Colour, Light and the Physical Form
Practical Workshop
30 January 2016 10.30am - 5.30pm31 January 2016 10.30am - 5.30pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
£240 per day. £420 for two days. Includes all materials, lunch and wine reception.
Jean-Etienne Liotard
Terms and conditions
Join practising artist Andy Pankhurst for an intensive workshop focussed on the use and influence of colour and light on the physical form, applied to life drawing and also central to a range of creative practices.
The widespread practical teaching of colour theory began in the 18th century and has developed into an independent and important artistic tradition central to much art practice, method and styles. It bridges art and science and is referenced in the notebooks of both Leonardo da Vinci and Sir Isaac Newton.
Within the Royal Academy, the interaction of colour and light, and the perception of colour and light on the physical form is something that has been widely discussed, most notably within the famous Seven Discourses on Art (1769) by Sir Joshua Reynolds, founder and first President of the Academy, in which he describes:
'… by looking on his palette at twilight he [the artist] will see what colours absorb the light, and those that give it out; and thus select for his shadows colours that have the property of giving depth and richness.’
In the 20th century, the teachings and writings of artists explored not only colour theory, but concepts of perception, and ‘how we see’ more broadly – ideas central to contemporary art and aesthetics today. Josef Albers in his famous publication Interaction of Colour (1963) argued:
‘Practical exercises demonstrate through colour deception (illusion) the relativity and instability of colour... experience teaches that in visual perception there is a discrepancy between physical fact and psychic effect.’
About the course
Join practising artist Andy Pankhurst for an intensive workshop focussed on the use and influence of colour and light on the physical form, applied to life drawing but also central to a range of creative practices, mediums and styles. Participants will be introduced to a combination of various materials, including coloured pencils and pastel chalks, while exploring concepts of perception, simple colour theory and picture-making.
Participants can choose between either a one-day, or a full weekend course. 10.30am – 5.30pm on both days.
This course is for you if:
• You have some prior knowledge of drawing and/or painting and would like to extend your skills in colour, form and light.
• You would like a new perspective in your approach to life drawing and the use of colour and light.
• You would like the opportunity to develop your skills and ideas in a small group and in the historical setting of the Royal Academy’s Life Drawing room.
• You have no prior experience of life drawing but an interest in the theory and practice of art more widely.
This course is suitable for all levels, preferably with some prior experience of drawing, painting or creative practice.
The number of participants is strictly limited to 18 participants per day in order to enable detailed feedback from the course Tutor for each participant and the work that they create.
Full weekend tickets are now fully booked. Tickets still remain for Sunday 31 January 2016.
Price per day: £240
Price for both days: £420
10.30am – 5.30pm on both days
Includes:
• An introduction to the Academy and the unique role Academicians and their work has played in colour theory
• Special reference to works in the Academy library and archives on colour theory
• All practical materials
• Course learning materials and handouts
• Lunch and refreshments
The course is followed by a wine reception at the end of each day.
About the Tutor
Andy Pankhurst
By the time he graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art in 1992, Andy Pankhurst had won First Prize for the Windsor and Newton Young Artist’s Award, and was being represented by leading gallery Anthony Mould Contemporary Ltd. Awarded the Richard Ford Scholarship through the Royal Academy in 1992, and the Boise Travel Scholarship in 1993, Andy travelled to Spain and Italy to study the work of the Old Masters. As a figurative painter, Andy Pankhurst’s work is represented in various public, corporate and private collections and museums in the UK and USA. Andy currently exhibits with Browse and Darby in London, with his most recent show of paintings and drawings in November 2014. He is co-author with Lucinda Hawksley of “What Makes Great Art”, published 2012 by Apple Press. He also teaches at the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Drawing School.
About the space
The Life Room
Set in the Academy’s historic Life Room, nestled deep in the heart of the RA Schools, this unique and significant setting was designed in the 1860s when the galleries and Schools were first constructed, purpose built to accommodate the study of the human form in art.
The semi-circular seating arrangement is based on an ancient design and can trace its British history all the way back to the 1730s and Hogarth’s Academy in St Martin’s Lane. The lighting is also of ancient design and is used (then as now) to provide directional light to aid the delineation of the figure’s musculature – significantly enhancing the use and study of colour and light in art.
Our courses and classes programme
Our programme of short courses and classes offers the opportunity to explore a range of subjects, led by expert tutors and practising artists.