Ink is a combination of carbon and water plus a binder to make it adhere to the paper. It is a fluid drawing medium and bridges the gap between drawing and painting. Learn how to control the ink and allow it to flow to produce a variety of exciting outcomes.
The course will begin with a series of experiments that will form a reference library in the form of a mini sketchbook of techniques. You will learn about the properties of ink and how it behaves using a range of methods and tools to encourage a variety of effects and a language of mark-making outcomes.
Once you have experimented with how this drawing medium behaves, you will go outside into the grounds of West Dean for inspiration. You will start small scale, progressing to a larger scale (A2), gradually gaining confidence with the expressive nature of the medium and the variety of marks you can make. You will look at tone, line, form and composition and how to make a suggestion of the landscape you see through the marks you make.
At the end of the course, you will have produced a mini sketchbook of techniques and transferred these skills into direct observational drawing from the landscape at West Dean. You will have learnt about the joy of ink, its fluidity and unpredictability that leads to surprising results. You will have worked outdoors and embraced scale, through starting small and advancing to a larger more expressive piece of work.
Timetable for one day courses
Students should arrive by 9am for registration.
Classes are from 9.15 - 5pm
Lunch is included.
Included
- The College will supply most materials required for the course including some cartridge paper 300gsm and some watercolour paper, blotting paper, 1.5 inch brush, ½ inch brush, glue spreader, pipettes, black Indian ink per student and some Quink ink, white ink, masking tape and gummed tape to share amongst the group.
What students need to bring
- A variety of brushes you may have including a decorators brush, small water spritzer, mark-making materials such as lace, feathers, leaves, sticks, string, sponges, toothbrush, old credit card, 3 glass jam jars with lids.
- Please wear clothes you do not mind getting ink on and layers suitable for going outside.
Available to buy
- Available from shop:
- A good variety of art materials including a selection of inks, papers and drawing materials.
Additional information
You will be working outdoors for a period of time. Please bring layers of clothing appropriate to the weather.
