Courses

Date: Saturdays, starts 4th May 2024, 10.00am-1.00pm
Course Length: 2 Sessions
Price: £120
Tutor: Stefanie Smith
Level: Beginner

In this 2-part course, we'll introduce you to the joy of coil building with clay, using simple templates to help you make a symmetrical vessel form. We'll cover all of the basic techniques needed to help you with any coil-building project, along with some tips and tricks to help you design strong and stable forms. You'll also be taught a number of surface decoration techniques to help bring your vessel to life!

This course will be taught in a studio setting with hands-on demonstrations, as well as group and one-on-one instruction.

What do students need to bring with them?

It's recommended to bring an apron, or to wear clothes that can get dirty, and an old tea towel for wiping hands may also be useful.

Date: Wednesdays, starts 17th April 2024, 7.00-9.00pm
Course Length: 10 Sessions*
Price: £195
Tutor: Christopher Holloway
Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Develop your drawing skills within a studio setting by exploring a range of different methods and approaches to drawing, in a creative and supportive environment.

Working from observation, the course will cover a study of line, tone, shape, texture, scale and composition. Subject matter will include still life, the figure, interior space and a range of observational drawing scenarios. This course will focus on the principles of drawing and developing our skills in observation and ways of seeing.

This is a taught class within a studio environment, whereby experimentation is encouraged and where you can learn through drawing itself. One to one tuition and feedback will be provided throughout.

Students should bring with them: One box of willow charcoal, some drawing pencils and an eraser for the first session, A1 white cartridge paper will be available at the class. Tuition will be provided with regard to materials, so it is advisable not to purchase unnecessarily before the course commences.

*Please note that there will be a break week on Wednesday 29th May (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Wednesday 26th June.

Date: Tuesdays, starts 16th April 2024, 7:00-9:00pm
Course Length: 10 Sessions*
Price: £205
Tutor: Christopher Holloway
Level: All Levels

Life drawing offers the opportunity to draw and study the human form over ten focused classes. This is an open to all class, which will appeal to all levels including beginners.

The classes are structured to give a diverse range of poses to draw from, both short and extended. The course will include set exercises which will give you the opportunity to experiment and engage in a range of approaches to drawing. Each session will give you the opportunity to develop and refine your own response to drawing the figure.

This is a taught class within a studio environment, whereby experimentation is encouraged and where you can learn through drawing itself. One to one tuition and feedback will be provided throughout.

Students should bring with them: One box of willow charcoal, some drawing pencils and an eraser for the first session, A1 white cartridge paper will be available at the class. Tuition will be provided with regard to materials, so it is advisable not to purchase unnecessarily before the course commences.

*Please note that there will be a break week on Tuesday 28th May (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Tuesday 25th June.

Date: Wednesdays, starts 17th April 2024, 6:00-8:00pm
Course Length: 10 Sessions*
Price: £195
Tutor: Nikolett Kovacs
Level: All Welcome

This unique course invites individuals of all artistic levels to explore the intersection of creativity and the mind-body connection. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a beginner seeking new adventures, or you are interested in integrating art into your day-to-day life, this course is designed for you!

The course does not require any kind of previous drawing or artistic skill - It's all about the process: basically, if you can draw lines, you can make Neurographic Art. You will be drawn into the is meditative process of art making the course is ideal for both art enthusiasts and anyone interested in mindfulness and well-being.

Neurographic Art combines psychology and art and aims to help to reduce stress, transform subconscious beliefs and create an overall sense of well-being. Discover the therapeutic benefits as you create vibrant artworks, promoting relaxation and stress reduction.

The only prerequisite for joining the course is curiosity.

What do students need to bring with them?

• A4/A3 sketchbook (at least 210gsm paper)
• Colouring materials: A selection of markers and pens, depending on personal preference. Advice will be provided during the first session.
• Coloured pencils
• Permanent marker (blue or black)
• Sharpener
• Eraser
• A desire to learn

Optional: Watercolour pencils, watercolour, crayons, gel pens

*Please note that there will be a break week on Wednesday 29th May (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Wednesday 26th June.

Date: Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May 2024, 10:30am-3:00pm
Course Length: Weekend
Price: £100
Tutor: Christopher Holloway
Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Figurative painting has remained a popular subject matter throughout the history of art and maintains its importance as a subject for painting today.

'Painting the human figure' offers the opportunity to study the human form over two days.

This class will explore the technical aspects of painting in oil or acrylic with a study of composition, mixing practice, colour and observation.

Working with a variety of approaches to observation including preliminary sketching, how the placement of the figure is incorporated into the composition and environment, working with colour and tone as a way of controlling light, all of which will lead us to producing a final composition(s).

The class will be suitable for those with some painting experience and wishing to develop their practice in response to the figure, whilst seeking tuition with regards to the technical and formal aspects of painting the figure from life.

This is a taught class within a studio environment, where one to one tuition and feedback will be provided throughout. This course features a life model.

What do students need to bring with them?

