Ref: SLW36137
This course is run across two spectacular sites: West Dean College and Petworth House which is a superb National Trust site. The course will focus on drawing and oil painting techniques.
On the first full day, you’ll visit Petworth House where you’ll be taken on a private tour of a fantastic new Turner Exhibition. You’ll have the opportunity to view Turner’s work in the splendid rooms of Petworth, ask the curator questions and study Turner’s work in a unique and intimate setting. You’ll then explore the first class grounds of Petworth where your tutor will guide you through skills and techniques in creating sketches in preparation for painting. You’ll learn how to capture your visual world and understand how to create balance, strong composition and atmosphere in your studies. Your tutor will take you through the fundamentals of composition, help you understand how to balance light and dark in a landscape and build perspective and proportion to make strong foundations for oil paintings. You’ll have the entire day to work on your sketches and understudies in preparation, developing your ideas into paintings the following day.
On the second day, you’ll return to Petworth to develop your ideas. Your tutor will introduce the day with a lesson of oil painting techniques and ideas to help translate your sketches into paintings. You’ll be guided through painting application, colour mixing and how to use mediums to create atmosphere in your landscapes. You can elect to work outside, painting ‘en plein air’ or in Petworth's very own art studio, working at your own pace with your tutor on hand to give you helpful tips and pointers along the way.
On the final day of this course, you’ll work in the studio at West Dean to solidify your ideas and build up your oil painting into final works for the final day of painting. This day will see your works really come to life. You’ll be guided through second pass painting techniques and skills in layering your works into strong and interesting pieces of art. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss any problems or issues you may face and tips on how to correct or improve problem areas in work. The day will conclude with a quick plenary and question and answer session to summarise everything you have learnt throughout the course.
On this course the College will supply most of the materials including oil paint, 2 x 12” x 16” wooden panels, gesso, Liquin, studio safe solvent, linseed oil, charcoal, putty rubber, rags, tear off disposable palettes and cartridge paper.
Optional extras: Drawing materials for sketching (charcoal and a putty rubber will be provided) Watercolour paints/pastels if you’d like to add colour to the sketching element of the course (plus a lidded water pot and brushes for use outdoors). Palette (disposable palettes provided)
Available from shop: A good variety of art materials including watercolour paint, oil paint, mediums, brushes, palettes, paper, drawing materials and dry media such as charcoal/pastels etc.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
The College will provide transport for the visits to Petworth House.
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
Laura studied Art & Design at Leeds University. Her practice focuses on contemporary landscape painting, working in oils and watercolour onto clay. She has 10 years of teaching experience and has exhibited throughout the UK and in her own studio and gallery space.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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