Watercolour in Practice (Spring)

The aim of this course is to develop solid watercolour skills whilst looking at the practice and themes of contemporary as well as traditional artists.

The course will look in further detail at 2 artists during each module and encourage students to adopt a creative thinking practice with their own work. We are looking for this project at the watercolours of John Singer Sargent (1856 -1925) and the contemporary German artist Bernhard Vogel.

The course will allow you to become familiar with their conceptual influence and how they can inform your own work. This exciting course provides you with an element of art historical reference whilst learning watercolour skills. Structured for beginners whilst also open to more experienced students who would like to develop their own work.

Core Skills
• Different ways of starting a painting referencing art history
• Selecting and developing ideas and a design for your work
• Drawing skills
• Understanding watercolour washes, hard, soft and lost edges
• Colour mixing from the primaries
• Analysing and exaggerating colour bias
• Creating strong tonal contrasts

Materials
Pencils, putty rubber, some sheets of A4 or A3 cartridge paper, 30cm ruler, masking tape, approx 6 sheets of A4 or A3 tracing paper, A4 or A3 pad of cold-pressed good quality watercolour paper (my favourites are Bockingford or Saunders Waterford – more expensive), good quality watercolour paints in pans or tubes: warm and cool version of red, yellow and blue (suggested cadmium red, alizarin crimson, winsor lemon, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, either viridian or winsor green (blue shade), alternatively a box of Cotman Watercolour Sketchers pocket book box of 12 paints will have what you need. Minimum of 3 watercolour brushes: large flat or round wash brush, round brush any size between 5–8, fine brush size 2 or 3, large palette.

Optional extras: Art masking fluid. You may already have materials which can be used. Full advice will be given at the first session.

Tutor
Emily Burton

Dates
8 weeks from 18 Jamuary 2024
18, 25 January 1, 8, 22, 29 February 7, 14 March