Painting contemporary still life – colour and space with Heather Gray-Newton

Ref: S2D35849

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Places available

About this course

Refresh your view on approaching still life subject matter, transforming the ordinary to something more extraordinary, through colour knowledge and choice, and spacial ambiguity.

Course Description

Take ordinary objects and make something more extraordinary of them in your painting. This will be essentially wrought through colour and the play of space across the canvas.

You will select your direction from tutor samples, from some essential colour and paint mixing theory options. You will mix paint and create a small sample of your selected colour direction, which will inform you for the subsequent days.

Options will include:

  • bright and supporting dull colour
  • ‘crushing’ colour
  • contrast
  • simultaneous contrast
  • taking colour for a walk
  • painting on a colour ground/loose underpainting

You will select an ordinary object, apply ground/underpainting to your canvas, and begin responding to the still life by adjusting colour and incorporating selection and teaching. This will be guided independent practice, with one-to-one assistance.

Learning outcomes will include acquired knowledge on colour and its use for creating a sense of form, along with combining observation with imaginative capacities, especially concerning space.

Course Materials

Included

Some cobalt turquoise light and raw umber oil paint to try and some Zest-it low odour solvent. Acrylic paint in French ultramarine blue and burnt umber and two small 20cm x 20cm square canvas boards.

What students need to bring

  • Bring in one image that is typical of your work. Have ready two points about your current image-making practice and why you have selected this course.
  • Your own object if you wish. (A neutral-coloured item will be preferable and will be easier to work from, but you can make it more complex by using a coloured or reflective object, e.g. a terracotta jug, a ceramic bowl, a candle holder, etc.)
  • Oil paints or acrylic paints (your usual colours or what you have available). Recommended colours: Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Lemon Yellow, French Ultramarine, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Umber.
  • Studio safe solvent (such as Zest-it)
  • Liquin (original) if using oils
  • Acrylic medium if using acrylics
  • Brushes – a good variety
  • A canvas 30cm x 30cm square is recommended for this course
  • Kitchen roll or rags
  • Two glass jars

Available to buy

Available from shop:

  • A good selection of art materials, including oil paints and acrylic paints in a variety of colours, including the recommended colours: Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Lemon Yellow, French Ultramarine, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Umber. Palettes, studio safe solvent, Liquin medium, acrylic medium, brushes – a large selection available, canvases (30cm x 30cm square canvas is recommended for this course), pencils

Additional information

Your tutor will supply a range of objects for you to select from, but you can bring in your own object if you wish. A neutral-coloured item will be preferable and will be easier to work from, but you can make it more complex by using a coloured or reflective object. Examples: A terracotta jug, a ceramic bowl, a candle holder, etc.

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no open toes or sandals).

Timetable

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential

Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
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 (lunch included)
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

General Information

Tutors

Heather Gray-Newton - Activating Rain 'Rain', Oil on canvas

Heather Gray-Newton

Heather Gray-Newton is inspired by the natural environment and our relationship with it. The sense of well being and identity summoned by experiencing landscape space or the sea, is expressed through poetic interpretation. Heather is also interested in how our attachment to objects and places, contributes toward identity. Heather is proficient in many different media, and selects as appropriate to best express a particular concept. Sound drawing skills always underpin the work. 

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

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Further study options

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.