Your aim will be to make an original and personal map of somewhere important to you. This could be a favourite walk, where you live, studied or where you grew up, a parish map, or from a book you love. It could be part of a travel journal or a memory map, or an illustration to a story. The beautiful surroundings of West Dean and its gardens may also be used as inspiration. It will be a personal record to share, inspire, remind or guide others to that place.
On this course the College will supply some of the materials, including:
Optional extras:
You will need to bring ideas and any reference material, e.g. photos or old maps, or use online reference such as Google Maps or Street View, or you could work from our surroundings at West Dean. You might want to print out some photos and add them to your workshop sketchbook.
Available from shop: Pens, pencils, watercolours, brushes, additional paper
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
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.
Helen is a Fellow of the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society, FCLAS; and a full member of Letter Exchange and designs the Edge. She studied Illustration, completed the (SSI) Advanced Training Scheme, and is an Accredited Calligraphy Tutor and experienced Art Teacher. She recently spent a year as a full-time student at the European Lettering Institute in Bruges.
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.
