Escape to Dorset – Colmers View

2012 Courses

Dorset Arts Weeks. 26 May to 10 June 2012

Dorset Arts Weeks is a free arts festival of open studios + events throughout Dorset. At 'Colmers View' we are hosting a mixed exhibition of work by our artists in residence alongside their workshops.

Courses Tariff B+B.

Shared occupancy £45 per person per night
Single occupancy £85 per person per night
partners who are not participating are welcome.

Collograph Fine Art Printmaking
with Paul Cleden

28th May, 2012

Join us for a one day introductory course in collograph fine art printmaking. During the day you will learn some key techniques of collograph using a base of card to build layers of texture and form. Followed by the development of a simple print based upon ‘Natural Forms’..This could be anything from the inspiring landscape surrounding ‘Colmers View’ to the shape of spring plants.

This technique of print can be achieved with minimal materials and without the use of specialist presses and is an ideal introduction to printmaking. We will also spend time on composition and layout. Paul has 10 years experience of teaching printmaking and we will be using professional inks, paper and materials.

Paul Cleden is a printmaker and illustrator. He also writes and illustrates childrens books. His work uses a number of printmaking techniques, linoprints, collograph, monoprint and lino etch. To view his work go to
www.Paulcleden.co.uk

The course will start at 10am-4pm with an hour for lunch.

The price of this one day workshop is £65

Better Plant and Garden Photography workshop
With Philip Smith, Photographer

9.30am - 4.30pm.Fri 1 June and Fri 8 June.

Philip Smith is a professional photographer specialising in gardens and plants. His photography has featured in many magazines and books including The English Garden, The Garden (RHS), and Gardeners’ World. His work has also featured in exhibitions at Key Gardens and Wisley. As co-founder and managing director of International Garden Photographer of the Year he has been responsible for the world’s premier competition in the field, which culminates in an annual exhibition at Kew Gardens and other venues. Philip is the author of Better Plant and Garden Photography.

9.30am Registration, tea & coffee

10.00 am Introductions & overview of the day
The day will be a mixture of lecture, discussion and practical work. The aim is to provide
· a sound technical foundation for your photography
· a deeper understanding of digital processing and the creative opportunities it offers
· tools and techniques to help you ‘see’ photographs in the garden before taking a shot
· insights into macro close-up photography
· tips and tricks for working with light and colour

10.00 am Lecture and discussion

11.00 am Practical session in the garden (or indoor studio if wet)
We will work as a group on three subjects:
* a garden view
* a plant group or border
* a plant close up
There will also be an opportunity for individual work, plus one to one tuition on basic operations of your camera.

12.30pm Lunch break
2.00pm Practical session in the garden
You will work alone to choose and work with your own subject or subjects in the garden. You will be able to have one-to-one discussions with the tutor through the afternoon as you work.

3pm Refreshments

3.30pm Review of work done in the day and/or photographs the group members have brought with them.

4.30pm End of session

Important information: You will need suitable clothing for outdoors. Please bring your own single lens reflex camera, a tripod if you have it, batteries and charger and a blank memory card. You may bring a few samples of your own work for discussion in the group if you wish – as prints or as image files on a USB memory stick. You may also wish to bring a packed lunch. Philip will be signing his book ‘Better Plant and Garden Photography’ which will be for sale at £10 – cash or cheque only.

www.igpoty.com
www.philipsmithphoto.com

The price of this one day workshop is £65

Lal Hitchcock - Reclaim Art workshop

SUNDAY 3RD JUNE 2012 10.30am-4pm

Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is famous for its unique geology, not for the detritus washed up on its shores. But the garish plastic that to some is an eyesore, is for Lal, a source of inspiration.

Whether working on her own pieces, or running workshops, Lal uses random objects as a starting point: paintbrush handles, plastic cans and bottles, fishing line, dummies and driftwood. It is the associations these trigger, which provide the starting point for each piece; by ‘playing’ with them - arranging them, and rearranging them - something begins to emerge: a person, an animal, a group of people ... The pieces are then honed and assembled in a variety of different ways, from sawing, gluing and nailing, to carving, drilling, wiring and painting.

There is usually a narrative element to each piece, also a thinly veiled message about the environment.

materials + some tools are provided but feel free to bring your own
To see some of Lal’s work, visit: www.axisweb.org/lal hitchcock

The price of this one day workshop is £65

Gift Vouchers are available on request. For these or application forms, email: admin@escapetodorset.co.uk

Accomodation at Colmers View is availible on request.