Students to bring with them: Student or Artist Quality Oil / Acrylic Colour:

• Warm Red e.g - Cadmium Red
• Cool Red e.g - Alizarin Crimson or Quinacridone Red
• Warm Blue e.g - Cerulean, Manganese or Phthalo Blue
• Cool Blue e.g - Ultramarine Blue
• Warm Yellow e.g - Cadmium Yellow
• Cool Yellow e.g - Lemon Yellow
• Yellow Ochre
• Viridian Green
• Titanium White
• Black

Students may bring additional colours if they wish.

Also: rags, palette, palette knives, masking tape, flat and or round brushes - if possible sizes 2, 4 and 8, low odour artist white spirit or turpentine (for oil painters), brush washing jar, drawing materials (pencil, charcoal, eraser), an apron may be useful.

Various sized surfaces to paint onto such as - Primed canvas, canvas board, primed oil paper / acrylic paper pad, primed boards, whichever you feel comfortable using.

Date: Mondays, starting 15th April 2024, 6:00-8:00pm
Course Length: 10 Sessions*
Price: £195
Tutor: Nikolett Kovacs
Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Introduction to Watercolour is a perfect opportunity for hobby artists to learn foundational techniques and develop their skills. You don't need to be an experienced painter, this is a place to learn and find joy in the creative process, make new friends who love expressing their creativity just like you do!

The aim of the course is to explore essential techniques and build your confidence and skills through easy-to-follow, step-by-step lessons. From mastering basic brush strokes to understanding colour mixing, our tutor breaks down each concept into manageable chunks. A broad subject range will be covered including still life, landscapes, and pet portraits. The lessons are structured around a central theme.

With small class sizes you will receive constructive feedback from the tutor and have inspiring conversations with fellow hobby artists.

The final work you choose to develop is based on your own interests, allowing you to explore what inspires you and find your own unique artistic style.

What do students need to bring with them?

• Watercolour paint set (Pans or tubes)
  
  The tutor recommends using a good student grade paint to avoid disappointment. Starting with basic colours (you can build it up as you progress with further advice from the tutor after your first session) Recommended brands are: Windsor and Newton, Daniel Smith, Sennelier
  
• A4/A3 sketchbook (at least 210gsm paper)
• Watercolour brushes
• 2 glass jars for water
• White china plate for your palette, alternatively plastic palette
• Pencil, eraser, sharpener

Optional: Variety of material for experimental techniques - spray bottle, toothbrush, salt, plastic wrap, sponges, crayons

*Please note that there will be break weeks on Monday 6th May and Monday 27th May (for Bank Holidays) courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Monday 1st July.

Date: Wednesdays, starting 17th April 2024, 7:00-9:00pm
Course Length: 8 Sessions
Price: £165
Tutor: Erin Donnelly
Level: All Welcome/Beginners

This is an eight-week course offering an introduction to bookbinding. Students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of hand bookbinding techniques and create their own handmade artist books. The course will feature the simple five-hole pamphlet as well as more advanced binding techniques such as Japanese style binding. Students will receive detailed demonstrations of these techniques as well as trying their hand at them and learning new skills each week.

This is a practical course where students will be able to get involved in practicing and improving their skills as well as being encouraged to bring in their own ideas and explore their own creativity. Students will also be given a theoretical understanding of artist books through learning about other artists and how they incorporate artist books into their practice. All the materials and equipment are provided, and the aim is to give learners the knowledge and confidence to create the books themselves by the completion of the course.

What do students need to bring with them?

Some basics such as a pen, pencils, eraser and notebook for note taking. Imagery such as magazines, sketches, photographs, text, or any other references students want to include in their projects, if they wish (this is not mandatory). Students are welcome to bring whatever they want to use in their work - paints, specific papers, fabric, threads etc. (again this is not mandatory). All bookbinding tools and materials will be provided and students are not required to purchase anything specifically for the course.

Date: Tuesdays, starting 16th April 2024, 7:00-9:00pm
Course Length: 10 Sessions*
Price: £195
Tutor: Chloe Nugent
Level: All Welcome

Introduction to Printmaking is a practical introduction to a range of versatile printing techniques. The course will cover three main methods: monoprinting, intaglio and relief printing. While learning, students will have opportunity to explore mark making, line, tone, composition, pattern and texture.

For the first session, students should bring a note or sketch pad and something to write and draw with. This first session will be an overview of the course, a full safety tour of the studio and an opportunity for students to begin planning themes and ideas to explore for the duration of the course.

There will be guidelines for what found and recyclable objects students should bring to further sessions which will be used in printing processes.

This course is suitable for any person wishing to broaden their skillset and experiment within a supported studio setting. Absolute beginners and seasoned artists alike are welcome to explore their own creativity while gaining skills that can be used in a professional setting and are transferable to be used in the home.

What do students need to bring with them?

A notepad and something to write with, basic drawing materials such as pencils and rubbers, a sketchbook is optional as paper will be provided, an apron. In the first session students will be provided a list of further found materials to bring with them to each session and a list of possible materials to purchase should they choose as the course progresses.

*Please note that there will be a break week on Tuesday 28th May (for Half Term) and courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Tuesday 25th June.

