Designing with colour for weaving with Charlotte Grierson

Ref: S3D35810

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About this course

Gain confidence in using and designing and working with colour in your weaving projects. Experiment and understand how colour theory works and how you can use it to find your own voice in your weaving .

Course Description

Build your confidence in using colour for weaving on a loom. This will be a practical weaving workshop on table looms provided and set up in advance by the tutor. Each of the eight-shaft looms will be set up with a different warp, so that you can experiment and discover how the theory works in practice. We will begin by unpicking the elements of colour theory to see how they work and then apply them to weaving.

This course is suitable for those who are in the early stages of learning to weave up, as well as those who have been weaving for some time but are seeking confidence in using colour or are looking to find their own voice in designing with colour.

During the course you will cover:

  • Using different yarns – their characteristics and how they affect colour
  • Scale – using different thicknesses in warp and weft
  • The relationship between warp and weft regarding colour
  • Sett – the effect of spacing of the warp threads on colour
  • Different weave structures and the role colour plays

You will take home:

  • The teaching and supporting handouts
  • The samples you have woven
  • Your design work
  • A colour design for a warp you can make at home

There will be teaching handouts and also supporting handouts for weave structures, especially for newer weavers.

Through discussion and evaluation, there will be a review the factors that affect colour in relation to weaving. Identify the things you need to consider when designing and weaving with colour and create methods you can use when designing and planning the colour in your warps.

On the first evening, the tutor will lead a discussion on ideas around designing with colour for weaving, looking at design examples, weaving samples and also an introduction to the warps on the looms. On subsequent evenings, you can continue experimenting either with weaving samples or with design work started during the day.

Course Materials

Included

On this course, the tutor will supply all of the materials, including warps already set up on the table looms, a wide selection of yarns to weave with, a selection of drawing materials to share and handouts and notes relating to the teaching and sampling.

What students need to bring

  • A spiral bound A4 or A3 sketchbook of cartridge paper or loose sheets
  • You can choose to bring along design source material, something you have chosen for the colours. this could be in the form of photographs, colour drawings, magazine images, postcards.
  • You can bring your favourite drawing materials if you wish.
  • You can bring any yarns you particularly wish to use.

Additional information

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

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

Charlotte Grierson

Charlotte studied woven textile design before gaining an MA in Textiles from Goldsmiths with an art-led focus.

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.