Ref: SWE40530
The humble sketchbook is a magical component of any artist's practice. In this course, you will learn how to create an instant sketchbook using drawing and collage techniques. You will work quickly, instinctively and experimentally to create rapid images where one idea leads to another.
Daily, weekly, timed and subject-focused sketchbooks can be used as research tools to explore ideas and techniques (or to revitalise your practice). If you are short of time, an instant sketchbook will hold and represent your ideas and investigations in miniature.
The tutor will demonstrate how an instant sketchbook can be a joyful and liberating experience. You will learn how to overcome the hesitancy and indecision that can often eat away at precious studio time. You will also find yourself taking risks and trying new approaches in terms of technique, colour, form and composition.
To create the sketchbooks, basic sewing skills would be useful, for which the tutor will be on hand to assist, or there is the option to staple your sketchbook instead.
By the end of the course, you will have learned how to make a variety of sketchbooks, and you will have created and filled three of your own. You will have developed new ideas about drawing and collage, and you will have gained confidence in trusting your own judgement to work quickly and instinctively.
The cost of providing some paper-based materials for the sketchbooks, including archival glue, needles, thread and some paper-based collage material, shared amongst the group
Have a look online at artists’ sketchbooks: Louise Bourgeois, David Hockney, Paul Klee, Georges Braque, Phyllida Barlow. Do some research on how artists, past and present, use sketchbooks and think about how you would like to use one in your own practice. Gather together general collage material – magazines, brochures and catalogues.
Available from shop:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio; this includes stout covered footwear (no open toes or sandals).
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.
Annabel Tilley, graduate of the University of Brighton and shortlisted for the Jerwood Drawing Prize, has a drawing-based and sketchbook practice and has exhibited widely and undertaken several residencies. She is a lecturer, co-author of What they didn't teach you in art school (Octopus Books, 2016) and co-Founder of Zeitgeist Arts Projects (2012-2015).
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.
