Draw and paint in West Dean Gardens and in the nearby Arboretum with colour mixing as the focus. The College grounds provide uniquely planted areas, and every one suggests its own colour palette and provides material unique to itself. You will learn how to reflect the subtle hues in selected garden spaces, and will be given guidance about economical colour mixing and the integration of earth and site materials will support immersion in contrasting outdoor spaces. All your inspiration will be in the grounds of the College, in the surrounding pasture and Arboretum.
The artwork you create will be fresh, lively and exploratory in nature. The experience will open up creative possibilities, informing your development as an artist far beyond the Summer School week.
As well as painting outdoors, the week will involve an introduction to colour, guidance in the handling of materials and in the use of local materials. The tutor will advise on economical use of equipment for working outdoors and studio based resolution of work. We will discuss palettes and possible ways of responding regularly.
You will make work on location as well as gathering information to take back to the studio base. Studio time is an important part of the course during which Frances will offer group teaching, exercises about colour theory, regular reviews and individual support.
Your tutor offers a wealth of practical experience of working in the landscape using watercolour, gouache, acrylic and found pigments. She is committed to supporting you in developing your own ideas and individual response to the landscape. Frances offers insights about the delights and challenges of working outside, advises on economy of tools and materials, and fosters a spirit of exploration and risk taking. The experience of these last years has confirmed for her the importance of curious and courteous attention to that which immediately surrounds her Dorset home. She looks forward to sharing dedicated time with that which exists on the studio doorstep.
You will be carrying your materials from the studio. Weather conditions may require us to adapt our schedule. If you feel uncertain about working outside for any reason, this may not be the course for you.
Your tutor will offer an optional ‘dusk into darkness’ painting session for any who would like to join her.
Summer School highlights:
The Summer School week is an immersive learning experience with more time to develop your creativity and embrace opportunities for creative development beyond your chosen course. 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
• A short creative experience session in another discipline/media or course
• An optional evening at the Chichester Festival Theatre (if pre-booked)
• An optional lunchtime tour of West Dean Gardens, the historic rooms at West Dean College, or West Dean Tapestry Studio
• A celebration dinner on the last evening, with a surrealist theme inspired by Salvador Dalí, who was one of West Dean founder, Edward James’ friends and collaborators. (Feel free to respond to the theme if you wish.)
• Informal end-of-course group reviews and displays of students' work in studios
As evening events are planned as part of the Summer School week, dinner is included in the course fee to enable all students, including non-residents, to participate fully. A detailed timetable will be given to all students on arrival.
(Please note that plans may be subject to change depending on GOV.UK guidance at the time.)
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 until 9pm, 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.
Associate and Short Course Tutor
Artist, curator, lecturer and writer, Frances is based in Dorset. Her radical landscape practice is site-responsive and specific to place. She has been associated with West Dean College since 1990 (Short Courses, FDAD, DACC) and was artist-in-residence in 2005. Frances trained at Aberystwyth UCW, Wimbledon College of Art (MA Printmaking) and Goldsmiths’ College.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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