The landscape in spring is full of the energy of the new; colour and light bring change with each day. Learn painting techniques, as well as how to develop your own interpretation of the landscape in what you observe and capture in your paintings.

The qualities of oil paint allow you to work quickly outdoors where you will be painting in a range of locations, depending on the weather. This provides different subjects, such as woodland and open views. You will also learn through longer more sustained paintings, some of which are exercise focused, exploring a specific idea, and others aim to be finished works in their own right.

The course combines exploration of techniques and approaches used by different artists, such as capturing specific light effects, relating sky to land, choosing and composing a subject and dealing with the changing light and weather.

You will be working outside, wherever possible, so be prepared for all weathers. Tuition includes whole group talks, individual discussion and practical help while you are working, and subjects include tonal studies, painting the sky, painting water, woods and trees in open views, choice of subject matter, composition and capturing early morning and evening light. For the early morning and evening sessions, you will be working outside normal College workshop hours, but the days on which you do this will depend on the weather conditions.

Included

Some MDF, gesso and white spirit will be provided.

What students need to bring

Oil paints (this list is a guide only; you can bring what you normally use)

• Titanium White, Winsor Yellow (also known as Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue, Brilliant Yellow, etc.), Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine, Pthalo Blue (known by other trade names as well) Ivory Black
• A mix of brushes, including some long flat hog sizes 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10
• Low odour thinners such as Zest-it
• Palette knife (knives) and a palette
• Surfaces to paint on
• A sketchbook and pencils
• Paint rags
• String and two tent pegs/skewers (for tethering down easel in wind)
• Sun hat and warm clothes

Available to buy

Available from shop: A good variety of oil paints, including Titanium White, Winsor Yellow (also known as Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue, Brilliant Yellow, etc.), Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine, Pthalo Blue, Ivory Black A good variety of brushes, including long flat hog sizes 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Zest-it, palette knives, palettes, sketchbooks and pencils A good variety of surfaces to paint on such as canvases and boards

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for suitable for working outdoors in all kinds of weather and the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals, waterproofs, layers, sunhats etc.

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)

Terms & Conditions