Course Dates: 6^th- 9^th April  2027 (Tuesday - Friday)

Expressive paintings of flowers.

This course is an exploration into how to make expressive drawings and paintings of flowers that really embrace their extraordinary physicality and characters. As the title suggests the tactile and intense connection to the subject is key. As we gather and arrange the flowers the work and subject for our paintings has already begun. The flowers that will inspire your drawings and paintings could be gathered from your own garden or picked from the hedgerows. Memories of childhood or even present day associations with family and place may influence the work too. Flowers are given at poignant times of our lives to mark a moment, a new chapter and to remember. This intensive 3 day course will be an exploration into what it is like to make paintings of flowers that really embrace their extraordinary physicality and characters. As the title of the course suggests Nature can be touched; held, explored and brought close to us; rather than kept at a distance, idealised, pretty and conventional. Students will explore using the exciting qualities of paint: colour, surface, texture, layering and gesture to celebrate the wonder of flowers.

Course Dates: April 26^th  - 30^th  2027 (Monday - Friday)

White chalk, ancient hills and sweeping views of valleys are some of the qualities of place which will inspire work. Hidden views are revealed as you climb the steep carved paths and wild flowers and bird song augment the journey. This 5 day course will begin by walking up to the top of the hill from Sullington Church, which is nestled at the bottom of the South Downs outside Storrington. On a clear day you can see the Surrey Hills in one direction and climb alittle further you can see the sea. You will travel light with a range of materials, that will be provided for you, that enable you to make playful mixed media explorations. Everyone will make lots of studies whilst on the hill. These are not plans for paintings but a compilation of things seen, felt, heard. Two days in the landscape will be followed by three days in the studio using this material to start to develop a series of paintings. Back in the studio Emily will demonstrate the many possibilities that paint can offer. She will help with the process of unpacking the potential from the studies and get everyone working on 3 – 4 paintings. You will navigate the path that the paintings may want to take and keep a playful sense of engagement.

Course Dates September 20^th -  23^rd  ( Monday - Thursday ) 2027

A four day practical course led by Simon Carter. Starting with a day’s drawing at the Truleigh Centre situated on the Downs, the course will look at how we can record things in the landscape, whether expressively in charcoal or by working across multiple sheets, constructing a panorama or by focusing on the minutiae of the landscape. In the studio we will look at ways to unpack your drawings, understanding what is in them and find ways to maintain the freshness of the initial drawings as we develop studio work.