Mosaic of Liquid Pebbles - Painting Course

Course duration: 22 April - 8 July excluding 6, 27 May and 3 June

Explore the underwater intrigue of pebbles, shells and other refracted forms dissolving into a shimmering mosaic of iridescent colours - maybe in a rock pool or pond - life in a microcosm! In this engaging workshop series, you will learn the art of how to capture shimmering underwater realms through drawing and painting. You will discover the techniques to give the illusion of movement and depth. With the guidance of experienced artist and lecturer Dennis Parker, you will have the opportunity to draw inspiration from your own photos to create stunning artworks of underwater pebbles.

By the end of the course, you will have created your own exquisite artwork that acts as a window into an underwater realm. Not only will you have improved your technical skills, but you will also have a deeper appreciation for the beauty of nature's textures.

Dennis Parker is an artist and lecturer in art with a BA and MA in fine art, printmaking and photography with over 30 years experience. He specialises in life drawing, photographic work including photographic shoots with models and ballerinas, landscapes, seascapes, animals, birds and flowers, in figurative, impressionistic and abstract styles, plus all aspects of calligraphy and illumination.

For levels from intermediate to advanced, with a mind open to exploring the wonder of the creative process.
  A series of completed artworks
  Acrylics:

• A3 pad of watercolour paper (300 gsm) - NOT or cold-pressed
• Acrylics - starter pack from Daler Rowney or Winsor and Newton
• Brushes - bristle, small, medium, large, small bristle fan brush
• 2B pencil and eraser
• Large palette or plastic plate
• Small spray bottle
• Two large water containers
• Natural sponge
• Large cotton rag or old t-shirt

Watercolours:

• A3 watercolour 140lb (300 gsm) paper
• Watercolours
• Nylon brushes, including fan brush
• Selection of graded pencils - 5H-5B
• Two large water containers
• Putty eraser
• Masking fluid
• Angled colour shaper
• Palette
• Masking tape
• Large cotton rag
• Natural sponge

Oils:

• Paints: titanium white, cadmium/lemon yellow, yellow ochre, ultramarine, permanent rose, quinacridone magenta, burnt umber, terre verte/viridian/sap green/oxide of chromium
• Distilled turpentine, or white spirit, or low odour Sansodor
• Liquin original gel
• Large cotton rag
• Prepared canvas boards (16 x 12" at least)
• Palette
• Bristle brushes
• Plastic bag for discarded cloths and paper (essential because of Health & Safety regulations!)
• Newspaper for 'tonking'
• 6B-8B pencil/charcoal

Drawing:

• A3 (at least) cartridge, watercolour and any other 'toothed' papers
• A selection of drawing pencils, from 6H to 6B
• Carbon and charcoal pencils: soft grades e.g. 4B, 6B, 8B etc
• Rubbers, including putty rubber
• Masking tape
• Board on which to rest your work (foam board is ideal - firm and feather-light)

Please also bring:

• Photos and pictures of the subject matter. Photos to be in close-up from various angles and points of perspective and in various lighting; also from a distance. You could also bring photos or pictures of the background subject matter.
• Please also bring actual objects, models, or toys where possible and applicable.

This class series runs over 9 consecutive sessions, at the same time every week.