Drawing – An Introduction to Ink

Tutor: Deborah Petch
Level: Suitable for all
Date: A one-day course: Saturday 1 June 2024, 11am – 5pm
Price: £125

Course details
An introduction to the fluid and versatile qualities of ink, a medium that bridges the gap between drawing and painting. Learn how to control the ink and allow it to flow to produce a variety of exciting outcomes.

The course will begin with a series of experiments that will form a reference library in the form of a mini sketchbook of techniques. You will learn about the properties of ink and how it behaves using a range of methods and tools to encourage a variety of effects and a language of mark-making outcomes.

You will experiment with Indian ink and drawing ink on cartridge and watercolour paper to learn how this medium behaves. You will then learn how to transfer these skills into your drawing, progressing from small scale to a larger piece of work as you gradually gain confidence with the expressive nature of the medium and the variety of marks you can make. You will use sweeping strokes, splashes and gestural marks, starting intuitively and finding a suggestion of images through the marks you make. You can be inspired by sketching in the nearby squares of Bloomsbury or from your imagination.

At the end of the course, you will have produced a mini sketchbook of techniques. You will have learnt about the joy of ink, its fluidity and unpredictability that leads to surprising results. You will have embraced scale, through starting small and advancing to a larger more expressive piece of work.

Materials to bring
A variety of brushes, including a flat wash brush and a decorator’s brush, a small water spritzer and three jam jars with lids. A variety of implements to make marks with, such as cotton buds, string, sticks, skewers, lace, feathers, sponges, old credit cards, toothbrushes, etc.

Black ink will be provided, but you may bring any inks you may have or would like to try.

Materials included
The college will provide cartridge paper, watercolour paper, Indian ink, Quink ink, white ink, blotting paper, pipettes, wax candle and masking tape.

Equipment provided
All necessary equipment will be provided for use on the course.

About the tutor
Deborah Petch studied at Brighton University and the University of Chichester. Her master’s degree culminated in a series of large-scale abstract paintings, which all evolved from drawing and printmaking processes. Deborah is primarily concerned with the exploration of being in the world, which she expresses through her artwork. She enjoys working outdoors on ancient sites where the weather, sense of place and nuances of the past all influence her work. Deborah has worked with Arts Council England, Pallant House Gallery and the University of Chichester. She has exhibited throughout the UK.

General information
Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over.
The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments
Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are plenty of local venues to purchase food locally, if needed, though we recommend that you bring a packed lunch.

Refunds and cancellations
Cancellations are permitted up to 6 weeks before the start of a course and subject to a £35 cancellation fee. Refunds will not be given for cancellations less than 6 weeks before the start of a course.

Students who do not attend due to illness, personal or professional commitments do not have the right to a refund. For this reason, we recommend that students take out personal insurance against any unforeseeable circumstances before the start of their course. It is not possible to transfer to future courses.

We reserve the right to cancel a class in unusual circumstances. We try to avoid this where possible, but sometimes it is unavoidable. In this situation, a full refund will be given. We’re sorry that we cannot be financially responsible for extreme weather conditions, travel disruption or any other situations that are outside our control.

Access
If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: bookingsoffice@westdean.ac.uk

This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety
Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Disclaimer
The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.