Explore a more intuitive way of painting through automatism, automatic drawing techniques and a number of painting processes. Led by an inspirational tutor, you will work with the dynamics of your imagination to create painted realities. These could be temporal distortions, dreamworlds, impossible formations and abstractions. A playful and practical approach to painting and drawing is encouraged on this partly structured course, which covers:
- Ideas and inspiration
- Generating ideas through automatic drawing techniques
- Technique demonstrations
- Acrylic painting techniques
- Discussion and encouragement of your ideas and approaches
- Practical sessions
- Tutor feedback
You will also be introduced to a selection of contemporary artists who are working with these themes.
By the end of the course, you will have increased your knowledge, approaches and confidence in painting, as well as developed further your ideas and direction.
Included
The course fee includes the cost of providing some paper, shared amongst the group, and some paint to get you started.
What students need to bring
- Rags
- Empty window cleaner sprayer (for spraying water on artwork)
- Cling film to keep paints wet
- A portable music device with headphones and music (optional)
- A range of acrylic mediums are available to purchase in the shop, except modelling paste and polyfilla.
- Bring the materials you like to work with and grounds you like to work on, such as canvas, paper, boards, etc. There will be acrylic techniques and demonstrations, so it's advisable to bring some acrylics and mediums. You may bring oils if you wish, but please consider the drying time and transportation of work.
- Please bring a range of inspirational images and reference material that you may find useful to work from as source material or simply to inspire your ideas. These could be images from books, magazines, illustrations, photos, poetry, text or actual objects and items that you might incorporate into your paintings.
Available to buy
Available from shop:
- A good variety of art materials, including acrylic paints, acrylic primer, acrylic retarder, acrylic flow improver
- A range of brushes (including large household brushes), palette knives
- Paper, canvases, ready-made in various sizes, boards primed, card
- Palettes
- Black Indian ink (water-resistant)
Additional information
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