Online art courses

THE ART TOSCANA ONLINE STUDIO

DRAWING, PAINTING & MIXED MEDIA COURSE

 

TUTOR – CHRISTOPHER BELL BAHons 1st class, MA, PGCE

‘My belief is that all human beings are creative. If we are given the appropriate stimulation and motivation, great things can be achieved. Whatever your background this course will give you the opportunity to unlock your creative potential. The course is designed to suit all levels from beginners to the more accomplished. You can either take the whole course or individual units to suit your needs.’

 

AUTUMN 2023/WINTER 2024 ONLINE PAINTING & DRAWING PROGRAMME

 

Thank you for reviewing the Autumn 2023/Winter 2024 Drawing, Painting, and Mixed Media Online course. This online Art Toscana fine art course contains four units each one lasting four weeks, consisting of 4 x 90 minute sessions conducted via Zoom. In addition to these four sessions, there is a discussion hour within each unit for celebrating and reviewing your work. The aim of this course is to heighten and develop skills in observation, experimentation, the manipulation of mixed media, and to foster independent creative thinking. Painting and drawing combines ways of seeing, thinking through the use of materials, and conceptual making.

The programme is based on a mini foundation course similar to those required for a degree course. Drawing underpins the structure of the course. It is the essential pathway for creative thinking.

The course will enable you not only to increase your powers of observation but also confidence in your self expression.

The course will endeavour to facilitate your learning through a structured program incorporating visual references from the history of art and contemporary styles.

Demonstrations will be given at each session with assignments to assist your progress. During each session, time will be given for discussion and feedback on your work, at a group and individual level. These virtual lessons will give you the opportunity to build on what you already know. They will assist your progress in acquiring new skills and confidence in realizing your intentions.

The project themes for each unit provides opportunities for students to develop their personal practice, enrich their understanding of key concepts, and improve their practical skills in a wide range of traditional and contemporary techniques. It allows students to explore and build on their interests. Each theme promotes and encourages independent expression and the development of a critical, reflective practice.

The course aims to encourage students to be: confident, experiment with media and materials in two dimensional processes, take risks to improve technical skills, develop a personal artistic style, be responsible in taking charge of their development as an artist with an independent approach to the creative process, record ideas and critically evaluate the work as it progresses, continually review, refine and adapt, combining approaches and techniques and developing skills to solve problems creatively, enrich their work by exploring different artists, movements and concepts.

 

THE KEY CONCEPTS

Communication

An essential purpose of any piece of art is to communicate, from the simplest sketch to the most complex work. Artists need to understand that the relationship their work builds with the audience is influenced by many things, including their chosen media and methods. Effective communication is also essential for operating in today’s art world, which demands collaboration and engagement with wider cultures and movements.

 

Creativity

Creativity is at the heart of an artists’ processes. It pushes you to question, investigate, experiment and take risks to create work that is original and meaningful. Creative practitioners use curiosity, imagination and innovation to solve visual problems in new ways.

 

Intention

An intention is the starting point of any project, from which the artist starts to develop ideas. An intention or purpose can come from a brief, proposal or research, while at other times it might begin as an idea or feeling. Though an intention is the reason to start a project, it is important to understand that the intention can evolve as work develops.

 

Materials and processes

Experimentation with materials and processes builds confidence, and helps develop awareness of spatial, textural and colour relationships, which are fundamental to visual thinking. A skilful artist selects the materials and processes that communicate their message in the most effective way.

 

Critical reflection

Critical reflection is the ongoing process that helps artists to learn what works and what doesn’t. Artists need to evaluate how the materials, techniques and processes they choose affect how their work communicates meaning. This process can help work become more relevant and coherent.

 

Research and context

First-hand research helps artists to develop their ideas and refine their practice. Actively researching and responding to other practitioners, cultures and creative movements gives artists a broad view of the world. An artist can use this to improve their practice and understand how their work connects with its intended audience.

BUILDING A PORTFOLIO OF WORK IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS COURSE. SHARING WORK AND CREATING AN ONLINE PORTFOLIO IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU ON GOOGLE DRIVE. AT THE END OF THE COURSE YOUR WORK WILL BE DISPLAYED IN AN ONLINE GALLERY.

 

Course Programme and Project Themes

  • Unit 1 ENVIRONMENT/EARTH
  • Unit 2 DREAMS/DESIRES
  • Unit 3 ILLUMINATION
  • Unit 4 SELF IMAGE

 

DATES & TIMES – There are two time zones:

The units consist of 4 X 90 min sessions + 1 X 60 min review session within or at the start of each unit.

 

UNIT 1

Time zone 1 – 1500 GMT – Nov 1, Nov 8, Nov 15, Nov 22.

Time zone 2 – 900 GMT – Nov 2, Nov 9, Nov 16, Nov 23.

 

UNIT 2

Time zone 1 – 1500 GMT – Nov 29, Dec 6, Dec 13, Dec 20.

Time zone 2 – 900 GMT – Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14, Dec 21.

 

UNIT 3

Time zone 1 – 1500 GMT – Jan 10 , Jan 17, Jan 24, Jan 31.

Time zone 2 – 900 GMT – Jan 11 , Jan 18, Jan 25, Feb 1.

 

UNIT 4

Time zone 1 – 1500 GMT – Feb 14, Feb 21, Feb 28, Mar 6.

Time zone 2 – 900 GMT – Feb 15, Feb 22, Feb 29, Mar 7.

MATERIALS:

  • • You will need the following :
  • • A4 and A3 sketchbooks
  • • A2 & A1paper
  • • Brown parcel paper
  • • A range of graphite pencils
  • • Charcoal
  • • Black pensWhite chalk
  • * White chalk
  • *Putty rubber
  • • Brushes
  • • Water colours
  • • Acrylics and oil paint
  • • PVA glue
  • • Gesso
  • • Selection of canvases
  • • Digital camera (phone) and printer
  •  

 

ABOUT YOUR TUTOR

Christopher Bell will be your instructor for this special program. He is the teacher and founder of ART TOSCANA where he has been facilitating international art groups for over 15 years.

Chris’ background is in education, teaching art to young students, teachers and adults. He is an Advanced Skills Teacher and led the Development of Thinking and Learning Skills in East Sussex schools.

Chelsea College of Art (BA First-class honours), Slade School of Fine Art (MA), Painting Scholarship – Yale University USA, PGCE (Sussex University), Diploma in Counselling ( De Montfort University).

Click here for Christopher’s personal site or here for Art Toscana
 
 
COST
 

150 euro (or 135 sterling) for 4 x 90 minute Zoom sessions of lectures, tuition, demonstrations, assignments, reviews of assignments. 1 X 60 minute group review and critique. If you miss a lesson, catch up time can be provided, and/ or a recording of the lesson.

Photographs of your work to be emailed to Chris each week for the review.

Additional individual sessions can be arranged.

PLACES ARE LIMITED