Immerse yourself in a patch of ancient woodland, walk the paths and record what you find.
The Ancient woodland of chalk downland where Hampshire and Wiltshire meet is a magical place. From the top edge of the wood you can see Stockbridge Down, Danebury Ring, and other hill top strongholds. Walking through the woodland you have a sense of other travellers, others working in the space, coppicing, for example, is still practised as it has been for centuries.
Record the Sense of Place and Time within the wood, the atmosphere and the story.
- Tutor, Kate Measham
- 3, 4, October
- 10.00 – 4.00, at Ramshill East Winterslow. (directions given on booking)
- Suitable for all but will be outside in roughish terrain
- £160/2days
- Please bring a picnic and a thermos of coffee – we will have cake!
What to expect on this course
You will spend time in the woods, exploring the different areas, making numerous quick sketches, writing notes, and filling a sketchbook. You will be thinking about texture, pattern, shape, abstraction, atmosphere, narrative, attitude, meaning, and any other ideas that emerge.
The afternoon of day one and all of day two will be working towards more finished pieces. There will be a plan B for day 2 if the weather gets tricky.
More about Ancient Woodland
As you walk around this area of Ancient Woodland with Kate Measham you will start to explore the nature of woods.
The glades, paths and tracks, fallen trees and freshly worked areas make the space feel alive. When a tree falls that is only half its life completed; as it rots and returns to the soil it nourishes new life, new flora and new creatures. Each area and space has a different identity. By spending real time, looking and drawing, you get to know a woodland. Slowly, like a meditation, you will find your personal interpretation of their time, their pace.
The Woodland Trust is an excellent charity restoring, conserving and planting woodlands. Do take a look to find out more about their work.
Materials
The idea of this course is to explore your environment, to make notes and then to work from your notes.
Please bring whatever materials you feel most happy with. You may want to stick with charcoal, or embark on a mixed media approach, or paint with acrylics, watercolour or oil. It doesn’t matter which material you choose but you must endeavour to bring everything you need.
Make sure you have a sketchbook and a pencil for notes and thumbnail sketches, and larger paper to work on. Bring whatever support you think will be needed for your materials.
Dress appropriately, whatever the weather. There is a barn to avoid October showers! Make sure you have something to sit on that is easy to carry. If you have a field easel feel free to bring it but don’t worry if you don’t have one.
This is working en plain air and is a bit like camping with art materials – bring what you need but be prepared to adapt.