This course is primarily about combining how you explore your subject with the qualities of the materials and techniques. You will develop your drawing and mark-making skills, focusing on line, surface, texture and pattern. Through observation of your subject, you will learn to respond with different materials as you experiment with ink, graphite, wax and watercolour. You will also learn to draw using low tech print processes, such as monoprint and collagraph.
The subject is the surrounding landscape and, after initial introductions to some techniques, the starting point will be location drawing at the college. You will explore how techniques and materials can help you develop your ideas, which can then initiate more ideas for further development. Each day will generate outcomes that can be carried into the next day and the next technique, allowing you to build a sketchbook style portfolio of work, showing development and exploration of ideas through multiple materials and techniques. You will create a record of the processes you work with for future reference and a rich source of ideas towards your work and further projects.
The tutor will introduce specific exercises and demonstrations to get you started each day, followed by plenty of individual exploration, supported by one-to-one discussion. This course is suitable if you are interested in developing ideas and ways of working in a range of disciplines and practices, including textiles, ceramics, glass, metals, print, drawing and jewellery.
Included
The course fee includes the cost of providing some paper for drawing and printing, printing ink, drawing ink, drawing materials, collagraph boards, a plaster block, shellac, papers for Chine collé, slide mounts and acetates shared amongst the group. Additional materials for large or excessive work will be available to purchase from the tutor or the shop during the course.
What students need to bring
- Sketchbooks and examples of your work if you wish, but this is not essential
- Please bring a collection of scraps of paper that are textured for collagraph or thin for Chine collé. The thin papers can be plain or have text/print/drawings on, e.g. old tickets, stamps, Japanese paper, pages from old books (but not glossy) or bits from your own drawings. Also, if you want to bring your own paper for drawing and printing, plus drawing materials to supplement what will be provided, then you can. Please bring a glue stick and an apron.
Available to buy
Available from shop:
A good selection of art materials, including drawing ink, graphite, paintbrushes, paper, glue sticks
Available from tutor:
Additional paper, collagraph boards and plaster blocks can be purchased from the tutor.
Additional information
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no open toes or sandals).
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