Our 2021 course schedule is listed below. Click on a date to view a course overview. If you would like to find out more about any of our Course Tutors, please visit our Course Tutors page. For further practical course details and prices, please visit our Art Courses Overview page.
Course Schedule 2021
On the first day, working from photographs, we concentrate on techniques to achieve accurate drawing by studying proportions, ways of simplifying form, analysing the features, creating highlights and shadows, then move on to colour mixing, pose and composition.
Each subsequent day we work from a model, starting with several "warm-up" sketches before tackling a longer pose. You can work in whatever medium you choose - pencil, charcoal or ink, watercolours, soft pastels & pastel pencils, acrylics or oils. Carole is an experiences and popular tutor, who teaches on both a group and individual basis. This course is suitable for all abilities. Limited to 15, when 2 models would be available. (This may have to reduce to 8 if social distancing applies)
A chance to explore the quality and excitement that can be achieved through water based medium. We will be experimenting with a variety of painting techniques, combined with dynamic- composition. Subjects in still life and interior scenes will be used to study this theme. This studio based course is suitable for all levels of painting skills.
This course starts with lunch at 12.30 on February 6th and ends after breakfast on February 10th.
Explore exciting ways of combining the water-based (Watercolour and Acrylic) media with drawing media on paper., canvas and textured surfaces. This is a studio based course using the grounds of the hall, the village of Dedham and the River Stour as our inspiration. Some painting experience is required and an open mind is essential.
This course starts with lunch at 12.30 on Saturday 20th and ends after breakfast on Tuesday 23rd
Mixed Media Workshop - covering a broad range of media and subject matter with emphasis on exciting texture effects
This course starts with lunch at 12.30 on Wednesday 24th and ends after breakfast on Saturday 27th
Oil Workshop
This course starts with lunch on Saturday 27th and ends after breakfast on Tuesday 3rd March
Painting in oils - working in the studio from Portrait, the Figure and Still Life. Roger will show you how to work from tonal planes of the face and human form, seeing shapes as shapes rather than just documenting features. By this method you will be able to get a likeness quickly, directly and with a painterly effect. Most sessions will have two models.
# (see booking form)
Watercolour and Mixed Media
Pastel
My painting courses at Dedham Hall are best suited to those who have some painting experience and are able to tackle painting in a variety and combination of water - based media and extend their knowledge and technique in painting landscape subjects.
Chinese Brush Painting
Watercolour en plein air - Direct and Dynamic
Jem's courses are carefully designed with the 'serious improver' especially in mind. For students of this demanding medium he believes that treating all painting as 'just practice' and being willing to take chances (and learn from resulting 'mistakes' ) are key to making good progress. It's a direct and bold approach that leads to a fresh and dynamic outcome. Subjects will include skies, trees, fields, village and coastal scenery, with the aim to paint outdoors around the picturesque Dedham Vale and perhaps further afield, weather permitting. The focus will be on completing paintings 'on the spot', whilst the process and our surroundings.
Tuition will be through a mix of approaches, including demonstration, some studio-based 'technique sessions' and by occasional reference to renowned Greats of the medium. The underlying principals for successful painting will be addressed and demonstrated continually, and students will receive individual guidance according to their needs.
Jem is a generous, open and very encouraging tutor, wishing to demystify watercolour while fully imparting his knowledge and enthusiasm. A plein air watercolour artist at heart, Jem's inspiration is direct contact with the landscape and natural environment, and his work aims to pass this on. His award-winning paintings are now held in private collections in many countries, he wrote the current Watercolour Diploma for London Art College, demonstrates and teaches widely and contributes to practical art magazines.
www.jembowdenwatercolour.co.uk
Drawn to Botany
John Hoar, born 1947, is one of Britain's best known watercolourists through his instructional DVD's made by Town House Films. In 2016 he represented Britain's artists at teh second Qingdao International Salon in China. At Dedham Hall he will be demonstrating both on location and in the Studio how to make free and simple watercolours and also the, (very popular), use of pen-and-ink and wash.
John Hoar, born 1947, is one of Britain’s best-known watercolourists through his instructional DVDs made by Town House Films. In 2016 he represented Britain’s artists at the 2nd Qingdao International Watercolour Salon in China. At Dedham Hall he will be demonstrating both on location and in the studio how to make free and simple watercolours and also the, (very popular), use of
pen-and-ink and wash.
This is a combined course with Wendy Jelbert and husband Architect Paul Robinson. Wendy will explore watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, bringing constructive instruction and challenges for each media. Paul will concentrate on buildings, using pen, line and wash. Both will help with your sketchbooks, and every aspect to enhance, improve and give the WOW factor to your future work. Weather permitting, we will visit local areas of beauty and interest, use the studio, and develop work at Dedham Hall, in the gardens and surrounding village.
