Working at the arboretum in the West Dean Gardens, you will be painting with oils directly in front of the landscape. You will also work on still life studies of tree branches and roots in the studio. The aim is for you to learn how to create a sense of form and growth in your paintings, ways of structuring a painting to create a feeling of light, form and texture, and approaches to composition. This course is best suited to those who have some basic drawing skills.

During the course, the tutor will refer to a wide range of different artists’ work, with the aim of stimulating your sense of invention to help you develop your response to the subject. Your tutor will sometimes be painting and you can watch him demonstrating and talking about his approach.

You will be working outside wherever possible, so be prepared for all weathers. Tuition includes whole class talks, individual discussion and practical help while you are working. Subjects include tonal studies, painting the sky, foliage and forms of trees and woods, choice of subject matter, composition and capturing light.

By the end of the course, you will have developed confidence in your response to a subject, have a series of studies to refer to in future, as well as at least one finished piece, and discovered new approaches to painting and composition.

Included

Some MDF boards are provided, plus some gesso, white spirit and studio safe solvent to be shared amongst the group.

What students need to bring

• Sketching easels are available to borrow, but, if you have a favourite of your own, do bring it
• A digital camera if possible
• Paint rags

It is important to bring warm clothing for outdoor work. It is much colder painting outside than going for a walk.

• Oil paints: Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue/Winsor Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine, Phthalo Blue/Winsor Blue, Ivory Black
• Sketchbook size A4 and your preferred drawing media
• Canvases/painting boards
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• White spirit /turps for outdoor work only - studio safe solvent will be provided for studio work
• Long ruler

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• A good range of art materials, including oil paints in Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue/Winsor Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine, Phthalo Blue/Winsor Blue, Ivory Black
• A4 sketchbooks
• Drawing media
• Canvases/painting boards in a range of sizes
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Studio safe solvent
• Long rulers

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the working outdoors and also for the studio, this includes stout covered footwear i.e. no open-toed shoes or sandals. Layers of clothing to keep warm, sun hats if hot, etc.

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