Introduction to a Painting-based Studio Practice
A 12 day study program over 9 months developing a professional art practice centred on painting.
October 2020 - June 2021
(this information can also be downloaded as a pdf here)
Please note: This course is subject to potential date alteration due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Kate Downie will honour all participants accepted on the programme with the allotted teaching and studio time.
This program of study is designed to encourage continuing professional development (CPD) for those who wish to explore in greater depth the potential of painting in a contemporary context.
It aims to offer artists a broad insight into studio practice and develop a greater understanding of the creative process, through drawing and research, in order to build a wider range of painting skills.
The course will provide students with 72 hours of studio teaching. To gain maximum benefit from the workshops students need to be fully committed to further personal development by supporting this study with at least 1 day a week of independent study.
The study program will consist of 3 terms. Each term will begin with a 3-day workshop followed by a period of independent study in which you will develop a series of works within a project structure. Your independent study will be supported by a mid-term feedback day/tutorial day when students come together to share their creative experiences, discuss development ideas and troubleshoot technical problems with the support of the tutor. The final day will include an open studio event and picnic where friends and family are invited to enjoy the work on show.
There is no essay element to this course, but students will be expected to document their research on chosen subject, contemporary artists and exhibitions, as a way of reflecting on their practice. On completion of this course there is no qualification, but I would be happy to provide letters of reference/student report.
The focus will be on developing your personal creative journey at the same time as developing good painting practice and expanding your approach to drawing. You will be expected to develop a practice based on in-depth research in both visual and written materials and engage with contemporary art through exhibitions and studio visits.
Fees for the 3 term year CPD painting course is £1260. Upon acceptance to the course a deposit of £360 is required followed by 9 x monthly payments of £100 by direct debit (October 2020 – June 2021)
Full course details will be sent to students at least 8 weeks before the course start date.
A list of B&Bs and local accommodation can be provided upon successful admission to the course.
Students will be expected to provide their own materials, and a materials list will be provided with the course details. Painting canvas will be available to purchase at cost price. Green practices of re-use, up-cycling of materials and non-toxic clean-up practices will be encouraged.
Applying for a place
Places on this course are limited to 6 students
This course is aimed at creative practitioners with some experience of a studio practice and exhibiting, students who have attended a foundation level or equivalent course, or artists who are looking to return to studio practice after a period of time. Applicants should have a basic knowledge of drawing and painting alongside evidence of creative engagement. This could be development work such as drawings or sketchbooks or finished work in other mediums – printmaking, collage, sculpture, photography, film, installation, etc.
A commitment to attending all workshops and feedback sessions is essential.
To apply please send up to 20 images by WeTransfer or Dropbox, along with a short CV and covering letter about your motivation for applying to katedownie1 [at] me.com by May 31st 2020. Use the subject line ‘Introduction to a Painting-based Studio Practice’.
I look forward to meeting with you!
Your tutor
Internationally recognised artist Kate Downie has been a practising exhibiting artist and workshop leader for over 30 years. As well as teaching many independent workshops and mentoring emerging artists she has also been a visiting lecturer at Edinburgh College of Art, Duncan of Jordanstone, Gray’s School of Art, University of the West Coast, and within the Royal Scottish Academy as well as numerous Artist in Schools residencies and public art projects.
The course will be held in the beautiful Birchtree Studios, Ceres, in Fife
photo: Alicia Bruce
Key Dates (course outline below)
Application Deadline - 31st May 2020
Interviews (in person or by Facetime) - 8th - 12th June
Notification of placement - 15th June
Deposit to secure placement by June 30th.
Workshop 1
Approaches to Painting
14th - 16th October 2020
Feedback/Tutorial day 1
4th December 2020
Workshop 2
Translation – from drawing and printmaking into painting
20th - 22nd January 2021
Feedback/Tutorial day 2
12th March 2021
Workshop 3
The Final Project
28th - 30th April 2021
Final feedback day & Open Studio Presentation of work/grand picnic
11th June 2021
Students also need to be fully committed to further personal development by supporting this study with at least 1 day a week of independent study.
Course Outline
Workshop 1: Approaches to Painting
14th – 16th October 2020
The aim of this first workshop is to encourage you to find your own creative voice. We will begin by re-visiting the basics of painting. There are very many approaches and styles to painting, depending on your cultural background, where you learned to paint and who taught you. There is no right or wrong way to paint; it is about developing your own personal creative voice. Variations in the scale, painting tools, techniques and choice of painting surfaces, mediums and experimental techniques all need to be explored to find your own personal style of painting.
By studying contemporary painting from across the world we will explore a range of approaches to the same basic techniques, experimenting with a variety of materials to investigate different qualities and surfaces that can be achieved in painting.
As well as developing your own personal painting language we will begin to explore a range of methodologies to help your development, including a tutorial in photographing and filing your own work. You will be encouraged to build a body of research through drawing, photography and sketchbooks, which will inform your personal creative language and provide you with a source of inspiration/motivation for your painting.
Feedback/Tutorial Days
4th December 2020, 12th March 2021 & 11th June 2021
Your independent study will be supported by a mid-term feedback/tutorial day each term when students come together to share their creative experiences, discuss development ideas and troubleshoot technical problems with the support of the tutor.
In your final feedback session, you will have the opportunity to present your final painting project. Sharing your creative journey with fellow students, we will discuss how your work can continue to evolve and progress in future projects. *
The final day will include an open studio afternoon event and picnic where friends and family are invited to enjoy the work on show.
Workshop 2: Translation – from drawing and printmaking into painting
20th - 22nd January 2021
In this second workshop we will consider in more detail how to develop your ideas into painting. You may not have a finalised idea, but you will have a body of research from which to take your inspiration for painting projects. At this stage we will bring together your ideas expressed in various forms of documentation - writing, film, drawings, photography, recordings, collage etc - and translate these through basic printmaking towards a range of painted studies. You will be experimenting with mark-making, colour blending and surface qualities. All these are important exercises that will help you make decisions about how to structure your approach to painting. In moving from research to painting there are many things to consider: the most important consideration is why should we translate drawing, photography, collage etc. into painting? With guidance from the tutor you will select a collection of sources to work from. You will consider:
Size and scale of the painting
In which order to apply grounds and layers
Analyse the marks and colour qualities within your work
Surface quality of a range of materials
Workshop 3: The Final Project
28th - 30th April 2021
In this final workshop we will review the body of work that you have produced. Looking at your journey from ideas and inspiration, through your sketchbooks and experiments in paint, to finalise your painting plan. What choices have you made? How have you resolved and refined your ideas?
In planning your final project there will be an opportunity to discuss your ideas and address any technical issues. We will consider:
How to plan your project
Size and scale of the finished paintings, considering practical and aesthetic choices.
Drawing up and using cartoons
Sourcing materials and the quantities required
Recording materials and processes
Final presentation
By the end of this 3rd workshop you will have a greater understanding of the creative process that will take you from inspiration through to finished painting/s. Having researched, sampled, and planned your painting/s you will now be able to enjoy the process and produce a final work.
*On successful completion of Year 1 there will be an option to study for a further year (2021-2022)
In this second year we would keep the same format of 3 days/ one day tutorial & feedback but we will go on to explore a more experimental approach to painting, using unusual materials, installation and a mixed medial approach.
Also as part of your professional practice, we will explore collaborative projects and consider the challenges of working to commission. We will also consider the importance of artists’ paperwork such as statements, C.V., as well as organising and submitting work for an exhibition.
After completing 2 years of study students will be supported and encouraged to put it all in to practice and organise a final public group exhibition or event outside of Birchtree Studios.