Course Description

Experience and enjoy a highly evocative painting course, which sets a figurative response within the unique West Dean atmosphere, combining the grounds and gardens as a backdrop to drawing and painting the human form.

During the Summer School, you will work from both female and male models in the studio and on location, using props to evolve a portfolio of studies which culminates in a final finished composition of allegorical odyssey.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, you will gain a range of responses from the clothed human form within an imagined theatrical context. Your tutor will make a strong critical and contextual reference to history painting, leading a contemporary connection to the inspiration of Rococo Art and the technical aspects of setting, designing and accomplishing the final painting. Your tutor will instruct and demonstrate using both oil and acrylic painting techniques and use of mediums.

A feature of the Summer School is an immersive learning experience, with more time to develop your creativity and embrace further opportunities for creative development beyond your chosen course.

Several early evening creative sessions (5.10pm - 7pm) are planned throughout the week. Extra activities will differ this year in response to social distancing. A detailed timetable for your Summer School week will be given to you on arrival. This will include:

• Short inspirational talks by tutors and displays of their work

• Sign up for early evening tutor-led drawing sessions in the garden

• Time to relax or explore in the tranquil West Dean Gardens

• Take a break from your course with some free time on Tuesday afternoon, from 3.30-5pm

• Informal end-of-course group reviews and displays of students' work in studios

Timetable

Timetable for Summer Schools

Several evening events are planned throughout the week, a detailed timetable for the summer schools will be given to you on arrival.

Arrival Day

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).

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 should vacate their rooms by 10am please.

Course Materials

Included

• The model who will sit for the course. Some introductory drawing paper and charcoal. Clean odourless solvent (Zest it) for students working in oil paint.

What students need to bring

• This Summer School can be approached through both oil and/or acrylic paints (both welcome and applicable). As a guide to which colours to have ready for the course your tutor recommends the following: ‘The Magnificent Seven’
• 2 x yellows – one must be a primary colour such as Lemon Yellow – you may choose an additional yellow of your preference
• 2 x reds – one must be a primary colour such as Scarlet or Vermillion – you may choose another red of your preference
• 2 x blues – one must be primary colour such as Cobalt – you may choose another blue of your preference
• 1 x green such as Viridian or Emerald.
• Not forgetting white paint – Titanium White
• Your own particular selection of additional colours will form an interesting shared class discussion as part of the course.
• Painting support such as canvases or prepared boards no smaller than A2 no larger than A1
• Applicable painting mediums for example: Oil colour - Zest it, pure turpentine, refined linseed oil. Acrylic/polymer colours – acrylic/ polymer medium (gloss).
• A variety of applicable brushes
• Palette knife/knives
• Sketchbook (A4) minimum
• Drawing media
• All of the above are available for purchase at the College shop.
• Painting apron

Available to buy

• Available from shop:
• Everything on the what you need to bring list can be purchased in the College shop.
• Available from tutor:
• Prepared gessoed panels as required
• Oil painting mediums as required
• Acrylic painting medium as required