Spring int Art - An opportunity to get your watercolour painting under way along the coast and in the countryside of East Anglia.
This course is designed for the more discerning and experienced painter who is striving to learn more about this most difficult medium. Weather permitting, he will take the group out painting plein air to the many interesting places in the area, as well as doing constructive teaching in the studio.
Be brave and have fun with watercolour. In this workshop students will work with the tutor to articulate their own vision and particular challenges. The intention is to meet each individual exactly where they are and to support them in the production of work in the classroom that expands their practice in a personal way. The format will lean heavily in individual instruction and will also include lecture and discussion and demonstrations of particular techniques. A step by step process will begin with a fast foundation painting and will end with final approach options that are easy to learn and thought provoking. Unearth fresh and honest art inside yourself and learn to capture it with paint. Herman will teach you to find originality in your own work. Learn to get started with new ideas in a way which is fun and fast. You will learn about colour mixing, glazes, composition, drying time, thickness and edges to create and impressionist painting you never thought possible with watercolour. We will be exploring landscapes, seascapes and streetscapes focusing on various techniques. Expect to be challenged, to be brave and to have fun. Students are encouraged to bring their own images (no other artists) to work from and previous work for Herman's appraisal.
#(see booking form)
This course is designed for the more discerning and experienced painter who is striving to learn more about this most difficult medium. Weather permitting, he will take the group out painting plein air to the many interesting places in the area, as well as doing constructive teaching in the studio.
Watercolour with Passion
My approach to watercolour is lively and entertaining, de-mystifying the medium and dispelling the fear of white paper. We will paint with freedom and spontaneity, with the emphasis on tone (or value) to make your paintings burst with light. The course is suitable for all abilities, although some experience with watercolour is preferred.
We will explore this beautiful location and paint en plein air whenever possible, with a daily demonstration showing you techniques and approaches to set you on your way. You are then assured of plenty of guidance with your own work.
Be brave and have fun with Watercolour. In this workshop students will work with the tutor to articulate their own vision and particular challenges. The intention is to meet each individual exactly where they are and to support them in the production of work in the classroom that expands their practice in a personal way. The format will lean heavily in individual instruction and will also will include lecture and discussion and demonstrations of particular techniques. A step by step process will begin with a fast foundation painting and will end with final approach options that are easy to learn and thought provoking. Unearth fresh and honest art inside yourself and learn to capture with paint. Herman will teach you to find originality in your own work. Learn to get started with new ideas in a way which is fun and fast. You will learn about coulor mixing, glazes, composition, drying time, thickness and edges to create ans impressionist painting you never thought with watercolour. We will be exploring landscapes, seascapes and streetscapes focusing on various techniques. Expect to be challenged, to be brave and to have fun. Students are encouraged to bring their own images (no other artists) to work from and previous work for Herman's appraisal.
# (see booking form)
Watercolour
This course starts with Lunch on Tuesday 15th at 12.30 and ends after breakfast on Friday 18th June
Flowers and Landscape in Mixed Media
Painting Plein Aire and capturing the scene in under 2 1/2 hours and producing a painterly impressionistic painting. Advice will be given on how to select the scene, looking for composition and how to provide the essence of the subject. Also advice will be given on equipment, colour mixing, paint application and the use of brush and palette knife, how to use a pochard box for quick colour sketches and how to travel with a minimum of equipment. Painting will be outside in oils but bring photographic references in case of bad weather.
There seems to be a never-ending quest to loosen up in watercolor. I hear from my students all the time. It's easy to fall into the trap of putting too much into your paintings and editing out the non-essential whether working from photo reference or painting on location is so important.
Painting loosely doesn't just 'happen', it comes from gaining a comfort level with your skills and materials over time. However there are techniques that can speed up this process.
My workshop will focus on using value studies from the outset to identify the large shapes in a scene. These large shapes provide the artist with opportunities for lost edges when painting in watercolor, which is essential if we are to take full advantage of the medium. Too often the 'found edges', or details take over the painter's thinking process and the result is a tight watercolour.
We will move on toward color paintings with a lot of individual help and complete a color painting lesson together. Demonstration paintings will be done by Andy every day to reinforce the day's lessons.
In order to loosen up it is imperative to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish with your painting and then execute it quickly. This class will give you the tools and confidence to do just that.
There will be four full days of painting from Monday to Thursday inclusive.
The course is designed for the more discerning and experienced painter who is striving to learn more about this most difficult medium. Weather permitting, he will take the group out painting plein air to the many interesting places in the area, as well as doing constructive teaching in the studio.
