Miniature painting has been practised in India, Persia, across Europe and the UK from ancient times to today.

During this course, your tutor will introduce you to traditional methods and experimentation enabling you to compose, draw and paint your imagery in miniature. Drawing and composition are vital to give strength and meaning to your image before painting with fine mineral pigments, mixed with a variety of proportions of gum Arabic, various oils, damar varnish and honey.

On the first evening, your tutor will give a short introductory talk before discussing subject matter, preparation of materials and the importance of drawing. The following days will be devoted to exercises on paper to explore brush marks, glazes and optical mixes before progressing to paint on a gessoed panel of your choice.

Preparatory notes, a list of suppliers and a reading list will be supplied by your tutor to help you follow this delightful painting process on your return home.

Included

On this course, the tutor will supply most of the materials, including:

• 1 x piece of practice paper
• Pigments
• Gum Arabic
• Various oils
• Damar varnish
• Honey and distilled water

Additional charge: There will be an additional charge for a gessoed panel of your choice on which you will paint your finished piece. These are available from your tutor and priced from £5 to £15, depending on size. This charge should be paid to your tutor before the end of the course, by cash or BACS.

What students need to bring

• Sketching materials
• Small sable or nylon brushes, preferably liner or rigger, sizes 0 and 00
• Rubber gloves for washing palettes
• Please bring preparatory sketches, photos and/or objects if you wish. You can also refer to plants, still life objects and West Dean's house and gardens to enhance your imagery and imagination.

Available to buy

Available from shop: A good variety of art and craft materials are available to buy, including:

• Sketching materials and synthetic rigger brushes, size 0 and 00.

Available from tutor: Gessoed panel, a variety of sizes from £5 to £15

Additional information

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.

Terms & Conditions