The British countryside, cultivated land and the wild margins that surround it have been a source of inspiration for so many artists exploring the fantastical, the pastoral idyll and an ever changing backdrop to everyday life.
You will explore a pattern-based interpretation of the landscape around West Dean through drawing from observation. Drawing in the Arboretum and the flowing chalk downland, you will look at how patterns, rhythms and textures can capture a sense of place and time. Referencing artists such as Samuel Palmer, Vincent Van Gogh, David Hockney, Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, 17th century Indian paintings and others, you will be encouraged to experiment in finding your own visual language and way of making marks.
Each session will have a group introduction, followed by individual support. There will be a strong focus on learning to look for patterns, textures and rhythms, identifying shapes, space and compositions. Drawing with pencils, charcoal and ink, you will explore different ways of interpreting your surroundings through experimental mark-making. You will also look at how you choose what to draw, pulling out of the scene the patterns and shapes that attract you. You will explore composition as the counterweight to pattern and draw from memory, working in the studio from drawings made outside as a way of understanding how you interpret what you see.
By the end of the course, you will have a series of short sketches and some more finished pieces. You will also begin to know how to identify what you are looking for in a drawing and what moves you about a specific place or landscape, and how composition and pattern play their part in this. You will have a range of marks to equip you to tackle any garden or landscape.
Throughout the course, there will be regular informal group reviews of your work, with a focus on group discussion and learning from each other.
This is a subject-focused, rather than technique- focused, course, suitable for all levels of experience.
Included
Some fixative to share amongst the group
What students need to bring
Please bring any of the following items if you have them:
- A2 pad of cartridge paper and a selection of different papers with interesting textures and colours
Pencils (softer ones are best) 2B - 8B
- 1 box of charcoal (range of widths), thin charcoal is great
- 1 bottle of Indian ink, at least 100ml, and brushes or ink pen
- White chalk pastel
Rubber (a hard rubber is better), scalpel, pencil sharpener, bulldog clips, masking tape
- A plastic folder to carry your drawings
- Appropriate clothing for working outdoors (extra warmth for sitting, sunhats for shade if necessary)
4 jam jars with lids for water and ink of varying dilutions, rags and any other materials you really love to work with
Available to buy
Available from shop:
The College Craft Shop stocks a range of art materials, including paper, drawing materials, ink, brushes, pastels and fixative spray.
Additional information
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
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
