Summer School // Painting in the Park

This one week painting course will explore the practice of drawing and painting in London’s green spaces. Painting outdoors presents many problems; the aim of this course is to equip students with the confidence and practical knowledge to go out and work in any environment that inspires them. We will consider the work of painters such as Seurat, Corot, Constable and Garstin whose paintings can be seen in various London museums and galleries, as well as more contemporary artists David Hockney, Leon Kossoff, Frank Auerbach, John Piper, Ivon Hitchens and Adrian Berg. Students will work outside in one of the many parks in London such as Paddington Street Gardens, Regent’s Park or Hyde Park, and will be encouraged to respond to these places by making direct paintings on the spot. These can be developed back at the studio or seen as an end in themselves. Students will also have an opportunity to visit a museum or gallery looking at works from the above artists. Pocket sketchbooks will be utilised to record observations and sensations which can also be used to work from. No experience is necessary and students are not limited to a particular medium. Dealing with unpredictable weather is one of the challenges of painting outside, the students should be prepared rain or shine!