Experiments in Collagraphy

Colour, texture and composition are still the guiding principles this weekend but with a change of technique for the new group of students at BAC. We're printmaking with Laurie Rudling.

Several students are LOLs (Lauries Old Lags!) but many are new to this intriguing type of printing. We usually have a good mix of students and on this course the students range from complete beginners to professional printmakers. (see the 'BAC Link to Artists' on the side bar) A variety of textural papers and fabrics - such as scrim - are used to make printing blocks and careful inking with a limited palette gives a beautiful subtle range of colours.

Next year, 2010, Laurie will be back at BAC on March 28/29 for 'Explorations with Monoprinting' and for August Bank Holiday he will teach a three day course for 'Further Experiments in Collography' which will allow us to make larger prints and investigate more complex ideas and techniques. This course will also be suitable for beginners. We would encourage you book early to avoid disapointment.

Precious Cloths - the second day

Lovely fragile pieces have developed during the day. Jewel colours, subtle colours, wonderful contrasts between matt and shiny textiles and each students individuality emerging. Jan has drawn out and taken forward design skills using new techniques with soluble fabric, sharing her vast knowledge and experience.

Jan Beaney returns next year in May with a new course using landscape as it's inspiration. We can't wait! See the side bar for the 2010 list of courses and contact Kit for booking details.

Meet Jan and Jean Littlejohn at the Knit and Stitch Show and let them know you've seen our blog!

Precious Cloths

Sunrise over Dilham was stunning this morning. Julie, staying here for Jan Beaney's course said, "As good as an African sunrise!"
The studio is now buzzing with excitement and activity. Jan's title this year is 'Precious Cloths' and she has brought the most beautiful samples to inspire the students.

They are looking at various aspects of their lives and, inspired by Jan, interpreting them in line, colour and texture using delicate fabric and threads.

Tim Fisher - Fast and Loose

Tim Fisher's approach to the use of watercolour, pen and wash gave us all the courage to be experimental. Balanced between studio based theory and 'on location' in the sunshine at Waxham, the students left the course fired with enthusiasm for his more spontaneous approach.

Looking ahead to 2010

Give me an Oooh!...

...give me an aaah!.. and you'll understand the reaction from us when opening the amazing and generous parcel of goodies from Coats UK, the sponsors of Jan and Jean's courses at Broadland Art Centre. Every colour and texture you would imagine when contemplating 'Precious Cloths' and 'Fragile Carpets', and what you see here isn't even the half of it!

It's the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness...

...and Broadland Art Centre's latest line up of textile and printing courses.

First up is Jan Beaney with her 'Precious Cloths' course taking place next week. Her Double Trouble partner Jean Littlejohn is teaching the 'Fragile Carpets' course in the middle of October, and at the end of September Laurie Rudling returns with more 'Experiments in Collagraphy'. As an added bonus this year, Ewa Kuniczak is back with an extra course at the beginning of October when we will be making 'Fabulous Hats' from felt. I'm booked on this course, and can't wait!

Due to late cancellations,there are two places available on Jan Beaney's course, please contact Kit if you are interested in a last minute treat.

Painting Reality - William Calladine

The Drawing Reality Course merged seamlessly into the next one on Sunday night with a talk by Bill on the methods and material of the Old Masters. On brushes and pigments, mediums and binders, glazing, resins, oils and siccatives and varnishes. On gesso grosso, gesso sotile, verdaccio and grisaille, imprimatura and allaprima. Bill brought to the course all the passion and depth of knowledge that he has for this subject. One student confessed to have half filled his notebook by the middle of monday morning!

All the students I spoke to were impressed by the level of tuition they were receiving . One, who had travelled from Perth in Scotland, pointed out that he had ben researching for some time to find a course at this level and the only other one had been in Italy. I was impressed by how much had been achieved by the middle of the week. This student had never painted with oils before...
Bill also gave a demonstration of the traditional preparation of paints, grinding the pigment, and showing that the addition of different binders is what produces the unique nature of the differing painting mediums. In this instance, a porphory slab and muller have been used to grind the pigment from lapis lazulis and then mixed with linseed oil for oil paint, egg yolk for egg tempura or gum arabic for watercolour.
Despite the intensity of the learning curve there was a strong air of camaradarie and enthusiasm in the studio, and a fair degree of good natured banter!

Reality Check

Bill is in the chair this week. Starting with a two day drawing course, William Calladine has been revealing the mysteries of perspective and proportion.

Over the next week, in Painting Reality part 1, Bill will take his students through the processes and techniques of the 17th century masters of still life including the grinding of pigments and the use of the Camera Lucida. I only have a Camera Digital but look forward to posting a flavour of Bill's knowledge and passion for his art very soon.

Weather in Watercolour

An excellent summer for this course, we are having a great deal of weather! The water colourist Ian Scott Massey was here for a four day course last week and he and his students spent time both in the studio and out on location.

On the last evening we were able to enjoy a golden sunset on our classic motor launch 'Golden Sunset', amongst the wildlife and gorgeous reflections.

Several of the students felt they had achieved a real breakthrough in their use of rich and intense colour and we are looking forward to Scott's return next year.