Re-imagining the landscape through contemporary painting delves into the historical canon of landscape painting. Author, Susan Owens, in her book, The Spirit of Place (2020) states that the earliest English landscape painting dates from c1620. Before that date, the concept of landscape did not exist, in part because landscape was/is an integral part of who we are.

This painting course will explore how artists today are disrupting the theory of the picturesque landscape, in line with theories concerned with rewilding in response to the climate crisis. Artists have always played a role in the way the world is perceived to the point they can action change.

The course will begin with a presentation on the first evening, contextualising how the picturesque has informed the way we view landscape and will include both historical and contemporary painters and will offer an opportunity for you to discuss your own painting practice. You will also be given a set of drawing provocations to inspire plein air, reconnaissance drawings the following morning.

Having been out in the landscape during the first morning, drawing, walking and gathering visual stimulus, you will then spend time in the studio working out compositions using your preferred paint medium on your preferred surfaces before completing your final paintings.

You will be supported throughout by tutor demonstrations and handouts, as well as practical exercises, one-to-one tutorial advice, as well as informal critiques.

What students need to bring

• Please bring your preferred drawing and painting materials. Please bring enough paint to make ambitious paintings in the studio, whether acrylic, oil, gouache, watercolour, egg tempera or household paint.
• We also suggest:
• Prepared surfaces to paint onto
• Sketchbooks
• Charcoal, putty rubber, ink, masking tape
• Palettes/water pots/rags
• Preferred paint mediums, including:
• Brushes appropriate to paint and medium (studio safe odourless solvent if using oils)
• Appropriate outdoor clothing for drawing outside
• Camera/iPad or phone

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• The shop has a good range of art materials, including drawing surfaces and paper, a good selection of paints, palettes, sketchbooks, drawing materials, masking tape, fixative, paintbrushes and mediums.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

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