The course is aimed at artists and non-artists wanting to expand the expressive flow of drawing, through multiple exercises that push the physicality of drawing to unusual and unexpected extremes. You will be guided through a series of exercises and experiments that search for different ways to channel your inner workings onto paper.
Yoy will utilise all parts of the body, as well as props, body extensions and body constraints to make marks. You will be exploring rhythm, music, breathing, memory visualisation along with re-enacting and exaggerating real life expressions and gesticulations. During the extensive workshops you will be encouraged to find ways of workings that resonate best with you, bringing out your own idiosyncratic processes
The course is particularly designed to think of drawing as a performative practice, with no scale limitations, drawing inspiration to discover new territory by literally pushing outside of physical and mental constraints.
Day One
You will make simple body extensions from found objects you have brought from home. Once the drawing tools are attached to the body extensions, you will begin making a series of large scale drawings from memory, blindfolded.
In the afternoon you will imagine what it is to become-animal moving the body purposefully on the paper to make marks. By restricting movement or adding weight to your body, the gestures of the mark will change.
Day Two
You will focus on rhythm and movement, drawing to music wearing your body extensions on your arms and legs.
In the afternoon you will focus on a way of working that has particularly resonated with you, with constant support and feedback from the tutor. This is a journey that you can explore deeper at home. At the end of the course there will be a group crit.
Artist References: Rebecca Horn, Matthew Barney, Henri Matisse.
Included
On this course the College will provide:
- A full Fabriano 200gsm 10 metre roll of paper per student
- A box of mixed size charcoal
- White chalk
- Some black Indian ink
- Aacrylic paint to get you started.
What students need to bring
- A memento(s) that is relevant to your own personal history e.g a photograph or object
(optional)
- Sketchbook/notebook
- A selection of favourite art materials to work with
- Masking tape
- String
- Rags
- Scarf (to use as a blindfold)
- Brushes (a variety of thicknesses),
- Sticks, twigs
- Household objects to make drawing tools/interesting marks with, eg. scrapers, broom, mop etc.
Available to buy
Available from shop:
- Sketchbooks
- Notebooks and various papers
- Various drawing materials
- Masking tape
- Black fine liner pens
- Posca pens
- A selection of paint brushes of different sizes
- Charcoal
- Black Indian ink and red ink
- Selection of acrylic paint
Additional information
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty, 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
