Ref: S5D35586
This course is about breaking down prejudices about colour, both in the timidity of its habitual usage and in discovering subtler unexpected palettes. Colour is such a stimulating and exciting area that it is easy to become either fearful or brash in our approach. You will gain confidence to discover your own chromatic voice within the rules that govern colour practice, enabling you to find your own sensibility. There is no prescribed house style, but a desire to experiment and analyse differing aspects of colour is essential. Using the work of artists who are considered above all to be colourists provides a scaffold to systematically cover a broad range of adventurous chromatic visions.
This is a fast moving course with distinct morning and afternoon sessions, complemented by two video presentations and the tutor's own slideshow of recent work in the evenings. There is also the possibility of an evening drawing project. Nine projects will be completed and a final group tutorial, emphasising where you could take your colour investigation after the course.
We will explore some of the major developments in colour theory by using examples taken from the working methodology of figures such as Joseph Mallord William Turner, John Constable, John Sell Cotman, Pierre Bonnard, Georgia O’Keefe, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, Richard Diebenkorn and Howard Hodgkin.
Working in oil, acrylic or gouache paints, you will study a balanced, structured sequence of projects, exploring the potential of colour to become a subject in its own right – from local colour directly observed, to the more subjective realms of imaginative associative mood colour, to the formal relationships of abstract colour.
You will be working extensively from the stunning landscape environment of West Dean Gardens, and walking to and from locations around the estate throughout the course, every day, subject to weather conditions. Please bring warm clothes and, if you have mobility issues, we recommend a studio-based course instead.
Please bring three paintings of colours that represent to you a distinct mood or place. A basic range of coloured chalks/pastels (12 hues) Coloured papers, one black sheet of drawing paper A range of Conté sticks, including white and browns (Terracotta, Sanguine, Umber, Burnt Sienna, etc. x 5) PVA glue, scissors Pencils: HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B A variety of brushes
Acrylic painters: 5 sheets of A1 white cartridge paper and 2 sheets of A1 black cartridge paper
Oil painters: 10 oil primed boards or oil primed paper, 1 litre odourless solvent such as Zest-it
Oil or acrylic paints in the nearest colour (please note, manufacturers use different names for the same hues), but you really will need all the colours below, plus any others that you may have beyond this list: Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Lemon Yellow, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue,Terre Verte Green, Sap Green, Viridian Green, White and Paynes Grey (do bring any extra colours if you have them) Rags Warm clothing (for working outside)
Available from shop:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
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)
Mark Cazalet is a contemporary British artist based in London. He has had an eclectic training which has influenced his broad range of media and working processes. He is particularly interested in colour and markmaking which he has explored in glass, textile, printed books, murals and traditional materials.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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.
