All Courses

Course dates: October 22nd - 24th 2018 (Monday - Wednesday)

Differentiating tree species, finding order in complexity, spotting the tiger in the long grass or simply gaining optical delight from rhythmical repetition – recognising pattern and getting pleasure from that recognition is something we have, for good reason, evolved to do. This 3 day practical course will explore how pattern, rhythm and repetition can be used in conjunction with colour, paint and it’s manipulation as an exciting and vibrant component in painting. It will also explore the fertile relationship between painting and textiles. We will be looking at a range of patterned textiles for inspiration as well as slideshows each morning looking at the work of historical and contemporary painters.

This is a stand alone course but can be done in conjunction with Painting and Pattern 2.

Course dates: October 25th & 26th 2018 (Thursday & Friday)

Colour! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams'. (Paul Gauguin)

Colour is something as artist we often feel nervous or afraid of but used correctly it can open your work up to a kaleidoscope of possibilities. After many years of experimenting with colour I have learnt there are some fundamental rules that I keep coming back to that engage the luminosity and purity of the language. During the course we will be looking at how we can use colour with a little bit of theory but mainly taking a hands on approach working applying colour liberally and making our own discoveries.. Over the 2 days we will be looking at ways in which colour can open up your own work with key lessons about pigment, pitch, under painting, layering, transparency, opacity and luminosity. 

October 29th - November 2nd 2018 (Monday - Friday)

The price includes includes entrance to Sheffield Park.

Sheffield Park near Uckfield will be our inspiration for paintings. Famous for its beautiful Autumn colour; with its Acers, Nyssa, Taxodiums and Ginko trees. The reflections in the large lake double the impact and make the experience all the more magical. The garden has been influenced over the centuries by Capability Brown and Humphrey Repton. The course will start with 2 days working on location in the gardens making rich and exciting studies of the colour, textures and spaces; capturing not only what can been seen but also the sense of atmosphere, the smells of damp earth, the changing light and weather - all that is wonderful about working on location. The final 3 days will be back at the studio in Partridge Green making paintings from these studies. The tutors guidance will encourage experimentation and individual expression.

Course Dates November 7th - 9th ( Wednesday - Friday ) 2018

Choose which sessions in the year you would like to come. Booking ahead is essential to secure your place.

These sessions are designed for artists who need encouragement and support to become more confident and self-motivated with their painting. Artists bring their own subject and the tutor helps them to unpack, research and create their own personal practice, in order to help their work evolve and for them to see the creative possibilities more clearly. As part of the course the tutors also do talks showing the work of other artists. We explore using new materials and tools to play with to refresh and add to what you are doing. In conjunction with this we create practical, creative exercises to unpack the process of painting. Each student is given individual critiques and tuition as well as benefiting from working with a group of like minded artists. Three consecutive days gives the space and time to really see progress and to get absorbed in your work.

 Course dates: November 12th 2018 (Monday)

It’s time to stop flogging a dead horse, time to dust off those paintings that you felt would never work; those paintings that take up space and took up time. We will look at ways of reviving, bringing back to life and successfully resolving these works. Bring a selection of paintings that are frustrating you and we’ll see what we can do. Mind you, there’s always the odd one that needs putting down.