Reconnect: Colour in Nature | Mon 7 Mar to Mon 28 Mar | 10am-12.30pm | £80 (4 weeks) | 16+ | Tutor Karen Lester | Footprint building and woodland at National Trust St Catherine’s Estate, Windermere
Reconnect with colour and find inspiration in the beautiful location of Footprint, Windermere, as we explore the colours of the landscape in early spring, through the medium of pastel and paint. A perfect time to connect to nature through art.
What will the class cover and how will it be taught?
Pastel is a versatile medium allowing both painting and drawing and can also be used with water. Capture the essence of the natural world around you, from direct observation and from photos.
During this course you will:-
- Experiment creating textures
- Mix colour using pastel
- Look at ways to combine water-based paint, watercolour (or gouache) with pastels.
- Develop skills to draw and paint using pastels.
- Consider some theory around colour to manage colour brightness and saturation
- Discover the effects of negative shapes
- Develop observational skills
Who is it suitable for?
Suitable for beginners or those wishing to use more mixed media in their work, and also a perfect follow on course to the drawing course in autumn 2021.
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?
Your tutor will discuss equipment and materials in depth at the first session. The aim is to work with watercolour paint and chalky pastel but there are alternatives – bring what you have!
- Paint – watercolour in tubes with a simple palette based on primary colours of red, blue and yellow. Suggested colours are yellow Ochre, cadmium yellow, ultramarine, alizarin crimson and burnt umber. A good brand of student quality such as Winsor and Newton Cotman series will work well.
- Gouache would also work if you prefer this medium
- Pastels- soft chalky pastels in a range of colours. (Minimum of a red blue and yellow and white) An alternative is inktense blocks used dry.
- Brush- big round watercolour brush size 14 upwards
- Paper – sheets of approximately A3 size watercolour paper, textured (may be labelled ‘Not’ or ‘coldpressed’). At least 200lb weight
- Palette – one with big wells to mix washes.
- Other – Big water pots x 2– eg yoghurt pots
- Kitchen roll or cloths
- Masking tape
- Board for work
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!
Are there any additional costs?
No, tea and coffee are 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
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 printmaking, 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. karenlester.com
View all Creative Learning courses here.
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