Ref: D2D35366
This course will focus on depicting some of London’s squares in oils. London’s squares offer a sanctuary from city life, some through symmetry, structure and elegance whilst others allow this escape through meandering paths and irregular shapes. The contrast between the overbearing mass of building and the gardens presents a variety of textures, compositions, colour and interest.
You will be guided through the process of finding a motif, developing a composition and making a painting. The tutor will introduce you to the processes involved in oil painting and the many and various decisions you need to make as an artist, including underpainting, your colour palette, colour mixing and choice of brushes. The course will develop your ability to capture the fleeting effects of light inside London’s squares whilst also capturing a sense of place.
This will be primarily an outdoor painting course. However, in the event of bad weather, there will be opportunities to work under cover, as well as in the studio from your drawings. You will be working on quick, one-off oil sketches, and on one or more sustained paintings, aiming at a sense of space, light, form and atmosphere.
On this course the College will supply most of the materials, including 6 x gesso boards, oil paint and solvents.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Daily Timetable
Course teaching 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)
Morning teaching 11am-1pm
Lunch break between 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching 2pm-5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes 5.15pm
Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.
Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.
If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.
Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.
Please refer to our terms & conditions below.
The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.
Nick Bush (b.1987) is a painter living and working in East Sussex. He completed his BA at the Glasgow School of Art in 2010 and went on to do The Drawing Year at the Royal Drawing School in 2011. He has exhibited widely in the UK, including the RA Summer Exhibition and the Lynn-Painter Stainers Prize.
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.
