Course Description

In this course, Cas Holmes will reference the College and Gardens as a means to explore our relationship with the simple things of the everyday and how these can inspire and inform the development of your creative ideas and processes. See everyday things in a different way and take the fear out of using a sketchbook as you use mixed media techniques with found materials to develop an individual approach to drawing, collage, stitching and layering methods. Experiments are encouraged and may open up other exciting avenues to the creation of your own work. Work in a small spiral bound sketchbook and/ or improvise a simple folding sketch or sample book with found papers and materials.

The course offers a unique insight into the tutor’s approach to gathering ideas and resources from the world as observed in a residency here at West Dean College. Samples will be available to look at, and the course will end with an open discussion of ideas and process about the work produced.

"Work does not readily fit into the edges of a canvas or frame, nor does it recognize the division of medium usage that defines the world of painting or textiles. This liminal space is a rich and challenging ‘in-between world’" Textile Landscape, Cas Holmes.

The journal and samples resulting from this creative exploration could be used as a starting point for developing mixed media collage and textile-based work.

Materials and techniques covered:

- Collation and developing ideas through drawing, collage and photography

- Developing references using collected media and found resources referencing West Dean or your own subject.

- Combining techniques in paper, textiles and mixed media

- Simple drawing techniques and its combination with the stitched mark

- Creating your references, photos and notes. Seeing with new eyes.

You will be taught through a combination of demonstrations and discussion in this workshop-based course, where you will be encouraged to work individually to apply techniques and develop ideas in mixed media.

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

Included

• The costs of shared materials and printer inks. You may need to purchase extra materials to complete projects.

What students need to bring

• As you work through the course, you may choose to make reference to the environment of West Dean, and/or work from personal images, ideas and other materials you have collected for inspiration. Bring images for inspiration and one or two images of previous work.
• The course is based on using found materials. The list is intended as a guide but feel free to bring any favored media.
• Students need to bring: (listed items* may be purchased at the College Shop if necessary)
• Papers:
• • Any references or papers you have on a personal theme and/or collection of interesting waste papers. Old books, maps or related objects or photocopies from books and images you like. Assorted weights of papers from brown wrapping paper/potato sacks, tissue, glossy magazines, patterned paper, textured paper (wallpaper) oriental specialist papers, handmade paper. Gathered ephemera lace, fabric scraps, staples, paperclips, pins, old food wrappers, ties, pegs, photographs, etc., 3-4 small found objects to print with. (This should fit in one small carrier bag).
• Equipment:
• • A digital camera with fresh batteries or charger and the camera to computer leads
• • A memory stick or CD roms to save digital image work in progress to
• • A5 horizontal (landscape) cartridge or watercolour spiral sketchbook*. Approx. 150gsm paper weight. Avoid the ones with thin paper. There are good Sea White sketchbooks at reasonable prices in the college shop.
• • A selection of drawing materials you may already have to include at least a waterproof fine tipped pen*, a soft (2b-4b pencil *, koh-I-noor paint set or watercolour set*, additional writing/drawing media of your choice (i.e. coloured pencils, etc.), small sponge, small bottle of black ink.
• You also need to bring:
• • Plastic ruler*, scalpel, scissors*, 2 large glue sticks. *
• • Wide or one-inch brush, 2/3 finer brushes, sponge, 3-4 plastic lidded containers (margarine tubs or similar for dye and glue).
• • Small amount of fabric, patterns and plains to be used for collage.
• • Small (half metre) or less of white cotton* for backing larger pieces (optional)
• Basic sewing equipment:
• • Needles, pins, assorted threads of your choice and one or two machine threads. Part of the course focuses on hand-stitching for those who wish to stitch and there will be 2-4 sewing machines available for a brief demonstration and experimentation (you may bring your own machine if you wish).
• • Some of the materials supplied to the group as a whole - paste, paint and other shared resources

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• Items marked * are also available to buy from the craft shop.