COURSE/WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Across this five‑week programme, you will move from playful mark‑making and exploratory drawing into more intentional mixed‑media development, gradually building a body of layered, expressive work. Each stage is designed to loosen your creative approach, expand your material confidence, and guide you toward producing refined final outcomes. Weeks 1–2: Foundations & Free‑Flow Exploration You begin by gathering your first marks and experimenting with foundational imagery. Weather allowing, you’ll head outdoors to collect organic materials from the Westbury grounds to use as unconventional mark‑making tools. You’ll also create observational sketches of the surrounding nature for inspiration. Back in the studio, you explore a wide range of drawing materials, wax crayons, coloured pencils, oil and soft pastels, charcoal, using them loosely to build early layers and impressions that will evolve later. Weeks 2–3: Developing Ideas & Introducing New Media With initial ideas forming, you start expanding your imagery using ink, watercolour, acrylic, collage, and mono‑printing techniques. The focus is on experimenting with organic lines, textures, and the many possibilities mixed media can offer. Weeks 3–4: Layering & Building Composition You continue developing your work by layering inks, watercolours, and acrylics over your now‑dry mono prints and emerging motifs. This stage is about building depth, colour, and composition across your growing collection of prints, drawings, and paintings. Weeks 4–5: Refinement & Final Outcomes Drawing on everything you’ve explored, you refine the techniques and materials you’ve enjoyed most. The aim is to create more resolved final pieces. You’ll also have the option to mount a favourite artwork using a pre‑cut mount board, ready to take home and frame. MATERIALS PROVIDED FOR THE DURATION OF EACH SESSION: Easels and boards for the duration of the session. Soft pastels Oil pastels Acrylic paints Brushes, pallets WHAT MATERIALS TO BRING WITH YOU: Sketch book/pad/or loose sheets of paper for drawing/painting on. Plus any materials you may have at home ie, watercolour paints/palette, inks, pastels, etc. (no oil paints please). Bring images that inspire you, printed or on a device, as they’ll help spark ideas. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Enjoy complimentary teas and coffees on site. LOCATION: This workshop will take place in the Legge Room situated on the ground floor. Accessible parking spaces are available if required.