Acrylic ink drawing and colour layers with Natalie Ryde

Ref: SWE35820

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About this course

An introduction to the medium of acrylic ink. Explore how to produce layered ink drawings and paintings using line, mark making and colour wash layers on stretched paper. Develop personal ideas and an understanding of abstraction.

Course Description

The tutor will take you through a process of surface preparation, research drawings, generation and development of ideas into final compositions. There will be material and technique demonstrations and step-by-step layers of painting and drawing in acrylic ink. You will leave with finished works on paper that have a connection to your own areas of interest, with an enhanced knowledge of both the materials used and thought processes in drawing.

Your tutor’s own work explores form, surface, abstraction and pattern through detailed line drawing and expressive layered ink painting. Taking inspiration from patterns in nature at different scales and her family lineage in constructed textile making, she uses a woven network of lines to create complex, layered drawings and paintings which express both intricacy and detail and emotive colour fields. The tutor will take you through her own process of art making and will encourage you to develop your own subject matter and style.

The skills you can expect to learn are: paper stretching and surface preparation; drawing techniques that open up expressive line and mark making, as well as drawing to show form; surface texture and tone. You will also investigate observational and abstract drawing, gain a deeper understanding of the process of abstraction, particularly in the field of systems art and generative drawing, understand colour separations and how transparent single layers of colour can be used to create other colours and build layers of drawing to produce a complex and engaging work of art.

The course will suit those seeking to explore a new medium and those looking to open up new pathways in their existing drawing or making practice. It will be a colour-filled course and will help those who want to introduce colour into their work or lives, whether you are a designer, painter or complete beginner.

Course Materials

Included

On this course, the College will supply some of the materials, including:

  • Schmincke Aerocolor acrylic inks in primary blue, primary yellow, magenta, brown, yellow gold, ultramarine, and white and gesso primer to share amongst the group
  • Fabriano paper, screen printing paper, Somerset satin 300gsm paper, newsprint paper
  • Gummed brown paper tape, mixed media paint markers
  • Refillable drawing pens (Daler - Rowney or Schmincke) and 0.8mm nibs for pens
  • Objects to draw from
  • Basic dry drawing materials such as pencils

What students need to bring

  • Objects that relate to your area of interest to draw from (other items will be provided)
  • Brushes – a variety of acrylic or watercolour brushes, general brushes, household brushes, wallpaper pasting brushes and smaller brushes and any other personal brushes you would like to use
  • Sponges and dip pens

Available to buy

Available from shop: A good variety of art materials, including acrylic inks, brushes, dip pens and a good selection of different papers

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

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.