Date: Mondays, starting 22nd April 2024, 7:00-9:00pm
Course Length: 10 Sessions*
Price: £195
Tutor: Russell John
Level: Beginner/Intermediate

In this course you will be guided through the process of developing a series of drawings and colourful monotype prints.

We will use found imagery, cuttings from newspapers/magazines, and personal imagery combined with drawing as tools to develop composition, tone and mark making.

Building on the successes of consecutive drawings we will make a series of monotype and chine colle (a type of collage) prints.

You will then develop your monotype printmaking by putting what you've learned into practice whilst further considering the role of colour.

You will be supported one to one during this course, as well as sharing the results of your work with a group of fellow learners.

What do students need to bring with them?

A range of sizes of brushes

A range of dry drawing materials, Watercolour pencils

A range of printed 'source' imagery which students are interested in and which can be cut up, these can be personal and/or from the media, photocopies or inkjet prints.

Selections can be built upon throughout the course, with guidance each lesson on what might be good to bring next week.

*Please note that there will be break weeks on Monday 6th May and Monday 27th May (for Bank Holidays) courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Monday 8th July.

Date: Thursdays, starting 25th April 2024, 7:00-9:00pm
Course Length: 10 Sessions
Price: £195
Tutor: Russell John
Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Reduction linocut printing was popularised by Picasso and his master printer Hidalgo Arnéra. It is a bold and usually colourful relief print technique.

In this course you will be guided through the development and production of a series of reduction linocut prints.

Using sketches, found imagery and photographs we will create personal compositions which embrace the inherent restrictions of reduction linocut printing and harness its bold and colourful appearance.

Each week we will respond to what we have previously created and build upon successes, allowing us to create an edition of prints which take advantage of this wonderful technique.

What do students need to bring with them?

Found imagery and/or personal imagery, photocopies, cuttings from magazines

Other advice will be given during first session.

Date: Mondays, starting 15th April 2024, 7:00-9:00pm
Course Length: 8 Sessions*
Price: £165
Tutor: Karen O'Shea
Level: Beginner/Intermediate

This sewing improvement course will provide an introduction to a range of basic dressmaking techniques that will build confidence and skills to tackle projects and garments. It is aimed at those with some introductory experience of sewing, ideally to have some basic knowledge of using a sewing machine and who wish to improve their skill and confidence in techniques required to sew projects and to get started in making garments. A separate course, for complete beginners (who can't yet thread a needle) is intended to run in the following term, after which this course would then re-run.

Students should bring with them:

• Notebook & pen/pencil
• Small sharp scissors
• Pins

(In the introductory weeks, students will be guided in selecting and buying fabric and an easy dressmaking pattern - and will need to obtain both to create a garment of their choice)

*Please note that there will be break weeks on Monday 6th May and Monday 27th May (for Bank Holidays) courses will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Monday 24th June.

Date: Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st April 2024, 10:00am-2:00pm
Course Length: Weekend
Price: £85
Tutor: Karen O'Shea
Level: All Welcome

Learn to sew by hand and use a machine to assemble, stitch and turn out a project.

This course has everything to build a beginner's sewing confidence and skill.

For those who have always wanted to learn to sew or who would like to know how to repair, adjust or make things.

Day one will introduce hand stitch, including an introduction to fabrics, terminology, and the basics of stitching and how this can be applied to repairing garments, such as sewing buttons, mending seams, attaching patches, and inspiring visible repairs.

Day two will see students move on to use of the sewing machines, to learn how the machine works, how to wind a bobbin and practice straight and curved sewing stitches, as well as practicing turning corners, sewing hems, accurate top stitching, clipping notches, and corners to turn out a project.

What should students bring with them?

• A notebook and pencil
• Not essential but students would find it helpful to bring their own simple sewing kit comprising pins, a household hand sewing needle, an un-picker, and a pair of small sharp embroidery scissors (nail scissors will do).

Date: Mondays starting 15th April 2024, 7:00-9:00pm
Course Length: 5 Sessions*
Price: £115
Tutor: Kath Wibmer
Level: All Welcome

Learn how to produce a stencil screen printed length of fabric and use it to make a lampshade of your own design!

In this course you will be taught how to create beautiful, one-off stencil screen printed fabrics. We will work together to create colour palettes of your choosing, a use them to print shapes and forms of your creation onto cloth. Through experimentation we will decide on a final fabric print design, which you will screen print and then apply to a drum lampshade.

The course will be entirely studio based and practical, and you will be introduced to the wonderful fabric screen printing facilities we have available at Cardiff school of art and design. Your tutor will show you all of the skills required and help you on a 1-1 basis to develop your skills and ideas throughout the sessions.

This course is suitable for anyone. If you have never screen printed before, this is the perfect opportunity to learn! If you have screen printing experience, come along and learn new ways of printing. Create your own lampshade that will light up your home!

What do students need to bring with them?

• Clothing that students do not mind getting ink on/stained. An apron if they wish - but not compulsory.
• Sensible footwear - no open toed shoes, sandals or heels.

*Please note that there will be a break week on Monday 6th May (Bank Holiday) the course will resume the following week, meaning that the last session will take place Monday 20th May.