Reconnect: Art In Nature

Reconnect: Art in Nature | Mon 9 May to Mon 23 | 10am-12.30pm | £60 (3 weeks) | 16+ | Tutor Karen Lester | Footprint building and woodland at National Trust St Catherine’s Estate, Windermere

Immerse yourself in the natural world and take time to discover textures, shapes and colour.  Through a series of woodland explorations, create images using a range of media in direct response to your observations in and around the beautiful Footprint and National Trust St Catherine’s estate in Windermere. Gather your images into your personal journal of discoveries.

If this class has already started, there may be places still available. Please contact sales@breweryarts.co.uk

What will the session cover and how will it be taught?

You will be encouraged to make marks, create textures and colour using drawing materials, paint, printmaking and collage in a series of exploratory exercises. These will be developed into simple journals, such as concertina style books, as a record of your discoveries.

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.

Who is it suitable for?

Everyone especially those with an open mind and willingness to experiment!

Important Information

Some of the time will be spent outdoors and will involve walking on uneven paths and climbing slopes, which could be an issue for those less mobile

What do I need to bring?

• Pencils and rubber (Soft sketching pencils from the B range)
• Paints (watercolour or gouache) in a range of colours, a red, blue and yellow as a minimum
• Brushes, water pots, palettes
• Coloured drawing materials (pencils, pastels)
• Water soluble drawing materials (Inktense, Caran D’ache, watercolour pencils)

Also please bring equipment for going outdoors:

• A stool, folding chair or cushion for outdoor work
• Rucksack or bag
• Please also be prepared for the weather, so some sturdy shoes and layers to keep warm, waterproofs for wet weather, hats, scarves etc.

Bear in mind you will be carrying equipment. Travel light!

The following materials will be provided:

• Charcoal
• Water-soluble graphite
• All printmaking material
• Glue
• Cartridge paper
• Some other papers such as tissue

Are there any additional costs?

No, tea and coffee is provided.

Location and Access

This course takes place at Footprint, St Catherine’s Woodland, Windermere, a National Trust property. Participants do not need to be National Trust members to attend. Please visit the following link for more information about this unique eco- building, the first straw bale building in Cumbria https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/footprint

How to get here  

A small car park is available and the site is a 20-minute walk from Windermere train station.

Address: Footprint Building, Patterdale Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1NH

About the tutor

Karen works across media, painting, drawing and print making, selecting media to respond to a variety of reference sources, particularly those found in the landscape, natural and man-made.

Her interest in Printmaking developed at Kendal College whilst completing a Foundation Degree in Drawing with the University of Cumbria. A recent project, a commission by Lancaster University and focussing on Morecambe Bay is a series of images using a variety of printmaking techniques.

She enjoys a freer style of painting and drawing as a perfect way to respond to subjects, as well as the excitement of the possibilities of colour. As part of her evolving practice she continually seeks to develop through exploration of the wonderful qualities of different media, often combining materials to create mixed media images.

Karen is an experienced qualified teacher and has been teaching in the adult education sector since 2011. She is also a Member of Cumbria Printmakers and Green Door artists’ collective.

View all Creative Learning courses here.