Tutor Karen Lester | Fee £160 | 10 weeks
Brand new! Explore autumnal themes of nature through drawing and painting. The sessions will help you develop your observational skills. Start to see the true beauty of natural forms in the woodlands in stunning surroundings of the National Trust’s Footprint building, Windermere.
What will the course or workshop cover and how will it be taught?
We go out and about to draw directly from nature in the wooded grounds as well as from collected materials for study indoors. Photographic references will also be used to work from.
During the course, you will look at ways to record features in the landscape and the detail of natural objects. Initially working in pencil and charcoal with some water-soluble pencil then watercolour paints, the focus will be on developing skills to record what you see. You will study-
- Proportions and relative size using your pencil as an aid for measuring
- Tone to define edges, shape and form – shading techniques
- Negative spaces – the shapes around the subject
- Perspective in the landscape
- Colour – develop your colour palette with reference to autumnal colours
There will be exercises to support development of skills as well as working towards finished pieces. The emphasis is very much on practical individual experience with tutor led demonstrations, discussion, example work and handouts which will support and guide you throughout.
By the end of the course, you will have a range of samples of techniques and a body of work relating to autumnal natural themes of woodlands around Windermere.
What do I need to bring with me?
For the first week we will explore the grounds at the Footprint and the minimum suggested materials are:
- Pencils, ideally soft pencils, from the B range
- Charcoal – willow
- Cartridge paper, A3 size minimum or sketch book
- Masking tape
- Board/card to rest paper on
- Rubber and sharpener
Please also be prepared for the weather as the aim is to be outside for some of the session so some sturdy shoes and layers to keep warm, waterproofs or if it’s sunny, suncream may be required!
The Tutor will advise further on materials at the first class. Further classes will involve watercolour paints.
You may also wish to bring an apron or old shirt to protect your clothes if using messy materials such as charcoal.
Please bring a pen, notebook and your glasses, if you need them. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Are there any additional costs?
None
About the tutor
Karen enjoys working with a range of painting and drawing media, including printmaking, sometimes combining these to create mixed media images. Each type of medium brings its own exciting possibilities and unique qualities, something she continually explores.
Her interest in Printmaking developed at Kendal College whilst completing a Foundation Degree in Drawing with the University of Cumbria.
Her work has been exhibited in galleries in Cumbria and Lancashire over the last 25 years and she has been involved with projects including Printfest and C-Art and runs occasional print workshops for the National Trust at Allan Bank, Grasmere as well as for private groups.
Karen is an experienced qualified teacher and has been teaching in the adult education sector since 2011.
Please note there will be no sessions on the following weeks
Half term week commencing 22 October
Week commencing 12 November due to Kendal Mountain Festival
Please note this course takes place at the Footprint, Windermere. Location can be found here.
If you have a query or are unsure whether the course is right for you please get in touch with the Creative Learning Team who will be happy to contact the tutor on your behalf.
Image: National Trust, John Millar
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