Taking our inspiration from the landscape of “Constable Country” and the local coast, Chris’s friendly and informative tuition will take you from monochrome and watercolour sketches and photos done on location to finishes mixed media and acrylic paintings in the studio. Guidance will be given on maximizing the sketching and information gathering process, colour composition and guides to mixed-media approaches and techniques.
Landscape and Marine Painting
Flowers and Landscape in Mixed Media
This course starts with lunch at 12.30 on Tuesday 27th July and ends after breakfast on Saturday 31st
During the course, Ian will guide you through the entire process of producing better watercolour paintings. He will show you how to improve the initial drawing of your scene, demonstrate the importance of composition and design, perspective, and how to use colour and tone to give your paintings narrative, atmosphere and impact. Students will be painting en plein air weather permitting, and also working in the studio. Subjects will range from local scenes to anything of interest using photographic references. Working with Ian will provide you with the foundations you need to continue improving your paintings at your own pace.
Tonal impressionist watercolours
Tonal impressionist watercolours
There will be five full days of tuition from Sunday - Thursday inclusive
East Anglia - Coast and Country - Watercolour
see previous entry for course details
Drawn to Botany
This course is for anyone who has tried watercolour and been disappointed with their painting. Teaching will be by watching demonstrations, but you will also receive individual guidance according to your experience. The emphasis will be on painting fresh, lively watercolours in a simple, straightforward way – tricks and shortcut gimmicks are not a feature of this course. The aim is to capture the essence of the scene and preserve the elusive properties of watercolour which many of us find attractive.
Watercolour
John Hoar, born 1947, is one of Britain’s best-known watercolourists through his instructional DVDs made by Town House Films. In 2016 he represented Britain’s artists at the 2nd Qingdao International Watercolour Salon in China. At Dedham Hall he will be demonstrating both on location and in the studio how to make free and simple watercolours and also the, (very popular), use of
pen-and-ink and wash.
East Anglia Landscapes in Acrylic
This course will start with lunch on Saturday 16th and end after breakfast on Wednesday 20th
A chance to explore the quality and excitement that can be achieved through water based medium. We will be experimenting with a variety of painting techniques, combined with dynamic composition. Subjects in still life and interior scenes will be used to study this theme. This studio based course is suitable for all levels of painting skills.
The course starts with lunch at 12.30 on Saturday and ends after breakfast on Wednesday
The aim of this course is to encourage confidence in watercolour through understanding techniques that apply to this exciting and wonderful medium. We will work in the studio and also surrounding areas according to the weather and there will be demonstrations in the evenings. The course will be fairly intense with many light-hearted moments.
Going Wild in Watercolour
Learn to paint bold and loose animals and wildlife with the Artist Magazine's Jake Winkle. Via paint and follow demonstrations Jake will guide you through some of his techniques and visions to capture the spirit and energy of his subject. All reference photos will be supplied by the tutor and don't worry about your drawing ability as tracing options are provided.
Chinese Brush painting
The aim of this course is to encourage confidence in watercolour through understanding the techniques that apply to this wonderful exciting medium. We will work in the studio and also surrounding areas according to the weather and there will be demonstrations in the evenings. The course will fairly intense with many lighthearted moments!
The course starts with lunch at 12.30 on Tuesday and ends after breakfast on Friday
Studio works in Oil working from photos and developing up pictures from smaller studies with a possibility of working from Still Life or Portrait. Covering all oil techniques.
A chance to explore the quality and excitement that can be achieved through water based medium. We will be experimenting with a variety of painting techniques, combined with dynamic- composition. Subjects in still life and interior scenes will be used to study this theme. This studio based course is suitable for all levels of painting skills.
On the first day, working from photographs, we concentrate on techniques to achieve accurate drawing by studying proportions, ways of simplifying form, analysing the features, creating highlights and shadows, then move on to colour mixing, pose and composition.
Each subsequent day we work from a model, starting with several short "warm-up" sketches before tackling a longer pose. You can work in whatever medium you choose - pencil, charcoal or ink, watercolours, soft pastels & pastel pencils, acrylics or oils. Carole is an experienced and popular tutor, who teaches on both a group and individual basis. This course is suitable for all abilities. Limited to 15, when 2 models would be available. (This may have to reduce to eight if social distancing still applies)
Portraiture - Carole is a popular and experienced tutor who will help to demystify the process of portrait painting. We start with a "warm up" day to improve observation and drawing skills, studying proportions, structure, the features, getting a likeness and skin tones. On subsequent days we work from models, starting with several short poses before going on to paint or draw a longer pose in watercolour, pastel or acrylics- your choice. At the end of each day there will be an appraisal to evaluate the day's work. The course is aimed at all abilities.
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