Watercolour in Practice (Aut22)

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.

Tutor: Emily Burton

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER (Starting on September 15th)
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About the course (Project: Klee and Kandinsky)
We are looking for this module at the work of Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky. The course will allow you to become familiar with their influence and how their methods might inform your own work. An inherent feature of watercolour is translucency and freshness. You will develop a good understanding of colour theory by applying glazing methods and by overlaying washes. This exciting course provides you with an element of art historical reference whilst learning watercolour skills.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, wet in wet, glazing and dry brush work
• Tonal values and understanding of colour mixing from the primaries
• Saving whites and masking

Materials List
Pencils, putty rubber, some sheets of A4 or A3 cartridge paper, scissors, 30cm ruler, masking tape, 4 plus sheets of scrap paper or card from which to cut templates/stencils, 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, household soap in liquid or bar, toothbrush.

Optional extras: Art masking fluid, craft knife or scalpel and small cutting mat, oil bar, spray bottle. You may already have materials which can be used.
Full advice will be given at the first session

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER (Starting on November 3rd)
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About the course (Project: Dufy and Cezanne)
We are looking for this module at two French artists of the same time period, Paul Cezanne and Raoul Dufy. The course will allow you to become familiar with their influence and how their methods might inform your own work. An inherent feature of watercolour is translucency and freshness. You will develop a good understanding of colour theory by applying glazing methods and by overlaying washes. 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, wet in wet, glazing and dry brush work
• Tonal values and practical understanding of colour mixing
• Saving whites and masking

6 weeks from 15 September 2022
Dates: 15, 22, 29 Sep & 6, 13, 20 Oct
Day & Time: Thursday 2.00-4.30pm

OR

6 weeks from 3 November 2022
Dates: 3, 10, 17, 24 Nov & 1, 8 Dec
Day & Time: Thursday 2.00-4.30pm