This course is as much about process as it is about outcomes. It is about using techniques and materials combined with gathering visual information from outdoors at West Dean to make work that is a response to nature, experimental in attitude and sketchbook-like in nature. It is a catalyst for ideas and further development.
Initial studio time will introduce you to some materials and techniques and you will prepare marks and backgrounds on paper to work on. Going outdoors, and walking in the grounds of the College as a group, you will gather visual information and impressions through mark-making, collecting natural objects, making rubbings and using graphite. Returning to the studio with your findings, you will be encouraged to further explore and express your feelings about the walk and nature, using various low tech print and drawing techniques, plus making small scale pressings from textures and embossed surfaces using clay.
You can expect to produce a collection of pieces in response to the walk that are like tests and samples in character and generally small scale.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
Included
On this course, the tutor will supply most of the materials to be shared equally within the group, including: paper, card, drawing inks, printing inks, oil pastels, graphite, polybloc, plaster blocks and small quantities of clay.
The cost of any work that is large in size and quantity may be charged extra.
What students need to bring
If you have any of the following materials or tools and would like to use them, you could bring them:
graphite crayons, graphite powder, graphite sticks or tailor blocks (e.g. Art Graf products), metallic powder, watercolour paints, Quink ink, soft oil pastels, pencils, paint brushes, thin papers for making rubbings, glue stick, tools for mark-making and scratching into pastels and plaster, folio or carrier to take work home and a box to take clay pieces in.
Available to buy
Available from shop:
A good variety of art materials, including graphite crayons, graphite powder, graphite sticks, watercolour paints, Quink ink, soft oil pastels, pencils, paint brushes, thin papers for making rubbings, glue stick, folios.
Available from tutor:
The cost of extra materials used in the making of any work large in size and quantity.
Additional information
Firing options:
1. Fill in the form supplied and leave any raw, finished pieces that you wish to keep, for biscuit firing by the College, for collection within six months.
2. Take away your unfired sculpture for firing elsewhere.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).